This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Reports of delays at JFK had me calling Premier and asking to transfer to an IAD flight. This would also have the added bonus of not having to pay penalty baggage fees. Despite being on an international PNR United insist that luggage > 50 lbs pay an excess fee. Premier are VERY accommodating and transfer me over to the 23:00 flight. Fortunately having bought a full fare Y and used miles to upgrade allows me flexibility.
The client meeting ran short so by 12:00 I was at the airport and twiddling thumbs. Recommendation - do NOT turn up to IAD early - air side sucks. I ensconced myself in Harry's Bar and had a Cuban Sandwich and a couple of bottles of beer before sitting over by check in awaiting the opening. At about 13:30 a member of ground staff began setting out the lanes and tensa barriers. I got chatting to a Texan couple who were off to SA on safari. Nice people.
Interestingly the UC desk WAS the last to open but I needed ticketing as I'd moved airports. The person checking me in was charm personified and when begged for the earlier flight made a quick phone call and with a sparkling smile told me I could indeed fly on the earlier flight.
IAD operate a fast track so avoiding the 45 minute queue I went straight to the front and thence to the Club House where I was looked after by a ludicrously over attentive waitron. After my shower I returned to my seat to find my drinks replenished and a food order (which I hadn't placed) waiting for me. It was like having a mind reader looking after me. I broke with my normal tradition on exit and actually tipped the server! (Funnily whilst I always tip therapists I hardly ever tip waitrons in Club Houses unless they go the extra mile like P at JFK).
Boarding the plane I was enthralled (NOT!) to find myself on a 343 (Odyssey - Jetstreamer) in seat 9A - right next to the bar. On the bright side I was likely to be AT the bar so.... As I settled into my seat I glanced to the front where the FSM was dealing with 'stuff'. She looked my way and made recognition movements. Looking behind me I couldn't see anyone else in view so moved closer and established that it was one of V-Flyer's favourite FSMs who we had earlier in the last month or so! Needless to say from hereon in I had no doubts that this would be a superb flight.... and so it was to be.
I'll omit the usual commentary as I genuinely wasn't intending to bother with a TR BUT... the irony - I'd moved to IAD from JFK to avoid traffic delays but we pushed back from stand and then moved onto the apron. We were told there would be delays due to storm conditions overhead. Shortly thereafter the Captain announced that he was turning off the engines in favour of the tail motor to keep things going so as not to waste fuel. Now colour me cynical BUT at second hand I know a US ATC person who SWEARS that airlines push back AGAINST ATC advice all the time, knowing they can't take off but secure in the knowledge they can blame ATC and that they are recorded as an 'on time' departure. Regretfully I believe this.
So passed an hour or two on the tarmac and this is where our FSM came into her own. She rallied the troops and ensured that all passengers were supplied with plenty of soft drinks. She marshalled her forces to ensure that all the crew kept the passengers happy and in the entire delay not one raised voice was heard. The GENUINE concern she evinced for her pax acted as a restorative balm on the aircraft and all was peaceful.
When we did take off service was swift and effective and my food was pleasant if not wonderful. The IFBT was attentive and charming and all the bar staff who had the misfortune to baby sit me remained courteous and charming.
We arrived an hour or two late and (naturally this being LHR) my baggage was delayed but NOT the last off.
So the fifth VS flight in a row that was EXCELLENT made all the better by one of my all time top three FSMs.
