VS020 SFO-LHR 27 MAY 11 (Upper Class)
Posted: 30 May 2011, 13:15This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
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After a 2 week rail/road trip I was about ready to head back to the UK. Last night was spent at the W Silicon Valley and was very good. It's a bit out of the way but if you have a car, then it's comfortable, has a 24-hour pool and reasonably priced for a W.
In the evening I had given the iPhone app check-in tool a go and it seems to work well and despite a slow internet connection, I managed SEQ4.
Following the change of departure times for the VS20, I had arranged for a late checkout to get some last minute pool time. When checking-out at 2.30 I was reminded that it was Memorial Day weekend and that traffic would be heavy, leaving me wishing I'd left a bit earlier. Crossing the Dumbarton Bridge and joining the 101, the traffic while slow in places, was generally moving quite well and it only took 30 minutes to do the journey (including a stop to top off my gas) to the Dollar returns area. A short trip no the Airtrain at I was at the check-in. No queues and I was dealt with very quickly, addressed by name throughout. I asked what time the check-in opened now and was informed it was 14:30-14:45. Apparently they have been asking and asking the web team to update the info too.
Upstairs to the Clubhouse and there were already a few passenger seated but plenty of space for now. As I was hungry a Caesar Salad was ordered and a Vesper Martini. The salad was good, but the Martini could have been colder. As VHOT - Tubular Belle taxied in, I ordered the Clubhouse Burger which was very tasty but cries out for chips rather than crisps. I guess the kitchen isn't equipped for that so I'll live without my chippies... Tea and dessert followed and were both excellent. Very busy now and not that many seats left so I guess there were plenty of AU's on-board.
About 6ish I decided to beat the rush and head down to security. While not really busy, the queues seem to barely move at times and this seems to get worse every time I go through SFO. When I got there, the body scanner was in operation, but by the time I got to it, it had broken and we had to use the normal metal detector. I did notice a sign saying that the scanner was optional and a pat-down could be requested instead.
Departure would be through gate A8 and both jetways were in use and priority boarding was in operation. On boarding, I was greeted by name and had taken one step into the cabin, when I was asked if I wanted a drink (yes please), a sleep suit (no thanks) or a Daily Mail(definitely not!!). The passenger in 18K had written his first name on a post-it and stuck it to the side of the suite. He explained that he preferred to be called by his given name rather than Mr. Something I prefer too. While putting my bags away in the overhead, I heard a very familiar voice. Looking round I recognised a member of the cabin crew I had look after me in 2006 when I gave her my copy of Air Babylon. On mentioning this, she immediately remembered me and apparently, it has been doing the rounds ever since. I also had one of the crew from my outbound flight on the 10th too. A quick change later and I as in my PJ's ready.
Slowly the A-Zone filled up and I watched as 14A tried to open their overhead locker - never fails to happen. He deposited his bag in the one above 15A. When 15A arrived, I knew exactly what was going to happen - confused looks into the overhead, accusatory glares around the cabin and a rather meek enquiry.
A quick departure was on the cards as the pilot wanted to beat the BA flight away and we managed it a full 15 minutes early. Take-off was to the Northwest and like last year, excellent views of Golden Gate Park and the City. The pre-flight safety demonstration was a manual one and prior to the start, the FSM announced that the information "would not be found in that newspaper, periodical or novel in front of you" and that it was a non-smoking flight and as well as the toilets having smoke alarms, they had also been recently fitted with sprinklers.
Dinner orders were taken and as I'd eaten before, I just went for a cheese plate and port. Both the Krystal cheddar and Gorgonzola picante were delicious, but there is something off-putting about the Derby Sage. I can cope with blue cheeses but green, no. I'm sure it's very tasty but just looks wrong to me.
After the cheese, I converted the suite and got my head down. I finally remembered to seek out different earplugs to the ones provided and used the wax ones from my train journey. They seem to work far better and much more comfortable too. I managed to sleep right through to just past Iceland. Waking with a mouth like an old carpet I decide to head to the bar for some juice, where I was also offered breakfast. I still steer well clear of the full breakfast and instead went for cornflakes, bacon roll and croissant with jam. Very tasty it was too.
While at the bar, the FSM appeared and advised that there was a price to be paid for being there - fill out a questionnaire. It was quickly done over another cuppa. Heading back to get ready for landing, I noticed another passenger having trouble converting his bed. For some reason, the pop-up armrest was still up and after advising him to push it down, all worked as normal.
Our approach into Heathrow was from the East and although low cloud, I did snatch a glimpse of the Thames Flood Barrier, O2 Arena and Kew Gardens before touching down a good 55 minutes early, thanks to a 120mph tail wind. Straight into a gate, a farewell chat to the book-reading CC and I was off to Immigration. A bit of a queue but nothing too serious and I have still not been able to register for IRIS. My bag was off pretty quick and no delays in Customs.
The upshot of the early departure and very early arrival was that Revivals was still open and would be for another hour. This wasn't planned but was an opportunity I didn't plan on missing. Shower and shaved in short order and sat down for brunch at just after 1. Excellent Eggs Benedict (again), juice and tea. I was offered a bottle of water for my trip home too. Had a chat with the revivals greeter and apparently there has been quite a bit of feedback about the later arrival of the VS20 and not being able to use Revivals.
Again, an excellent flight and no complaints, just compliments from me.
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