V-Flyer

After 9 days in Florida (I will not say "sunny" as it was far from being what folks normally associate with the State) it was time to return with the lack of warmth made up by the warm friendships made - not to mention the shopping by Mrs buns

We had split our trip between Orlando and St Petes Beach and our return coincided with the day after Thanksgiving, more commonly known as "Black Friday" which is akin to Boxing Day where all the stores have massive sales. Fortunately, as Thanksgiving fell so late this year, it meant that many Stores had started sales early so there was no need to stop off on our way back from St Petes Beach to do any last minute shopping - just as good as car parks and traffic around the Malls were just horrendous

Arrived at Check in after dropping off the car at around 3pm and were seen immediately in the UC Alcove opposite the main check in area. The Agent was very friendly and the process went smoothly with the Agent asking if we had any guests with us for the Delta Sky Club before directing us to the priority security line.

Before entering the line, we made sure our pockets were empty as MCO have full body scanners which react to anything in the pockets. The priority line was a very swift process and the TSA people were making everyone at home as the standard lines were very long indeed.

Once on the monorail and into Terminal B, we made our way to the Outback Steakhouse for our final US meal. (Regular readers may recall that mrs Buns and i used to frequent McCoys in the Hyatt, but as security lines have seemed to get longer, we have taken the safe option and got through before eating. Outback may use plastic cutlery and have the noise of the Terminal to contend with, but if you ask nicely, they will seat you by a window overlooking the apron and the food is good value

After our final meal, we had a quick look at Duty Free and realised to my horror that offers on Tanquery and Bombay Sapphire made this a far cheaper option than the pre-order I had waiting for me on the aircraft (more of that later) - moral of the story being do not pre-order.

The Delta Sky Club is certainly not a Clubhouse, but it offers a haven of peace and quiet with complimentary drinks (but no food) and comfy chairs. There were no signs of the rodents we have previously observed there Apart from catching up on E Mails, i love playing the game "spot the BA passengers" as they always seem to be well dressed and an air of superiority The BA escort arrived with a handful of newspapers and jealously guarded them - however the VS flight was called so did not have an opportunity to try my luck.

On arriving at the Gate, it was the usual scrum with what seemed the entire passenger compliment standing directly in front of the Tensa lines - fortunately priority boarding was in full force and as our arrival coincided with the call for UC passengers we went straight on board with some glares from the assembled masses.

At the aircraft door, both Mrs Buns and I were welcomed back by name and directed to our seats. We were in our usual 8 & 9A which means that we use the overhead above 9A and watch the fun of those using rows 6 & 7

Up to now things had gone swimingly, but there was an announcement that due to "seating issues" and that this was going to delay our departure. There were then further announcements to say that some passengers were not content with the seats offered and were de-planning. All in all this led to a 45 minute delay and it become obvious when the doors were closed and the FSM said we had 461 passengers on board (standing room only then!!!)

I have marked the Cabin Crew as only "good". I should explain that the crew member looking after worked lie a trojan throughout the flight and could not be faulted - it was just that she was alone for most of the time and no real engagement from the CSS and FSM

Once airborne, I had a Gentleman Jack - which was topped up during the meal as I declined the wine.

What was on offer:

Starters
Tomato and lentil soup
Smoked salmon

Mains
Pan-seared fillet of beef
Free-range chicken breast stuffed with Duxelle
Butternut squash ravioli

Desserts
Raisin bread pudding
Pumpkin cheese cake

I opted for the soup, beef and bread pudding and was not disappointed; the beef was tender and the soup and dessert top notch I did notice that some passengers were not able to get their first choice and i can only hope that as Mrs Buns and I were the only Au passengers that this was the reason why we were not approached.

I mentioned earlier about Duty Free. After the meal service, the crew member took my order - during the night it transpired that it had not been loaded and bless her she made up the order from the on-board stock Another reason not to pre-order then!

Breakfast was the usual and once again i fell into the trap of asking for the traditional full english - i should have remembered this is a big mistake.

By the time breakfast was finished it was nearly time for descent and back into a gloomy Gatwick on a Saturday morning. The trek back to the main Terminal was exacerbated by attempting to use the automatic gates - which eventually worked.

Thankfully we had a spare £1 coin for the luggage trolly and our bags were off fairly quickly and out to meet our Tristar driver.

All in all, a very good VS experience and although not as good as the outbound, I am yet to be drawn away to the dark side

Thanks for reading

buns

Thanks for a good TR, just one question - why avoid the full English? Might be useful for our upcoming......

airconbob wrote:Thanks for a good TR, just one question - why avoid the full English? Might be useful for our upcoming......

The best to desribe it is "plastic". It is just like the breakfasts you used to get with Birds Eye Menu Masters

Mrs Buns always goes for the Bacon Buttie and always enjoys it

buns

Another great TR, thanks for posting Buns. It seems a couple of negatives crept into this UC experience but overall it was OK. Always use Outback at MCO mostly for cocktails but occasionally the decent food

Another entertaining TR. I wonder if having read a number of posts on the FB page that a family with young children chose not to fly when they were not able to sit together - this seems to happening more and more.

Thank you for an enjoyable TR. Glad that overall it was a good flight . I know just what you mean about spot the BA traveller in that particular lounge... I too have played the game !

Buns - another entertaining and informative TR, thanks...

Jacki wrote:Another entertaining TR. I wonder if having read a number of posts on the FB page that a family with young children chose not to fly when they were not able to sit together - this seems to happening more and more.

Clearly have more money than we did when the children were young....

Great trip report as usual.

It sort of mirrors mine a couple of weeks earlier. On my last two trips my duty free order wasn't made up and neither was the passenger's sat opposite me. Again they found the stock from the trolley.

I also noticed that there was no T10 in the Delta lounge on my last visit, hoping that was a one off.

Jilly

pjh wrote:Buns - another entertaining and informative TR, thanks...

Jacki wrote:Another entertaining TR. I wonder if having read a number of posts on the FB page that a family with young children chose not to fly when they were not able to sit together - this seems to happening more and more.

Clearly have more money than we did when the children were young....

I think on this occasion it was more a case of VS overselling seats on the aircraft (there was only one flight to Gatwick that day) as I saw a non crew member occupying a jump seat at L1

buns

jilly wrote:Great trip report as usual.



I also noticed that there was no T10 in the Delta lounge on my last visit, hoping that was a one off.

Jilly

Thanks

I can report that the Delta Sky Lounge is only offering Gordons (albeit Export Strength) Mrs Buns coped

buns

buns wrote:

airconbob wrote:Thanks for a good TR, just one question - why avoid the full English? Might be useful for our upcoming......

The best to desribe it is "plastic". It is just like the breakfasts you used to get with Birds Eye Menu Masters

buns

The menu created for the way we live today!

Nice TR buns, thanks, Oh and I totally agree about the not-too-bad food in the Outback, we too have taken to using it because of the unreliable security line times. Shame about the plastic cutlery though.

As usual, great TR buns. It's interesting about your pre-order not being loaded, but at least, your crew had the gumption to make your order up from their stock.

I agree about the English breakfast on board. I usually just opt for a smoothie.

Excellent TR buns , thanks for sharing

Great TR as usual, just a question where is the Outback at MCO, have never really looked into food options on the way home, last time I went I saw a Burger King and went there for food

WazneB wrote:Great TR as usual, just a question where is the Outback at MCO, have never really looked into food options on the way home, last time I went I saw a Burger King and went there for food

The Outback Restaurant is located post security in the Satellite Terminal, just before you get to Burger King - opposite the Duty Free Shop

Yes, you have to accept plastic cutlery, but removes the worry of getting through security if you opt to eat at McCoys in the Hyatt

buns

Thanks, must have missed it last time, may have to remember that for next year