V-Flyer

15 July 2007
LHR-JFK
VS 003 Upper Class on Lady Luck G-VWIN

As many V-Flyers know this past weekend was the always fun Riverboat Shuffle. This years event drew members old and new to bucolic Maidenhead. Following a lovely evening (thanks to Bazz and his terrific organizing talent) and about ten minutes of sleep my wakeup call arrived, followed in quick order by a shower and the arrival of my cab driver.

Bidding adieu to the Thames Hotel we were off at high speed down the M4 to Heathrow where chaos, in the form of reconstruction at T-3, reigns. The entire fa_ade of the terminal has been cordoned off and despite rather good signage it was obvious that many of todays flyers had no clear idea of exactly how to make their way into the building. Once inside there was a 15-minute wait for the Upper check-in. The agent was friendly and I was soon on my way to Fast Track. There a bit of a problem ensued with the agents assuring me that there are new rules in effect for carryons (only one is permitted). I was sent back to Upper check-in where the counter agent apologized for not having mentioned the policy before Id left her station (in fairness, she had told me she could have used some extra sleep last evening couldnt we all!).

The Clubhouse beckoned though my visit would be short. Just had enough time to enjoy a full English and coffee before heading out for my morning constitutional, the walk to Gate 1. Once there I noticed that boarding had not yet commenced but in the blink of an eye, without so much as an announcement (or perhaps I was asleep) boarding had in fact commenced and the usual scrum was in full swing with no agents at the jetway entrance to even attempt a sort out. Must mark Virgin down for continually failing to fix this problem.

With all my crankiness over the luggage I wondered whether Id be the victim of my own emotions and not just relax and enjoy the flight. No matter as the cabin crew were superb, tending to everyones needs with professionalism and friendliness. I decided not to mention the issue with the luggage despite seeing many UC pax with two carryons. Perhaps I had drawn the odd enforcer at Fast Track. Oh well, not the issue of a generation certainly but something for the BAA to think about as it tries to sort out whats best for passenger safety.

We were delayed about 30 minutes at the gate but departed swiftly and soon Lady Lucks big engines were roaring and we were off to New York. A quick climb through some clouds and in short order the seatbelt sign switched off and drink orders were being taken. For some reason I had the notion that alcohol would help me feel better. Where in Gods name that logic had emerged? Especially since my waist likely had jumped a waist size after consuming much beer during my 48-hour visit to Blighty. But there I was, ordering a chardonnay which arrived promptly and having been consumed went quickly to work settling my innards and causing me to feel even sleepier. At this point its best for me to point out purely for self-defence reasons, mind you, that no matter what any of you hear, or read, I did not fly all the way to England merely to take cat naps in chairs.

Would you care for lunch, sir? Why, yes, thank you. One of todays offers was a cheese and potato pie and I selected it. Unfortunately though it arrived hot and was served with perfect friendliness the truth is that it just wasnt very good. I was expecting better and had only the day before dined on a heavenly pie at Nicholsons in London, famous for its pies for over 135 years. Todays pie was preceded by the carrot and apple soup which I did enjoy. Dessert was a very fine tart.

After lunch I watched The Good Shepherd starring Matt Damon. An interesting thriller about the origins of the CIA. Then a bit of TV before I grabbed a few moments of rest with the bed made up (I wasnt going to do it, but the flight attendant insisted that I enjoy my rest period to the utmost).

We enjoyed a smooth landing at JFK and an effortless customs and immigration queue. I am now ensconced in the NW room at LaGuardia Airport awaiting my connecting flight back to Memphis.

What a great weekend! Thank you to all the V-Flyers who made this event so special, and thanks to VS for two excellent flights with cracking good staffs and food that filled the hole if not the imagination.


Chuck-

Chuck - I DID try to give you a wake-up call around 1:45am, several times but I think you were refusing to come out of your room.

Originally posted by preiffer
Chuck - I DID try to give you a wake-up call around 1:45am, several times but I think you were refusing to come out of your room.

What so now you have replaced Mike in making THOSE phone calls !

UC may be one of the best ways to get over a hangover.

The single bag rule is just plain stupid, the smart flier knows to take one big bag and a couple of little ones..stuff the small ones into the big one, don't even bother to zip it up, rest the laptop on top of it all..and there you go...one bag

No phonecalls, personal VISIT!

Chuck

Thanks for the TR - all the more important that it confirms that you did not miss your flight following the Riverboat shuffle[:w]

Your descriptive ability enabled me to follow your rout through Heathrow and subsequent on-board experience perfectly. Your 'britishness' is starting to show as you contained yourself on the carry-on issue

For some reason I had the notion that alcohol would help me feel better.

Go on; You know it makes sense

Thanks once again, not only for the TR, but travelling all that way in support of V-Flyer[oo]
[oo]

buns

Originally posted by preiffer
Chuck - I DID try to give you a wake-up call around 1:45am, several times but I think you were refusing to come out of your room.

Now I know who woke me up[:(!]

I kept hearing - running feet - a slow, gentle knock knock knock down the corridor, followed by more running feet.

Now I wish I HAD eaten all the sausages at breakfast [}:)]

Nope - that wasn't me then. Mine was an extended, aggressive, BANGING on the door - accompanied by 'Chuck.... CHUCK!!!!'

Originally posted by preiffer
Nope - that wasn't me then. Mine was an extended, aggressive, BANGING on the door - accompanied by 'Chuck.... CHUCK!!!!'

Reiffer, I still can't work out how you managed to let a 6ft 4 man escape from the small bar in the hotel to his room. [?]

Originally posted by RichardMannion

Originally posted by preiffer
Nope - that wasn't me then. Mine was an extended, aggressive, BANGING on the door - accompanied by 'Chuck.... CHUCK!!!!'

Reiffer, I still can't work out how you managed to let a 6ft 4 man escape from the small bar in the hotel to his room. [?]

Chuck stepped over him..pretty easy to do if you drank anything harder than a shandy [n][V]

Thanks for a great TR Chuck, it really was great to meet you at the RBS and look forward to seeing you next time.

Glad you had a good flight home and that you made it on time!

Dominic

Originally posted by ChuckC
15 July 2007
Dessert was a very fine tart.

Chuck-

BTW what was the tarts name! I haven't had one of those flights in years! [:o)][:o)]

Now, Dominic, you know I cannot tell you that!

Chuck-

Wonderful trip report Chuck! Its a shame to repeatedly hear that priority boarding is still not in effect.

It was lovely to see you again over the weekend, and I am glad to hear that you got back safely to MEM.

Thanks,
Sarah

Thanks, Sarah. I do wonder what the big problem is that enforcing priority boarding apparently is not a, er, priority?

As other carriers can do this without any issue whatsoever, and insofar as announcements are often made in the Clubhouses that one should expect priority boarding, when it doesn't happen, or when there is not even an attempt to make good on the priority boarding promise, what's the point of even mentioning it to pax?

Best to Lord Richard and you. See you soon, I hope.

Chuck-