So in the name of V-Flyer [:D] and a tan some three months later I find myself typing this TR from the back row in Y somewhere across the Atlantic at 34,000feet enroute to MCO.
Having done OLCI, my local CDC arrived to take me from my soon to be former home in the New Forest to Southampton airport. When I decided to book the Manchester flights, I was going to go up by train but decided that flying would be the better option. 45minutes after a hassle free flight on a brand spanking new Flybe Dash Q8 and having an ex Man Utd and perhaps soon to be former Portsmouth player sat next to me, I was in Manchester. The use of the plane for domestic services is fantastic but I do feel the prices are a bit too expensive, especially when one considers that my Flybe flights cost more than the VS flights!! Anyway I am digressing.
Stayed the evening in the Marriott at Manchester, currently being refurbed and was lovely. Would recommend it to anyone, though as with all these places, the restaurant was very pricy for poor food. After a hair raising taxi ride from the hotel to T2 I arrived to find the airport in full Summer holiday mode. Bag Drop worked a treat, only 5minutes in line. Check in a lot smaller at MAN than for other airlines and the regular Y line was snaking a lot. I was beginning to wonder what all the fuss was about with regards to delays on the b+s routes. Within 5 minutes I had felt I had tempted fate. An hour delay popped up on the departure boards. Later found out the inbound was diverted to New York due to a medical emergency, clearly something that could not be helped and again goes to highlight why just looking at stats of these flights can be misleading.
Through security which was well organised. No shoe circus to contend with and everyone knew exactly what to do. Full marks to Manchester Airport security, by far the best run operation I have seen in the UK or US. Terminal at Manchester isnt fab, just the usual endless rows of shops really. A clear lack of toilets as even the men were lining up outside the entrance to wait their turn! Grabbed a Starbucks and looked out to see Hot Lips arriving onto a remote cargo stand ( I seem to have the curse of Hot Lips, last 4 VS flights have been on this a/c).
10.30am arrived and boarding announced from Gate 300, a bus gate. Managed to locate Gate 300 and found chaos. The usual boarding scrum had started but boarding hadnt even been called in the gate area. The fact that the terminal PA system had a lady saying the flight was closing, presumably to get people to the gate, didnt help the situation. 30minutes later and boarding started. Crowds told to sit down and UC and PE went up. No priority boarding lanes, UC pax having to push through the crowds of Y. Boarding really was bad and no one seemed to know who was in charge. A departing XL flight from the neighbouring gate probably did not help but still it needs an improvement. Y row calls were not being observed either.
Bussed out to Hot Lips to find that she had had new seat coverings put in since my last flight. Still looking in excellent condition. Started the walk to my seat and just kept on walking. Found myself in 65G, right at the back of this Seatle beauty. For some reason when booking VS were not allowing seat requests on this service and having been so busy with the house move I had forgotten to ring VS to get a better seat. But no real worry, nice to be served everything first and have a nice FA to chat to as well.
Captain came on to go through the regular information, an 8 hour 30min flight this afternoon- over Dublin, then across the pond, skirting Newfoundland before making land at New York. He also appolgised for the delay telling us about the diversion and also informing us that the remote stand and bussing had not helped at all. FSM did regular introductions including the flight safe mode announcement. Manual safety demonstration done and done very well.
Took off at 12.16 exactly, some hour and 46minutes late. Nova fired up straight away. Selection of movies is good but, as would be expected, a slant on kids films. FSM did the detailed introduction including a more in depth flight safe mode chat. First bar round served as soon as crew out of seats, along with the new style amenity packs and headphones.
Lunch was served about an hour in. Not a great range to be honest. Italian style meatballs, chicken curry or vegie, good starter salad and of course the Gu pot for afters. Standard of food was reasonable, no where near as good as on other carriers in Y but it was recognisable. Tea and Coffee rounds done twice and duty free finished within two and half hours of take off.
First crew rest period is now on- another advantage of back row is being able to see the stairs up to the tail! No water/juice rounds yet and no sign of crew since Duty Free. Second round of movies have been started. I would recommend Shooter for those who like easy watching action/spy movies.
Thats all for now----as this is a work in progress will give you an update later.
(the following is written after the flight)
About 5 hours in the first of two water rounds was done and the ice cream was served. Fairly heavy air was experienced just off the coast of St. Johns which resulted in about 45mintues of seat belt signs on and a change in flight level. **Rant On** Why do people still insist, once the sign is on, to walk around?? The sign is on for everyones saftety and walking around compromises this **rant off** Made land over Long Island with fantastic views of Manhatten seen from the aircraft. We followed the coast down flying over Atlantic City, Anapolis and so on.
With an hour and half left to go and somewhere over Charleston, afternoon tea was served. Having become accustomed to the dodgy afternoon tea that VS has served in the past I wasnt exactly looking forward to it. But was presently surprised to see that since my last flight in Novemeber they have changed the offering. Two sandwiches and a nice cookie.
Pilot came on over the Florida border to inform us that we would be on the ground in 45 minutes, the weather was good in Orlando and we should be straight on in with no holding. Fantastic I think, a quick look at the watch shows we have caught about 30minutes up on the delay. Nova was turned off after a cracking four rounds of movies- it was good to see a crew on the ball and starting each run of movies about 15mins after the previous ones had ended. Crew began the final cabin checks as the seat belt signs went on and they all got into their ground uniform.
As we headed down over Jacksonville and the crew went through the plane with the black bin linner, a young girl in front of me stopped to ask the crew why we were going round in a big circle. The response was we are probably in a traffic jam for landing at Orlando- we will be on the way in 5 mins. A quick look at the map- showed that we were going full circle over Jacksonville.
The bells start ringing in my head- its 4pm in Orlando, its the middle of the rainy season, this can only mean one thing.......The storm has hit Orlando and the airport is currently shut and a divert will happen. Sure enough, right on que, the pilot is on the PA to inform Orlando is shut and we would be circling Jacksonville for about the next 45minutes to see if it passes. An hour later the pilot is back on to inform us that Orlando has reopened but he has not happy landing in the current conditions so we are being diverted to Jacksonville to refuel. The pilot handled the situation as best he could- saying that I am sure we would all agree that we would rather be in Orlando two hours late than attempt it now and have a problem. Pax seemed very understanding and the only real moans were from the crew who were heard to be saying 'o well there goes our afternoon of mall shopping'!
Cabin prepared for landing in Jacksonville, out of the window I could see the huge thunder storm clouds that look so impressive from 35,000 feet. 20minutes later we are down in Jacksonville, one of the first ever commercial 747s to land at the airport and apparently the first time VS have diverted into their[:?] . Onto a remote stand we go and of course everyone jumps up out of the seats. The FSM then makes an announcement to say that no one is allowed out of the seats due to the refuelling rules in case of emergency. Memories of reading the TR of the MIA flight diverted to Fort Laurdale last year that was reported on these boards came flooding back. But the crew were fantastic. Water runs were done twice and the IFE was switched back on to keep the younger ones happy. Toilets were allowed to be used but only if you really needed to go. The crew member sat next to me was first class. She realised that the pilot had messed up when asking all doors to go to Manual and rung up to say the left side of the plane should be on automatic in case of an emergency whilst refuelling. She was sat in her seat the whole time looking out the window keeping an eye in case of problems. Whilst she was just doing her job the way in which she went about it was brilliant and highlighted what an important role the crew play- it is so much more than just asking people for tea or coffee. [oo] [^]
50minutes later and we push back from Jacksonville. Safety demo done again this time on the IFE. A major hold on the runway for clearence, some 30minutes! A very quick nip down the runway and we were up without full power and eased our way into the Floridian sky. Seat belt sign off at 10,000. Within 2 minutes of it going off it was back on again much to the amusement of the crew who clearly thought we were desending into Orlando. Then we all realised why we had diverted into Jacksonville. The sky went dark and the plane was being thrown about as if it was as light as anything! Crew seated straight away and let again passengers were getting out of their seats to use the loo. The crew went mad and a stern warning was given out.
Through the bumps and clouds and within 25minutes we were down in a wet Orlando. We arrived some 4 and half hours late with VS15 blasting off to Gatwick on the opposite runway. Considering I was at the back of the plane I was off very quick- some 5minutes. Immigration not too bad at all, was entertained by the friendlist immigration officer ever! Pulled aside for secondary screening at customs but only took 2minutes. Out of the airport within an hour of landing.
So if you are still reading now you deserve a medal. Overall the flight was good. Economy was fine, the crew were fantastic given the delay and divert. More Macnhester flights on the cards for VS? To be honest I cant see the demand at all, there are a good range of transatlantic carriers offering a number of different routes, the problem for VS is that I dont think there is demand for two carriers on each routes (except NYC). If I was VS I would look at LA hard but considering Boston has been canned by American for good now, is there a demand above the current routes?
As for delays..well my experience has just shown how hard it is to ensure a/c arrive on time. Two acts of god (a medical diversion and the weather) brought us our delay, it couldnt be helped at all. If the aircraft were going tech all the time then that would be different but really I think the delays on the b+s routes are due to the inflexibility in the fleet (good for the been counters) and the weather at this time of year in the Florida/Carribean area.
