VS028 MCO-LGW 15 MAY 15 (Premium Economy)
Posted: 19 May 2015, 16:16This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
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Cabin Crew
Anyways, at the T - 24 hour time bell, I went for the on line check in in an attempt to move from the main PE Cabin to the upper deck. Due to the outbound upgrade, this was easier said than done and had to check in Mrs Buns and I separately which resulted in SEQ 8 and 22, but more importantly moved to the upper deck
Upon waking the next morning, I saw the outbound VS27 had been delayed two hours, so it came as no surprise a few hours later, we both received E Mails telling us our flight would be delayed until 8pm. It was a good bit of planning on my part to have previously booked an extra day at the hotel as this meant we were not kicking our heels from 10am until check in opened in the evening.
Safe in the knowledge we had plenty of time on our hands, Mrs Buns adjourned to the pool for that last bit of sun, whilst i did the final wash and tumble dry so as there was not too much to do when we got back
We left the hotel at 3:30 with the intention of getting to the Airport around 4. Now although i am a seasoned traveller to Orlando, there was a tremendous rain storm as we drove down the 417 and such was the force of the rain, I completely missed the exit for Boggy Creek Road and the Airport
We continued down the 417 until it joined the 528 and double backed to the Airport. Usual routine engaged and Mrs Buns and luggage dropped off at the Departure level before returning the hire car to Alamo. The combination of flights and lateness of ours resulted in a huge queue and therefore we did not check in until 4:30. Lounge passes given out. It never ceases to amaze me how the ground staff at Orlando cope with such numbers of passengers in such a short time and i did take the opportunity to thank them for what they do.Now whilst we had priority access to the TSA lines this means it is a shorter queue which filters into everyone else. The vast number of people in such a small space simply overwhelmed the air con and it was a relief to board the shuttle to the Gates.
Once on the other side, we made a beeline for the Outback Steakhouse. Now regular readers may recall that Mrs Buns and I used to frequent McCoy's in the Hyatt, but in recent years, the time to get through TSA security is such that we longer wish to risk the prospect of missing the flight.
Once our final US Burger and beer was consumed, we went over to the duty Free where Mrs Buns noticed a very good deal on the Tanquerry Gin - so you know where my allowance went
We then retired to a very full Delta Sky Room - perhaps one of the most busiest times I have encountered. I managed to snaffle two seats before making a dash for two more comfortable as two persons left. Once settled, i cleared the table myself before we went on line to contact family and V Flyers !
Now fortunately, VS still call flights in the Lounge and a VS Staff member escorts you to the Gate. It being a very full flight (unusually from Gate 82 on this occasion) it was like a veritable parting of the waves as the Staff member escorted us right up to the Gate for priority pre-boarding. As tickets were checked, we were thanked by name and i returned the compliant of saying how impressive the service was.
As such we were one of the first to board the Aircraft and were mat at the door by the FSM who directed us upstairs.
We were up there first - so much so, the crew did not realise we had boarded
I for one will miss the 747 when it is finally retired from the fleet - the special magic of the bubble will never be recreated. Boarding drinks handed out and newspapers offered - the upper deck quickly filled and the long succession of people going to the loos started.
After take off warm towels were distributed and soon after the drinks run - I now notice that spirits are now served in miniatures as opposed to being served from the bottle.
The food was rather good:
MENU
Beef Provencale
Chicken Marsala
Vegetable ragout pasta
Mixed Berry cheesecake
Mrs Buns and I both had the beef - we declined wine in favour of another spirit.
After the dinner and liqueur service, i went back to the Galley and thanked both the crew members for their services but pointed out i was a little disappointed that there had been no acknowledgement of our Gold status. Now, this is an area of inconsistency I wish VS would clarify - on some flights we have been thanked and on some offered a drink from the UC Bar. Good on the crew, soon after the FSM came up to apologise and also apologised again when we de-planed.
Fortunately, nobody seemed to fully recline their seats so were able to have an enjoyable sleep before being awoken for breakfast. Again a vast improvement on previous experiences (no doubt the removal of baked beans has greatly assisted
) and now it is scrambled eggs rosti potatoes and either bacon or mushrooms.It does now seem that VS leave the breakfast until later so that the gap between the final meal service and landing is no longer a chore.
We landed and again thanked by the FSM before using the automatic Passport Gates and got to the Gate just in time to see out bags arrive (which was a surprise as this is not always the case). turned out that Mrs Buns case had been forced open on one side by the TSA Who seemed to have the common key for the other side
But within a hour of Landing we were back home.All in all, the PE Service has improved since we last used it and despite the inconsistency, we will continue to fly as all the positives on both the outbound and the return are so good that I will be writing to Mr Kreeger to tell him how good his staff are.
Thanks for reading
buns
Something wrong with knitting?