V-Flyer

First time for the LHR UC experience although we have flown UC from LGW previously. We were really looking forward to the trip, which was improved further by the invite for DTCI.


As other people have mentioned, the staff at DTCI were rather stand-offish. We got out of the car and they just stood there until we opened the boot, took out the cases and put them on the pavement. We then had to carry them to the porters who just stood at the back of the pavement close to the entrance. It may be standard practice but not what we expected.


After the long walk to the Clubhouse, we were greeted at reception, had everything explained to us and were shown into the lounge. Superb service - until we sat down at a table. After almost 10 minutes, I had to call a waiter which again was a surprise as the receptionist advised we would be served immediately. I suppose nobody was watching the entrance, especialy as the clubhouse wasn't that busy and some staff were just stood chatting.


The LHR Clubhouse is much bigger and better than LGW, which I suppose is to be expected with the difference in the number of flights. We have family in MCO so need to use LGW for the direct flight but I'm working out possible alternative routes via LHR in future now.


From then on, the whole Clubhouse experience was excellent. Mrs Crunch booked a facial and I asked her to book me a haricut whils she was there. I duly arrived at 2.45 to be advised I had booked a facial although they did seem confused and then agreed it was booked as a haircut. A quick flick over with the Grade 1 and the hot towel rub was superb in catching all the loose stuff before a 7 hour flight !


The food was very good, especially the Deli, and the "compulsory" Mojito's better than expected - I felt quite relaxed after 2, ok 3 ( or was it 4 ??!! )


Apparently, we missed some celebs who were flying to MIA to join up with SRB for the Virgin 25 year celebrations. We were also told by the FC rep we missed a V-Flyer Celeb - Dragon Lady - who was flying that day as well ???


We were called to the gate on time and straight onto "Cover Girl." The UC suite appeared the same as the 744 ex LGW, apart from the superior IFE, so we understood how to operate the mechanical bits. Nice to have 3 offers of Champers, duly taken, and we pushed back more or less on time.


Great FSM & crew who were very chatty and gave brilliant service. The Guinea Fowl was very tasty, if not diffferent. Settled down for a doze, followed by more drinks & watched 127 Hours which started rather slowly but "picked up" as it went on !!


Arrived slightly early into EWR and after the short taxi, docked at 19.05. We then sailed through immigration ( it was 2 hours last time with a missed connecting flight to MCO !) and into the baggage reclaim. It took about 25 minutes for our luggage to appear on the belt and we made it into the taxi rank in a further 10 minutes.


We were staying in the Waterfront area of Jersey City which has a great view of the Manhatten Skyline, is just one stop on the PATH into WTC ( or a quick ferry journey ) and is much cheaper than NYC. However, the Taxi was expensive ( $60 with tip ) for the 11 mile journey.


After a few days shopping and visiting parts we haven't done previously, we were back to EWR for our PE flight back to LHR on the 22nd.


A further TR to follow after I've done more catching up with the e mail mountain !!

Great TR, thanks for posting.

Sounds like you spent your time in the LHR CH in true V-flyer fashion!

Hope you had a great time in NYC. I did look at hotels on the Jersey side for next year, agree with you on the great views.

Thanks for the TR, glad you had a good experience overall.

I agree with the DTCI, they say their rules are they can't take the luggage out of a private car, thought they do for some people so just come over as don't like you... And I suppose they come over as cold as they probably get a little bored with fewer people upstairs.

Thanks for the TR and glad to hear of a good experience in the main.

I have to say, I too find the DTCI staff stiff, I frequently have a friendlier reception downstairs!

The NY to jersey taxi thing is a rip off, think it's a flat $45 charge just for going through the Holland Tunnel - got caught out that way once, 5 minutes in the cab, $56 fare please. Ker-ching!

Credit Crunch wrote:
Apparently, we missed some celebs who were flying to MIA to join up with SRB for the Virgin 25 year celebrations. We were also told by the FC rep we missed a V-Flyer Celeb - Dragon Lady - who was flying that day as well ???

LOL I think I'm more zeleb than celeb but yes I was indeed there earlier in the day and the FC bod had pounced on DL the Elder whilst I was having my treatment (having seen my FC tags on my pull along).When I returned she came over for a chat - she does lurk on here and asked if I was aware of the site . I had to laugh as my laptop was open on v- flyer as she spoke so I 'fessed up' to her (something along the lines of "I'm Dragonlady and I'm a v-flyer addict" ).
Service was slow in the CH earlier on too (too busy faffing about waiting for the arrival of the so called famous people on the MIA flight ), but that's been a complaint on my last couple of flights too.
Glad you had a great flight
DL

ratechaser wrote:The NY to jersey taxi thing is a rip off, think it's a flat $45 charge just for going through the Holland Tunnel - got caught out that way once, 5 minutes in the cab, $56 fare please. Ker-ching!

Luckily, we never got to the Holland Tunnel otherwise I'd have had to re-mortgage the house !


The flat charge is $46 from EWR to Jersey City, plus 2 cases at $2 each and Tolls ( both ways !? ) it came to $57. Sod anything higher than the $3 tip though.


The funny thing was that the Taxi Despatcher kept on about the both way toll charge. When we got in the Taxi the driver said it again, plus "my tip" and when we arrived again said "that's $56 plus my tip." Nice and subtle !!


Because of the high Taxi cost, we took the PATH & Train for the return journey to EWR but that will be explained in the TR............

Not sunderstanding some of this re the taxi fares.

I have had cars (Carmel) from Chelsea to both JFK and EWR for about $ 60/65. (can't remember exactly but the price difference was small).

I did once have a taxi from EWR into NYC and that was $80 which was a rip off but I was too tired to care at the time.

Maybe this $ 45 surcharge is only for yellow cabs but even then it sounds like a rip off. Yes you pay the tolls but a surcharge?


DL - who is the FC lurker in the CH? What does he/she do? Not come accross this before but then again I don't use my FC bag tags.

My Dial 7 car was $70 from EWR to Chelsea, including tolls and tip.

I agree about cars, if I don't get a CDC then I book a town car to meet me, it's often around the same as a taxi, with their cramped, smelly interiors and rude drivers.

Look forward to the return TR.

tontybear wrote:
DL - who is the FC lurker in the CH? What does he/she do? Not come accross this before but then again I don't use my FC bag tags.

Tonty, she works for FC and was roaming the lounge talking to people and encourging them to join FC if they weren't already members. She said she uses v- flyer to read the trip reports amongst other things (so will probably read this ) to get an idea of customer satisfaction (and dissatisfaction ).
DL