V-Flyer

Will add a couple of pics when I get a memory card reader this week.

Well, few flakes of snow in the air when I set off from home to Grimsby Town station around 10:10am for the 10:36 train to Manchester Airport. Within a few minutes it was apparently that the train was a few minutes late due to bad weather at Manchester. As time progressed, the board indicated the train was getting later and later. Around 25 minutes late, the train from Manchester, that goes to Cleethorpes and then back again, pulled in. So another 25 minutes before that returned.
Settled down into 1st Class using a cheap train ticket I had bought online (9 to Sheffield). No problems whatsoever getting to Sheffield.

By now, I was 50 minutes late for my next train, which always had a cheap 1st advance ticket booked for it. Explained to the train manager about my delayed train and she was fine about me catching the next train

No problems getting to St Pancras and very easy to buy a ticket for the train to Gatwick (had a choice of First Capital Connect or the GEX but didn't want to go by tube with my luggage).

Was staying at the Hilton overnight as my flight was the following morning, 6th Jan, at 11:15am. Took a few minutes of walking along corridors, down ramps, alongside car parks etc before I got to the hotel and checked in.

Watched Sky News that night and loads of bits on it about the snow due to hit the South East, Manchester being hit hard, the airport closed etc. Around 9pm, a few inches were on the ground in the quadrangle below my room.

Had earlier popped into the terminal for a meal and beer at Frankie & Bennys and had found the VA check in desk and see a load of people doing the twilight check in. Had decided not to as I need a few things from my case in the morning.

Morning came and Sky News was full of reports, or mainly one report from some small place I'd never heard of, about the heavy snow and how it was causing disruption, people abandoning their cars etc. Nothing about Gatwick being closed.

Went to check in around 8:30am and there were queues everywhere. The boards mentioned loads of Easyjet flights having been cancelled yet the VA flight details just said that check in was open.
Had no real idea which queue was which as it was a total shambles. The small screens above the check in desks gave no information other than 'have you done you Esta, Bag Drop' and a couple of other things.

Waited until 9:30am when they announced over the tannoy that the VA caribbean flights had all been cancelled and they started to hand out cancellation letters. Managed to get hold of someone and enquired about Orlando and they said there was a plane available.

The odd tannoy announcement mentioned check in would open for VS027 at 10:30am now which soon became 11:30am. Some people just hung around whereas others went off for food etc. To be honest, I think the VA staff had no idea what was happening as they weren't being told anything more than we were. Did hear something about BAA? checking the runway at 3pm but it would be too late by then to do anything flight logistic wise.

Around 11:30am, cancellation notices were handed out for the remaining VA flights which gave the option of cancelling and getting a refund or rebooking by ringing the number on the letter. Rang my father up and he had been checking the internet throughout the morning and it mentioned nothing about Gatwick being closed etc.

Didn't want to cencel as this would involve my entire holiday being ruined so rang the number and after a bit of a wait (had originally been informed an hour), got through to someone who informed me that it would cost an extra 74 for the following day's flight due to price increases. Paid it begrudgingly and then set out 2-3 hours after nearly everyone else to find a hotel. Haven't been charged that 74 luckily

Naturally all the Gatwick area hotels were full so booked myself in at the Millennium & Copthorne next to Chelsea's football ground. Only about 300m from Fulham Broadway tube station and it goes straight to Victoria. Shoiuld be able to claim VA miles for the stay too

Went to book the Gatwick Express at nearly 17 but due to train delays from snow, I only had to buy a normal ticket at 11 - better than nothing.

Left the hotel next morning at 7:30am and went to catch the GEX back to Gatwick. Within 1 minute of train getting ready to leave, we had to change trains due to mechanical problems. Slow, but fine after that.

Queues in the airport were pretty bad with people all over the place. Still a number of cancelled flights but VA seemed to be checking people in so started to queue. Eventually some staff came around and started bringing people for the Barbados flight to the desks and a little bit later people for the Las Vegas flight (due to leave 5 minutes after mine).

Got close to the front of the queue around 10:25 when the baggage system broke down. Few minutes waiting whilst some staff sorted out a load of caged trolleys to load bags onto. Checked in and was given seat 22H rather than 45A as I had requested - more bothered at this stage about the possibility of actually getting on the plane. Took my 14kg case over to the handlers and they loaded in onto a trolley. Then headed to departures at about 10:45am - knew at this point there would be no chance of a 11:15am deparature what with the massive queue and all the security checks ahead.

A while later, maybe 11:30am-12pm or so, the board changed to 'gate 27 closing' and everyone started to rush the half a mile or so to gate 27. Unsuprisingly, the staff had no idea why this had appeared and we all had to queue for the passport check and then the bag check and pat down.

A good couple of hours later, all 400+ passengers had been checked and we were all sat in a toiletless lounge with a coffee / snack shop (you could leave for the toilet but needed your boarding pass and had to be patted down again on re-entry).
At this point they had announced over the tannoy that they had a choice of bringing the aircraft to the ramp or bussing us to it, but as it was cold, they preferred the ramp option. Eventually the plane started to move and a long time later after it had travelled around the airport, it reappeared 200m or so from where it had left and reached the boarding ramp.

After the crew boarded to set things up, the usual priority boarding began and then started from the back of the aircraft forward. Took about 15-20 mins before my row was called a little after 3pm.

Headed left for a change in the small economy cabin right behind PE and UC. First time I've ever seen UC as I like sitting slightly behind the wing. Aircraft was Jersey Girl.
Every seat around me was full except for the row behind against the toilet as the IFE system was working apparently.

After watching some men clearing snow from around the aircraft and an announcement pretty much saying that the people responsible for clearing snow and ice weren't really any good at it, we finally bagan to taxi.
We were also informed that we only had 2/3 of the cabin crew onboard and that they were really going to be pushing it legally with the hours they would be working.

Took off at 15:35 and was half expecting cheers from the passengers but nothing came.

Dinner was served about an hour later. Nice being near the front as they get to you fairly quickly. Had the chicken with beans and brocolli which was fine. GU chocolate and raspberry pudding, water, bread roll, pasta and pepper salad thing and a glass of red wine. Not to bad at (have a picture I'll post when possible).

Not sure if the IFE was Nova as the controller was fixed to the inside of the arm rest and the on screen menus weren't anything like the Odyssey system on the way back (asked one of the 2 FSMs, Claire, which system it was). Basic selection of movies and shows that all ran at the same time. Watched Harry Potter and District 9 plus bits of ither things. Some films mentioned in the guide were not on at all like Julia & Julie (like Amy Adams so really wanted to see that).
Usual odd crash and reboot but generally just about watchable although the sound is very tinny even through my own headphones.

Drinks offered once during the flight although some people popped into the galley and helped themselves to Virgin cola etc whilst the cabin crew were having to take breaks or the reduced numbers meant they were elsewhere. No ice cream offered but that was understandable and no-one seemed bothered.

Sandwiches such as cheese and pickle were brought around later.

The SkyMap was left on during the whole flight, including just prior to landing which was at 19:17 Orlando time, so just under 9 hours for the flight.

Managed to get off the plane fairly quickly as they let the front cabins out first. Even so, about 15-20 people in front of me at immigration and they were taking up to 10 minutes per person.
Eventually got to the front of the queue, handed my passport and gree form over and immediately was told I hadn't filled the bottom bit in - assumed that was for official use as did the couple in front of me. Bit more waiting and then the usual questions, fingerprints and digital photo before I was told to wait whilst the man went off to get someone else. Minute later, I was taken for extra checks to a screened area behind the luggage carousels. I was asked more questions about why I was there, when I was leaving, where I was staying, with a few backtracks to try and catch me out.
My bags were always checked before I was finally allowed to go a few minutes later.

No problem catching the monorail and getting to the parking area after that - fairly well signposted. Eventually got to my hotel around 22:30 so it had taken well over 2 hours to clear immigration.
Cold outside too - normally go in September when it's 20-30C, not 0C or below and you've to be up at 4am or so for a race at Epcot!

Very interesting read - glad you made it in the end!

Would have cancelled the holiday if the flight had been cancelled again. Did lose nearly one and a half days but still better than all of it. They did mention on the plane that they were within half an hour of cancelling that flight too....

Xenole

What a saga[:0]

Just goes to show how bad it was in the South East on those days and by keeping your head, you managed to get there in the end[y][y]

I think the reality of these situations is that people on the ground have little idea of a dynamically moving situation - and this is compounded by the media who love to whip up a story[:(!]

Thanks for sharing



buns

As Buns says, what a saga!

Glad to see that VS having made the decision to go with a reduced crew the passengers seemed to be happy to pitch in and be not bothered about a reduced service..

Paul

quote:got through to someone who informed me that it would cost an extra 74 for the following day's flight due to price increases

Isn't it a bit cheeky trying to charge more money if you have to rebook due to cancellation? [:?]

quote:Originally posted by locutus
quote:got through to someone who informed me that it would cost an extra 74 for the following day's flight due to price increases

Isn't it a bit cheeky trying to charge more money if you have to rebook due to cancellation? [:?]


That's what I thought ... still, not charged though!

Very interesting TR, well done for getting a flight - I was exhausted just reading it! So glad you got there in the end although I can't imagine why they even thought it was appropriate to suggest a charge for the rescheduled flight.

Thanks for taking the time to post your TR. It was a really interesting read, what with all the problems you had, glad you managed to get there in the end and it seemed you kept a good attitude during the whole episode.

Thank you for the TR, what a saga! glad you managed to get in the air, eventually![y]

It does mention on the cancellation document they handed out that there could be a charge if there's a price difference.

i.e

Re-book/Re-route to a later date
Take an alternative flight to your destination at a later date convenient to you, subject to availability in the same ticket class and seasonal supplements being paid.
If the new fare is lower the difference will be refunded.

Did phone up my travel insurance company and prepare a claim form just in case. They seemed fine about refunding that charge if need be.

Glad you made it. The extra charge things seems very silly. They have an obligation to get you there on the next available flight. If you'd re-booked for half term sure but in this case no.

Interesting read. I think this is the first TR from someone caught up in the snow. Really glad you made it to MCO even when it is cold weather i will take MCO over UK anyday! How was return trip?