V-Flyer

The NH’s annual MCO trip was again upon us, however this time grandma NH, aka snr NH had decided to tag along, albeit in Y. As the VS75 was an early start, we plumbed for the park and stay package at Bewleys. Which proved to be fine, and adequate for our needs (and substantially cheaper than the Radisson).

Yours truly did online chk-in for us all, importantly trying to get Snr NH into a front seat to allow quick offload with us from PE. Seq 1 established for her in Row 29 with our middle bubble seats confirmed soon after (moved forward at MAN into VH seats in front part of bubble for some reason), however had to check mini in at MAN in the morning. No drama, as had both ours confirmed. (Believe due to numpty here putting Mini in the single aisle seat at request stage ).

Trip across to MAN on Friday night proved uneventful, traffic fairly calm for a Friday night, apart from a couple of lunatics heading home, there should be a law on fitting speed limiters to white transit vans . Soon established in Bewleys, a bite to eat in lounge, seemingly festooned with late 50 some-things in those colourful pastel holiday clothes and new beige shoes. Glass of wine, then off to bed down for the night. The following morning up and at ‘em for early check-in of bags and confirming mini’s seat. Bewleys have very effective continual shuttle buses to the terminals, so nothing more than door-to-door movement of bags needed.

MAN check-in, was in usual busy form. The queue Gestapo intercepted us and insisted we join the Y line , soon put right. Couple of people in front in the PE queue, then up to get rid of bags, snr NH’s bag checked in through us to enable priority offload at MCO and get mini’s boarding card. The flight was full and actually overbooked. Now maybe I have missed something with this, but the following proved a real concern: The lady at Swissport, took our boarding cards and scanned our passports etc, then went on to add “SSS” to my card. I thought a nice touch, showing we had Ag status. However then proceeded to advise I had been selected for secondary screening at the gate!! Now if I was on a mission of world destruction, I would of then gone on to pass any potential articles to my travelling companions before this occurred?? Somehow don’t think I should have been told this. I did advise the G4 people at the gate that this had occurred- just a shrugged shoulder in return!

Security was fairly painless and true to form, England t-shirt clad families unpacking/repacking fake handbags and decidedly flimsy looking patterned wheely cases at the x-ray desk. Then on into what seemed a fairly calm airside. We didn’t have a massive amount of time, and flight was on time, so just decamped into the café/bar area so mini could watch the planes. Still frightens me the amount of lager being drunk pre 9am around us.. I quick wander round the shops and boarding was being called, mini was taken to “freshen up” and we started the long walk down to the last gate. The Y queue was long, so we loitered with snr NH and then moved forward to front as PE/UC did have separate channel. I was then, as if by magic, pulled for secondary screen- what a surprise..?

Boarding and up into bubble and sorted all mini’s stuff out, DVD player, noise cancellers, colouring-in paraphernalia and snacks. The Asda Cava shot was soon despatched, and I settled into seat next to mini. As is usual procedure I sit with mini outbound, and mrs nh sits with her on return allowing me to get some kip for the drive home.
All was looking good, but it was then however the announcement came about a faulty seat needing to be fixed- Christ if they started that on this a/c we’d not of took off till the following week! As the flight was fully booked, assume said seat (not sure where it was, and not upstairs) must have been too bad to use, so about a 45 min delay as something was done- likely involving sticky back plastic and empty loo rolls, we were soon advised it had been sorted, trundle down to the runway and we were soon up heading out over North Wales

Crew were prompt and consistent, nothing really stood out, either great or bad. To be honest the flight was very uneventful. My only gripe was the inability to watch a movie, as mini has the knack of constant interrupting and I’d not unpacked my travel sundial and astrological charts to time the start of the movies, and the thought of wading through the cupboard at the back to dig my bag out again wasn’t high on my wish list.
Drinks weren’t offered much, and couple of times I was doing my waiter bit to the back to get top ups for us both. Orange juice and water were laid out on a tray and a decent bowl of fruit available. Copies of the Mail also available, should the loo roll run out .

“Food”Service soon came round, and think I ordered the Beef, no I actually lie, I ordered 5 dice-sized chunks of Butchers Choice in a brown glue with a side of Smash . It was truly awful, edible but a really poor offering- didn’t remember it being this bad last time in PE, and although 4 UC legs since may of swayed my memory, a red napkin and metal cutlery doesn’t make up for glorified dog food. Mini’s child offering was as equally unimpressive; watching her scrape the skin off the baked bean sauce was a pitiful sight.Later serving of sandwiches was again at that remote dual carriageway petrol station standard .

[edit as memory comes back to me]
I did manage to squint and see a small grainy version of Shutter Island as mrs NH offered to swap for a while (she's nice like that sometimes ), feeding my face Haggan Das ice-cream thought it . A couple of trips downstairs to visit snr NH with mini – the thought of wading through the aisles for our usual walk to the back looked more hassle than it would be worth. Snr NH advised the girls sat next to her had family in PE, downstairs and had overheard a stroppy conversation with one of them, about not getting upstairs and continual moans about this/ that..

One thing did note, was on our A/C (English Rose), upstairs 3 rows back from front on left side of the A/C the seat had the traditional overly excitable recline , so the poor lady behind had next to no leg room (will add seat row when get chance to check maps- 72C I believe is the one to avoid). At no point throughout the whole experience was any form of flying club recognition made, I know we are only Ag, however some acknowledgement of repeat customers would have been nice at some point.
Mini had found the gentleman sitting next to mum, was travelling out to visit his family who'd gone out few days earlier, he started interacting with pass the colouring-in picture which proved a hour or so's fun for mini, and helped pass the time for all of us,

Prior to landing time, I asked the CC downstairs if it would be possible for Snr NH to be allowed off with us to avoid any delays, this was cheerily accepted given she was only 3 rows back from the door and even a tongue in cheek offer if “it will cost you a fiver”!!

Landing was smooth and gated up in next to no time. We gathered belongings and stumbled down the stairs, looking back to see snr NH missing, the CC guy, who was holding back the marauding masses advised he’d already thrown her off , which was a nice touch and I thanked him for honouring my request. She was waiting for us in the bridge. A stiff walk down to immigration with the dreaded sticker encrusted Trunki proving its worth yet again, as it transported mini along at full, speed walking pace. Queue was relatively short, but slow moving, however no panic as bags hadn’t arrived. Some double checking of Mini’s passport made my heart sink, as suddenly had a unfounded thought I’d forgotten to do her ESTA form… but everything was fine, walked through, having given fingerprints, DNA sample, some toenail clippings and saliva. I do like the separate belt for PE/UC, shame this can’t be done by MAN reclaim, although appreciate this would involve being able to count to two.

Had to release bags again to the second belt system before boarding the train, as too many to carry with Snr & Mini in tow, off out into the airy centre concourse at MCO, and accosted by two separate mums asking where we’d got mini’s case from, the whole Trunki thing doesn’t seem to of hit USA yet, but now starting to see more and more, guess it will, a frightening thought for some with bruised ankles! So off we were on the hunt for reclaim again and then Hertz Gold desk. Bags did seem to take an age to arrive this time, although when started ours were soon off. The Hertz Desk in the Multi was easy to find and very efficient. I’d ordered a SUV but was duly given a president circle Nissan Armada SE about the size of Anglesey with all whistles and bells. Mini loved it, especially the colour reversing camera and rear stereo/ climate controls. We launched the bags into the cravenness boot, and proceeded out to the Beeline Expressway and I4.
Check-in at Shearaton Vistana was fairly relaxed and after freshening up, pottered out to find some food and start the week.

All in all, a fairly uneventful trip, nothing major, especially given the supposed refits planned and ignoring the usual grumbles about the antiquated cabins, although the food strikes out as the poorest part, the security issue at MAN the most frightening and the request for offloading snr NH out of Y the best.

Thanks for such an informative and amusing trip report! We are doing LGW-MCO next Sunday and I had almost been looking forward to the Beef dish on the menu, so thank you for bringing my expectation level back to reality. We normally do LGW but are flying from MAN-MCO on New Years Day next year, so I will look forward to the queue Gestapo at MAN. Have had several interesting encounters in the queue at LGW, where Mrs Mad always takes delight in saying "do I look like I'm flying in Economy!" when challenged. Know what you mean about getting used to PE after flying UC - the selection of cakes for afternoon tea just isn't the same is it!

Thanks for the TR, NH!

NH

Sounds a bit of a curate's egg of a trip (possibly preferable to the beef?); interesting again though how a bit on no cost service can help put a shine on things..

nickmad wrote: Have had several interesting encounters in the queue at LGW, where Mrs Mad always takes delight in saying "do I look like I'm flying in Economy!" when challenged.

Nick - there are a number of badges on sale here that may prove useful (beware: the link is to a site where swearing is considered both big and clever and not a sign of a limited vocabulary)

Thanks pjh - think Mrs Mad would love some of those!

Nice TR, Mike, but a real mixed-bag service/quality wise. And the food sounded dire.

Looking forward to the return...

Last time I checked the VS checkin system it was to only put SSSS on foreign passports such as ones from Iran/Iraq/Lybia etc. Might look into this whenever I have a spare 5 minutes on my hands at work!

NH

I have to agree, a mixed bag, and if airlines are to promote a premium cabin then people do expect to get thier monies worth in terms of seating and food.

Hope all went well whilst in the Land of the Mouse

Thanks for the TR

buns

Thanks for the TR NH.

Food again rears its ugly head; none of us have any great expectations of the food which is probably just as well. Haute cuisine it cannot be, but consistently clean, nicely presented and yummy would be good. Somehow I doubt that skin on the baked bean sauce fits into any of those categories. What's the problem with serving a nice plate of sushi with soy and wasabi etc? It doesn't even need to be reheated.

Lizz wrote:Last time I checked the VS checkin system it was to only put SSSS on foreign passports such as ones from Iran/Iraq/Lybia etc. Might look into this whenever I have a spare 5 minutes on my hands at work!

Lizz, that would be interesting, I do seem to constantly being flagged up for secondary checks all over the world, ever since I changed by passport. Now its extremely unlikely I've got the same name as someone on a watch list, as some will know . And the concept of NH bin laden does have a ring to it, but is proving frustrating..
Anyone any pointers to know how this can be queried?

Great TR nh nice one, dodgy service again so not needed and especially when its cost you a packet.

cheers

alex

Thanks NH for reminding what is to come next month when I fly PE with mini Sunshine who stands a good 4 inches taller than me. I have been trapped behind those permanently reclined seats before and didn't walk upright for at least a week

I have always found it safer to take the vegetarian option as they can't hide dog food so easily in it

Enjoy Florida
Sunshine

Thanks for the TR. I do struggle to understand why the food has to be so poor on occasions.

Thank you for the great TR, NH!

For uneventful flight , it was a joy to read.

Thanks for the TR. Sounds as if we had the expert CC member on our flight 2 days after yours - she stripped a whole seat down and rebuilt it in 2 minutes flat.