V-Flyer

After a fantastic week in San Francisco (including some time spent with fellow V-Flyers [y]) it was time to return to dear old Blighty.

Arrived at SFO just after 13.10 and managed to snaffle a free trolley for the 4 cases we had - I was travelling with my friend Mike who was in PE.

We approached an almost deserted VS check in area and met the passport lady who shall we say was not exactly sparking!

An empty UC desk appeared before us and we were rapidly checked in. We had done OLCI the night before (but were not able to print boarding cards) but there must have been some problems as it wasnt working at approx 19.30 but was at 23.30 when we tried again after going out for dinner when Mike saw an onscreen message that the flight was full so he was unable to change seats.

Anyway bags were weighed and tagged and the CH invitation proffered. Was asked if I knew where it was and was given directions. I asked if duty free was pre or post security and was told it was post but was not much to write home about.

A few minutes later we were at the CH. Looked for Claire but she was busy elsewhere and found a couple of chairs and quickly served. We both had a glass of champers and an OJ. Mike had the cheese plate and I the open roast beef sandwich both excellent.

I decided to show Mike the museum so we went to see a display of pilots uniforms (oh I do like a man in a uniform ) and also looked at the other display cases which are located in the areas near the security lanes.

Back to the CH (still no sign of Claire) so more champers was ordered for each of us with a water for Mike and some cranberry juice for me (we had the last of the OJ on the previous service!). I had the cheese plate AND the cup cakes and Mike had the cup cakes (pics uploaded) which were small but perfectly formed and delicious.

After a visit to the facilities I saw Claire at the desk and went to say hello and she was delighted a V-flyer had come to see her. She was still pleased about the award and remembered Honeylamb had come to deliver it. I also met Melissa the CH manager and told both we were being well looked after and the staff were really good. Claire was amazed when I told her that several of us had arrived the previous week all on independent trips!

We looked at the departing planes for a bit and at about 3.20 decided to go through security and visit duty free (boarding was due at 3.40).

The check in lady (sorry cant remember her name) was right - it is desultory but I should have known that from previous visits. Still I stocked up on some Clinique and Mike on champagne.

After a long walk to the gate we were met with a heaving gate boarding had been delayed for security checks but luckily we were not too far from the front of the priority boarding queue.

After 10 minutes we were called for boarding, boarding passes checked and Mike and I parted ways - there were two air bridges.

I was soon at 17K with bags in the overhead bin and quickly offered a drink so more champers and an OJ.

The cabin looked clean and well looked after. There were some chips in the paint and some ingrained dirt but generally Mustang Sally was in good condition. The only tape I saw was some on the back of each ottoman and it said something like security checked. Maybe this is the tape others have commented on?

Boarding of everyone else seamed to take an age so there were 2 servings of drinks before taxi and take off and I managed to change into my sleep suit (more later).

We were told it would be a 9hr 10 min flight which would mean a 9.30 arrival at LHR but this never materialised (must have been headwinds (and infect we landed on time).

Take off was pretty smooth and we were soon told we had been allocated a 'special flight plan' of flying over the south of the city and then back over the bay (over the centre line of the GG bridge according to the co-pilot) before heading north. I was on the wrong side to see the city but got a good view of the Marin headlands etc.

Drinks were ordered then delivered and then dinner orders were taken and I opted for

Smoked Salmon Salad
Sole Roulade
Cheese Plate

These were accompanied by a very nice chardonnay (two glasses).

I would say all the dishes were very good and well presented.

Before the meal was served the FSM came with the extras basket no named hello but it was a full flight even in UC.

I settled down to watch the IFE as I enjoyed the cheese and port (v large helping) but soon decided to have a nap so had the bed made up.

I slept OK but its not like being in your own bed is it?

There was some turbulence but as most people were sleeping and strapped in it was not an issue. Other than that it was a smooth flight with excellent service.

I tried to watch Watchmen but fell asleep but I did manage some episodes of the Simpsons and Family Guy early on in the flight.

I had the full breakfast but to be honest I was not that hungry so just nibbled.

Landing was smooth but we were delayed at the gate because another plane was just exiting.

There was only one airbridge but CC ensure that PE and Econ were held back as UC disembarked.

We then got caught in the new fangled BAA dance of the doors into the corridor to arrivals after leaving the plane for a few minutes but nothing life threatening.

There was a minimal wait at passport control and through to baggage where my holdaall and both of Mikes cases were whizzing round but where was my case?

Had to wait ages for it to come and was contemplating all sorts of evil emails to customer services about it not being tagged properly or visions of it being lost but it eventually emerged.

A quick car drive home where when I was unpacking I found pair of eye shades and some crumbs in the sleep suit bottoms from a previous occupant (yuk) so even if they were laundered they werent checked properly. Don't think I'll get one in future.

At home I found that my case had undergone secondary security screening because there was an extra label on the luggage tag and the usual card inside. What was interesting was that the card inside my case said it was checked at 4.05 PM (the sticker was timed at 13.18 which was when it its have triggered the system). Anyway this would explain why it did not come out with the other bags as it was obviously not put in the priority bin but it was annoying!

All in all a very good VS flight. The CC were very good and the FSM visible. No problem with the IFE and the food was good.

What more do we need?

Great TR, thank you Mr Bear.

quote:Originally posted by tontybear

A quick car drive home where when I was unpacking I found pair of eye shades and some crumbs in the sleep suit bottoms from a previous occupant (yuk) so even if they were laundered they werent checked properly. Don't think I'll get one in future.

Think yourself lucky, it could have been so much worse!!!

quote:Originally posted by tontybear
All in all a very good VS flight. The CC were very good and the FSM visible. No problem with the IFE and the food was good.

What more do we need?



Well said, that hit the nail firmly on the head [y]

quote:Originally posted by tontybear

We were told it would be a 9hr 10 min flight which would mean a 9.30 arrival at LHR but this never materialised (must have been headwinds (and infect we landed on time).


Or ATC delays and plenty of circling at LHR like normal?

Good TR Tonty ! Glad you had a good flight back - how was it in PE for Mike ?

BTW I hope you weren't driving when you landed after all that booze ... . .

HG

Thank you for a very interesting TR, surely if anyone is still thinking about wearing the sleep suites your comments will have changed their minds!!!!!!

Tontybear

Thanks for a TR that reminds me that the song may say you leave your heart in San Francisco, it is in fact referring to Claire and the excellent Clubhouse there[:D][:D]

On the sleep Suit front, I have obtained my very own from another source and being of pure cotton, i am hopeful that they will not make me overheat as is the case with the man made fibre variety supplied (or should I say re-cycled[:(!]) by Virgin.

Seems to me that your flight met all expectations

Thanks once again

buns

Thanks for the TR, glad you enjoyed your stay here and the flight. I'll always have a soft spot for the SF CH, as good as LHR is.

Thank you for the great TR.[y]

I was on that flight too, was ok, the wait on the runway at LHR was a pain though. Better do a TR myself I guess.

quote:Originally posted by LondonRaider
I was on that flight too, was ok, the wait on the runway at LHR was a pain though. Better do a TR myself I guess.


Welcome to V-Flyer[y] Always good to have alternative views of the same flight

buns

Thanks fr the Comments

HVW - yes I should have known about the sleep suits but you get caught up in thinking 'oh I'll get a nice one'. In anycase the suit I have is now out of VS circulation. Maybe the lesson for us is to take the suits home to prevent the recycling!

Hackneyguy - Mike had a good flight, slept through most of it it.

I wasn't driving! Indeed I can't drive so had booked a car ! Plus I was drinking plenty of water!

Buns - indeed it met expectations. Indeed it was a Ronseal flight - 'does exactly what it says on the tin'

Londonraider Saw your pics and that you were upstairs. Be interesting to read your observations.

Chris

quote:Originally posted by tontybear

Boarding of everyone else seamed to take an age so there were 2 servings of drinks before taxi and take off and I managed to change into my sleep suit (more later).



I thought you were going to say that when you got home that you had forgotten to get changed! [xx(]

Thanks for the TR.

Dominic