V-Flyer

The AddLee driver picked me and my ridiculously underpacked 2 suitcases (got a Drugstore.com order to collect (there's a new toothbrush on the block from the original designers of the Sonicare) AND it's the first week of the month so GNC and my GNC Gold Card call) up from chez Decker at 11:00 for the 14:00 flight. I'd been too busy with a software deliverable to risk booking a treatment so I didn't need to arrive too early. I'd done a lot of soul searching before the flight on the wisdom of upgrading using miles and had probably decided against it - my Flying Co miles are low and I'd need to use them as I'd booked a special offer K so couldn't use my own Flying Club miles. Turning up at UC check in I was seen after a 10 minute wait by a helpful gentleman who I asked if we were still on an airbus... 'No on a 747 now' was the reply... Excellent - I'm not a fan of PE on 340s - so any chance of an upstairs exit row seat? 'I'll look for you but they're generally the first to go'... 'Aisle or window?'... 'Window please' so pleased as punch I felt vindicated by my decision not to upgrade - 70K - possibly the best non-UC seat on board.

I made my way to the CH - as I exited the lounge area a VS clad staffer was holding a sign saying VS45. I approached her and even after our exchange I'm unsure why she was there. There was still an hour before they were going to start boarding but she seemed to be tasked with corralling stray pax?

I checked into the CH and had G/C written on my PE BP. First things first - eat. As ever a Clubhouse Burger and a very attentive service, then collect a bottle of San Pellegrino for my PE sojourn. Over to the computers and feel obliged to check V-Flyer (on every one of the (all free) computers). For some reason I couldn't bring myself to close the V-Flyer home page when I logged out - though I wish the default was NOT to remain logged in...

A horribly technical support call at the bar distracted me to the extent that I only partially heard a PA asking a Mr Dagger to approach the desk. This niggled at me to the extent that I eventually asked the conference to hold while I checked. Approaching the desk and enquiring who was being paged brought with it a suitable frisson as my name was repeated. Espying a purple pass on the desk my heart was in my mouth. Sure enough I'd been OpUpped (I'm embarrassed to admit that when in the CH with a PE ticket I hide the BP) - suitable professions of gratitude were made and I returned to the bar where a very obliging barman created his own version of a Vesper - what he lacked in Lillet he made up for in creativity. Seated next to me at the bar where a couple on their way to the Emmys for his creative work in the film Tsunami. We chatted awhile, compared mobiles - she had the gorgeous B&O mobile - he had the latest PSV - I'm the Crackberry addict. After more chatting and comparing notes it transpired that we lived not a mile apart so contact details were exchanged for a drink at a later date.

Realising that my flight must be boarding I bad my farewells and promenaded to gate 27 where Priority Boarding wasn't signed. I recognised a family from the CH hanging around the entrance - seemingly unsure of how to proceed. Taking the bull by the horns I walked to the head of the queue and just presented myself to the second checker. She processed me immediately without blinking. I then joined the main queue to enter the staging area and thence the airbridge. Chatting to the elderly couple in front they expressed surprise that the flight had not been boarded by row so they expected confusion onboard. They were en route to JFK for a while then off to Vegas for 10 days. Apparently the hotel they wanted wouldn't take a 10 day booking so they'd been transferred to the Wynn. They were fretting as to whether they'd like it as they normally stayed at the Mirage... I hope I was able to put their mind at rest.

Turning left I made the newb mistake of heading to the front of the plane to remember that 1A was upstairs.... backtracking I returned to my proper seat and settled in. No way my computer bag was going to fit into these anaemic overheads so it was whisked away by our friendly FA.

Usual ritual ensued with the exception of ninjaing up - I couldn't be bothered. It's not that long a flight. At this point I got to examine the menu and YUMMMMMMMM Square Pies 'r' Us!

Lunch
Starters
Smoked Haddock Pat_ served with black pepper oatcakes. Arbroath smokies no less!
Mild spiced butternut squash soup served with a choice of warm breads

Main Courses
Roast Chicken Breast with sage & thyme stuffing served with autumn greens, roast potatoes, carrots, parsnips and Somerset cider sauce
The Square Pie Company steakand mushroom pie served with mushy peas, mashed potato and gravy
Autumn vegetable stew served with dumplings and hazlenuts

Cheese
Coastal Cheddar
Somerset rustic
Cropwell Bishop Stilton

Dessert
Treacle tart served with fresh cream
Profiteroles with chocolate sauce

Afternoon Tea
Selection of sandwiches - organic egg and rocket, gammon ham and apple chutney and prawn cocktail
Buttermilk sultana served with Tiptree fruit jam and Roddas clotted cream
100 & 1000s cupcake and chocolate button cupcake

Champagnes
Charles Heidseck Brut R_serve nv
Berrys' Extra Dry Cr_mant de Limoux

White Wines
Domain de la Cessane Marsanne/Viognier 2006 Vins de Pays D'Oc, France
Berrys' own selection Pinot Grigio 2006, IGT Venezie, Italy
Spinsanti Chardonnay 2005, Mendoza, Argentina

Red Wines
Cucao Carmenere/Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, Rapel Valley, Chile
Artadi Laderas El Seque 2005, Alicante Spain
La Bastide aux Oliviers 2005, Coteaux de Languedoc, France

Hot towels were distributed and as an experiment I tried to see what marks I could remove from the suite with bit of elbow grease. Answer was about 50% so the cleaners on turn around aren't even wet cleaning - just dusting effectively. The mysterious 'red lipstick' lines were present on the left side wall towards the back - we always see these and no clue what they are - they don't come off with a hot towel though.

We sat on the tarmac for what seemed an age but I don't wear a watch so no clue...

Shortly after rotation v:port was on and the initial drinks order was taken. As ever I wanted to get a couple of hours work done, interrupted only by our attentive FA's service and my quick assistance to the gentleman over the aisle who couldn't work out his table.

No enforced blind closing which is a good thing!

I got my work done and my food was delivered. It was GORJ! The pat_ was tasty - complemented nicely by the rocket and oatcakes. The pie was all you could want a pie to be, the mushy peas tasted of MUSHY PEAS (not some weird velout_ as seems to have become de rigeur elsewhere) and the mashed potatoes tasted like real mashed potatoes. The cheese was full of flavour. I have to say possibly the best meal in UC in a year or two!

After my meal I watched an 'ok' film - so 'ok' I can't remember what it was called, and then repaired to the bar where the charming downstairs team were keeping some male fashionistas on their way to NYC for a show amused. The FSM was working attentively but no personal greets for FC members.

I skipped the sandwiches as I planned to eat in the hotel later.

Landing was painless but after that came the hell that is immigration on the 45. The queues were 9 lines deep increasing to 13-14 later. My estimated 45 minutes stretched out to 1'15' but once in front of the officer he didn't even bother asking how long I was going to be in or what I was over for, just reviewed the docs and stamped me in.

One piece of luggage was on the belt and one in a pile of luggage on the floor. Took the Air Train to the Federal Circle and awaited my shuttle to the Crowne Plaza where the sweethearts upgraded me from the cheapest room I'd booked to a suite with a jacuzzi... bless...

Sorry for lack of detail - I wasn't planning a TR but the food made it compulsory!

Sounds like a lot of detail to me, Decker. Excellent report. Have a successful visit in the USA.

Chuck-

In your honour, sir, tonight I am preparing mushy peas for myself and The Ginger Breadstick! Capital report, I must say, old boy. Capital!

GJ

I love GNC. The lady at my local GNC hooks it up. (She is odd looking too. I can't fogure out her race. I am guessing Central African but ?) Anyway she gives me free fills and odd discounts.

Decker: there was a 10 off coupon a 50 purchause. Normal there is special deals online

Ooooh! The new menu sounds gorgeous, but alas I am in PE for my next flight [:(]. I loved the last menu but this sounds just as good. Thanks for posting

Great TR! Lady luck was certainly with you with all of the upgrades!

A very yummy sounding menu ... and Square Pies! Yumyumyumyum!! I'm thinking maybe a trip to Selfridges over the weekend to enjoy one or at least pick one up to take home!

Have a safe trip, catch up when your back.

Wonderful Trip Report - so glad you got the op-up! The new menu sounds divine. Kudos for including it (in full!) in your report.

Have a good week, and fingers crossed for equally good luck on your return flight home!

Thanks,
Sarah

Thanks for the TR [y]

The new J menu does sound rather good and a step in the right direction.

Regards

ChuckC
Thanks Chuck - the US section is primarily play - off for my friend's annual Rib Roast - the work section is in Canada where I have to meet a new client. As I have never been to Canada I'm a little excited.

GJ
I'm impressed tho' not surprised that you know how to prepare them. Does it involve marrowfat peas and overnight soaks? Greetings to the Ginger Breadstick. Echos of Billy Bragg there.

MCM
Cheers Ben - I'm planning to get there today to get by 20% off in the first week deal... must look for other coupons as well then!

HL
It WAS lovely - I'm sure it tasted all the better as part of an opup but it was just good simple food, well presented and tasty.

Stars
She was indeed! In fairness the Crowne Plaza upgrade comes with the ICH Loyalty Card but I wasn't expecting such a good one. The VS one comes with there being few Aus travelling solo who weren't already in UC I guess. That and very full cabins.

fozzyo
The FA looking after me said she thought there was a Square Pie shop in Birmingham? I didn't realise that you could buy them elsewhere (although someone will now doubtless kindly point me to the link where this has been discussed to death ). Look forward to the catch up.

HighFlyer
Thank you . I always wish I carried one of those pen scanners when I do these flights. As a non-touch typer it's a bit laborious. I do have Mavis Beacon loaded somewhere but never seem to get round to using it. I'm not holding my breath for the way back as current loads are

J7 D7 Z6 W1 S1 K0 Y7 B7 L7 M7 Q7 X7 N7

So J isn't as wide and W might be only slightly oversold... might have to use miles

James
You're welcome . And yes here's hoping they're getting the idea as to what works at 35,000ft! Amusingly I'd been so excited about the Square Pie that my FA said she'd told her colleague to take special care when plating it to ensure it looked as good as I expected it to taste

Originally posted by Decker

GJ
I'm impressed tho' not surprised that you know how to prepare them. Does it involve marrowfat peas and overnight soaks? Greetings to the Ginger Breadstick. Echos of Billy Bragg there.

At the risk of creating off-topic banter and sinking this entire enterprise in a mere few keystrokes, I can assure you it is marrowfat only, an overnight soak, a bit of mint, a quantity of butter and the posh bit is a crumbling of sea salt over every serving.

Nice TR -- just read it again and found even more to enjoy!

GJ

Seems like there's been an uptick on the catering side of late, but I'm naturally still disappointed by there being no alternative to potatoes offered on the Autumn menu, and all three mains appearing to be spud infested (as I'm sure the veg stew will have potatoes in it).

Quite sad that there's still no option of anything remotely green salad-ish on this menu, too.

Shame the cakes are still 'More tea Vicar?' rather than decadent.

Still, I look forward to giving it a spin if I manage to snag an upgrade on the 19th!

I share your concerns about the turnaround cleans. Both aircraft on my recent LHR-SFO/BOS-LHR trip were poorly cleaned in and around the seat.

Congrats on the op-up, it's always nice when that happens, isn't it?[:)]

Don't suppose you noticed how long it took for the main meal service on your flight? Just for comparison with the three tedious hours I had on the way out a couple of weeks ago, you know.

Mike

Well I must admit I didn't look as I was programming but I'd GUESS about an hour from rotation...

Decker

A truly excellent TR - thank you [y][y]

All the credit for holding back on reporting the op-up surprise until the appropriate moment - as I have no up coming VS flights, your TR has wetted my appetite to get back on board VS as soon as possible.

the UC food offering is of course exceedingly tempting - albeit that my enjoyment of mushy peas normally has to be taken out of sight of Mrs Buns who cannot stand them (best she fly PE and I UC perhaps[:w][:w])

Good fortune with your trip

buns

First thing I do is clean my tv screen with the hot towel[:o)]

I rather liked the sound of that menu.

For reference, Decker - the FlyingCo. terms have recently updated which would have buggered up your backup plan anyway...

6.2.6:

Any full Premium Economy fare booked in W, S or K class. Excludes APEX and Excursion type, seat sale or any other special/promotional type Premium Economy fare.

From here.

Certain individuals have the discretion to waive that rule...

Thanks Decker,

The menu sounds SO good (all lunch offerings excellent)--and puts the PE menu to shame. Any comments on the wines--which also looked quite a good choice?

And thanks for the hot towel cleaning experiment--which I think suggest that housekeeping an aeroplane requires more than a lick and a promise. Being sat in a seat/suite which has someone else's (or several someone else's) used tissue, greasy fingerprints, a bit of old marinara sauce or ...lipstick stains (but really--who kisses the wall?) is just plain yucky.

Cheers,
RR

Ermmm.. I enjoyed them? [:w] La Bastide was, I believe, my preferred tipple...

The pink marks are more sort of biro but not. I suspect some cleaning equipment must leave marks as they seem to be everywhere/ Crew didn't know what it was last time I asked...