V-Flyer

Sorry, a bit delayed (as was my return flight !) in posting this.
We stayed overnight as usual at the Hilton and were disappointed to discover, as we wondered round in the evening, that Gatwick South Terminal still resembles a recovering bomb site.It was also strangely quiet everywhere. This led us into a false sense of security for next morning when the place was heaving. Turning right to UC check in I was amazed to see the queue. However, having joined it for only a few minutes , we were approached by a member of staff who, with many apologies, led us to economy and took us straight to that desk.I hunched my shoulders, wanting the cloak of invisibility, & hoped the patient passengers behind me wouldn't hold it against me ! The member of staff explained that, 10 minutes earlier, there wasn't a soul at UC check in but now it looked like all the UC passengers for all the flights that day had arrived together. We thanked her but couldn't help wondering why we had been led away from the queue as we were the last to join it and had therefore waited the least amount of time !? Good start though.
So, checked in , we joined the Fast Track security queue which rather belied its name and eventually reached the haven of the Club House - where there was hardly an empty seat. We ordered breakfast which I enjoyed, despite not being able to eat at a proper table.
As 9.30 approached I "lurked" by reception as I was due to meet up with my first V Flyer in the flesh. I was delighted to join the charming Sunshine for a fun chat. (She was sipping champagne which she assured me was going to be her only drink
of the day .) Thank you for your company, Sunshine.
We boarded at noon at Gate 17. There were 308 passengers and 18 crew on board Pretty Woman. UC had 2 empty seats. We were off the stand at 1pm and in the air at 1.10pm. Brilliant.
As I was still having problems recovering from my broken wrist, the crew kindly offered to cut up my cod with asparagus for me. I was amazed when the plate returned with the entire meal neatly cubed like a regimented food mosaic. Great.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and the cheesecake before settling down to watch "The King's Speech" ( yes, someone else who had not seen it prior to my flight !) which lived up to expectations for me. After a short snooze , when I apparently missed the icecreams,I was given a little Lindt Easter Bunny with my cup of tea. I then discovered that I couldn't get my arm rest back up, which wouldn't have been a problem except I had stored my reading glasses in it.Two female attendants were defeated, and oh dear it took the proverbial male to use brute force to reunite me with my glasses.Phew.
We then had a puzzling and dire announcement from the Captain. People had been smoking and if it happened again authorities were being called in. ( From where ?!)
I then watched the latest Harry Potter and I must confess I didn't really understand much of what was happening ( perhaps my snooze hadn't dulled the effects of the alcohol).
We landed at 5.02 in 30 degrees and were soon off the plane after most of PE upstairs were let off ahead of us. Why, when I fly PE in the bubble, do I always get stopped on the stairs until UC have got off ?! I was not surprised, when the Garman couple, who had been next to us in UC, beat us to Immigration.
I wish the Immigration Officers would not keep changing their minds. When asked where am I staying and I reply the Hyatt at Orlando Airport (for overnight) I am challenged sarcastically "What- all the vacation ?" so I then give my destination address. When I give my destination address first I am asked "What - you are going there tonight ?" in a rude manner. Still, as long as they let me in the country ...
So, all in all, a super start to my holiday. Thank you VA.

Thanks for the TR!

Great service from the crew, cutting up your food is a great service!

Can't believe someone was smoking on board! Really is shocking that something did that, putting other passengers at risk! I wish they had identified them and had escorted off! I assume the crew were unable to identify the individual(s) concerned!

Thanks for the TR;

Smoking on board!!!! Unbelievable.

But is was a LGW flight!!!

I also remember getting off before UC in the front when coming from upstairs - first off the plane in one instance. I think this may be a safety thing? Easier to manage one deck of people in an emergency, (fire?), than two decks?

Anyone know?

Unlucky with the Immigration chap; we've all been there. Always bite your tongue however tempting to unleash the sarcasm! (They wouldn't get it anyway).

Craig.

Thanks for the great TR. I also met my first V-flyer in the flesh recently on a flight back from Dubai, Guess who? The lovely Sunshine!

I wonder who holds the record for meeting the most fellow V Flyers ?!

hiljil wrote:I wonder who holds the record for meeting the most fellow V Flyers ?!

That would be difficult to work out as many V-Flyers have met on social occasions such as the now defunct River Boat Shuffle and the Post Christmas Party as well as other smaller get-togethers. At the larger ones about 30+ have attended so anyone who has attended them all could easily have met 50+ given that not all the same people have attended them.

It was a pleasure to meet you too Hiljil

These MCO flights are always entertaining.....smoking this time.....that's a new one

I have had my fair share of interesting Immigration chats including one guy who asked if he could meet me in my hotel room When I said Mr Sunshine wouldn't like that he replied well he's not with you to know about it The problem is that I didn't feel like I could file a complaint as I didn't want trouble on future visits....

Hope your wrist is mending nicely after a wonderful Floridian vacation.

Sunshine

Thanks for the TR. On the LGW a/c usually we hold back economy (row 25 to 65) and allow the forward section and the upper deck to disembark at the same time or it would take forever to get everyone off. If it was just upper class in A and B zone then we would hold the upper deck back as well but at there are economy and PE pax as well as J pax in the forward section we have to let the upper deck pax off at the same time.

Thanks Virginboy for explaining that. It makes sense now!

Thank you for the TR.