V-Flyer

This was a unexpected trip.

I got 2 Amex PE vouchers in Jan. Was planning on using them for a trip my folks were planning to the US in the summer so thought nothing more about it until they told me early March that they were now not going.

So... with the wifes' birthday on the 22nd and our 20th wedding anniversary the day after, I decided to give FC a call to see what was available.

First choice was a trip to New York, flying BMI from MAN to LHR, then onwards. Availability was there, but the connection times were simply stupid, so we decided to go to Vegas or Orlando. We have both been to Vegas before, so thought Orlando would be better (closer too), plus we could wind up the kids (17 and 14)

So, found availability, booked the tickets and then checked everyday to see when seat selection would open up. Ww are going to be spending a lot of our 2012 holidays visiting Universities up and down the country, so we were only going for 4 nights - totally out of character, but what the hell.

So. eagerly waiting OLCI time, got SEQ 1 and 2, no possibility of changing seats, 74K/H but at least we were in the bubble.

Arrived in Manchester, PE checkin line was empty, asked if there were any other seats in PE free but there were not, as we only had one bag we were quickly thru there and off to security - which was deathly quiet - there were more staff than passengers - it was all very strange.

Win number one for the wife as this was the first time she went thru the barriers without it going off.

Called to board and we were probably about the 10th on, up the stairs to find a CC at the top greeting us. We had 1 large (but still "legal") carry on, Got the set, tried to put it in the locker - god they are small... There was another CC stood near us and she advised to put it in the cupboard near the stairs. So I head back, thru other pax going to their seats.. with big bags. Got to the cupboard and the CC at the top said "I thought that could be too big".... I was like "So why didnt you just tell me to put it in the cupboard in the first place?"

I think they just like to see our expressions when we realise the bags wont fit.

Anyway - bag dumped, sat down, nice comfy seats, if a bit tired - the look on the wifes face was a picture though. The last few flights have been in J with Emirates to India in 2010 and UC to LAX last year. The look was one which screamed "What do you call this!!!!!"

Got the sparkling and off we went - full flight, 450 pax the captain said.

After about 10 mins, I realised that my seat was not the best - the foot space was minimal due to the box under the seat infront, so did a swap with the better half as it would not bother her. The lad in front was very good, no recline until about 2 hours to go. The "entertainment" was laughable, neither of us bothered, just used the ipad/itouch to keep amused.

The meal. The wife always goes for an asian veg - she didnt like it much, and the fact that I got a choc pud and she got fruit didnt help. I went, for a change, with the Hindu Meal, to see what it would be like. [I usually go with the main chicken option]. It was a spicy chicken curry - really tasty.
swapped deserts to keep her happy especially as I had her baileys.

Rest of the journey was uneventful, save for one moment when I had to go and get some ibuprofen of my carry on as I was getting aches in my legs (common occurance), which was in the cupboard. or rather.. in the pitch black cupboard... which has bags that all look and feel the bl**dy same. aargh. After pulling 4 out and still not finding mine, I asked the CC if they had a torch. She gave me a very nifty Virgin branded LED torch so off I went, turned the torch on, saw my bag right at the back, moved forward and BANG - smacked my head against the clothes rail. it was a real birds spinning round my head moment - luckily no one saw me I decided to take some paracetemol to go with the ibuprofen

We got ice-cream and little butties and it was soon time to land

We landed a bit early and were kept on the plane for about 20 mins for the immigration hall to clear. Eventually let us out and by the time we got to the hall, it was still packed. Probably took us 45 mins to get thru (not bad considering the 2+ Hrs hell I had in LAX last year). The officer himself - what can I say, I thought I was in another country - he was happy, smiling and joking, taking an interest.. in fact, all of them seemed to be smiling, you have to hand it to the mouse...

Our bags were already out, grabbed them, met our driver (one of the regular [non yellow] cab drivers linked to the hotel) and off we went to start our mini break.

Thanks for the TR

I only hope my return from MCO is as fuittful as currently the flight is showing full and we do not have confirmed seats

buns

Thank you for the TR, overall a good flight. I'm not sure I would ever get away with flying to Orlando with the children!

I should have added that Mrs Buns & I were on the flight behind you on the 21st, so know exactly what you went through at MCO on that day

buns

Thank you for the TR.