V-Flyer

This trip was amongst other things an experiment of logistics for routing through LHR. We have always historically driven to MAN and flown down, however given the nonsense that’s otherwise known as BMI and BA pricing not that acceptable, decided to try another alternative out. In true Jimmy Saville style, another Leeds resident, we went by Train..
As tickets were able to be bought far in advance and we knew exactly when we needed to travel we were able to get very reasonable 1st class fares. Travelling with mini NH and Snr NH would also likely compound the logistics through stations and airports, so decided on a KGX-Paddington taxi and then try the HEX- kept the hassle factor down to minimum, yes increased costs but turned out to work relatively well. Although not much difference in cost to a sensible flight.

Manhandling the luggage on-off trains and battling through KGX was a pain, but overall a fairly stress free journey. Popped up into the late afternoon sun at T3, fairly empty PE desk so managed to check straight-in, and get rid of the bags, nothing of note through this process other than mrs NH’s longing looks across to the lift…
I’d factored in couple of hours extra contingency to allow for the good old rail network letting us down, so had a good few hours to kill in T3. We decided to head straight through, security was actually painless and quick, so no loss on the private channel in terms of time. T3 was busy, seating at a premium. Mrs NH took mini to do “girls stuff” , mini getting a make-over at the MAC counter which went down a storm… yours truly lingered and loitered near the freebie sample stands in the booze section (well when in Rome.. ). Thought it time to eat, headed over to the pub style restaurant (can’t remember its name)- it was rammed, however struck lucky with a table coming free and grabbed it. Half expected the worst, but a fairly decent meal, bottle of some plonkish white wine, productive staff..a real surprise and helped pass the time..
Took advantage of the serviceair lounge for a while which was a welcome bit of peace, it became busy, and the set up pretty basic, although light refreshments, sensible loos and comfier seats made it viable (the whole LHR non CH option will be much more enticing when the new ONE lounge opens later in the year) . Boarding was due within the half hour and we decided to head straight on and before long were sat in PE in the Jetstreamer, Mini getting over excited wading through the goodies in her invisible kids pack, but she soon had a complex jigsaw on her lap courtesy of mr ipad. Yours truly grumbling to himself (yet again) about the lack of Vport..PE was full, we were three abreast in the middle, snr NH sat in Y, however near the front.
Usual chaos whilst PE try to settle in whilst the hoards of Y try to squeeze past, CC were soon battling through this to serve the Asda Cava, a very chirpy lass looking after our cabin. Mrs NH meanwhile was sorting herself and mini out and clipped the glass sat on the centre armrest sending it spot on to the metal runner on the floor – smash… great start, she was highly embarrassed and the extremely large US pax adjacent started tutting and mumbling something to his other half, This chap may I add, required a lap belt extension and needed to be a full recline for the entire flight even in PE. Our CC was nearby and came across and started to clear up the bits, at which point whilst bent down passed comment to Mini, “Is mummy a bit tipsy…” Now appreciate this comment was passed in jest, but mrs NH was extremely angry, firstly through her own embarrassment, but secondly CC passing comment to a 5 year old about being drunk…not on. (for clarity she wasn’t and a fresh refill was immediately issued ). Nothing was mentioned to the CC, and best cause of action in true Brit style was to gloss over and settle in for the flight.

Things calmed down and before long we were cruising, menus issued, the small black screen in front burst into light which is about all it would do, started to try and watch 127 hours but 10 minutes in gave up: Flickering screen, very grainy and appalling sound (even using own noise cancellers). Bumped into our CC again when going back to check on Snr, turns out she was a Leeds lass, and a bit of a scamp, jokingly trying to rush into the loo before me and expect a real livewire off the flight , although the line was thin and had been crossed with mrs NH. A hard call but personality is something that can make or break a situation. I though she was a breath of fresh air..

Food was o.k. fairly underwhelming but ok, the wines were replenished at a sensible rate and CC were efficient in checking on everyone’s needs.

The loos, ah the dreaded Loo-Laws…PE were using the UC loos, Y were using the PE loos basically a free for all even with CC stood watching whilst gathered round the bar in UC (which was fairly empty at the backend). Nobody seemed to have issues waiting for them so expect they avoided the confrontation it would of created.

Landed, and managed to get Snr NH off soon after us, and the mad dash for immigration, Snr NH muttering about why we are rushing, can we stop whilst I sort my bag out! Turned out the hall had been renewed, since our last visit to EWR, and miracle of miracles’ in was actually adequately staffed and moved quite quickly..Except our line.. the German family in front appeared to of not completed something – possibly their ESTA, as they then proceeded to fill in all the documents on the desk, holding the rest of us up… Its times like these that the automated “complete and return to back of the queue” response should have been used from the TSA agent.. The father of this group was then sectioned of into secondary screen area much to the concern of the remaining family…
The NH’s passage was without incident and bags were waiting, then off to find the Hilton Shuttle bus, Airtrain and what seemed a good 40 min wait we were soon at check-in Hilton, from where we all flopped out for a good nights kip.

Overall, would we do the train thing again, possibly, depended on times/ prices. Yes it’s a bit of hassle especially with bags and small child. Very disappointed to of trekked to LHR and fly on a plane with a clockwork IFE , however still convinced PE is more than adequate for an East cost flight (are you listening .gov.uk etc). Shame VS can’t stretch to a NY/East coast route from MAN….yet..

NH

Good TR and heck isn't Odyssey on the 343s dire, was on one last week to DC and although I watched Love and Other Drugs, it felt like I was on one!

Thanks for the great TR, NH!

I'm doing this flight at the end of next month so hoping the immigration situation remains as you per your experience (less the German family!).

Not looking forward to Odyssey at all but as it's a relatively late flight and i'm working all day, i'm pretty sure I'll be out like a light once up in the air.

Just a quick question - were the lights dimmed at all as it's a night flight? This is my first transatlantic evening flight.

Luke

northernhenry wrote:Our CC was nearby and came across and started to clear up the bits, at which point whilst bent down passed comment to Mini, “Is mummy a bit tipsy…”
NH

To which Mini replied, "Well wouldn't you be if you'd been drinking since breakfast?"

Nice TR, Mike. Makes PE sound positively bearable...

mdvipond wrote:Nice TR, Mike. Makes PE sound positively bearable...

Thats not what mrs NH says to me after all her UC galavanting to and from Japan over the last 6 months.

Oh no do not all of the LHR-EWR planes have Vport *panics*

lisanaomi87 wrote:Oh no do not all of the LHR-EWR planes have Vport *panics*

The VS1/2 do and if you are very lucky you may get G-VSUN which is the only A343 with V-Port

honey lamb wrote:

lisanaomi87 wrote:Oh no do not all of the LHR-EWR planes have Vport *panics*

The VS1/2 do and if you are very lucky you may get G-VSUN which is the only A343 with V-Port

I'm on the VS1 on the way out there. Not sure on the way back but its a night flight so not too bothered about that

Mrs NH could have still used the lift. I mean it's a bog standard lift with no VS branding or door dragon.

Saying that having Mrs NH beating on the UC wing door might not have made a very dignified start to your holiday !

lisanaomi87 wrote:

honey lamb wrote:

lisanaomi87 wrote:Oh no do not all of the LHR-EWR planes have Vport *panics*

The VS1/2 do and if you are very lucky you may get G-VSUN which is the only A343 with V-Port

I'm on the VS1 on the way out there. Not sure on the way back but its a night flight so not too bothered about that

If it's a night flight then it will have V-Port. VS18 is a day flight leaving EWR at 8a.m.

Glad the whole thing went well; it sounded like a complex operation when first sketched out.

Great TR, sounds as if Mrs NH is best suited to UC where the drinks are served at the bar without comment

Thank you for the great TR, NH.

So you managed to get Mrs NH in to PE, I really thought she'll try the "think of my bad back" trick.

I also thought you were going to put mini NH in to the hold to claim the miles?

Thanks NH, glad mini enjoyed her invisible kids pack!:D

That whole, fly or train thankg, is a tricky call isn't it. To be honest, I avoid domestic flights as the time taken getting to- and from- airports plus the flight and checkin times etc, means that the train is just as quick, and usually cheaper.

Of course, if your domestic lands you at the right airpot, the one you are departing from, I guess that pulls it back a bit.

Glad the flight went ok, and hope Mrs NH isn't too upset about that comment!

Excellent warts and all report NH, thank you

northernhenry wrote:and the extremely large US pax adjacent started tutting and mumbling something to his other half

I find that the "have you got a problem" question goes well at such moments?

northernhenry wrote:she was a Leeds lass, and a bit of a scamp, jokingly trying to rush into the loo before me and expect a real livewire off the flight , although the line was thin and had been crossed with mrs NH. A hard call but personality is something that can make or break a situation. I though she was a breath of fresh air.NH

As always, there is such a fine line between "cheeky humour" and "impertinence"

Jacki wrote:sounds as if Mrs NH is best suited to UC where the drinks are served at the bar without comment

Aren't we all Dame Jacki, aren't we all?

Thanks for a great TR.

As you say crew humour can have a fine line - but personally it is something I appreciate about VS - it gives that different atmosphere. Unfortunately there seems rather fewer risqué comment in UC but is one of the joys of PE.

The joys of travel from the North are well described in your TR - there seems little between Regional/Train/Drive/AMS. All extend the journey is an unpleasant manner. I almost consider using charter from NCL as an alternative and know many who do - simply because of that pre & post flight travel.

The way things seem to be changing, the differences between Charter and VS (incl. other sched. airlines) are getting smaller every year. Like many others I don't mind paying extra for extra service - the Charter operators are beginning to realise that while VS is run by people who only see cuts as an answer.

As your TR shows, PE can still be good - but others are catching up.

I agree - roll on the opening of the No1 lounge at T3 - but again VS are losing a little of their CH "edge".

could the CC have said 'clumsy' rather than 'tipsy' ?

tontybear wrote:could the CC have said 'clumsy' rather than 'tipsy' ?

They didn't but to be fair was aimed at a light hearted comment in the moment, and although in hindsight prob not best at a little one and a rattled mrs.. I'd rather personality shine through, helping give VS that edge, but as always a fine line...