V-Flyer

48 hours on the ground were almost over, so we headed over to T3, traffic not too bad, the in laws dropped us off and we headed through the construction to check in.

There was a small line at UC check in, but 3 desk agents, so it didnt take long to be processed and on our way to security. The usual liquid police were in full force and voice, but the line for fast trak security was very short. Of course it could be even shorter if organized like the security lines at almost any airport in the US. It would also help if people didnt appear shocked and flabbergasted that they would have to have their possessions scrutinized. I always figure that a single person traveling with a laptop is going to be pretty aware that they need to remove it from the case, but at Heathrownoooo!

Even better is the new shoe inspection, of course the passport check podiums were impeding traffic and not in use, can anyone who uses this airport more often than me, explain their purpose and why their hours of use seem to bear little relationship to when the airport is open. There was a line for shoe inspection, but a passage to the side apparently not requiring shoe inspection, we took that one. I dont know if it was meant to be there, but I thought I would leave the sheeple to stand in line.[}:)]

CH was great. We grabbed newspapers and sat down for the obligatory full English breakfast. Then occupied one of the sofas and continued reading. Question, why are the small wooden drink plinths placed cunningly out of the reach of all passengers except those Neanderthals with knuckles that scrape the ground? Presumably they cant afford to fly UC and so dont really need this kind of special accommodation. The staff did respond well to our request to turn the rather out of place music that suddenly blared. Then we were sensible enough to ignore the first call for the flight and waited for the second call. So when the final call came with instructions to make our way to the front of the line, we set off for gate 5. Of course there were two lines, both in use by regular pax, so we did indeed move to the front, without any rancour, [:)]then found ourselves in one line to hand over our boarding card and get on the plane. What a joke? [V]The CH and desk could handle this much better, and the desk organization could certainly be configured to allow a priority line. Why dont they understand that one of the biggest benefits of either AU or UC is that you get to be somewhat insulated from all the crap that accompanies flying these days. Instead they dont seem to get that. Maybe if SRB took one of his flights as a UC passenger instead of a VIP / UCP he might got a better appreciation, and become more customer focused again.

Once on board we found out all the sleep suits were gone. Apparently on day flights no one uses them so they only pack one box. On our flight everyone wanted one, and most of the UC passengers used their beds, duvets etc. I asked to speak to the FSM, D who understood my complaints, and stated that I was not the only person inconvenienced and so a report would be filed by the crew. Apparently sleep suits arent part of the service on day flights, even though most people when faced with 10 or 11 hours in the air, and a flat bed are going to do whatsleep or at least lie down. But on day flights, your clothes dont get wrinkled and so you dont need a sleep suit. [:?]

The rest of the flight was very good. An excellent crew did a great job of taking care of us. The Best of British menu was on offer. I did choose the Higgidy pie which was excellent, though I couldnt quite understand why it was drenched in a very runny Hollandaise sauce, used like it was gravy, really quite strange. I did enjoy the Bakewell Tart.

On the wine front, I went back to the Sauvignon Blanc, which was undoubtedly the best white of the flight. Then I had a glass of some pinot Noir from Domaine Carnaval, a Vin de Pays dOc. Not particularly good, but those wacky French are trying to save their industry by putting Pinot Noir in a Bordeaux bottle. What will they think of next?[ii]

After dinner, I put the bed down (almost unheard of on VS019) and slept for about four hours. The latter part of the flight was spent writing this report and an article for the wine club newsletter at work.

The FSM has offered to put 5k miles in each of our accounts.

We landed on time and went through SFO in short order.

My thoughts on traveling downstairs on 747 are that I would go for the front cabin on the A side. These people didnt seem to be too inconvenienced by IFBT and the service is much quicker up there. My preference remains upstairs but DW has a thing about barging past the PE folk and so doesnt like upstairs.

Two months to the next trip, back to LHR on UC, then J on SAA to Joburg.

Originally posted by napamatt
But on day flights, your clothes don't get wrinkled and so you don't need a sleep suit. [:?]

To be fair, my clothes tend to iron themselves progressively throughout the day, so there MAY be some truth in that. [:w]

Thanks once again for yet another good TR[y][y]

I did enjoy your observations about the CH furniture[:D][:D][:D]

of course the passport check podiums were impeding traffic and not in use, can anyone who uses this airport more often than me, explain their purpose and why their hours of use seem to bear little relationship to when the airport is open.

ISTBC but I believe the podiums are used at times of heightened security - as this could be at a moment's notice, I suspect they are now a permanent feature[:(]

You make some valid points about the 'newer' gates now being used more frequently by VS at the other end of T3. Surely a couple of extra penguin signs could be purchased. They don't cost that much - do they??


buns

Matt,
Another fine report. Thanks for including us in your flight. Seems as though the wine collection is improving and I was happy to learn that the Best of British is not only edible but good.

Thanks again.

Chuck-