V-Flyer

returning 'home' after a hectic 5 days of non stop work was indeed a pleasure. not having time to do twilight CI the day before (a working day of 4am to 7pm killed that idea) i arrived a bit earlier (just after 10) for bag drop. i was amazed that the desks were empty -literally. i walked straight to a desk where two very nice ladies almost fought over me they admitted that flights had been 'empty' for a couple of weeks and Ci was completed speedily and with a laugh and a smile. though one was a little un au fait with US visas. fast track security was slowed but some idiot who didnt realise remove coats jackets and laptops actually meant REMOVE them
even the security guy was getting a little sarcastic.

once through i used the No 1 lounge (thanks to fellow VFs reccs) for an hour or so, partaking of a good cappucino and chicken caeser pitta. the lounge is definitely good value (through PP).
i then wandered down to Duty free for some new smellys and took a stroll to gate 17. i was hoping the priority q would be small. it was- and so was the econ one, there was NO ONE there. i jokingly asked the guy checking tickets if it was quicker to use the priority lane and he had a sense of humour. the waiting area was barely full and as i walked into it a call was made for UC and PE so it was straight on board and up to seat 80k . had a nice chat with a lady in 79, also English also going 'home' and the fizzy was soon in hand.

we eventually settled down as my neighbour arrived and the captain announced a FT of 8.50
we pushed back spot on time and an announcment of total on board of 189 given. PE upstairs had 5 empty seats although it appeared a good smattering of PAX may have been off duty CC.

our 2 young CC were very attentive , drinks came pretty quickly followed by food. we hadnt been given menus so were merely offered chicken or veggie so I guess one choice had gone. the chicken cous cous was pretty good and 2 glasses of wine helped.oh and the Baileys

after food i settled down to the very poor choice of films -settling on Monsters , which was pretty awful. after that i listened to some music and then on the recc on the girl in the next seat watched the facebook film which was better -even more so with a doze half way through.
ice cream run half way and fruit bowl on offer, i used my own DVD player to watch 3 episodes of the Sopranos and then we were into the last 2 hours. the usual appaling sandwiches were on offer -can VS really not find anything better for a little bit more ? and then we started our descent into MCO.

Managed to be first off the plane after a brief chat and thanks to the male FSM (permission to name not asked) who had been visible during the flight and seemed to run a happy ship.

made it to immigration and then disaster..the whole US Imm computer system was down nationwide. so having arrived within 15 minutes of landing we then stood and stood and stood for over an hour. and of course " NO CELL PHONES SIR"means you cant let your lift know whats going on. i eventually cleared at 18.40 some 1 hour 15 after starting to q.

by this time the bag belt was over flowing (god help anyone whose bag was at the top of the belt) but a quick reclaim and into the arrivals hall and we were soon on the road.

Overall a very good flight no doubt helped by the light load. the only downside being the poor IFE choice and those manky sarnies (SRB should be made to feast on them for a week -then they would get improved )

anyway at least i am now in the sun after 5 grey days

Thanks for the TR, glad to hear the trip
Home went well and the no.1 lounge at LGW was good!

What did you say to the FSM to get off first? Lol

Luke

i was just first down the stairs and got to the bottom beside the door before anyone else :-)

flabound wrote:i was just first down the stairs and got to the bottom beside the door before anyone else :-)

Lol thought there might've been a hidden firemans pole to slide down lol

Thank you for the TR.