VS010 JFK-LHR 25 Aug 08 (PE)
Posted: 26 Aug 2008, 18:59This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
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Although the title is JFK to LHR, myself, Mrs S and Miss H (12 year old daughter) started in MCO and travelled up on Delta.
Luckily Miss H is a Silver Medallion holder on Delta (don't ask !) so is entitled to an upgrade along with one companion. Had previously called Delta, booked 3 seats in economy, but put on the 'wait list' for an upgrade. Unfortunately, all 3 pax were on different references so I made sure they made a note of this.
Checked in nicely at MCO, special Medallion line, then nice surprise - Miss H has been upgraded. 'Oh thanks, and the other passenger?' (I was happy to stay at the back). Er, no. Then had to 'downgrade' Miss H to Coach. Oh well, no great shakes as it would have been something for nothing, but annoying as they had not adhered to their own terms - there was plenty of availability for upgrades as they were later selling them for $75 each. However, on leaving the desk we noticed that Miss H's ticket was not in the original seat position, but 'on request' so we were now split up in Coach, whereas at least we could have been split up with one in First. To cap it all, they would only label one case with a 'priority' label - how bizarre is that ? 3 people in the party, but only one case would come out early (guess what - it didn't anyway).
Not a happy bunny as I had also been informed about lack of lounge access (I posted on another thread from the airport) despite being assured by the Virgin Gold line that I would have it.
Went through to the gate (it had changed and the muppet on check-in hadn't told us) and got a helpful Delta guy to change Miss H's seat to the original so we were all in Coach together.
Pleasantly surprised by the a/c. Seat back tv's !
Sat down then back in the same old Delta routine. Person in front wanted headset 'that will be $2' so was declined. TV screen would take a CC swipe, but some channels were available for free. Snacks were offered, but M&M's you had to pay for. Only free things were the peanuts. I do admire the Delta staff how they can throw the packets at you, but nearly always manage to land them on the tray. Mrs S and Miss H were in raptures. They had spent 2 weeks watching the Food Channel and they could also watch it on Delta !
I soon found a snazzy trivia game where you play against the rest of the a/c - logs your seat number etc. In 4 games, 2 wins and 2 second places, but being chuffed with my mental superiority I didn't look around to see who I was playing against in case it was the 2 screaming kids a couple of rows back ! I am recovering from a cold and Miss H is going through it now, so she was crying on the descent, but hey, I was still doing well on the trivia game.
So not too bad a mood on arriving at JFK - boy is this a long report, we are only an eighth of the way home so far !
Convoluted journey between terminals - at one time crossing a road.
Whilst walking I thought 'bloody hell, something's leaking from my flightbag onto the back of my trousers' then thought, 'but I haven't any liquid in it'. Christ, have I become incontinent? No, sudden realisation that I had been sitting in a wet seat all the way from MCO. Obviously, only noticed when it was less than body temperature. Jeans soaked through to my underkrackers. Reminded me of a trip last year from BOM to BLR when the cc decided to spill half a dozen full glasses of juice into my lap - before take-off !
Mood suddenly changed. Always tell when I have the 'ump as I walk faster, leaving Mrs S and Miss H to catch up. Problem this time was they decided to make a detour and call me. Not normally and issue, but I was half way up the escalator at the time so had to run back down. Mood got worse.
Got to the CH - more bad news. No upgrades to U/C available as 35 people had booked for the 34 seats available and 33 of them had already shown up.
Ordered a quick bite to eat, and then the flight was called - as the meal was being delivered to the table.
I have decided that these CH's are more trouble than they are worth. Disappointment at MCO then racing at breakneck speed to get a fleeting couple of minutes at JFK. It is less stressful just ambling through with the masses and not having any expectation!
Through Security, with no hassle.
Looked at the boarding lines and they had finished priority boarding. Remembering an earlier thread I thought I would just waltz up, show my Gold card etc. Er no. I get Mrs S 'speaking to me loudly' that I had pushed in. To cap it all, I then got sent away to the desk as the Boarding Cards had to be switched to VS (as per sky0000547).
Really got the 'ump now.
Anyway, got on board and I reflect. Was I just one of those obnoxious people with a Gold Card pushing in etc etc. I was beginning to feel really bad and almost start flagellating myself in front of all the other P/E pax when I replayed it through my head. No, I am sure all priority boarding had been finished as they were calling pax from the other line. So, has Mrs S yet again made me feel guilty for something I hadn't done? However, if I did push-in I am truly remorseful.
Sat down P/E - no need to say it, but new seats on this A340 (?) or upstairs in the Bubble? Bubble wins every time. Then an almost Nivarna moment - 'Will pax Mr S make himself known to the cabin crew'. Did some of the U/C decide not to fly so there was space for an upgrade? No, it was just the Duty Free I had pre-ordered on the trip out ! Bugger.
Seat had seen better days - very rickety. Mentioned it to cc who said 'Yes, it isn't as tight as it should be'. To be honest there was nothing they could do about it, thought they may make a note and have it checked out at LHR. Not sure 'rickety' is the right word. If I had a cable knit jumper I would have done a very good Val Doonican impression. Then sat with legs akimbo trying to dry out my nether regions.
Usual (so I am told) wait to take off. Announcement welcoming the NY Philharmonic Orchestra on board and asking if the cc can be of assistance. Are they all in U/C (must be a small orchestra if they are). Are they all Gold? If not, take your turn at the back !
Miss H IFE wasn't quite right. CC was excellent - he spoke to her and treated her as a person.
Food came along. Oh surprise, Chicken or Beef. Why can't we have just normal bread rolls? I don't want Onion & whatever or gouda - I want a normal white bread roll.
Nothing else of note really - bit of shut-eye, but mostly listening to a person across the aisle sniffing and snorting for most of the flight.
Ah, one last thing (thank god they say) breakfast is a bit of a misnomer now. If I were a budgie I would love a Granola Bar.
So, all in all, not a great holiday (completely washed out), got ill, got the 'ump, potentially pi**ed off fellow travellers (God, I hope not) and came back with nappy rash.
And just think, I have exactly the same journey on 1st Nov - can't wait.
Thank you for your time in reading this - if you have managed to bear with me to the end, I feel almost exorcised.
Spiceke