This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
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Took train in--all running at least an hour late, and ran to catch HEX--also slow, and dumped us quite far down the track (and I DID sit in the correct carriage--all of us were marathoning it back to T3). Squeezed in through construction to VS counters where red and white balloons abounded, retrieved ticket (and queried cost of buying an upgradeable ticket and decided not).
UC check in was thin and was seen immediately, given a seat (in a row of empty seats) and thought I would just stretch out and sleep as much of the flight as I could. Good thinking, but not to be.
Y ticket marked with AU sticker for fast track security and clubhouse but got trapped behind worst nightmare family with two push chairs, two car seats, and two children who (understatement of the year) took their time. No request to de-shoe, and laptop allowed through in skin bag.
Did pop into clubhouse hoping to get a bite of food but plane called almost as soon as I was handed a glass of fizz at bar, so back down grand staircase and off to gate 5 where took advantage of pre-boarding to mark out seat row territory. One passenger arrived and sat at the far end of the middle row so it looked plain sailing.
Not sure which plane she was--a 747--but cringe at the thought that she may have been one of my old friends like Mustang Sally, really down on her days. Didn't get a look at UC but PE and Y seats were ancient, tatty, dirty and scarily reminiscent of what Continental and USAir offer. I was at this point very glad I had not exchanged cash nor miles for an upgrade and determined to just put on no expectations mode, which was exactly right.
FSA was excellent in announcements, or what I could hear of them, but sound quality was very bad in rear cabin. He advised Y pax to change seats if they chose to after take-off but to notify crew of their new seat. Everyone started eyeballing the cabin to see what would be available but I was happy where I was--or thought so at the time. Have rarely sat in center seats (far prefer window)as who would shoose to on purpose, crammed in five abreast, no window.
Take off uneventful, but as soon as we were airborne the gent at far end of my bank of seats--lay down and went soundly to sleep across the four I thought I had snagged, his feet pushed up towards my lap. Foiled! I stood up to see what else might be on offer and in that split moment he comfortably stretched out and commandeered my seat as well.
I gave up as eyed a couple abandoning both seats in window row 61 and legged it back there, dumped jacket and newspaper to hold it, went back and got computer bag from overhead, thought about accidentally dropping bag on passenger's feet now occupying my assigned seat, but am certainly more mature than that, and settled into what may have been twenty year old sharp metal bar seat for duration. Passenger in front reclined entire journey. Tray table, double fold, no cup indentations and sticky with remnants of previous pax meals and drink. Net bag in front of seat torn away and sagging, window smeary as well, but drink offered (quite a full plastic glass of a ery indifferent white wine and pretzels) and V port on. Dutifully notified crew member of seat change but she not interested.
I do wish we didn't all have to sit through how to work your vport video but no mandatory sky news. Vport choices need a change all around. The same comedy episodes and most of the movies have been on there as far as I know since before Christmas, so I had seen all that appealed to me--some twice, on previous flights.
I think the FSA did announce menu choices but no one could hear them in our cabin. The flight attendant in charge of special meals was really good, I saw hom taking his time with each passenger to check their meal choice, kneeling down, smiling, personifying Virgin crew at their best--but those in charge of the rest of us did not share that regard.
Amenity bags, smae old same old--no tissues, no paper but a pen. I do not recall a retail therapy pass through but may have slept through it.
Chicken, beef, mushroom risotto, I had the chicken, which while not bad, was not good either and seemed a thoughtless presentation as it was chicken in pasta served with a side of cold pasta, along with rolls--one small spoonful of broccoli and the rest likely to make anyone's stomach uncomfortably full of starchy carbs when one is just sitting still for 7 hours. Still, I elected to join that company and ate it as hadn't had anything since free cup of tea at platform offered by Virgin Trains as lateness placatory offering that morning. Had a glass of wine offered--but curious that the Y teeny tumbler was VS emblem free--just a plain glass. Wonder if that is an effort to reduce pax nicking them or just an anomaly?
Service was efficient but cold, as in unfriendly and hurried despite the low flight load, two passes through with tea and coffee and done.
I squinched up in my two seats and slept fitfully for two or three hours, trying to muffle the sharp end arm rail by using paper head pillows behind my back. No checks that I could see of any pax with seat belts over blankets--something UC crew are quite determined about, and this was a squally flight (literally in terms of audio as well with two very small infants in bassinet row).
Afternoon snack was a mug of cardboard tea (thank heavens no styofoam) and more starch (shortbread or brownie) if desired.
I really, really just wanted us to land and was appreciative that we made good time. Our approach into Newark was very gusty and rocky and I am fairly sure that we hit an edge of wind sheer as we landed as there was moment where it seemed we teetered until righted with a thump. Turned out many domestic flights had been seriously delayed due to storm and wind so am grateful we were allowed to come in.
It is a long, long way from the very back of the plane to the very front, amidst the slow shuffle of overhead bag grabbers, coat buttoners, baby nappy changers, invading back packs etc etc.
Very professional looking UC cabin crew bid us goodby at front as we exited, and clearly their cabin had a very different experience.
Overall--not horrible, just a bit sad. When I started flying VS when it first came ot Boston, the Y experience was fun and far outclassed BA and anyone else. Having flown Y only once in the past few years, I suppose I thought it would still be better than anyone else. the price was certainly right, but so was everyone else's and overall, I have to give it a sad rating of blah. I was however, very grateful to have had four engines and an expert pilot, which is, fundamentally what is important, as my next connection (delayed three hours) was in a tiny continental express bucketing around in the remnants of the storm in a very dark night--an experience that made me wonder, as I rarely do, if we would not make it.
RR
Roadrunner
