This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
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Yet another report from my past. This time I thought id share my trip to Barbados between the 10th and 18th October 2007. As this trip occurred nearly 5 years ago, some details might be a little hazy, but as I have an abnormally good memory, the key details should still be in place. Also, as i had no idea what a trip report was back in those days, there isn’t too many of the traditional trip report type pictures. This trip started out as a conversation between myself and my now ex girlfriend over a few drinks one Friday night in July. I was desperate to go to Las Vegas, however she wasn’t too keen on the idea of going back to the USA having been to Miami the previous year. Many options were discussed – Mallorca? Not for me thanks. Bulgaria? Too third word for her. Australia? Too expensive. The Caribbean? Hmm maybe, but how about prices. As if by magic, the very next day a leaflet was sent to me by Virgin Holidays announcing a sale. Sure enough, Barbados was in there at a very reasonable price of £699 for a weeks all-inclusive. There was a choice of two hotels. We both seemed pretty keen on one, but for reasons I cant remember we decided on the other instead. So our trip was booked for October, staying at the Escape at the Gap hotel.
As the VS 029 was one of the first departures of the day it meant an early start at 05.00, and as it was October it was still dark outside. The drive to the airport was a little slow as it was quite wet out and we made it to the South Terminal at just after 06:00. Check in was a slow affair – this was in the days before Online check in had become popular. Around 30 minutes later it was off to head through security. This was also a slow affair – yet another 30 minutes or so. I’m glad the new management of LGW have now sorted this problem. Once through security we headed off to WHSmiths to get a very healthy breakfast of some chocolate, crisps and a can of coke – I’m shocked to think back that I used to eat such things at 07:30! We then headed upstairs to where there used to be a viewing area, and a small bar. This has since turned into Franky and Bennies. I took a few pictures:
At around 08:45 Boarding was called, and we made our way down to the gate. It was the first time in many years that I had used the main pier at LGW, as VS had almost exclusively used the satellite previously.
VS 029
LGW-BGI
10th October 2007
747-443 G-VROM
This was the first time in a long time that I had flown in economy. I remember feeling very cramped, however being seated in the last row, the seats reduce to 2x4x2 rather than 3x4x3 further towards the front so I had a bit of extra space next to me. The captain announced a flight time of around 8 hours or so. Pushback was more or less on schedule and we made our way out to 08R. I was pleased at the time, as it was pretty unusual to be going from 08R. Yet it started a trend that’s still running to this day – some 6 LGW departures later! Once at the end of the runway, the engines throttled up and we made a very powerful takeoff. One of the plus points of being in economy – you get to sit behind the engines, and nothing beats the feeling of raw power you get from 4x GE CF6’s at takeoff thrust. We rotated into a dreary looking sky, and as we were on a SAM departure, this meant an almost immediate turn to the left. The engines spooled back during the turn only to power back up again once we were out of it. There were brief glimpses of earth below us through the clouds but not many.
Not too sure what the food choices were, but as I don’t remember it, that must mean that it was neither awful or fabulous!
The flight consisted of listening to music and watching flims on VS’ weakest ife system – Nova. It served a purpose though. This system is now being phased out and will be completely extinct by the end of 2012.
Around an hour or so after the afternoon tea service descent started. It was mostly over the ocean and I was somewhat surprised at how low we were when we finally made landfall over Bridgetown.
From that point, the flaps were extended, landing gear lowered and after a shallow left turn, it was onto final approach. We came in very low over some houses that looked like they were just tin huts. Then it was immediately onto the runway for a smooth landing into a sunny Barbados. Once we had slowed down, we pulled off the runway and almost immediately onto stand. As we were pulling onto stand, the captain came over the PA to welcome us to Barbados and tell us that the ‘Speedbird was 10 minutes behind us’, so to avoid any delay at immigration we should disembark without delay.
As I glanced out of the window for one last time, I caught a glimpse of the BA 777 flaring over the end of the runway. That was a quick 10 minutes.
As there were no jetbridges in BGI at the time (and I’m not sure there are any now, despite all the improvement works that were due to be completed), everybody had to disembark via stairs at 1L (for upper class) and 2L (everybody else).
Then it was a short walk through the outdoor corridors in the sun – what a difference to 8 and a bit hours ago!
As we were sat in the last row, this meant that we were at the back of a long line at the pretty small immigration. After 30-45 minutes we were both processed and through with no real hassle.
Unbelievably, even after the long wait at immigration our bags still hadn’t arrived at the carousel! I was getting a bit concerned by then about our transfer leaving without us, but I guess everybody was in the same boat. A further 15 minutes later our bags came out and we made our way through a very basic customs. Once through, a Virgin Holidays rep met us, handed a bottle of water each and directed to a waiting bus – without our bags as they were to be delivered separately in a lorry. Shortly after the bus left and made its way through the narrow, bumpy streets to the St. Lawrence gap where our hotel was.
Once entering the hotel, we were offered a fruit punch. Very nice as I remember...
Then there was a mass congregation in the reception area whilst everybody was being sorted with room and waiting for the lorry load of baggage to turn up.
Once we had settled into our room on the ground floor it was off out to explore ‘the gap’. We had only managed to get around 100 meters from the hotel when the heavens really opened and drove us back indoors again! Then it was dinner on the beach, and bed.
I have to say that the timing of the posting against travel dates is just plain sloppy 
