VS020 SFO-LHR 19 Nov 07 (Upper)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

After a good old lash up with the gang in Johnny Foley's on O'Farrell St the night before I spent a quiet morning in the Mark Hopkins. Had a continental brekkie in the club lounge at about 0800 then retired for another little snoozette before joining iforres1 at the 'Top of the Mark' for some Anchor Steam and take in the view of the bay and the Golden gate.

Hopped in a cab to SFO and I'm sure it was less than an hour in total before we were being welcomed into the clubhouse by the very lovely Claire. Met up with Pete & Marcus and were joined shortly after by my mate John (who had to negotiate the EC line) and Mediamonkey. Sank several G&T's and had some chowder then the clubhouse sandwich - both were fine but the plate of chowder was rather shallow (not much of it!)

Myself and Iain left to go through security and have a look in the airside shops around 1615 and boarded without fuss less than 10 mins later. I was in 15k downstairs in A zone this time and immediately noticed the far greater shoulder width compared to a 744 upstairs/A340 UC seat.

I had a few drinks then joined Pete & Iain at the bar as soon as the belt light went off only to be sent back to our seats with our tails between our legs so the crew could get the first drinks round out without us in the way! Word had obviously got around that our glorious leader was on board (Pete that is - not LRoM!!) as a comment was made by one of the crew - 'So who's the mystery shopper then?' [:w]

Pete & Iain made a second move for the bar followed by me some time later and I sat waiting to be served for seemed like 5-10 mins withtout success only to be told that dinner was being served so returned to my seat.

I can't remember what I had for starter but ordered the pork tenderloin which wasn't great. I think the weekend was beginning to catch up with me as I converted and went to sleep shortly after dinner. Woke up about 2 hours before landing and while I gathered myself together was offered an OJ by the attentive crew member then went to freshen up and returned to find my seat convered back.[y]

I was going to skip breakfast but on the suggestion of the crew member I ended up with TWO 'bacon' rolls. These were without doubt the most awful food I ever encountered on any airline - a dry roll with thick cut American 'ham' which was disgusting. I took about two bites and left it - terrible.

Did a few circuits round the racetrack before landing (as previously predicted by the F/O) and were on the ground at 1105 then off by 1125. Didn't bother going to revivals as I couldn't take a guest in.

A good flight home all in all bar the food - one thing I forgot to mention was the FSM coming round and introducing herself personally but carrying a large manifest printout to get the names right!! This is the first time I've ever seen this.

Co-incidence? You be the judge!! [8D]

Regards

John

Great TR! Thanks for posting!

GJ

Thanks for the intuitive feedback GJ.

It is always a pleasure when one's prose is so eloquently praised!

Thanks once more.

JT

Originally posted by JAT74L
Thanks for the intuitive feedback GJ.

It is always a pleasure when one's prose is so eloquently praised!

Thanks once more.

JT

You are quite welcome. It was a great TR! Thanks for posting!

GJ

You should've popped down and met up with us in SF GJ. I would have plied you with copious amounts of Guiness and insisted you start singing.

You should have invited me.

GJ

thanks for the TR. Shame about being sent back from the bar so the CC could get the drinks rounds done.....not much point in having a bar if passengers are 'banned' from using it at certain times during the flight!

Originally posted by JAT74L
Sank several G&T's and had some chowder then the clubhouse sandwich - both were fine but the plate of chowder was rather shallow (not much of it!)

Yep, I noticed that the portions in the SFO clubhouse have been getting very tiny of late, and the menu has become rather limited. There really is no excuse as there is a decent kitchen in the back, and I remember the generous and tasty pasta Claire bought me on my first visit to the SFO CH.

I wonder if the return of Claire will see the return to a higher standard?

I was going to skip breakfast but on the suggestion of the crew member I ended up with TWO 'bacon' rolls. These were without doubt the most awful food I ever encountered on any airline - a dry roll with thick cut American 'ham' which was disgusting. I took about two bites and left it - terrible.

Yes. That was my impression of the bacon rolls ex-SFO at the end of Sept, though at least that crew didn't dehydrate the bread by leaving it warming in the oven for hours. But, I found the bread to be some nasty spongy thing, and the 'bacon' reminded me of a piece of warm rubber. I ate a little of it, felt quite sick, and left the rest - going for the real thing in Revivals.

I wish VS would always have bacon rolls on as hot snacks ex-UK on day flights. At least they will be able to get real bacon and real baps!

Maybe VS would probably be better going for American-ish breakfasts such as American (streaky) bacon and french toast/pancakes ex-US, as at least the US flight kitchens won't be able to screw it up so easily. Also, ex-California, there's no reason not to be able to offer a delicious fresh fruit selection with continental breakfast. Air New Zealand and United (usually with yummy, flaky, buttery croissants) always seem to be able to manage that.

Mike

Originally posted by mike-smashing


Maybe VS would probably be better going for American-ish breakfasts such as American (streaky) bacon

I agree with that idea Mike and I'm glad to hear that it wasn't just me who felt like throwing up after sampling the 'Sponge & Rubber' sandwich.

Regards

John

[buns]

John

I would have loved to be on that flight[}:)][}:)]

travelling with fellow V-flyers always makes a VS flight so much more enjoyable - the more the merrier

Word had obviously got around that our glorious leader was on board (Pete that is - not LRoM!!) as a comment was made by one of the crew - 'So who's the mystery shopper then?'

The FSM visit gets a [y], ' dinner is being served'[n]

All the best

buns

[ChuckC]

Enjoyed the report, John. Sorry that I wasn't able to be part of your merriment in San Francisco. Hope to see you next year.

Regards,
Chuck-

Thanks for the TR, good to hear you had a good time, shame about the food AGAIN! [n]

DMB

Thanks for the TR, good to hear you had a good time, shame about the food AGAIN! [n]

DMB

You can say that again.

GJ

twas a good flight indeed.. my TR of being in PE will be onlien shortly!