VS051 LGW-TAB 2 Oct 08 (PE)
Posted: 13 Oct 2008, 18:07This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Got up, got parked. On an aside, Virgin Holidays did us proud. We got free parking because we booked early and thanks to v-flyer we got an extra 100 discount. I did not know about the flying club discount,but after reading about it on another forum I made a phone call, discount applied.
Arrived at Gatwick at about 0600hrs. As we were PE went to Upper class check-in which was empty. As we had done OLCI it was a case of bag drop only. Priority luggage collection was in play and our luggage was put onto a separate trolley. What was worrying here though was that the trolley was almost in the middle of the check in floor and seemed vulnerable. But hey, I didn't care I was going on holiday!
About half an hour before advertised boarding time the fire alarm went off. Like lemmings we all scuttled out various fire exits. All was calm but staff were not very forthcoming with what to do and where to go. Half an hour later without explanation we scuttled back in. But hey, I didn't care I was going on holiday!
Boarding was called. Gate 13. Long queue to get into gate as only two persons checking our boarding cards and passports. This seemed very badly organised. A further wait. The first call was to say UC boarding was delayed due to work at front of plane. PE was called next.
We were upstairs in the bubble. Our plane was Pretty Woman (VROY) Seats 74A&C. Now after reading many threads on layout, seats, entertainment, food etc I was apprehensive. These fears were completely unfounded. I preferred the seats to the WASH style on the airbus I traveled on. Granted the entertainment system (Nova) was poorer but I still managed to watch Sex in the City (definitely a chick flick), Indiana Jones, an episode of Blackadder and the Simpsons. The supplied headsets have poor sound and uncomfortable, I recommend using your own. Having no one behind I felt much more relaxed having my seat in the full recline position.
My outbound menu was Salad, choice of 3 mains, I had Chicken with pasta, ratatouille and parmesan cheese, bread, GU Chocolate pot pudding, cheese and biscuits, coffee and two glasses of a 2007 Marques de Caza Temparnillo. The new china wear was much nicer, steel cutlery, wine glasses all of which made for a much more pleasant dining experience. I thought the food was very good and tasty. Well done Virgin.
Throughout the flight the two cabin crew were efficient, friendly and attentive. Two rounds of alcoholic drinks were offered as well as water, juice etc.
Other snacks were also offered during the flight. About a couple of hours before landing we were offered a roll with either egg or egg and bacon and a yogurt coated cereal bar. Now this is my only criticism. The roll was wrapped in cellophane and looked like something you would buy from the petrol station. It was not well presented. The coffee offered was in a paper cup with a wooden stirrer! What was that about....
After 8 hours we had a nice approach to the airport over the Caribbean sea, and touchdown.
Anyhoo, due to the fire alarm, problem with UC before boarding we were about half an hour late in landing. Has anyone been to Tobago before? Crown Point International (ahem!) Airport was something else. Pretty Woman filled the bay. UC and PE disembarked first, (thank goodness). There were just three immigration staff for all those passengers. Once through to bag collection, the carousel was broken. The sliding door was locked and they could not find the key so all our luggage was outside and unreachable. By now nearly all passengers had come through to the one room baggage collection area. Talk about bursting. It was about 32 degrees and getting hotter. Tobago people are laid back to the extreme. There was no rush of energy to get the problem sorted. If staff walked any slower they would have stopped. Eventually the carousle worked, we cheered and got our luggage.
Our holiday had begun.........