This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Having spent 3 weeks surviving excesses of Vegas (Claim Jumper)
the heat of Scottsdale (hotel room balcony)
and the sunsets of the LA beaches (Huntington)
it was time to start going home.
After checking out of the hotel we drove up to Santa Monica to be nearer the airport as it was a Friday and we would be travelling in rush hour. We had a wander on the beach and a play on the pier until we made our way to the airport. The I-405 was heaving, but moving, so it only took about 20 mins to get to Dollar (It wouldnt have taken much of an accident to cause a huge hold up).
We dumped the car off at Dollar, it hadnt been too bad over the 2300 miles we covered and got on the bus. It was at this point that my wife noticed the cooler bag was leaking. We had a few cans of coke that were left over from the refrigerator (we always book one for our hotel room). One can had a tiny pinhole and had been spraying into the bag (and then sprayed the bus once Id found it and got it out.). The bag needed emptying so we were offering cans of coke to the other passengers; unfortunately we arrived at the terminal before we could clean out the bag.
Check-in was empty, so we quickly grabbed our boarding passes, dumped the luggage and got back to the cooler bag. After a quick further hand out of the remaining cokes to airport staff (well, you cant take them airside, can you) we finally got the bag sorted.
There was a fast track line available to go airside, but given there few passengers there was no need to take it (but we did anyway because we could!). Likewise there was no queue for the smelly sock procession.
A quick look round duty free and then up to the NZ lounge. As has been mentioned before its no clubhouse but it is still a pleasant place to wait for your flight. We helped ourselves to a couple of glasses of champagne and some nibbles and left the kids in the TV room watching Toy Story. It was very quiet when we arrived but gradually filled as passengers for the two, later, air NZ flights started drifting in. There was a NZ wine promotion going on in the lounge and I noticed a group of blokes who were very interested in being promoted to, I wondered if they were on our flight.
I also happened to notice, when looking around, a V-Flyer forum page on a laptop, I did think about going over and mentioning the site but decided not to as I had not seen anyone post that they were on this flight and didnt really fancy opening a conversation with Hello, Ive just been staring at what youve been doing on your laptop!
A couple more glasses later and it was time to go down to the gate; a much shorter walk, of course, in LAX. General boarding was underway, but there was a priority line. We had a small delay behind a family group whose green slips from their immigration cards had not been removed at check in, and then it was straight on to Lady Bird and seats 8 thru 11A.
We were immediately greeted and asked in we knew how to work the suite. Seasoned UC travellers as we now were, I decline that offer but accepted the one of another glass of champagne for the wife and I and juices for the kids.
At this point one of the NZ promo drinking group sat (more sort of collapsed) into the suite next to me. Hmmm.
Sleep suits were offered and I chose a Large. It was the right size in all aspects except leg length which was generous. Well, if it suits Simon Cowell to wear em high, its OK for me.
I didnt note the time of push back, but I had hardly finished my drink, so I assume we were on time. After the seat belt signs went off drinks and dinner orders were taken. I ordered a T10&T with lime. It came with lemon and an apology no lime, sorry. Well, to echo comments you may have read before, it just isnt the same (With lime, sublime; but when the slice is yellow it aint so mellow!)
At this point the CC tried to wake my neighbour to get his dinner order, no response. In fact, the CC had such a concerned look on her face I started to wonder whether the laptop power socket could power a de-fib pack. Anyway, there was a grunt and a mumble so I assume dinner was declined. As with the outbound flight, the crew seemed to want to get dinner out in one serving, but I did hear the Freedom menu mentioned should anyone want to take advantage.
One of the CC was on the crew for the flight out and he remembered us. Even though we werent on his patch he popped round a couple of times for a chat and to say hello to the kids; a nice touch.
Dinner arrived. I had the tuna starter, quite pleasant, and the tangerine beef, which I quite enjoyed followed by cheese and bikkies again with a glass of port. The wife enjoyed her soup and beef. The kids didnt like their meal which were mini hotdogs with macaroni cheese (they have never liked it, so I cant say if it was a quality issue) but, once again, the CC offered up various options of fruit, light bites etc. and eventually the kids were fine.
After the meal I noticed my wife mutter something to a crew member. A couple of minutes later a small paper bag was handed to her. It wasnt until we got back to the house that I realised we had become home to a small squadron of condiments!
When the kids finished eating we converted their suites and let them fall asleep to the TV, which took all of about 5 mins. With them stowed away I bought a couple of items of duty free using the 10 pound off voucher from on-line check-in and then converted my own suite.
It was warm in the cabin so I didnt bother having the quilt on. My initial thoughts on the suite in bed mode were how firm it was and whether 6 footers would have any trouble stretching out. It took a while to find the sweet spot and it was interesting getting used to the cocoon like feeling lying there. The cabin was quiet, only the drone of the aircraft was heard so I dozed lightly, peripherally aware of movement as the CC glided pass like ghostly sentinels..
.and then Mister Completely out of it stirred and converted his suite to a bed. This was followed a rustle and then rustling, some mumbling and more rustling and then silence as complete mastery of the headphone bag was achieved.[^]
I dozed for a while longer and then nature called. I hoisted up Simon Cowell style and wandered down. There was a solitary drinker keeping a lonely bar company. I had a glass of water, gave him a nod and went back to my bed. I must have dropped off to sleep completely because the next thing I knew it was breakfast time.
Bacon rolls, OJ and Tea all round and we were soon into that long descent into Heathrow, arriving on time.
UC was first off the plane, but it doesnt really matter for the T3 immigration hall. The queues were long, but normal from what I have experienced, but they moved steadily (in fact, faster than fast track, which also seems normal!) and by the time we got to the luggage carousel our bags were there (but not the stroller!)
Through customs and met up with the ever faithful MMA. He had parked in T3 short term. I dont know about you but the need to get those lifts that are usually totally mobbed (Ive seen more etiquette in a French ski lift queue), to get to your car really puts a downer on the end of your hols![V]
A few asides from the trips;
When the kids boarded on the way out they were not given K-id packs. I was not fussed (we have about 10!), but you know what kids are like. We mentioned it to the CC who took a note. When we got home, there was a letter to the kids apologising and a parcel with 2 K-id packs.[y]
Our stroller did not come off with our luggage. We reported it to the Virgin desk in the baggage hall. It arrived next day by courier.[y]
When reporting the stroller I realised I had left my document wallet on the plane. Id hardly mentioned it when another chap at the desk nipped in the back room and brought it out, it had been picked up by the CC and handed in.[y]
Overall, both trips, a great UC experience. Would I do it again? Yes, especially when the Z fare was less than the price of 2 economies. Ill be watching the fare sales and saving my miles, maybe sacrificing a few for a PE upgrade for next years summer hols!
