V-Flyer

We needed some sun and as I didn’t want to book too much time off until after our first grandchild is born in July, we decided a week mid April was as much as we could hope for. Two G’s to MIA were quickly bagged and with help from Sunshine and Slinky the hotels and itinary quickly followed.

The day before, I tried OLCI but for the first time got the message that we would need to go through the process at the airport.

Our Tristar taxi arrived early and we were quickly delivered to DTCI. I never did find out if it was just a random security selection that stopped my on line request but we had a warm welcome, manual check in went without a hitch and were soon walking up the staircase to the Clubhouse.

It is well known that I have been very upset with some of the “changes” to the VS product recently. The slow but relentless downgrading of the service has tested my loyalty, for example since the introduction of the no-booking Cowshed policy I have failed to get a single treatment. In an effort to break this cycle we arrived 2.5 hours early and to my delight the Clubhouse was exceptionally quiet and the Cowshed diary wide open, so after grabbing a glass of champagne I booked a facial. It was just like the good old days, and once thoroughly pampered and moisturised I was very relaxed and ready for breakfast. As we chatted we noticed the CH had been overtaken by armed policemen - all became clear when I looked to my right and saw the Chancellor of the Exchequer tucking into a bacon sandwich! Given the very bad behaviour I have witnessed in the CH on occasions, apart from the enhanced security no areas were cornered off and the service to passengers continued to be first class.

Our flight was called on time and we left the CH and walked straight onto Lady Penelope. The first impression was that the plane was very clean. On board I met up with another V-flyer Philadams - more about the V-flyer Miami Social later!

The crew gave us a warm welcome and it signalled the start of an excellent flight. As discussed on here many times a good FSM is key and our FSM was superb. She introduced herself to everyone personally at the start of the flight and her hands on approach clearly motivated the rest of the CC to maintain her high standards.

Her skills and those of her crew were tested further as we had two medical emergencies, one significant, during the flight. I was extremely impressed with the thoroughly Professional way these incidents were managed and the supplies and support available.

There were problems, the IFE required one reboot but again it was quickly rectified.

This was my first experience of the new UC onboard product. I must say I prefer the increased interaction with the crew, miss the old tacky salt and pepper sets, like the champagne glasses and table settings, and whilst I didn’t eat a full menu the soup, sushi and afternoon tea service were very tasty. I would have preferred to have ordered the full menu later on in the flight as I had eaten in the CH, but the “enhanced” graze menu is actually covering up a downgrade in the service as the “freedom” aspect has now been removed.

Landing was very smooth and on time (1600 hrs) which suited us as it was looking likely we would make the 1800 hrs AA flight to Tampa - then we hit the hell hole that is MIA Passport Control! The queue went on forever but just as we were giving up a call went out for anyone with a connection before 1900 hrs and we were fast-tracked up to the top of the queue. I’m not sure if the Officer didn’t like queue jumpers or was just having a bad day but he had definitely had a charisma bypass and for the first time ever I was asked to produce my ESTA paperwork. Luckily I carry this but he looked at it for about 5 minutes before saying it wasn’t correct. Given he had no problem accepting my husbands ESTA paperwork which was identical I was beginning to take it personally. Then just when I was wondering if I would be catching the VS006 sooner than expected, without further explanation he just waived me through.

With 60 mins to check in for the domestic flight we were now optimistic we would catch the early flight. Our cases were waiting for us in the baggage hall so it was just a quick stroll to the AA check in. We turned the corner and suddenly we were confronted with a queue almost as long as for Passport Control. We were informed that bad weather had forced a lot of domestic flights to be delayed and everyone was trying to re-schedule. The AA staff were not so understanding of our plight and as the queue was over 60 minutes long it soon became clear we would miss our flight. We did eventually get to check for the 2230 hrs flight and having dropped the bags off we went to look for somewhere to sit for the next 4.5 hours!

As with all good stories, this has a happy ending, we walked into the MIA airport hotel bar and bumped into Phil again who had met up with his American friends before joining the cruise. V-Flyer socials come in all shapes and sizes and whilst this one was small it was perfectly formed, and suddenly all was well in the world again.

To summarise:

• CH at LHR is simply the best, I just need to know I can get a treatment if I want one.
• Flight and crew were excellent.
• I like the new UC changes but please don’t pretend the Graze Menu is an adequate replacement for the Freedom Menu.
• MIA airport is not for the faint hearted!

Jacki

Great TR, thanks for posting The MIA operations strikes again

Lovely TR Jacki. My feelings about the hell -hole that is MIA are well documented here on v-flyer. Secondary screening at MIA is particularly unpleasant (as I unfortunately know) .
DL

MIA is the worst airport in the world. It sucks.

Hope you had a great vaycay.

Jacki

Thanks for a great TR

So glad that you were able to get that treatment that you covet so dearly - is it really an imposition to get to the Clubhouse early

So glad too that your Clubhouse experience continued on board the aircraft with a top notch FSM. All too often. VS let themselves down by pampering passengers in the Clubhouse, only to let them down on board wi lack lustre service

Well done on the impromptu Social

buns

then we hit the hell hole that is MIA Passport Control! The queue went on forever

We are on VS5 next sunday travelling with two under 5's.
Dreading the HELL HOLE.
The last couple of times we have arrived at MIA with the kids they have directed us to the front of one of the queues or lead us to another part where the queues were very light.
I can only assume this was NOT the norm but just good luck.
Surly the currant arrival time of VS5 is not as good as previously.

Hi Paulicklow, The problem we encountered was not just the number of passengers but the time it took to process each one, at one point the queue didn't move for 20 minutes. They did eventually offer to fast track those with small children and connections so hopefully you will have a better experience. That said, I won't be rushing back!

Will let you know how we get on!!!!!!!!!

@ Dragonlady, I had a secondary screening in Tampa - the lady official spent so long describing exactly where and how she was going to touch me I felt I had been put through it twice!

Good to read your TR Jacki.

It all seems to be getting worse at Floridian airports....especially secondary screening at Tampa which is usually so easy to travel through. Missing your connection at Miami wasn't the best start to your restful holiday either.....

Looking forward to hearing how the return journey went

Sunshine

Thanks for the TR and the comments about the new service.

I had been tempted to post a "not a pasty, then?" comment re: the Chancellor but it might have degenerated into a rant about Posh Boys who don't know.....sorry, sorry, got a grip on myself now.

Interesting that the official wanted to see your ESTA paperwork. The ESTA site states -

"Do travelers need to bring a paper printout of their travel authorization to the airport?

No. DHS will be able to communicate a traveler’s ESTA status to the carriers"

OK, so it doesn't say that you definitely don't need it for the border check but surely it's reasonable to infer that if you don't need it for the airport then you don't need it for the border?

A purple boarding card, a pre-booked cowshed treatment, Freedom Menu, a glass of T10, an UC amenity kit, a pen and a packet of polos please x!

This should be the war cry for all UC flyers

As for MIA we travelled through last August off VS5 en-route to Turks & Caicos and had only 10 min queue inbound and no queue comming back from T & C so sometimes its the luck of the draw and time of arrival.

I was highly relieved to read Spanishvirgins post that Miami doesn't have to be a hell hole but I guess , by the weight of evidence to the contrary, that I will be enduring the usual long immigration queue when I fly there in September.....

Sounds like a good flight. Hope we do so well with a similar pair of Gs next March.
Dreading MIA mind you, especially as its only a weekender.

We are travellibg to MIA in July.
How long did you have to wait at passport control?