V-Flyer

Well here goes,only my second ever trip report as I never got round to doing a return one from st lucia in aug.
It may be quite long so I hope you all don't get too bored!
Checked in online a couple of hours after check in opened at 1pm the day before due to the fact I went out to lunch with a couple of mates and didn't make it home until 3 pm hence seq 65 & 66 !
We didn't bother taking the car instead opting for the cheaper version of friend + company car + company fuel = free lift ,cheers Gavin .
Although the flight wasn't until 1 pm I wanted to get there nice and early to enjoy the clubhouse that I had booked as extra so we set off at 8 leaving the sis in law and mother in law to deal with the offspring!(4 in total at last count)
Arrived at T 3 just after 9 at which point mrs b received a text from the eldest (fellow v flyer) to say we were on dancing queen .
Now this got me thinking,Im still a novice as regard to virgin planes but after spending the last few days trying to work out what plane I might be on this one hadn't even come into the equation .
Surely the eldest had got it wrong hadn't she? From previous experience I had never seen the plane details released that early so I thought she must be looking at a different flight from a previous day .
Anyway once we had got rid of the bags I'd be able to check myself once we had got in the CH .
Entered the terminal and spoke to a vs lady who pointed me in the direction of the premium economy which I thought was a bit strange as I'd said to her I'd already checked in but I didn't want to make myself look stupid so I went along with it assuming she knew best .
Took a good 15 minutes to drop bags off and the economy queue was no longer than the PE queue.
Anyway once sorted we made our way thru security and then upto the CH ,Was seen to by a lovely lady who showed us the ins and outs of the CH and we settled in the brasserie for the CH breakfast,very nice but thought the portions were a tad small.
Could have eaten another one but I wasn't sure if I was allowed to have another so not wanting to appear a greedy pig I just ordered some extra toast.
The lady serving us was polite but not what I would say friendly.
After breakfast I got the iPad out to check our flight and indeed the eldest was right we were on dancing queen An A 340.
Didn't know whether to feel disappointed or not as I was looking forward to a747 but after checking the route and realising this was a very rare occurrence and we should get a jumbo on the way back I thought it may be good to sample another plane.
My seat nos on the boarding pass were now obviously wrong as I had 32 h&k so I went to the concierge desk who told me I would be in 19 h&k .
The flight also had an hours delay on it but I was prob the only one happy about it as it meant more time in theCH.
Settled down in front of the big screens and watched the cricket and first half or the arsenal spurs game(less said about that the better)enjoying champers and lager .went up to the roof terrace a couple of times to plane spot and spent half hour or so at the bar .
All in all I loved the clubhouse ,great place to relax.
Called for flight about half one and off we went to board dancing queen.
When we got in our seats the people in front had already reclined their seats so I wasn't impressed with space but when they were told to put them back for take off there was a lot more room.
Fortunately for me the person in front never reclined again during the flight so it was fine but I feel these seats recline to far making it impossible to do anything else other than put your own seat back even if you don't want to.(I'm 6ft2)
Found the food good ,salmon lasagne and choc cake thingy
Pleasant crew who whilst not over friendly were polite and offered several drinks runs and the usual PE fare ie sparkling wine before takeoff baileys after dinner etc.
Usual cheese Sarnie for afternoon tea all whilst enjoying the IFE which I found to be great as my only other experience was on a non refurb to st lucia in aug .
Landed just after 5 into JFK where the real fun ( not) began.
After reading on here other people's experiences at JFK ,2hr waits etc I half knew what to expect arriving on the 45 but I didn't tell the wife we could be in for a long wait.
On entering the hall she worked it out quick enough for herself.
I dread to think how many people were in there but one thing is for sure they didn't have enough people working.our queue was going to booths 25-36 I think,so that's 12 booths and at some points they only had 4 people working.
I understand the need for tight security and the US being very tight for obvious reasons but surely get enough staff for your busy periods please.
Waiting in line for some 2 1/2 hours listening and watching some of the rudest people I've ever seen,one guard or whatever they are called actually came out of his booth and shouted at anyone who was listening to fill in the cards at it was not down to him to do it,fair enough but it was the way he said and almost implying that it was all the passengers faults as to why it was taking so long to get thru.
We were told to go to booth 49 now as all the us citizens had gone thru and wait at that booth.
One couple in front just about to get clear and the it's our turn.
Oops no the systems gone down,o joy another half our later and we are thru.
Cab to hotel arrived some time after 9 I think but I was so knackered we ordered room service and went to bed.
All in all had a great time in the CH ,a good flight with loads to drink and a horrid time at immigration which didn't fill me with confidence about the US and it's people but that would change after a wonderful time in NY.
Thanks for reading,Return TR to follow
Blacky

Nice TR Blacky, top notch effort

Never worry about being too glutenous in the CH - it is why it is there Seconds are almost always called for and perhaps thirds too...

I have never known the VS45 to run on an A340 before.. def a rare occasion. Good to hear the flight lived up to expectations and the food was mushroom free (..)

Ahh customs from the 45... yeh something that people do once and then never again You would be surprised though, lots of people do not fill in the blue customs form (no doubt blaming a pen shortage) and in the past I have felt like yelling at some of the muppets in front of me.. good to see it also gets to the border guards.

Cheers for posting

Got to say joey I wouldn't do the 45 again ,next time I go it will def be an early flight,true enough about the forms,it's not like there isn't enough time to do them !(the wife done ours )

Glad the experience lived up to expectations. As Joey says, don't feel embarrased about saying "may I have some more please?" in the CH.

Looking forward to hearing your experiences of NYC.

Paul

ps remember that you didn't get the true VS45 experience at the border, as unless you caught up time on the flight you were an hour late into JFK...

Thanks for the TR. Sounds like bad luck at immigration -- always a risk with the 45. The border staff vary -- some are very impatient, but I have witnessed some very kind behaviour to people who have messed up their forms -- for instance, once when the queues were dreadful and an elderly couple had not completed their customs form, they were sent to the back of the hall by the agent, who said, 'you see all these people in line?'. 'Yes.' 'I don't -- come straight back to me.'

Things like that reinforce your faith in humanity...

Pjh,would it have been worse or better?we were in the hall just before half five
Blacky

Blacky1 wrote:Pjh,would it have been worse or better?we were in the hall just before half five
Blacky

I think (unfortunately) pretty much the same an hour or two either side. It's probably just a risk associated with arriving into NYC late afternoon / early evening; a bit like the rush hour.

As always, ISTBC....

at240,I know you can't tar everyone with the same brush ,I just think that the guys at immigration were very unprofessional in the face of the public.to lesser people than myself the whole situation could have been a bit intimidating ,I failed to mention in my TR that the same guy also came out of his booth beforehand and shouted at everyone to stop using phones etc as it was interfering with his computer !i may seem like this guy was a one off reading these posts but as I said in TR I spent a lot of time watching all the officers and none of them were in anyway nice to anyone from what I saw ,I don't expect them to jump through hoops but a smile and a welcome to America wouldn't go amiss

Blacky1 wrote:I don't expect them to jump through hoops but a smile and a welcome to America wouldn't go amiss

Unfortunately in my experience a broad smiling welcome is generally not a feature of any border service, even for those countries that rely on tourism. There have been exceptions, but not many. There's any idea for a new thread - the consistently most friendly welcome into a country.

We found the VS3 and VS17 very good in terms of minimal immigration waits. I'd expect the VS25 is good too.

Not sure what a 21.00 arrival on VS9 will be like when we fly that one.

I agree with that,it is probably a very tedious job so I can understand the lack of enthusiasm and interest on their part ,That said the greeting back at heathrow on our return was much warmer .i think us Brits take some beating on the manners front

Blacky1 wrote:i may seem like this guy was a one off reading these posts but as I said in TR I spent a lot of time watching all the officers and none of them were in anyway nice to anyone from what I saw ,I don't expect them to jump through hoops but a smile and a welcome to America wouldn't go amiss

I don't disagree with you at all -- it can be (and usually is) a miserable experience. At least you didn't get sent for a secondary inspection...

However, there are some very friendly agents -- and sometimes it is worth moving to their queues because the experience is much more pleasant as a result.

Thanks for TR, I have to say, people in front reclining fully kind of ruins the PE experience as the screens become almost unwatchable unless you contort into some weird position.

But still a comfy seat!

Blacky1 wrote:at240,I know you can't tar everyone with the same brush ,I just think that the guys at immigration were very unprofessional in the face of the public.to lesser people than myself the whole situation could have been a bit intimidating ,I failed to mention in my TR that the same guy also came out of his booth beforehand and shouted at everyone to stop using phones etc as it was interfering with his computer !i may seem like this guy was a one off reading these posts but as I said in TR I spent a lot of time watching all the officers and none of them were in anyway nice to anyone from what I saw ,I don't expect them to jump through hoops but a smile and a welcome to America wouldn't go amiss

To be fair there are numerous signs saying NOT to use phones and cameras in the immigration hall.

I have seen agents send people to the back of the entire (long) queue if they hadn't filled in the forms properly rather than letting them use the little shelf area in front of the booth, processing the next person and then seeing the form filler. And yes the agent is right - if he has to fill in the form(s) it does make the process longer. It's not as if anyone on a plane hasn't had 7 hours to complete them is it?

I have know some firm officers but never came across any actually rude ones.

All valid points tontybear ,i just can't stand rudeness in any shape or form.
There is no need for it

ScubaRoo wrote:As mentioned in my TR, is there any mileage in VS & BA paying US immigration for dedicated priority queues for PE & UC pax?

MCO took 45mins on Weds but it could of been far worse..
http://v-flyer.com/forum/index.php?f=6& ... =viewtopic

I don't think the US government allows that sort of thing though. Plus it would be like fast track at LHR with people collecting the pink slips for future flights when thercare flying Y and abusing the privilege.

ScubaRoo wrote:As mentioned in my TR, is there any mileage in VS & BA paying US immigration for dedicated priority queues for PE & UC pax?

MCO took 45mins on Weds but it could of been far worse..
http://v-flyer.com/forum/index.php?f=6& ... =viewtopic

You already do pay for it:

USA Immigration Service Fee XY GBP 4.40

Which should mean that we're the customer and have a right to a better experience - not!

Tonty, I have witnessed appalling behaviour by CBP officials in the US, some screaming and pushing, through to shouting and downright rudeness. It is not an experience to look forward to and it does scar the US as a consequence. I don't think people are lazy in filling out forms, to your point on that, many simply don't understand what they need to do or for many English is not their first language - even I recall when they were introduced post-911 needing to do one three times before I got it right. In my view this is one group of people / service that is institutionally dreadful, although there absolutely are individuals that shine and can make the experience pleasant.

It made me laugh when we had the recent media headlines about Heathrow encountering 2 hour immigration queues which almost led to some sort of enquiry, when over in the USA that's been the norm for years.

Slinky don't get me wrong I'm not defending how some of the staff behave. I guess I must have been lucky in always getting pleasant agents.

I sppreciate what you say about the forns too but airlines need to do more education on this as well and to hand them out at eg check-in rather than on the plane towards the end of the flight when there is a mad scramble for pens, passports and hotel bookings - so much easier to complete in the relative space if the departure hall than on a plane.

The worst welcome I've ever had was back I to the UK. No queues but the UKBA wasn't exactly professional - leaning on the desk as he stood and not treating passports with any form iof respectt.

If I recall correctly I think our form was given to us at check in because when they came round on the plane.
Would normally check these things with the wife before posting but we are not talking at the moment !

Sorry that should have read because when they came round on the plane we already had one.

Blacky1 wrote:If I recall correctly I think our form was given to us at check in because when they came round on the plane.
Would normally check these things with the wife before posting but we are not talking at the moment !

Uh oh.. doghouse? Should not have spent all that money on shoes though should she Last time I was in NYC with a lass, she literally dragged me from shoe shop to shoe shop, showed me countless shoes that I thought all looked the same but were apparently all different - our 'debates' on which ones she should get and what I would rather be doing caused much merryment to the shop assistants.

You are correct about the forms.... they give them to people at check-in and even tell them to fill it in before arrival. Also they march them around the plane in case people have missplaced them between checkin and the plane I may or may not have been guilty of that one, after a particularly long morning in the CH

To be honest though I would imagine that even if some people were given the forms the moment they booked the flights they would still not get done until the immigration queue or my favorite, give empty form to CBP agent and look vacantly at him

We had some people round for dinner yest and between dinner and desert I had to take my son and his uncle to the train station to go up spurs.
Upon my return the greedy pigs had eaten all the pavlova,not Impressed!
So I went and sulked upstairs for the rest of the afternoon.
This may seem trivial but I was really looking forward to it lol !

It is monday... wander along to shop, buy fresh, larger pavlova, proceed to eat it in front of wife.. Divorce?

Ha ha, hope this all irons out soon enough, at least shoes were not involved.. insult a woman's shoe collection and you will be begging for death by the time she has finished!!

Sure it will when she wants something which I've no doubt won't be long!