V-Flyer

Well, as they say time fly's when you're having fun and after 7 fun days in Orlando and 4 great days in New York our time was up and it was time to go home. After a last wander round Times Square shopping and Central Park to watch the preparations for the Marathon we made our way back to our hotel to collect our bags and wait for our car to JFK. The driver arrived a 6.00 p.m. on time and within a few minutes we were happily ensconced in the back of the blacked out Suburban and driving up the FDR to the Manhattan Bridge.

The journey was a bit stop start but we arrived at Terminal 4 around 7.00pm so would have plenty of time in the Clubhouse for something to eat which meant we could maximise the shut eye time on the plane. A skycap came over and asked if we needed any help to which we said yes and he quickly got the bags on the trolly while I thanked and tipped the driver.

As we walked towards the door the skycap asked if we were with VS and when I said yes he immediately asked 'Upper Class?' to which I again said yes, which of course immediately amused the wife no end and she started pulling faces while mouthing the words 'we're flying Upper Class' and then of course my son joined in too. At this point the euphoric feelings of being automatically recognised as a UC customer, without saying anything, completely evaporated and I was back to earth with the proverbial bump.

Check in was heaving which I thought was a bit unusual and while there were 3 UC desks open there were several people waiting in front of us . It was then that I overheard the words 'several hours delay' and my heart sank. After about 15 minutes we were at a check in desk and it was at that point that we were told that the earlier VS46 was delayed probably until 4.00am the next morning as the pilot had been taken ill and that was the earliest a replacement could fly.

Of course everyone was trying to transfer to our flight so this was slowing things up at the check in desks. Fortunately we had checked in earlier on line so we were all done within a few minutes and on our way to the Clubhouse.

This was the fist time in the JFK clubhouse and I thought it was quite nice and the staff were pretty attentive during our time there. Anyway we ordered some food, Seared Bass, a Chicken Pie and a burger along with some drinks. While eating a staff member was doing the rounds advising people on VS46 that a bus would be taking people to a hotel shortly and to make their way downstairs. I did wonder if this was just for UC passengers or everyone. I didn't envy anyone who faced the prospect of a night at the airport and then a 7 hour flight home.

For pudding I ordered the flan which I enjoyed so much I ordered another one, well I was still on holiday, just. Once we were fed my wife said she wanted to go and have a look around the shops so I tagged along to stretch my legs. Back in the clubhouse we were informed of a 30 minute delay to boarding as the arriving plane would be late so we ordered some more drinks and settled down for a couple of hours.

We were called to the gate around midnight and so got our stuff together and made our way down to security. There was a priority queue but it was so badly organised it would have been quicker to use the normal one. At the gate priority boarding was in operation and it looked as though the bulk of passengers were still waiting to get on. Boarding passes checked we made our way onto the plane and with welcoming smiles from 2 of the crew went to our seats. Yippee my seat reclined (see my outbound report).

We were quickly offered drinks and asked for our meal preferences to which we said we didn't want anything having eaten in the Clubhouse earlier apart from my son who decided that as this was the last trip we were paying for he was going to have the full UC experience all night. Sleep suits were offered and breakfast orders taken at which point the captain announced that the cabin doors would be closing shortly, he apologised for the delay but said he would try and make the time up and with that we pushed back and started our taxi to the runway.

Take off was pretty smooth and as we climbed the IFE came on followed by the seat belt sign going off. As I decided to get as much rest as possible I made up my bed and settled down for the night with my Ipod.

After my usual on/off catnapping I was woken at about 9.15 for breakfast, weetabix followed by bacon roll. Once finished we began our decent into Heathrow, I popped to the bathroom and when I got back my seat had been converted so I made myself comfortable for landing. We were stacked for a short while but were soon on final approach and heading for a damp and grey airport. Landing was quite smooth and after a short taxi we were at the gate.

So we collected our stuff, said our good byes, got off the plane, through a relatively short immigration queue and down to the baggage hall. While waiting for our bags we decided that we would to go to revivals as we were still a bit peckish and none of us wanted to cook when we got back home. Our bags were off within a few minutes and so we went through customs and into a lift up to Revivals.

This was another first for us and our initial impressions were not that positive. Staff seemed more interested in their own conversation than serving so I went over and asked for a couple of coffees, these were served quickly and with a smile. We decided on having something from the hot buffet which filled us adequately and apart from the drive west along the M4 that was another trip over. Now all we've got to do is wait to see if there is a UC sale in the new year for our trip in February. Hmmm, this really is getting addictive.

Miopyk[8D]

Loved the TR, I think we have been telling our children 'this is the last holiday we pay for' for the last 10 years! Pity about the poor service in Revivals, you can understand it if they are busy but it's really annoying if the staff are are just talking amongst themselves.

Thank you for the great TR! [y][y]