V-Flyer

And so it was that after just a week in San Francisco I was heading home. I had been staying in the Mark Hopkins hotel on Nob Hill - it was ok, but it a bit of a trek back up in the evening, I only resorted to a taxi one evening ...

I had nothing much to do in San Francisco, so I headed off to the airport and was there just as they were laying out the tensa barriers, after a short wait (in which I dealt with a load of email using the free wifi (is that new?)) I headed off to the UC checkin, unfortunately they had literally just asked load of PE passengers to use the UC desk, and they then proceeded to re-pack their luggage - typical.

Fortunately I was called over to another desk and was efficiently dealt with there - no complaints at all, and it was off to the clubhouse, only to find it closed I headed back downstairs to have a quick tour of the displays that they have by security, and then went back to the clubhouse - first in

A Mojito was quickly ordered while I passed the time writing a report for my previous flight, and carried on catching with email backlog. I had a very tasty lunch and another Mojito before deciding I would have a shower - wow they are powerful showers - sorry to whoever went in there after me, there was water everywhere over the floor!

Before long (time passes quickly when combined with Mojitos), boarding was called, which I took as a queue to deal with more email, I left it another 5-10 minutes and then headed off - last passenger out of the clubhouse (is that a record - first in, last out?).

Security was the usual mess of people with far too many bags not knowing what to do, and a rather pushy man behind me who was almost pushing me past the security man who checks passports - I was not impressed.

When I got to the gate it was chaos - there was a separate lane as usual, but it seemed to just have Y passengers on it - granted I was there later than the other UC passengers but that shouldn't make a difference - SORT IT OUT VIRGIN

The flight would be a rapid 9 hours, so I decided to just have the steak, opting to skip a starter and dessert - it was excellent, although far too 'medium' for my liking. After sleeping for the next 6 hours breakfast was welcome (croissant, bacon roll) - I'm always grateful to not be down the back at breakfast - I think people know my views on PE/Y breakfasts ....

We had quite a hold before landing, and a we were quickly at the gate, however it took ages to get the airbridge to the L2 door - they didn't use the one at the L1.

Once off the plane we had a short walk to immigration, which wasn't that busy for UK/EC passports (but awful for other folk), and bags were relatively quickly off.

After meeting my driver it was off home (pretty light traffic on the M25 for once)

All in all a good flight although slightly let down by the chaos at the gate when leaving SFO.

Now to enjoy my last 6 weeks in the UK - I only have to pack up an entire house and go and get my Visa - should be simple

Thanks for the TR - sounds like you had a good flight. One suggestion, employ someone to pack up your home and queue for your Visa whilst you relax and enjoy the next 6 weeks!

crispin wrote:And so it was that after just a week in San Francisco I was heading home. I had been staying in the Mark Hopkins hotel on Nob Hill - it was ok, but it a bit of a trek back up in the evening, I only resorted to a taxi one evening ...

We trekked past it to go to the Cable Car Museum - very impressed that you managed only one taxi, particularly being (currently) located in a town where I can only think of one hill. I wanted to pay one of the pedal rickshaws to take us back to O'Farrell via Washington Square (home of the Rogue Brewery pub), but MrsPJH wouldn't hear of it.

crispin wrote:I decided to just have the steak, opting to skip a starter and dessert - it was excellent, although far too 'medium' for my liking.

Agreed. A little lacking in subtlety, though I was so grateful to actually get my first choice that I make no complaint.

Does you full time move mean fewer flights for you?

Paul

then headed off - last passenger out of the clubhouse (is that a record - first in, last out?).

No just the sign of a well seasoned V-Flyer

Seriously, glad to hear you had a good flight and I only hope that the chap doing the shoving and pushing at the Gate had a miserable time on board - not getting his choice of meal and having some one behind his seat knocking throughout the flight

Hope you manage to get things all sorted back here in Blighty

buns

pjh wrote:Does you full time move mean fewer flights for you?
Paul

Yes - although I still have a few flights left this year (I'm flying out in October but I have to make a trip back in November - praying for G tickets there ...)

I'm totally fed up with traveling now - I'm glad to have a short period where I won't be jet lagged all the time!

Thanks for the TR, although another tale of slow ground staff getting the jet bridges connected. Another come on VS SORT IT OUT!

I whole-heartedly agree about the showers. After I've been in there, the combination of me and the water pressure means it looked like a rain storm passed through. Very cleansing though. Managed to cut myself on the soap dispenser last time and needed a G&T to treat the shock of the blood loss.