VS071 GLA-MCO 2 Oct 09 (Upper)
Posted: 04 Oct 2009, 01:00This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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This trip, I was travelling out with a friend, who was spending a few days with me before Fiona joins me on Wednesday and then another family of 5 joins us on Saturday, so it looked like it was going to be a pretty full on trip.
Glasgow airport has changed massively since I last used it more than a few years ago - as an aside the money that seems to have been spend very recently makes for a difficult choice if BAA are forced to sell either Glasgow or Edinburgh. Both seem to have had millions of pounds ploughed into them and both are very much still branded as BAA sites unlike Gatwick were there is hardly a BAA sign to be seen.
Check in was probably the worst part of the trip. Not to say the it was bad, but given there is only a very small amount of Virgin departures from Glasgow a year, you would probably be wrong for expecting the full VA works.
The queues were small, for Upper anyways, and after a little prompting, the cases were tagged Upper, and an invite was issued for the 'lounge'. No fastrack was given, but I don't actually know if there is that facility at Glasgow.
Once through a relatively calm security, you have no choice but to walk through a small duty free area. Thats to say there really is no escape until you have walked past the checkouts - talk about funnelling your customers through !
Once you are out of the BAA part, there is of course even more shops and what looks like another large shopping centre about to open. They really are desperate to get your money.
Anyway, onwards to the lounge, which I believe was just opened a year ago, Again pretty standard with a free bar and very little to eat, unless you liked crisps. The only good bit was the view of the runway, just caught VTOP coming in and managed to get a few pics of her at the gate (which I will try and post later)
We didn't stop long and soon made our way to the gate. Its only when you are wandering along that you start to see familar bits of the old terminal building and then realise how much they have actually built on. The old bridge across is now blocked off as all that part is now airside.
We boarded a little late and it was interesting to see the girl use a script when making the announcements, again to try and stop any errors for an infrequent service.
Into a clean upper cabin which had 8 in total, 372 in econcomy and 47 in premium ... and no irn bru loaded - this was going to be fun [}:)]
It became apparent within seconds that this was going to be a fantastic flight, actually no, probably in my top 3.
We had 2 FSM's, the one in charge from Glasgow and another Scottish girl in the upper cabin. There was a lot of Scottish crew down the back, as this is a very popular flight for them to do.
I have marked the seat as excellent, but I should really have marked it as not used - we spent more than 3/4's of the flight at the bar [:D]
The interaction between the crew and us was 1st class - I should point out the of the other 6 in Upper, one was an opt-up and remained in her seat throughout the flight, 2 were children and another 2 slept virtually the whole way.
Nothing was a problem for the girls, infact, I think they enjoyed it as much as us. The conversation ranged from the food, which had been brought up from Manchester, to BMI, to the cake stands and red pillows[:D]
For lunch, at the bar, I had the soup which was lovely - with heaps of garlic bread, the fish pie - after much discussion - it seems to be kinda watery from lgw or lhr and the staff were actually keen to see what manchester made of it - the cheese and biscuits - which was very good, and the spotted dick with custard, which was again very good.
The champagne, coffee and water was replenished without asking, with my cappacino coming just how I like it without the girls having to ask after the first time [y]
Afternoon tea was agin served at the bar [:I] and was good. No ice cream, but this was because the catering was loaded in manchester and they didn't think the dry ice would keep it ok.
The flight seemed to go really quick, although I think that was just the great atmsophere onboard. The crew were kept busy chasing children around the place, but I think overall all of them enjoyed the busy flight.
The girls really deserve a nice email, or letter, so if anyone can furnish me with an address or link (the flight feedback one seems to have dissappeared) I would be very grateful.
Landed just as a BA777 was coming in, but as it had to wait on the BA777 that was at the gate reversing, we managed to beat them to immigration.
Quickly through and onwards to Dollar, where I am pleased to report, have taken delivery of some new stock. I was given an upgrade to a large SUV which had 80 miles on the clock and was told they are replacing their fleet but making sure Express customers get the new stuff first [y] 'because we want to keep you happy'
Onwards to th HGV on International Drive for a few days before going to Disneys Saratoga Springs and then back to the Hilton to finish off what looks like a great time in sunny Florida.
David
ps - did I mention how great the crew were [:D][y][y]