VS031 LGW-UVF 14 Sep 07 (PE)
Posted: 23 Sep 2007, 14:15This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
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What is it with Gatwick hotel prices, they are either peanuts because they look a bit of a dump, or places that think that because they have the name Hilton or Sofitel think they can charge 185+ for a nights stay. Bearing in mind that we were planning to check-in at 6am, Sarah and I decide to forgo the hotel option and stay up the previous evening and make the drive over to Gatwick at 4am. We picked up my parents en-route at the newly renovated Clarion hotel nearby to Gatwick, and from what I saw of the reception and my parents opinion, it was actually quite good, and especially good for the 61 rate they had found via a broker (as direct it was about 115/night). It made sense for them as they had flown in that evening to LGW.
I parked the car up at ParkPlus which appears to be a new parking facility next door to Parking Express and the Upper Class drive-thru check-in area. Very quick 2 minute transfer to the terminal, and the walk to Zone A avoiding all the passengers stood looking gormless in front of the screens trying to work out where they need to check-in. Now, surely it takes no more than 15 seconds to look up and work out where you need to go? Is it really that difficult? [;)]
We arrive at Zone A, and there is a dilemma. Directly in front of me is a solitary Upper Class check-in desk hiding behind a pillar, but behind me is a huge Upper Class check-in compound that is closed off with a Tensabarrier. So we walk forward to the hidden Upper pillar, and it appears that Flying Club Golds are not oft seen in a Gatwick terminal as I see a desk with a monitor above it saying Silver Card check-in.
This isnt a dig at Silver card holders, just seems strange to dedicate a check-in desk to FC Ag when they can use PE check-in.
Anyway, on to the check-in. Now for some reason, Virgin Holidays sent us two of everything for our trip, including two sets of identical flights tickets (aside from issue date). Now me being a good chap, I gave the agent both sets and said they were identical apart from the issue date, but that meant me standing there like a muppet for 10 minutes whilst she disappeared to check something. After 10 minutes, she decided to check us in using the latest issued tickets, and then said that I need to take the other tickets back to the ticket desk. Looking at the lack of staff and the small forming queue I decided to shut my mouth and deal with that later. Now on to the next shining example of GroundStar, Can I see your hand luggage? the agent asks. Sarah lifts her laptop bag up, no issues. I lift my identically sized bag up, can you put it on the scales please? even though my case is still on the scale. And the meter says, 7.5kg. That is too heavy, the limit is 5kg, you will have to take 2.5kg out. Obviously this member of outsourced staff has forgot they are working on the Virgin counter today, and not one of the LCCs. It is pointed out to them that it is 8kg, and Gold members are allowed another 20kg of baggage anyway. Then in true GroundStar tradition, the agent next to her starts to chime in (even though he is serving another passenger) saying I am wrong, and the other agent is correct. Obviously the solitary IQ point was being shared between them, so I smiled and said I would sort it out in the Clubhouse. At that point, Clubhouse invitation were handed over, shame they werent filled in or signed.
On to Fast Track, and passing on the way the array of people in t-shirts that used to sell perfume but now stand there handing out plastic bags and telling people what they can and cant do. Now BAA has yet again showed its prowess when it comes to common sense and the complete lack of it. I know, lets slap the Fast track aisle slap bang in the middle of the security line. Genius! Quick walk through security and we were through to the general departures lounge; What is it with British holidaymakers insisting on wearing tracksuit bottoms, shell suits, football shirts, Budwesier/Worldcup 94 t-shirts etc? It's like a moving Freemans catalgoue. I managed to traverse the area and up the escalators to the corridor leading to the Gatwick Clubhouse without touching anyone, no small feat given the crowds of EZ/MON masses gathering around the Gallardo at the bottom of the escalators.
Down the corridors, and through to the teleporter that took us to the Clubhouse. I say teleporter because its an oasis in the CH compared to the general departure lounge. Needless to say I was not disappointed, familiar smiling faces who welcomed us back to the old home from home. A hug from this years Superhero Rina for us all, with news that her good husband was on his way. No sooner had we sat down, a bucket with champagne arrived for us all. The staff were really good, and took great care of my parents making sure they were okay and helping them select treatments. Quick breakfast and a look/read of the days papers. I may be alone in my opinion here, but I am disappointed with the reading material that VS spends money on, buying Hello and Ok magazine, and as for the Daily Mail and Daily Express (my new favourite look) given its absolute insistence that its The Worlds greatest newspaper. Talk about being on drugs. Give me The Times any day. I went for my token haircut, which was rather good and tipped the hairdresser who actually seemed genuinely surprised to get a tip. Back for breakfast, chat to Mr. Shoeshine Jack and chat to the peeps on reception about issues at check-in and the mysterious duplicate documents (which they took care of in seconds). Then it was time to board the flight as we had waited for the second call.
The long walk over to the satellite terminal, and we were among the last to board (though good to see the priority boarding set up).
Note to mitchjas of the world, we were on Virginia Plain, G-VTOP.
Up the stairs to our seats, and the cabins have filled rather quickly in PE and UC, as they were both half empty the night before. Must be lots of staff travelling! Flight time was announced at 7h 50 mins, nice quick flight, and so we settled in 79A and C. A member of crew appeared with the drinks tray, the immortal question asked Is that champagne or sparkling wine? The answer back rather abruptly was a condescending its sparkling wine. I grated my teeth. I didnt bother looking at the IFE; I really cannot be bothered with non-AVOD anymore. It really is so 90s. Shame as there were a few movies on there that I would have watched (compared to the 50+ rubbish films we had when flew to IAD in July on a VPort equipped plane). Anyway, I had synced my iPod the night before so had a good deal of new podcasts to amuse myself with. Glad I charged it as I forgot that a) I had left my USB charge cable at home.
There is no chuffing Empower in PE on the LGW/MAN routes.Ever heard the phrase Its a small world and it not have Disney connotations? Well in my fathers case, it must be damn small world. Its impossible to go anywhere with him without us bumping into someone he knows. Low and behold, this was going to be the soup du jour today, as one of the fellow PE passengers knows him. Parents? Whod have them?
Meal time came, and the usual Do you want chicken, beef or vegetarian? ensued, though for once it was actually not that bad. It least it wasnt served like slop as it had been on some of my previous PE outings, with the delights of mass seepage. Time flew by as I listened to my Jimmy Carr podcasts and read the proper papers. It was now time for the second meal service, the snack service. It seemed to be done in dribs and drabs and I noted a few passengers getting served a good 15 minutes before anyone else. And so it happens, they get to our row and its now egg and cheese, or egg and cheese. All the Chicken and ham sandwiches have gone. Grr! I dont eat egg, nor cheese. I ask if they have any back in Economy, theyve already been served and there are none left. FSM is called, and who confirms that meal preference is not guaranteed for Golds in PE or Economy. But she turns the situation around and promptly brings me a lovely plate of ham sandwiches from Upper. Problem resolved quickly and satisfactorily, good marks to the FSM. Its a shame that the FSM didnt make the rounds during the flight to do a welcome to the Gold and Silver members onboard.
Time to prepare for landing, and we were soon on the ground. A quick fast walk across the tarmac to the immigration room. Now my, the US boys could learn a thing or two about a glowing welcome from these chaps. A smile, politeness, and a Welcome were all present and correct. Now Sarah and I being the type we are, we have black Virgin Atlantic leather passport wallets to protect the passports, complete with medical booklets inside and Flying Club membership cards. In America and the UK, they rip your passport out and literally throw the cover and contents at you. Simply scanning the available page with the data would be too much like hard work. No, no, not here. They carefully removed the passport, scanned it, and then actually took the effort to try and put it back together as they were handed it. Sarahs mouth was wide open in amazement at such politeness and courtesy.
Luggage arrived soon afterwards in the adjacent baggage room, and then off through customs. There are a lot of porter people in the area just after customs, trying to assist with the luggage. I understand that its job creation but really dislike the way they hassle tourists as soon as they land and try and take their luggage off them.. Outside to the Virgin Holidays desk to inquire how many were doing the transfer, another 6. We decided to get a taxi on our own as it was damn hot and humid in St Lucia and we didnt want to wait for the other 6 people to turn up.
Overall, the PE flight passed pretty quickly and wasnt that bad a flight, especially as I had, rightly or wrongly, expected less as I usually fly from LHR on the more business oriented routes.
