V-Flyer

Arrived at MAN the night before to stay in the Radisson (OH is now always twitchy about being stuck in a motorway carpark before the flight) so woke up to see VLIP pulling into the end gate ready for VS75.
We had used the T2 valet parking and arranged for the car to remain in their arrival bay so were able to drop off overnight bag after a leisurely breakfast.
The check-in for the '75 seemed to be going slowly - 8 in the line for UC! - either they had all arrived together or they are missing Lizz & friend - after 15mins, when I passed back, there were still 4 waiting.

Went back down to check-in to the '73 to find a shorter UC line - only 3 in front of us so not too long a wait. Fasttrack was, so straight through to the T2 shopping plaza and finally escaped to the lounge.

We usually use the VS75 so quite surprised to find the Escape lounge empty. The right side perhaps had a few pax in but we had the left to ourselves and quickly took over our usual corner. The manager came over for a chat and some interesting news. The T1 escape lounge is having a big £m makeover - about to open with new bar, food and their own chef. Unfortunately no definite news yet about T2 but they are trying: following on from the homemade soup over the winter they are now doing their own salads. A clear improvement on the old biscuits & coffee. Decided to try them out and were quite glad to have done so when we saw the VS offering.

Spent some time catching up with VF (and to find we were going to be in VROY ) in the Escape "office" and printed out the latest Jeppesen so see we were likely to get quite a few patches of turbulence.

The call came on time and a few minutes later we wandered down to the gate to find still a longish line for the second security check. Managed to eventually get down the side of that to be allowed through the barrier. No signs at all for priority boarding but it seemed to have worked - we were the last into the cabin, everyone else sitting with their champagne.

Settled into 6A & 6K but there was no drinks service, perhaps in disapproval of our "late" arrival (there were still around 100 Y pax waiting to get through security). Eventually went down to the bar to help myself to be pounced on with "Can I get that for you, Sir". OK - I got mine, but its was not even offered to my OH (not needed anyway!). That was the only blip in an otherwise faultless crew.

The FSM, Andrea (permission granted!), came round, welcomed us on-board and introduced herself - names were used throughout.

Half way through the safety video, my IFE screen switched off. It seemed to only stay on for about 1 minute then shut itself down. Reported it and was offered DVD or a move to 12A (the only seat on the aircraft that was free - a rammed flight). Declined both but then Andrea offered miles
8K later I was a happy bunny. Nice to get miles even when on a G!

Service was quick, efficient and cheerful - the FSM clearly setting an example (things definitely looking up!)

Not a particularly appetising menu as has been commented elsewhere. Passed on the soup & salad. The lamb "pie" was reasonable at best.

Lunch cleared away quite quickly then we met the first patch of turbulence exactly where forecast. Fairly light, just enough to settle the lunch, but it would keep everyone in their seats.
We had a 20 minute break for few drinks then back over the jetstream. OK in UC where service could be quick but it may well have been more difficult with the 400 in Y.

There was turbulence predicted down most of the US coastline but we skirted most of it with a route well out from normal. The first land we saw after Ireland was an excellent view of the launch pads at Kennedy.

Overall a good flight - excellent, very cheerful, FSM who never seemed to disappear into the office and good, friendly crew service. Pretty Woman is not too bad considering a refit is due.

We landed 15 mins early and had a fairly short taxi, immigration/customs quick and only a short wait for bags - they were almost first out. Sent the luggage through to the second belt as we were staying at the Hyatt. Checked in and up to our room, overlooking the VS gates, only 15 minutes after we were due to land with luggage delivered shortly afterwards. May well have been there before the last of the pax. left the aircraft!

Next morning we got to try the new on-site Hertz pickup.
The main desks are fairly near the VS second luggage belt. Gold desk is across the road a little further down and you have to do a circuit of the terminals to get back to the Hyatt valet parking to collect the luggage.

Sunday is a good day to travel down to Gulf Coast Naples area - traffic light. Noticeably more State Troopers around than there were in December - and the Collier County red light cameras seem to be spreading everywhere! Take note, those visiting! You now have to double stop when turning right - once for the line and once to see if clear!

Thanks for the TR, good to hear the FSM handled your inflight problems so efficiently.

Thank you for the great TR.

Great TR, good to hear about the Lounge refits !

Really to hear of a good flight, i would have been quite pleased with 8k fc miles too, oh and btw thanks for the detail on the red light cameras its easy to get fed up waiting for the 200th red light of the day.

cheers

alex

They are making more money out of the turn right than from jumping the red light.
Most just approach the junction slowly and stop to check if its clear before turning right. I hear that will get you a fine in Collier County! You have to come to a full stop before the line as well.

can you expand on the Hertz situation please. we are flying on may 8th and have resrved with Hertz gold. can we now pick up cars at the airport rather than be bussed up the road? that will be a real result, how did you find out because we havent had any notification. if you arent staying at the Hyatt presumably the drive round doesnt happen?

can you expand on the Hertz situation please. we are flying on may 8th and have resrved with Hertz gold. can we now pick up cars at the airport rather than be bussed up the road? that will be a real result, how did you find out because we havent had any notification. if you arent staying at the Hyatt presumably the drive round doesnt happen?

Thanks for a great trip report - good to see that the FSM led by example on the flight. The trip report makes me wish 3 and a half weeks will go quickly as I head out to MCO then (on the 75).

James

james i hope it goes real quick, we fly out the day before you !!!

Hertz have now moved on site at MCO, so no more buses. They only moved on the 8th April. The gold desk is out in the garage.

Neil

As Neil said, Hertz are now on-site.
The non-Gold desk is just before the VS second bag belt : level 1 of A side.
Gold is a little further down and up the escalator or lift in the Garage.
If you have your bags then it's straight out from there. I only needed to go back as I was too lazy to carry & load them myself plus to cheap to pay the 3 dollars for each trolley - I'd much rather give it to the bellboy!

Bill

Thanks for such an informative TR

Good to see the FSM leading by example and proving that VS can still deliver that "special" service that attracted many of us here to them in the first place.

Thanks for the warnings about State Troopers and about the new turn right rule

buns

thanks, thats brilliant news saves another 15-20 mins. i try not to use the second belt as the delays can be very frustrating, I presume the cars are just across the road in the undergorund garage ?

Thanks for the TR Bill.

flabound wrote:I presume the cars are just across the road in the undergorund garage ?

In the multi-story, on 2nd(US) or 1st(UK) floor. On level 1 there is a canopied crossing from Term A, just up 1 floor then turn left.

brilliant thanks Bill, if i dont need to go down to level one can you scoot straight across at the level you exit the sky train (2) ? or is it down and back up ?


the level one/ground business threw us the first time we visited many moons ago, we went down up and back down again after it was finally explained to us !!!

Sky Train is on level 3.

The quickest way is straight out the skytrain exit and cross diagonally by the fountain to the travellator. Take this to the centre (not the end) then turn right and straight to the centre A elevators (lifts). Down to level 1.

You cannot cross the road above level 1 (ground) afaik.
The road crossing and lift to the (level2) Hertz car park is just past the VS second luggage belt A8, towards the lower left of this map.

I hope we are missed! Not to be bigheaded but myself and my friend were very efficient! Could have either been due to the newer staff they have on there, or someone put one of the slower members of staff on that desk, the type that check in 1 person in the time it takes someone quicker to check-in about 10 other groups!