V-Flyer

Those of you following my outbound journey had probably spotted that I was concerned that I couldn't select a seat for my return journey. Fortunately, 2 days before OLCI opened - the seatmap suddenly became available. I selected 16 and 17K (the only pair together and fortunately in my preferred location - bonus!).

If you know St. Lucia you will know that to get anywhere on the island requires a drive on partially unmade roads with many twists and turns taken at speed by the local drivers! So it is fair to say we were glad to get out after the 70 minute journey from our resort back to the airport and spot the Upper Class checkin. I produced my e-ticket but the assistant was only interested in seeing our passports. We soon had our boarding passes and walked the 15 metres or so to "Departures". After our departure record being corrected (we had written the date of signing rather than date of departure - and it looked like everyone had done the same!) we were soon through security and headed upstairs to the Iyanola Executive lounge.

The lounge looked like a bit of an 90's throwback with the oddity of an upstairs "smoking area" with windows overlooking the lounge. Anyway it was comfortable with plenty of leather sofas available when we arrived... closer to departure it got really full. Time for a quick tuna sandwich and a coke before the flight. There was hot quiche available but I decided against it. No sign of the garlic bread or cheese on toast promised in another thread. Oh well

After being called for departure we all trooped downstairs where we were seen at gate 1 which had been set aside for priority boarding. One last minute of the St Lucian sunshine and we boarded through the front steps. The CC looked at our tickets and pointed us in the wrong direction (right) - I just shook my head and turned left after crossing the galley

Takeoff was uneventful and drinks and meal requests were taken. I asked for a Tomato Juice with only Worcester Sauce. She said "spicy?" I repeated again "just Worcester Sauce" and pretty sure I saw her write down "spicy" - sure enough, it came back with Tabasco too. Not that I particularly mind but when leaving people without an element of doubt as to what you want then I feel it isn't difficult to get it right. Incidentally two other people sent back their tomato juice as it was "too spicy".

At this point I realised a bit of a commotion going on around me with lots of frowning. The V:Port was reset about 3 times, causing a replay of SRB's messages and adverts before I saw people select their entertainment of choice. I elected for the i-map as usual.

We hit a strong patch of turbulence about an hour into the flight (of course, when they were trying to serve a meal). The CC even described it as "an endurance test". The FSM was highly visible (very commendable) and talk to all the passengers who looked a bit nervous and I am sure they were reassured. Unfortunately I think this was probably then offset by cries of "whoa!" from the galley whenever we hit more turbulence.

I started to regret my choice of Minestrone Soup for starter but made it through without spilling too much, the beef was fine but a bit chewy - cheese and biscuits were selected for dessert and this included plenty of biscuits. Sure enough as soon as dinner service completed the seatbelt sign went off.

Looking around the cabin I noticed all the screens were stuck on the "Passenger announcement" message. Apparently whenever an announcement was made over the PA this was overriding the entertainment and couldn't be reset. A further reset later the poor FSM had to declare the system out of use for "safety reasons". Later in the flight, another reset was attempted but this proved futile. Even the in-flight laptop power didn't work (though is it just coincidence but in the last 4 trips I've done I've had to ask for this to be enabled manually?) - so no IFE and no laptop power. Made for a bit of a boring trip back. We were promised a letter of apology but didn't see anything before getting off. Laptop power is one good reason for flying UC on a LGW flight (though we were on a LHR aircraft so would have have power in PE too) - anyway I was disappointed this couldn't be switched on.

I woke about 2.5 hours before landing to great clattering in the galley as breakfast was being prepared. My choice of Special K, Bacon roll and a cup of tea came swiftly and I was able to drain the last 1.5 hours of my laptop battery writing some code before we started our descent. Landing was uneventful and after the usual exercise routine to get back to the main terminal at Gatwick South, we were through the Iris and waiting for our bags. Priority baggage worked this time around and we exited through the slightly heavy handed barrier of HMRC staff (I counted 8) and into the cold (well, relative to St. Lucia) morning where we picked up my car in the short stay, glad we didn't to wait around for a bus!

Next trip planned is a leisure weekend visit LHR-JFK, EWR-LHR in April in PE which will result in my earning 42 TP's in this 12 month period and we all know what this means! Practically a guarantee that I won't need to fly for a bit!

Thanks for the TR

Why is it that turbulence always arrives just as a meal service is in progress This has happened so many times - especially when the coffee is being served - that i think there is some thing supernatural going on here.

I take it that the Immigration Hall at Gatwick is still as dour as ever What a poor impression this must give of the country - at least priority baggage was working

Thanks once again

buns

Thank you for the great TR. Well done for passing the eating soup in turbulance test!

DarkAuror wrote:Thank you for the great TR. Well done for passing the eating soup in turbulance test!

There should indeed be a V-Flyer badge for that ... although it's a very good reason why soup is not a great option (or at least in shallow bowls as VS serves it).

Beautiful St Lucia, hope you had a great vacation Stuart. Since you'll cross 40 TP's on the return from your next jaunt, you should try to get VS to issue you with a letter confirming that you'll become gold, then use the JFK clubhouse on the return?

Thanks for your TR. I take it you were on G-VFAB again? Unfortunately since it's refit, it has had a lot of IFE problems which have affected all the systems onboard including laptop power, call bells and reading lights.

Hopefully it will all be sorted soon.

Great TR. I hate eating in turbulance as I always end up wearing it!

@Slinky09 - that would be nice to use the JFK clubhouse but when I board my return journey I'll only be on 39 TP's - is there past v-flyer experience that suggests VS may allow this?

@Tinkerbelle - yes back on G-VFAB again. It was fine on the way out but sadly lacking in entertainment value on the return! More disappointing for Mrs P than for me. Let's hope they get it sorted soon...

Of course I mean the EWR clubhouse