V-Flyer

Well 2 weeks of touring around the South West were over so we dropped the car off and got on the Monorail to the International Terminal at SFO. Upon arrival we went to the check in and found that there was no queue at all. The agent was very efficient and in about 5 minutes we were on our way. The wife and I were once again in UC and the 2 boys were in Y but were still looking forward to the Clubhouse.

Walking in it is clearly a lot smaller than the CH at LHR and LGW but we found a table ordered some drinks and food and settled down for a couple of hours before being called for the flight.

After a few more drinks and snacks we were called around 3.45 and made our way down to security and through to the gate. Once there it was clear that most people were already on board so we joined the UC queue which was longer that the other one which the 2 boys joined and went through to the forward door which was half way down the UC cabin.

We made our way to the front of the plane and made ourselves comfortable. We were offered a glass of bubbly and a seep suit which we both accepted and a few minutes later we pushed back slightly ahead of schedule and I think we were in the air just before 5.00. It was quite cloudy but I managed to get a glimpse of the Golden Gate and downtown which was nice.

After about half an hour the orders for food were taken and the entertainment was turned on. I had the soup and chicken followed by Orange Cheesecake which was delicious. I watched 10,000 BC which wasn't brilliant but was quite light and easy to follow and just right before trying to get some sleep.

The flight up to this point was quite bumpy and at times it got to the point where I thought that the seatbelt sign would come on but it didn't. It made me wonder if there is a set criteria for tuning this on or is it just down to pilot judgement? Either way it was rough enough for me to be surprised it didn't come on.

Anyway I took a Dramamine and converted my seat to a bed got changed into my sleep suit and settled down for the evening. Good news, despite waking up a few times due to the ongoing turbulence I managed to get about 3 hours sleep and woke up around 8.15. I made my way to the galley to ask for a cup of coffee and was offered my breakfast as well which I accepted. I got changed made my way back to my seat which had been converted and breakfast was waiting.

After clearing away I paid a quick visit to the boys down the back to check they were OK and then the Captain announced we were beginning our decent into Heathrow. We circled for a bit but still landed ahead of schedule which from memory was a first for us. After arriving back at T3 we made our way through to immigration where there was no queue and down to the baggage hall where surprise surprise all our bags were waiting.

We couldn't make use of revivals because our lift was waiting to take us home and so that was it another trip over and nothing to look forward to apart from our New York/Florida jaunt in October. It's a hard life [;)].

Miopyk[8D]

'seatbelt sign' is at pilot's discretion.

I recall a flight, sat in the flight-deck jump-seat, where the captain flipped a coin during a moderately bumpy bit!

It can be quite bumpy in the nose part of a B747, as this is the bit that gets buffeted the most. The rest of the plane can actually be relatively calm and that maybe why the seat belt sign stayed off.