VS015 LGW-MCO 14 Jun 07 (Upper)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Did the on-line check in but did not print the boarding card. Arrived at the airport in good time and the people who asked the security questions told us to still check in at Upper Class as it would be quicker than the fast bag drop. Check-in smooth and quick with a nice lady; with 8a and 8k as we had chosen on manage your flights. Did a bit of duty free shopping; it still surprises me how chaotic Gatwick can be out of school holidays.

Made a dash for the clubhouse, very serene. Had a nice chat with the man on the reception desk who told me about the iris recognition thing, and gave me some details about it. Very efficient service in the clubhouse, we both had the sausage sandwiches with a nice pot of tea. I have been so busy of late, so to sit down and read some trash in the form of OK/Hello was a treat. I never buy it, so I always read it if it is available, so I can scoff at it!! Apologies to those of you who love it.

Had a slow walk via gate 95 to the iris thing. Made our way to the plane, which was already boarding. Priority boarding was good, but a queue afterwards to get on board. Went to the seat get myself sorted, had a nice glass of champagne and a read of the paper...bliss. LGW was very busy that day so a little late for departure. The small engine at the back of the plane that does the air con, and engine start up had a small technical fault so we went back to the stand to have it rectified. Unfortunately, the plane became very hot for a while, but the Captain kept us fully informed. I think there may have been some panic when engines were mentioned, which is why he gave a full explanation to sooth some nerves; not mine I might add.

None of this bothered me as to have a seat all to myself and not have to talk to anyone was great, kept reading the paper and did a puzzle.

When we got in the air, had a great flight, it was the Odessey system, which was a bonus. The Cabin Crew were really attentive and could not do enough for us, everything was done with a smile and like they really enjoyed the job. I always enjoy the food and it was served in a timely and professional manner. Prawn cocktail, salmon, ice cream. Husband had prawn cocktail, lamb, cheese.

I then had a nice sleep, whilst dozing thought that I had better get into gear and do some work. Nice Cabin Crew lady got me sorted with the laptop lead. Got my latest wedding started, so brilliant and during this the ice creams were delivered. It really is a nice way to work. Cabin Crew made sure we were always OK for drinks etc.

The afternoon tea was nice, again served well and by the nice Cabin Crew lady. Arrived into MCO only 5 minutes after our scheduled landing time. Then the madness begins. I think there were two virgin Mancheser flights plus ours and it was heaving. I have got one of those chipped passports and at MCO it says you can go to another queue if you have it. I was just about to march off with the Husband, when a nice man who was on the Manchester flight said don't do it. He and his family were sent away and had to queue again, had a nice chat with him and another family.

When we got through, luggage was waiting for us, did that thing where you put it back on the conveyor thing. Got to the other end and had to wait 45 minutes for it to arrive!! Now here is the enigma; you put them on together, and they arrive fifteen minutes apart...ummm.

From disembarking to sitting in the car was two hours. Now the holiday begins, which is another story that I will tell you when I report my return!?!

[honey lamb]

Lovely TR, Claire. Thank you very much [y]

Got my latest wedding started

,
I was a bit puzzled about that until I saw you were a photographer [:w]

to sit down and read some trash in the form of OK/Hello was a treat. I never buy it, so I always read it if it is available, so I can scoff at it!! Apologies to those of you who love it.

Oh, good! It's not only me that does that [:D]

Nice TR Claire - thanks. Sounds like you had a good flight & cabin crew in UC.

The bag re-check at MCO where you put it onto the second belt for transport to the main termain defeats the purpose of priority baggage. I was talking to the Virgin Holidays Rep in the main terminal last time I was waiting (and waiting and waiting) for the my bag to re-appear. She told me the bags are transported from the satellite terminal to the main terminal by road - hence the delay, as they invariably wait for the carts to fill up, then drive over to the main terminal.

I try not to take work away with me normally, but I have been chasing my tail lately and this was the only week we could have away for a while, so I had no choice. I must say that it is a very nice environment to work in and would not hesitate to repeat again!!

When we were at the second baggage collection, there were lots of us. Those with children must have been pulling their hair out, although the children were good and they passed the time by looking through the hole, and I could see tyres, so I came to the conclusion that it it not a nice little conveyor belt that trundles along!! I must say I am rather impressed that they managed to split the three bags up and put them on separate trucks. The only good thing is watching my Husband trying to remain patient but underneath you can tell he is just dying to rip into someone; alas for him he knows his life would not be worth living. Ahhh the small things in life!!

[buns]

Claire

Thanks for the TR[y][y]

it still surprises me how chaotic Gatwick can be out of school holidays.

Having passed through LGW recently on my way to MCO (TR to follow[;)]) I can only concur. I fully understand the financial pressures and that certain years would have completed thier tests, (meaning it is in effect downtime at school), but the numbers of children in Orlando do seem excessive.

The serenity of both Clubhouse and UC cabin mus have been bliss for you and hubby

buns

Yes I agree; I think that the new school terms will give parents a greater choice, and hopefully the travel industry will not catch on for a while!! I must say to pay so much more for something a get half the service just because it is in the school holidays would drive me mad; I do sympathise with parents.