VS029 LGW-BGI 3 Nov 07 (PE)
Posted: 06 Nov 2007, 03:45Note to self, never travel economy on Virgin out of Gatwick on a Saturday morning.
Having not been dropped off by car at Gatwick since last summers Glasgow attack the morning started with me getting dropped in the wrong place and having to negotiate a mess of an approach to the terminal not easy with an suitcase thats obviously closely related to a shopping trolley. Then up at least two levels to get to the departure hall. Relieved I headed for the Virgin end of the terminal and came to an abrupt halt as a milling throng, all queuing, extended beyond the ticket desks to the left. All of them hopefully clutching Virgin tickets of various guises. Bugger I thought - or words to that effect. After a bit of cajoling and elbowing I was met half-way by Virgin ground staff effectively marshalling the queue into some semblance of order and managed to get to the PE/Upper area without further incident. The bag drop wasnt open, but after about 5 minutes my documents were inspected and, having used OLCI, I was moved out of the queue and directed to one of the three PE check in agents [y]. Holding my breath the bags of cookware and tiles my Mother sent me out here with were weighed and, just, came in under the limit. Was given a fast track security sticker, had its location explained to me, was asked if I had any questions (not something Ive been asked before I must admit) and was on my way. Security queues were being marshalled effectively and progress was rapid. So, despite my original reaction, once in the terminal I had got rid of my bags and was through security in about 20 minutes.
Not having access to any lounges I had to make my own entertainment until it was time to board. Easy really: 15 minutes queuing in Smiths for a paper having checked in my change! 15 minutes queuing in World Duty Free while a couple bound for Nigeria proceeded to pay for what looked like way to much booze, using a staggering combination of credit/debit cards and cash I always join the wrong queue [:(]. 15 minutes queuing in Boots for some soothing eye drops and something for the blood pressure [:D]. It was now 9 am and, technically, time to board. Instead I ventured to my normal Gatwick South haunt of Est Est Est for breakfast, where if you get a decent seat you can sit and watch the nice shinny airplanes! Disappointingly, they had no smoked salmon so scrambled eggs and salmon became scrambled eggs, half a raw tomato and a dubious looking mushroom. Thus refreshed I headed off to find out which gate to go to. 19, as it turned out and they were showing final boarding. As I nudged my way along the travelator, irate calls came over the tannoy for the last remaining passengers to get their sorry backsides to gate 19 immediately where the plane was waiting to depart. If only!
Got to the gate, queued. Handed over my boarding pass, queued. Shuffled down the air bridge, queued while thy sorted out an over complicated looking pushchair. Got on the plane and went upstairs. My jacket was hung up for me, I was given a glass of what was called champagne and settled into my seat with 10 minutes to spare. FSM made his introductions to the plane, 12 cabin crew on board etc. 10:00 came and went, 10:10 came and went then the captain came on and said that there appeared to be some discrepancy with the number of people on board and the number that should be on board, but not to worry as he was going to be flying really fast today and we would be there in 7 hours and 35 minutes. 20 minutes later the problem had become a problem with a rogue piece of luggage (more on this later). At 10:50 the captain came on again welcoming all 459 passengers, said the problem had been sorted and we would be on our way shortly. Eventually, at 11, we pushed back and by 11:15 we were airborne. What surprised me a little about this was that we werent offered any additional refreshments even water or fruit juice. Perhaps the uncertainty of the delay meant they didnt want to rush round collecting the bits and pieces for takeoff?
The flight itself was uneventful.
Hot towels, followed by a drinks run and lunch:
Menu:
Salad
Seasonal leaf salad with cherry tomatoes ad vinaigrette dressing
Main Course
1) Chicken korma served with basmati rice and vegetable jalfrezi
2) Braised Beef served with horseradish mashed potato, baby carrots, green beans and mustard sauce (though this was replaced with Roast Pork) [:(!]
3) Penne pasta with Sicilian tomato sauce and parmesan cheese
Warm Bread
Pumpkin ciabatta and farmers roll
Desserts
G_ cheeky pot au chocolate
Cheese & Biscuits
Butlers Secret mature cheddar served with crackers.
I assume they brought round drinks afterwards, but was asleep at the time.
IFE worked fine once Id plugged my own headphones in. Couldnt get the hang of the mini golf game though.
Films on Odyssey this month:
The Simpsons
Pirates of the Caribbean 3
No Reservations
Knocked Up
Wind Chill
Hot Rod
Surfs Up
Transformers
Harry Potter 73
and one more , but I cant read my notes!
Watched 2 films, slept a little and wondered, listened to some music, watched the sky map. Tea was ham and chicken and stuffing sandwiches. The Premiership football results were read out (shouts/groans of approval/disapproval wafted up from below at the Man. U./Arsenal result) and before I knew it we were making our final approach. Announcing this the 1st Officer also thanked us for flying Virgin on this occasion and encouraged us to continue doing so in the future, as this enabled him to continue doing a job he loved and had been doing for 20 years. How sweet!
Arrived in Bridgetown about 15 minutes late, and breezed through immigration being at the right end of a queue for the first - and only - time today. BA, Air Canada and AA flights had already arrived and, apart from the BA passengers, left the luggage hall. Bags began arriving quickly with my first bag being amongst the first. The second one refused to make an appearance. Bags went round and came round again, and still no sign of said bag. I had visions of Le Creuset lids, with no matching pans, half tiled shower rooms and I wasnt looking forward to trying to claim this on insurance! Then, remembering the reason for the delay, I figured they had probably not repacked the plane with the same care and attention they normally lavish on these things. Bi sooner thought than up pops missing bag and its out to the taxi (and queues!) and, finally, the house a few Banks and the pool.
Now, if youd indulge me a little further. Hello! Anybody still here? A little while ago, my first post here was a question about the benefits of AG over plain old red. I also mentioned, in passing, that my last trip to Barbados was on VS in Y and a pretty miserable affair at that. The too good to be missed PE fare sale convinced me to give them one last try. Mostly I liked what I saw. The seats, even if they are not the new ones, were comfortable and spacious enough so that you dont feel like youre sitting on the lap of the person next to you. They were comfortable enough to sleep a little (hopefully a lot more on the way back) but I did tend to find myself slipping down a little. The cabin is definitely laid out better than the BA equivalent, but what this is like on an AC with the PE cabin on the same deck Ill wait to see. The service was very good, cabin crew were very attentive and friendly. There were at least three upstairs, plus a few others made an appearance at various times. Disembarking I looked down the Y cabin and seeing the mass of humanity crushed into such little space was glad Id made this decision.
Is the PE product worth the extra money? I would have to say that its a qualified yes. I dont feel it quite lives up to what its advertised as. For example, a nicely printed menu with Butlers Secret Cheddar doesnt conjure up a plastic piece of cheddar and a few crackers, not mentally at least. Having things come in china bowls and getting a nice big red napkin and proper cutlery is a nice touch. As are the glass glasses, but why do these transform themselves into plastic after lunch is this a bizarre Cinderella thing, or a more practical weight issue? The extra space is, however, the real advantage, as is getting off the plane quickly. But I cant help feeing that the marketing bods have got hold of things and talked it up a little which is off course their job. It promises so much and, only just, fails to deliver. Would I fly PE again? Definitely. Bring on the next sale!