V-Flyer

Sorry to have taken so long with this TR, but it was completely outside my control. The delay was caused by the fact that our daughter (currently working with the UN in Cyprus) arrived, with family, for a visit chez Treelo 4 days after we returned from the US and doesn't return to Cyprus until Saturday 2 Jun. So daughter, son-in-law and 3 grandkids with attendant teenage mood swings and infant tantrums meant that the TR has been slightly delayed. What with facebooking teenagers and whack-a-mole-playing infants, all I can say is thank heavens for wi-fi enabled laptops and garden sheds. This TR has been written in segments, hence the delay in posting. Well that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.
Anyway, back to the plot.
Regular readers of the Treelo family Spring TRs may remember that we invariably hop on the VS 75 following an evening's relaxation at the Radisson at MAN. But this time I thought it would be rather fun to try for a refurbished MAN/LGW 747, so opted for the VS 73, which doesn't leave until after lunch. How wrong can one be? The refurb was pushed back slightly which meant that we had no chance of a refurbed aeroplane, so that plan crashed and burned. We ended up (I think) on V-ROY, not refurbed)
Anyway off we trogged, up the M6 and parked in the T2 multi-storey - a deal of £80 for 15 nights parking was just too good to pass up - and sailed through a very quiet check in and security. In fact from parking the car to sitting in the Escape Lounge took all of 20 minutes, which must be a record. Now, perhaps it is me, but I do feel that standards for the old Escape Lounge have slipped somewhat since 2011. The quantity, quality and choice of snacks was very limited and not the freshest I have experienced either. Perhaps the time has come on our next jaunt to attack a full English in Frankie & Benny's and then find a quiet corner to park ourselves until boarding.
Priority boarding worked well and we were soon ensconced in 799A-C with a glass of fizz in hand. I reckon that there were almost a third of the bubble PE seats unoccupied, although UC and Y were pretty full. Pre-lunch drinks were offered and then came lunch and the present Mrs Treelo declared that her choice of chicken something was quite palatable. My choice of (alleged) braised beef was probably the worst in-flight meal it has ever been my misfortune to have. Bearing in mind the PE meals are served on china with proper cutlery, the inedible piece of disgustingly tough junk placed before me could not even be cut. The accompanying potatoes and veg were fine and the pud and bread roll were really rather nice. But the 'beef'........ . OK, rant over. Ice creams were served later on and the usual sandwich offerings made prior to landing.
The captain had announced that he was trying to get to a stand before the threatened rain started and he made it - almost. We ground to a halt some 5 or 6 metres away from our airbridge and there we were to stay for a forecast 10 minutes until the lightning travelled far enough away from MCO to let the ground crew resume their duties. This 10 minutes stretched to 20, then 30, until after 40 minutes we were able to proceed to our stand. Once stationary we were very quickly off the plane (thanks 79A-C) and a quick trot saw us enter an almost deserted immigration hall. We were very quickly, and courteously seen and were soon standing by the carousel which started spewing out bags immediately. Bags were 3rd and 4th off and, following a rapid walk to the escalator and monorail ride we arrived at the Alamo hire car garage in almost record time. Once we had selected our vehicle (thank you Alamo OLCI) we were on the road to our first overnight stop in Davenport around 35 minutes after deplaning. This was followed by a stop in Florida City (south of Miami) and, after a trip across on Hwy 41 skirting the top of the Everglades a couple of nights in Naples and Sarasota before spending a relaxing time in a Davenport villa to complete the circle. Relaxing that is when Mrs T could avoid the siren call of the shopping malls.
All in all a very nice flight (apart from the 'beef') and one that did exactly as it says on the tin.
As we returned on the same flight and I slept most of the way, I'll leave a return TR to Neil.

Treelo wrote: As we returned on the same flight and I slept most of the way, I'll leave a return TR to Neil.

Why does does this bring to mind the phrase "when hell (or is it Hull) freezes over".....?

Thanks for the TR. Like yourself I'm hoping for a refurbished aircraft for our flight in the summer (realising the odds are actually well against) but one question - why did you feel that going for VS73 rather than VS75 would improve the chances of same?

Paul

pjh wrote:why did you feel that going for VS73 rather than VS75 would improve the chances of same?

Paul

The VS75 is on the A330-300 so no chance of a refurbed 747

Treelo wrote:As we returned on the same flight and I slept most of the way, I'll leave a return TR to Neil.

Erm.........
I'll see what I can manage

Re your parking - have you looked at Manchester Airport Valet Parking - it's like parking in the long stay at T2, as you drop your call off at the arrivals level of the T2 car park, they take it away and have it ready for you to collect in the same place on your return. I paid £48 for 19 nights for our May trip

honey lamb wrote:

pjh wrote:why did you feel that going for VS73 rather than VS75 would improve the chances of same?

Paul

The VS75 is on the A330-300 so no chance of a refurbed 747

That explains it! Thx.

Neil wrote:

Treelo wrote:As we returned on the same flight and I slept most of the way, I'll leave a return TR to Neil.

Erm.........
I'll see what I can manage

Re your parking - have you looked at Manchester Airport Valet Parking - it's like parking in the long stay at T2, as you drop your call off at the arrivals level of the T2 car park, they take it away and have it ready for you to collect in the same place on your return. I paid £48 for 19 nights for our May trip

Never even gave it a thought, Neil, though not sure why I didn't. I certainly will check it out for future trips. Thanks.

Hi Treelo,

First post on here and looking for some advice. I'm going Mco on the same flight on July, and doing a similar trip. I'm going Orlando-Maimi-Naples. Did you purchase a Sunpass for the toll roads or pay a you go, thanks

Vegasking wrote:Hi Treelo,

First post on here and looking for some advice. I'm going Mco on the same flight on July, and doing a similar trip. I'm going Orlando-Maimi-Naples. Did you purchase a Sunpass for the toll roads or pay a you go, thanks

Welcome to v-flyer, Vegasking. I deliberately tried to stay away from tolls (not easy I know) in an attempt to see some of the less developed areas of the state. Where we couldn't avoid the toll roads, I paid the toll as and when required. AFAIK a Sunpass is quite easily obtainable but we didn't use toll roads often enough to make this a viable proposition. Alamo, and I'm sure the other renters too, have a scheme whereby you can drive through the sunpass lane and they will bill your credit card on your toll usage at the end of your visit. Can't comment on the scheme though as we didn't use it I'm sure v-flyers with more toll knowledge than me will be able to advise - I seem to recall some posts on this very subject not too long ago too. Whatever you decide, enjoy the experience and don't forget the trip report

IIRC most of the tolls around Miami are unmanned/cashless now so you have to have a Sunpass type device.