V-Flyer

After a couple of days R&R in San Francisco, it was time to head back home.

Again, I used the BART from Powell St. to SFO which costs $8.80 each way and takes about 25 minutes.

I'd already checked in online again so just needed to drop my bag and collect my boarding pass. I arrived at check-in around 14:30. The agent working the Upper check-in desk was very friendly and helpful. I'd once again asked about moving forward into row 18 (bulk-head row). After a quick phone call, it was decided that I would have to wait until the flight closed before I could move and that I would be called in the Clubhouse. Not a problem. I'd already noticed that the return flight had opened up quite a lot since since the UK weather issues. The VS seat map had gone from showing no spare seats in to showing about 10.

Off up to the SFO Clubhouse where I was welcomed and asked if I'd been here before (which I had). I grabbed a seat facing the window and my waitress came and introduced herself whilst taking my drink order.

I'd not long had lunch in the city so I wasn't particularly hungry yet. There where a few other pax there but it did soon get quite busy.

The whole WiFi/Internet access system was down including the PC's. The staff where aware of this but there was nothing they could do. Someone did say that they had managed to log onto the Air France system and use that. I had my Virgin Mobile US dongle anyway so just used that.

I did receive a call from the front desk informing me they had indeed moved me to row 18 in Premium (seat 18C)

The flight was called around 17:15 and as my boarding pass had been priority stamped I could use the priority security line, which in all honesty was slower than the ordinary line

The VS20 was departing from gate A11 which now seems to be VS's new arrival/departure area so it's a longer walk now right to the end of the terminal building. Priority boarding was in operation but by this time most pax had already boarded anyway.

I noticed at least 4 empty seats in Premium but Upper and economy looked pretty full.

The captain announced that due to a long flying time of 10hrs 24mins tonight, he wanted to try and push back as soon as possible. It actually took longer to fly home than it did to fly out to SFO.

Usual pre-departure drinks offered. No-one sat next to me so I moved into the window seat.

The A/C was G-VATL (Miss Kitty) so nice to have her back in service rather than just been stored somewhere

January's V:Port film selection was very poor as it was almost identical to Decembers. The i:map was 'sort of' working as you did have to fiddle with it to get it to work. The issue must be a system-wide software problem.

Dinner was soon offered after take-off which was very tasty again. Service was on the whole pretty slow the entire flight. Once again it looked like this was because of crewing issues. I think I remember the FSM informing us there where 12 crew on-board today. Not sure if that's normal for an A3346 but it certainly felt like they where stretched. The FSM did look to be serving/helping in Upper most of the flight. The crew in Premium also seemed to be working in both Premium and economy.

After the meal service was cleared the cabin lights were turned off so I finished watching the film Buried and then bedded down best I could. I surprised myself as I must have managed at least 6 hours sleep as the next thing I remember was waking up just in time for the breakfast service which I was ready for. It was a choice of a hot bagel with either ham and cheese or egg I think.

After this I remembered I needed some duty free (I also had a pre-order to collect too) I headed down the back and picked up what I needed. The FSM dropped them off to my seat a bit later.

I watched a few TV programs and before long we where heading into LHR. We landed more or less on time and where soon at the gate. Usual long walk to immigration with only 1 IRIS booth working. The Windows anti-virus software pop-up window is still showing in the IRIS machine display as well

Using IRIS meant I was once again first to the luggage carousel. Luggage started coming off after a few minutes.

As it was about 13:00 by this time, I just had time for a quick shower in Revivals (which closes at 13:30)

All in all just an OK VS flight which more or less did offer what it said on the tin.

Once I get back to the UK I always do the manual missing miles claim to get my miles/TP's added straight away. For some reason, it wouldn't let me do it this time, although the miles/TP's where added automatically the following day.

Both my VX flights also posted to my Flying Club account that day as well meaning it only took 4 days in total for them to post

Did you notice the nice, new carpet on G-VATL??

James

Once again, you have produced an informative TR which will no doubt prove beneficial to other V-Flyers

On both my outbound and return flights to MCO around Christmas they were also short crewed, but did manage to cope - perhaps there is something more sinister here rather than a co-incidence

Thanks once again and I must get in touch with you soon regarding the V Mobile Dongle

buns

Tinkerbelle wrote:Did you notice the nice, new carpet on G-VATL??

LOL, err no sorry I missed that one!!

It looked like the middle galley in front of Premium did have a blocked sink though as during rotation I heard a splashing noise and the sink contents ended up all over the cabin floor. The crew had to mop up before they could start work!!

I was kinda' hoping she might have the new livery but she hasn't yet.

buns wrote:
On both my outbound and return flights to MCO around Christmas they were also short crewed, but did manage to cope - perhaps there is something more sinister here rather than a co-incidence

buns

I'd like to think it is more due to the crew disrupptions due to the snow working through the rosters

Thanks for the TR, a great thing to bag 18A&C for yourself!

tontybear wrote:

buns wrote:I'd like to think it is more due to the crew disrupptions due to the snow working through the rosters

My experience differs, crewing down is fairly commonplace, and then it's noticeable. Snow or no snow.

I find the sinister comment very strange.

A lot of flights were departing with less than the normal number of crew over Christmas and New Year due to the sheer load of crew that were stuck downroute during the disruption and were then unable to fly on their next duty - nothing sinister involved at all. Things seem to be back to normal now.

Thanks for the great review

On my past few flights they have said they were down on crew (in August and November) but this didn't make any difference to the service.

mitchja wrote: I finished watching the film Buried and then bedded down best I could.

Interesting film! Though I do think whoever chose it, didn't think about what it would be like to watch in the UCS...