V-Flyer

A journey that can be neatly divided into three parts: (1) check in to sit down, (2) in flight and (3) post-arrival - and terrible, fantastic, horrible in that order.

Part 1
The no.1 and I are off on our bi-annual US holiday, like clever V-Flyers that we are, I'd booked a sale fare for one ticket and used miles for the other.

Our local taxi service picked us up on time and on London Marathon day, the roads were quite clear so we reached T3 about 30 mins later. That was the good part - check in is back downstairs for UC (non CDC arrival) and it was fairly busy but did we get the grumpiest check in agent ever? No smile, no contact other than 'passports', no comment on ESTA or handing out of visa waiver and customer forms - really poor impression. Then it was up through the UC security, great as always and straight to the clubhouse where we headed for the comfy chairs by the windows at the far end. Then waited, and waited and after twenty minutes of no staff member walking the floor on this bit (but lots at the coffee station, gossiping at the end of the bar), we instead went to the restaurant to sit, have coffees and some food. What on earth happened to the smoked salmon and scrambled egg - mine arrived looking like haute cuisine, it was so small, and cold too. Oh dear, not a good start.

The no. 1 went shopping so I found a corner to read, I went shopping for books when he returned, but discovered the only half decent bookstore had gone and there's now a totally s**t WHS book store - i.e. crap lit. and best sellers only! In the last few years the book situation at T3 has deteriorated so much - shame on BAA!

Back to the clubhouse and the boarding announcement was made, so we troop to gate 22 in that most depressing wing of T3. We then wait, trapped behind doors as departing passengers from another flight crossed our corridor and reach the gate just as the staff announce general boarding for economy. Cue scrum, only one jet bridge extended a long way (what happened to two?), no priority boarding area possible, we're now trapped in lounge so basically have no choice but to queue for 30 minutes. VS dears, it should be so easy to communicate between the gate and the lounge on timings!

Part 2

Finally on board, glass of champagne in hand, much better - our crew were marvels and especially the FSM, senior cabin crew and CSS working the right side of the cabin. There's a frizzon of excitement in the cabin as Joan Collins and Percy Gibson board - she's in 4K so right next to the no. 1 - looks fabulous, drinks and eats like normal people do (LOL) but reads the Sunday Heil [n]. Take off is 15 mins late but the flying time is short and we do eventually arrive 30 mins early.

Joan is quite demanding but not overly so, gets lots and lots of attention of course and is served everything before any one else, but our crew are so efficient and charming that you don't really notice. Nor do they actually fawn over her, but behave very professionally!

The no. 1 eats when it comes out, I defer as I want to follow my usual plan of work, eat then either sleep or watch movies. More on this later!

I decide to eat at the bar and chat for a good two or three hours to the crew, top marks to all and there will be a note to follow this directed at VS customer services, the guys and the lady FSM really were top notch and a credit to VS. I did think the chicken was quite palatable at the time as well!

As said, we land 30 mins early, do a tour of LAX then gate and off quite quickly, I hear Joan saying she's got six trunks [:0] to collect to the special services representative who greets her and Percy!

Immigration and customs are a doddle for a change and we're out in less than 20 mins from gating. Fantastic. We'd arranged for a miles limo to take us to Palm Springs and our fab driver was waiting, for a drive that when we do it takes three hours, but with him just over two!

Part 3

It's now Monday morning and I've been in bed / on the loo since arriving[:$]. Yes, it really can only have been the chicken I had for my lunch on the flight. Great way to start a holiday [B)]. Checking back, for the 36 hrs before falling ill I had only drunk coffee at home and then food in the clubhouse and on board the flight, prior to this the no. 1 and I ate the same dinner at home - I am certain it was that chicken and that it had probably been reheated since I had my lunch later than every one else.

These things do happen, I am not the first to suffer, but will be writing to VS in the hope that someone looks at on board practices more than anything else. Will let you know of any reply I get!

Oh you poor thing!

It does look like the chicken caused your malaise but I hope it didn't ruin your trip too much.

The freedom menu is all very well but if they keep the food warm for a long period rather than reheating it 'fresh' then they are well on the road to potential disaster.

Maybe if they asked for an approximate time when a pax wanted to eat that might help stop this. They could check with the pax as that time approached then start the reheating with a comment that it takes 'x' minutes to reheat the meal.

Just a thought !

Thanks for the TR, check in sounds awful, wonder how the trial went with UC checking in up stairs in the UC Wing?

Sorry to hear that you have been ill, not want you want on your hols, hope you feel better soon.


Dominic

Slinky

What a TR of contrasts[:0]

I do hope that you overcome your current indisposed condition, in order that you may rightly enjoy the holiday.

Shame on the Clubhouse[V]

buns

Hope you packed the immodium Thanks for the TR

Great to hear that the flight was good,excluding the effects of the cuisine.We had exactly the same experience on our last visit to the LHR CH which is pretty oor as the staff seem to have plenty of time to gossip between themselves (service level at LGW is still vastly superior IMHO).The LAX flight seems to be celeb weighted - on our last trip we had one sat a few seats away from DB. The crew had said who the VIP was so I was expecting royalty (same name).Turns out she was a singer- all wasted on me as I was none the wiser.She was lovely to DB though (who along with Mr DL knew who she was).
Hope you feel better soon- keeps the fluids going.
DL

Lately I have seen the same 'lack of attention in the Clubhouse. Particularly when we sit by the window.

Hope you are fully fit soon.

Slinky,
Wish that I'd known you were in the environs of the desert; would have enjoyed meeting you and the #1.

Sorry to learn of the chicken malaise, though it is really tough to know exactly what caused your malady unless others reported in to VS.

Chuck-

Great TR - hope you recover quickly.

I too defer the meal and often when it is delivered the CC make a point of saying if it has been made fresh - so it would appear that this is not necessarily standard practice.

Nothing worse than being ill when away, felt sorry for ya, thanks for the TR

cheers

alex

Thank you for the TR, sorry to hear you were ill.