V-Flyer

My first TP, be gentle with me depsite being very late reporting!

Originally was booked to fly back 6th July on a US to LAX then VS24, but needing to extend my stay in Las Vegas had the short trip to the airport to reschedule. As ever seemed like a busy flight was preparing to leave but got to the ticketing desk without issue. My new departure date was 9th July, and VS24 on that day was full in UC I am told, plus would have to go to the other terminal to re-schedule the US leg. I asked if it was possible to get on the direct flight from LAS to LGW instead and luckily 1 seat left in UC, having suffered on the outbound journey hanging around at LAX, the thought of a direct flight home was pleasing. Although the prospect of no V-Port and not flying into LHR was disappointing. Wasn't charged for the change and informed needed to go to the US desk to claim back a refund for that part of the journey. All done very promptly and efficiently

Having praised them for the ticket change, check in was poor. 1 UC check-in and 2 PE desks (from what I recall), waiting for one of the desks to become free took ages as those currently there were all having issues of some kind. At last one of the PE desks became free, I went to take a step forward but no, I wasn't acknowledged, I was UC not PE, and the next PE customer was called. Which is exactly what happened when the other PE desk became free. Eventually the UC desk became free, after about a 10-15minute wait, I noticed the gent who'd taken so long was PE so not even at the correct desk. No apology for the wait, but dealt with speedily and efficiently once there, makes me wonder why some people take an age to check-in when I see to be done in 2minutes

Security was the usual farce of snaking through the barriers, get to the X-Ray machine to find a pink bag on the floor, no one making claim to it. I mention to a security guard, no urgency or concern, they just picked it up and joked about it, but I'd half expected the airport to be shut down on a security alert. At least they put it through the X-Ray machine just in case. Terminal 2 at LAS is such a bleak affair, was now thinking maybe I should've flown home via LAX. Straight into the lounge, the only place ever see M&M cookies, pick up a couple of bags. As I settle in, 3 'P-list' celebrities, we all know A and Z list but P-list I reserve for poker players, all 3 well known UK pro's, come into the lounge, be surprising if didn't see any as all have been in Vegas for the WSOP including myself and as we fail in the Main Event we all look for a sharp exit out of town. Reception came round 30min before take off to say boarding commencing in 2minutes, waited 10min and went to the gate, where it was disorganised chaos as the flight announced Y passengers trying to get into the queue from various directions. Get to the barrier to be told in no uncertain terms, hadn't been called yet, I said the lady in the lounge had said boarding was about to commence and the gent here mumbled something under his breathe. Another 5minutes passed I boarded.

Greeted on board by a smiley face, apologised for the delay and even joked about other end of the air bridge being disorganised and flustered. Offered a drink, some nibbles and a sleep suit, declined on the latter as always pack my own jogging bottoms and t-shirt, much more comfortable. As settling in 2 of my 3 P-listers joined me in UC, the 3rd was in PE as no seats spare in UC, shame. We did discuss how much he would be willing to pay for my seat, we agreed it was in the thousands, but none of us would be willing to sell at that price. Its a long flight and having some privacy, peace and quiet is what I value most in flying UC, not discounting the extra space, comfortable seats, attentive service, etc. In 12A, I don't mind as at some point like to get up and have a chat with the crew, a little flirt is always welcome to help pass the time and does the ego no harm at all. The LGW fleet is getting more shabby, seats are looking tired and worn, the table wouldn't click shut, despite efforts by various people including the FSM, eventually I just kept my leg against it to satisfy the pre-flight checks.

Once in flight decided to settle back into my seat with a drink or 2, and watch Quantum of Solace, seen it before but only at the Imax Waterloo (probably the worst cinema ever, the screen is too big and you sit too close to it), flicked through the channels to find only 3 working. Speak to the CC, resets the system, still only 3 working, proceeded to reset 3 times for me and I think at best got 5 channels to work. Once again I think the flight home via SFO with V-Port may have been the better option. Offered a DVD player, settle in once again with the DVD of the same film. Opening scene sounds strange, its in Greek or Russian or something I don't understand, I restart, I check the settings, not matter which language I select it doesn't change. Now I'm getting embarrassed to the crew, who clearly seem understaffed as numerous complains about IFE are up and down the plane. They fetch another DVD player and another copy of the disc, turned out it was the player itself with a fault. Settle down once again and dinner comes around, had the 5 spice chicken salad to start, which thoroughly enjoyed, would be even better if chicken was warmed slightly, but otherwise excellent and big serving too. Then the flank steak, again enjoyed it, finished off with the chocolate lava cake, nothing wrong with that either, maybe unlike some others I'm happy with edible home comfort food rather than haute cuisine at 40,000 feet. Drinks service during the flight was sporadic. The lost of a CC member was evident as the bar was never manned (or womaned), seems a member of the UC crew had gone back to help with food service in another cabin. Slept a lot of the flight and despite asking to be woken for breakfast, I was left alone, although they claim they tried to wake me. Tea, cereal and bacon roll, where the roll was hard and inedible but wasn't too hungry after the earlier meal.

Landing was smooth unlike disembarking. The air bridge was on the second set of doors, so before any UC could leave, the whole of PE had cleared and some of Y too, but thinking will be ok, back in old England, immigration will be a doddle and home soon. No! Immigration was a joke, was a long walk from the gate and the queue into immigration was all the way back on the ramps down through the building work. It was crushing and no organization, one person from a group would jump forward and then the rest in that party would go to join them. Took over 30 minutes to get through, was a disgrace and even an embarrassment to any foreign traveller. At least the delay here would mean the baggage would be on the carousel, who am I kidding, that was another 20 minute wait. LGW is a joke, this place needs to be sorted out.

Overall had better journeys, the food and crew were excellent making up for a tired aircraft , but the airports at each end were disasters. Some of this is beyond VA, but overall experience given the excellent outbound journey (TP to follow) makes one question the value of paying UC for this flight

Editted as an astute person pointed out VS24 is in fact LAX-LHR, which was my orginally intended inbound journey not via SFO!

Thank you. I haven't been woken a few times and it is annoying. Pity about your overall experience but it sounds as if your second TR will make up for it!

Thanks for the TR.

Unfortunately the LGW fleet is as it is and I doubt we will see any improvement to the stock for a while, if at all.

Hindsight being a wonderful thing do you now wish you had taken the PE seated P-lister's money?

[y]

Thank you for your great first TR![y]

quote:Originally posted by HWVlover


Hindsight being a wonderful thing do you now wish you had taken the PE seated P-lister's money?

[y]


The fact I was able to sleep on board and still had my privacy in the UC suite is invaluable. Whether UC, PE or Y we other issues wouldve been encountered. Infact if in Y I may have only just cleared immigration!

Next TP should be up tomorrow, all I need to say is LHR T3, UC, first trip.... need I say more??

Thanks for the great read! Shame about LGW sounds like a zoo!

Dominic

Thanks for the report - we were in Vegas at the same time (also to coincide with the WSOP).
DL

Carter

The TR was well worth waiting for - Welcome Back[y][y]

I too am someone who is embarrassed by his nation as to the reception we give to visitors in terms of a shabby appearance and tardy service on arrival at our international gateways[:(!]

It always seems to me that there is some work going on, but it never seems to get finished, whereas elsewhere in the world, building works are accomplished with a degree of unobtrusiveness and quickly to boot.

Thanks once again

buns