VS073 MAN-MCO 17 May 09 (PE)
Posted: 25 May 2009, 23:38This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
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Our usual parking preferred driver picked up, and off to the terminal for some velour and footy shirt counting.
We wave goodbye to the Reliant Robin, and hope it enjoys its week curb crawling and off license hold ups around the north Manchester area, and enter the calm and peace that is VS chk-in...
I had by this time bottled out of our original dress code idea (Entrail Bar forfeit..) and opted for a brace of Yamaha green & white biker jackets (his& hers) and matching lime green Juicy Couture sweat suit & crocs for mini NH, usual pink TK Maxx hard case luggage completing the look [:I]
And in true Mr Benn style, as if by magic, last min UGs to PE arrive, Mrs NH spying the queue to Econ, changes her great idea of saving a few bucks and we decide to snaffle some seats upstairs. Pleasant lady checks us in, we talk her through where wed like to sit, as seemingly unaware of the configuration and bag a two +one upstairs. Asked if v-flyer Liz was around to say hello, but not on today (see, were not all aloof). [:D]
Issue count:
1. We head down PE check-in under our next to worthless silver cards and decide to pay for UG, now this starts to get processed, but cant be finalised till, Ive been sent over to the ticket desk to pay, in the mean time holding up the PE queue ? Longish queue at ticket desk in turn holds up PE desk surely being able to complete transaction at chk-in desk would speed things up and avoid delaying routine PE chk-in pax, we saw this happen at least twice in the time we were there?
Decide to head straight through, security was a painless experience even with the now very knackered bugaboo (courtesy of Continental at EWR) snarling up the x-ray machine in the time honoured manner. We run the gauntlet of the painted ladies and into the usual zombie zone near the gates. A fair bit quieter than wed seen previously and as it was afternoon, seemingly low count on Carling Swiggers, as suspect these rare creatures are generally seen on pre 9am flights. Decamped for coffee near a window for mini NH to do some plane spotting.
Boarding came around quickly, and positioned near the gate, to pack stroller into bag and hand over:
2. Stroller goes into bag, ask for luggage tags before sealing but advised leave open, as theyll attach and then seal before loading.[:?]
Boarding calls come along and we hang fire, picking up bag of jelly babies from Smiths & more mini nh magazines (Trout & Salmon, Cbeebies & The Daily Mail if she needs something a little less challenging), then decide to board to get organised.
The Scrum was in fine form; we wave our cards from within the baying crowd, like a scene from the US embassy in Nam and fight our way through pastel holiday clothes and tattoos and down the runway to board, up the stairs and into a very empty PE. Organise Mini NHs activity stuff and quickly dispense the shot of Asda cava.
1. Come on VS the time has come, Nova IFE, crappy seats, this cabin really needs a revamp. No wonder they taxi out with nearly 3rd empty seats in PE and a chocker Y; is it worth the money..?
Obvious that the empty seats appear in the VH section (and what do they promote in their brochure-the nice new ex-lhr purple product..), and once bitten twice shy, will likely remain with annual MCO travellers; people are starting to talk with their wallets. [n]
a/c wise; Pretty woman..? are you sure, the tail fin and rear cone looked liked it had been backed into a Hawthorne hedge and set on fire not a good look and again a brand weakening image. [:?]
The flight passes uneventful, I take mini nh for a walk and we attempt to do a circuit down stairs, god Im glad wed parted with the cash, it was like a scene from Hotel Rwanda, except with more Man U shirts.
Chatting with CC, Y was full, PE 3rd empty and handful of seats in Upper.
Swapped mini sitting duties and settled into slumdog having used my travel sundial and compass to work out when the next round started, unable to dumb the pain with alcohol as driving duties await at arrival start on the orange juice, mini nh feeling brave wanders off to the empty row in front to get down to some extreme colouring in, with newly supplied book.
CC were pleasant, responsive and very visible [y] although seemed a little on edge and constantly apologetic, (I sense a constant stream of Aircraft issues and not service), maybe newbies, that or my ability to unnerve people?
Food was O.K. in fact the beef was tasty, and the Gu pot goes down a storm, red wine palatable.
Landing approached and we decamped out to a easy Immigration, luggage although not quick, did arrive in order, although some confusion over stroller arrival points
Back to point 1.
MAN gate staff, advising they will tag and seal stroller bag. I watch open unsealed bag pour out of luggage ramp, the detached wheels, one of which parts company, onto belt. Not impressed.. Seal strip never been touchednumpties! [n]
Gather up belongings, join train and head to main terminal for car, Alamo dreadfully under staffed (Sunday) and a long wait, however once processed and fighting off their want to upgrade everything, we eventually load bags into SUV and off to Starwoods Vistana by way of their deli for roast chicken and bottle of pinot. [y]
Least we'd packed the waterproofs....
NH
