V-Flyer

I booked this trip months ago becuase we were flying out to friends who live in the Florida Keys, one of whom was celebrating a 'big 0' birthday, & was having an oceanside party for 130 friends. [:D][8D][y]

We would not choose to fly to Miami during UK christmas hols as the prices are steep.[V]

I was concerned when we booked as the most forward seats that we were able to request were 37H & K. I kept checking to see if seats nearer the front were available but didn't have any joy.

So.................. did OLCI as soon as it opened & still not joy to move forward - AAARRRGGGHHHH.

Next tactic was to bag-drop asap after it opened. No traffic on the roads as it was New year's Day & using Q-Park was a doddle.

Whipped straight to bagdrop & met by a really nice down to earth friendly happy agent [y]

I asked her if we could move forward & she said that the flight was full (which we knew it would be) & that it wasn't possible.
However, we could have the exit row 31H & K if we wanted but it would cost 50 each. We were happy to pay. I could have skipped to security I was sooooo happy.

I know that to be near the front then one has to pay for UC or PE but one must cut one's cloth accordingly & we had paid more than usual because of the christmas hols.
Also, I hate the feeling of having my personal space invaded so this way we would have an extra 4 foot or so before the bulkhead.[:D]

We used the Servisair lounge which was great because it was free. (part of the compensation from a travel company that had cocked-up a booking). It was quiet until about half an hour before we left.

We were nearly the last to board because we knew that they'd board by row number. We sorted ourselves out & made ourselves comfy. I had half a window to look out of which was fine as I didn't mind turning my head & we had the extra space in front of us.[:D]

The flight was settled quickly & we pushed back on time........................................all of about 10 feet & then the engines failed, the lights went out & the air-con stopped.[:0].
The captain announced that they'd try the other 2 engines. By this time I wanted to get off. Took some tablets, saved for stressy times & sat quietly.[:0]

Well, trying to start the other 2 engines didn't work apparently & they tried a different connotation of 2 engines blah blah blah.

Finally an hour & a half late we fired up & taxied[y]

My thoughts were 'oh nuts, we'll take ages getting thru immigration & customs & be late collecting our hire car & therefore very late getting to our friends proprety'. Still, nothing I could do about it.

I have to say that evryone on board seemed resigned but patient.

The drinks were served as soon as poss it seemed, as was a late lunch. We picked at our meals but that was all, IMO they left a lot to be desired.

The IFE system started up & we started to watch films but after a few minutes a CCM announced that only 10% of the system was working so they would re-boot it. Now this is sensible but ours were working, [:w]darn & double darn.

The system worked next time around but mine failed after a couple of hours so I had a DVD player brought to me by a hard working CCM.

We did experience some turbulence which petrifies me but I survived & was very proud of myself[y][:D]

The rest of the flight was fine, ice-creams were served etc & water was available from the dispensers situated half way further back in econ. The crew were very busy & worked efficiently & with good humour.

We weren't disturbed at all by PE pax going to the toilet as the curtain was pulled across so it seemed to us that we had our own fairly private amount of space[:D]


Whooo-hoooo.We landed on time[:D][y]

We disembarked fairly quickly & then legged it to immigration dreading what might greet us. [:?] But we were were about 10th in the queue! Yippee. Since we were last at Miami airport it's all been changed around. Maybe that helped, Maybe we were lucky[8D]

In no time were went to collect our bags. We waited a while & our baggage reclaim caousel was right next to the customs area which did get a bit congested but not much of queue.

We went to the courtesy car bus area & got on a bus very quickly.

As we arrived at Alamo our hearts sank. We could see the queue snaked to the door[V][:0][:0][:0][:0][:0].

I waited outside with our cases & 'love-him-as-I-do-but...........' went to join the queue. He was told that the queue would ONLY be 40 minutes or so. Well, after 20 minutes & he had hardly moved forward we decided enough was enough! We caught the courtesy bus back to the airport & got a blue cab (local journeys only ) to the Blue Lagoon/Miami Airport Hampton Inn. They do a courtsey bus but we couldn't be bothered to wait for it. We'd stayed there before so knew where to head for. The walk in rate was very reasonable.

We had a super room, showered, got a take-out from a fast food restaurant nearby, showered, had a great night's sleep, showered, enjoyed the complimetary breakfast & caught the 9am bus back to the airport.

The Alamo bus came along directly & we got to the depot & there were only 2 people in front of us.[y] By 11.20 we were in 'Harriette's' in The Keys enjoying brunch[y].

I wouldn't hire a car again from Alamo though I do realise other car companies might have been busy too.

I would also pre-book the Blue Lagoon Hampton Inn again as it suites our needs & is conveniently located.[:)] instead of even contemplating driving directly to The Keys.

All in all, though I'd been looking forward to our holiday I was dreading the flight but was fine because we were able to have exit row seats. This made all the difference to us.[y]

R-P

Thanks for a comprehensive trip report and well done on coping with the turbulence.

I was wondering about the wisdom of travelling down to the Keys following a delay and, as you have said yourself, you did the right thing by resting overnight before tackling the drive.

Thanks for the good read. Hope you had a good time in Florida.

DMB

yes thanks for the TR it was a good read,and i think it worked out for the better as the delay clearly added to your day and then a longish drive to the keys would maybe a little too much

Thanks for the well timed TR as i am lookin at havin to fly to miami just to go upto orlando so as to avoid the shamefull gatwick UC service, very good read have a great one!

cheers

alex

It is always good to read TRs that recount the economy experience - thank you for sharing[y]

You appear to have had a hard working and attentive crew, which must have helped given the stress you encountered before the aircraft pushed back[:0]

I have now resigned myself to booking an airport hotel when arriving a MCO purely because of the unbelievable queues for the car rental - like you going back the following morning is a breeze and quibbling with a dodgy car is achievable

Thanks once again

buns

Thanks for the great TR![y]

Always great to hear from the back of the plane.