V-Flyer

And so after just 2 weeks back home it was off to San Francisco again, I left home at a very reasonable 7:30, and very quickly was at Heathrow. The silver card's one perk was very much needed - the Y checkin desks were really busy, but the PE ones were pretty empty. Interestingly I was actually asked to prove I was silver at the desk, whereas generally they don't say anything! The desk agent was one of few words, but was pretty efficient, so before long it was off to a relatively deserted security.

Before long I was making my way to the clubhouse - Honey Lamb had invited me in, and it was only as I approached did I realise I didn't know her surname, but no worries, there was a little post-it-note with my name, and in I went

After finding Honey Lamb, it was time to avail myself of the champagne - the first glass arrived pretty quickly, followed by the breakfast (too small for my liking). I followed one glass with another (after a very long wait for service), and also had a sausage sandwich (very tasty). In no time we were onto the third glass (or was it the fourth?)

Boarding was called and after packing things up, we made our way to the gate, it was then time to say bye to Honey Lamb as she breezed through the well sign posted priority lane, and I slummed it with the rest of the Y passengers.

Once settled on my seat, I had a quick look around - Y was very full, not very many seats at all. I have never seen so many people being moved seats by the CC, I must have seen about 5 families moved, various couples, including the couple in 46 E&F (I don't think they liked being in the middle - they were constantly complaining)...

After take off we got a well built gentleman sitting in those 2 empty seats, but fortunately he sat more in 46E than F so I had quite a lot of space the entire flight.

Drinks were quickly served (interrupted by a welcome visit by Honey Lamb looking lovely in the ninja suit), followed by lunch - I had the sausage and mash which was pretty good - although not nearly as good as the sausages from the clubhouse!

I settled into a long flight, and decided to have a sleep - I struggled a bit as the CC kept leaning on my seat back to get into the cupboard Eventually I slept for a couple of hours off and on which was excellent.

I had a bit of paper work to do (i.e. expense forms), so settled into fill those in, and then watched Shutter Island which was pretty good, although I did miss the twist at the end until I read the plot in wikipedia at the end - I just don't follow films properly when on a plane.

We had ice creams (very nice), and a choice of hot wrap (I passed on that), and then before landing a cookie and sandwich (cheese and pickle or coronation chicken).

Landing was pretty good - although we sat between the 2 runways for a few minutes waiting to cross the other one. Everyone was very quick in getting off the plane which makes a huge change - I think using both 1L and 2L to disembark really does help a lot.

Immigration was busy on the left lanes, but totally deserted on the right lanes - they use red tensa barriers for citizens, and blue for visitors - but on the right hand side of the visitor bit, there are often red lanes that the citizens can't get to without ducking under a barrier. In any case - if you want to get through quickly walk áll the way to the right - I had no queue at all in front of me - although he did ask me hundreds of questions...

I met back up with Honey Lamb waiting for the bags, and hers came off very quickly and after saying our good byes I settled into a long wait for my bag - eventually it came and I was off to my hotel.

They now know me here at the Hotel Palomar, and I got an upgraded room, very nice looking out over Market and the Apple store

I just hope the builder decorating my living room (stripping floor boards, painting, odd jobs) finishes before I get home in 2 weeks!).

All in all a reasonable flight - although they do need to sort out service in the clubhouse, especially if you are within spitting distance of the bar...

Glad you had a great flight.

When I was in the CH in May, I had excellent service - never had to wait for long before a drink even though one of the servers I had was disbelieving when I said I didn't want any champagne, just water...

crispin wrote:they do need to sort out service in the clubhouse, especially if you are within spitting distance of the bar...

Totally agree ... I got fed up in the end and plonked myself on a bar stool, then the service was too good The waitresses did have a tendency to talk the talk but didn't really like to walk the walk.

Crispin

Thanks for the TR

No that you have met one of the more sensible members of V-Flyer, I hope you will agree that, all in all, we are not a bad bunch

It is regrettable that there was some inconsistency in the Clubhouse Service, but this does not seem to have migrated to the flight.

Good Luck in San Francisco

buns

buns wrote:No that you have met one of the more sensible members of V-Flyer, I hope you will agree that, all in all, we are not a bad bunch

buns

So Crispin met another V-flyer apart from Honey Lamb then?

Great TR Crispin - many thanks :-)

Tonty, Crispin was part of the Bay To Breaker crowd last month ;-)

Vegascrazy wrote:Great TR Crispin - many thanks :-)

Tonty, Crispin was part of the Bay To Breaker crowd last month ;-)

So he has still yet to meet anyone sensible !

tontybear wrote:

Vegascrazy wrote:Great TR Crispin - many thanks :-)

Tonty, Crispin was part of the Bay To Breaker crowd last month ;-)

So he has still yet to meet anyone sensible !

Cheeky so and so!

crispin, I visited you three times. I didn't leave alone to suffer Economy. the second time you were asleep and I didn't disturb you but I did visit you before landing.

Oh and I didn't get on an earlier onward flight. United wanted $50 to get on a standby list without any guarantee of success. I could think of better ways of spending $50

Honey Lamb, shame about the earlier flight, $50 for no guarantee - what a rip off

Oh, and your trips down the back were all very welcome - I'm sorry I was asleep the second time, but it seemed to do the trick - I don't seem to be suffering at all badly with jet lag

Crispin

Thank you for the great TR.

honey lamb wrote:

tontybear wrote:

Vegascrazy wrote:Great TR Crispin - many thanks :-)

Tonty, Crispin was part of the Bay To Breaker crowd last month ;-)

So he has still yet to meet anyone sensible !

Cheeky so and so!

(and hopes HL hasn't seen the CH thread she started for this trip )

Oh - one thing I should add to this was that the I94-W (green visa waiver form) had gone (as promised), and how lovely that was

If you have have a visa you still have to fill in the I-94 (white form), and you still have to do the customs form.