This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
When bags finally appeared, took them down to underground walkway to T3 (having finally learned my lesson about horrendous waits for bus transfer) and popped up behind work barrier with a quick walk to UC check in. 3 agents helping three sets of pax, two of whom are repackaging their bags (I know that feeling!). Seen and ticketed, BP in hand and assured that all I need is my gold card to access Fast Track and CH as all staff are now aware of allowances.
Stopped at security to have bag examined and allowed to keep the tiny eyeglass repair kit after hot debate between xray examiner and bag examiner (how much damage can she do with a miniature screw driver?). As always was waved over to line with push chairs and toddlers, such is my fate and even though feinted left at shoe lines, was still told to send them through and eventually arrived departures hall and on to VS Lounge.
So nice to be there-- checked bag, went straight to Cow Shed to book shower and was allowed in immediately (I must have looked in serious need) and enjoyed long hot shower and even nicer long hot steam bath as well as use of thirsty white towels and amenities Cow Shed attendant felt would best serve to send me back into the world looking less frazzled. Am highly in favour of Bracing Cow Shed body wash.
A wander into library for computer check, a round up of newspapers and mags and settled into former smoking room -with- a -view for glass of champagne, poached egg with hollandaise (a very pleasant combo) and moved myself to swinging chair for a chaser pint of prawns. The wonderful attendant for that room anticipated my every need--bringing me a large new napkin for the prawns and a follow up finger bowl of warm water and lemon. It was extremely enjoyeable to be having a lovely and private swing, a look out at the stand of planes (with ours all the way at the back which cued me into the long walk I needed to give myself time for), a leisurely read through the newspapers and the occasional query about whether I needed a further glass of champagne or not. I spent a few moments imagining what a seven hour flight would be like if this scenario could be transferred to the plane.
Was midway through a mobile phone conversation when it occurred to me to check the time as I heard a boarding call for some flight--which turned out to be mine. Collected bag, sighed at having to leave the nicest part of the day and headed to lonesome gate. Once again people were running down the corridor as if they were going to have to throw themselves at the wings as the plane departed which speaks volumes about the wisdom of flashing 'gates closing' when the flight is actually just opened for boarding.
No sign of priority line but asked and was told to join line on left which eventually led to jetway and then to plane door where the FA greeter told me to turn right and look for my seat on the left and I had to smile and say er...isn't it upstairs and on the right? Lady Penelope (744) assigned same seat as outward flight (71K) but had asked for exit row at CH and received it. Not sure this was such a great idea as the seat was in poor repair with the leg lift only able to come up a little way and no cubby to stick my feet on.
Very bouncy and cheery FA who was excellent and attentive and who could of course not be held accountable for the really awful food. Glass of fizz, a look at the menu and only choices are two meat and one vegetarian which was again an extremely odd choice--combining as it did a mushroom stroganoff married with--rice? Chose to eat just the salad and cheese as had had such a lovely meal at CH and settled down to wrestle again with the headphones. I had left my very nice set at home this trip as didn't care to add further to the one carry-on bag dilemma but regretted that decision very much and considered asking FA if I could 'borrow' a set from UC but thought against it as couldn't quite rationalize why I should have a UC set whilst all other PE not, other than to advance two headed fit theory which might not be terribly comprehensible to anyone other than me.
Having once again given up on the video choices (and screen quite dim and dirty as well as unable to stand on its own stalk for longer than a few minutes before gently sighing backwards) decided to read the new Kate Atkinson (highly recommend) which I enjoyed very much despite having to constantly change position to keep comfortable in the same tired old/new PE seats. Could definitely have used the noice cancel feature on my headset as the jet noise on Lady P was quite consistently loud.
Flight time of 7 plus hours, 'tea' served after 5 (brownie, oatmeal biscuit or chocolate bar) which I declined but was enthusiastically accepted by everyone in my immediate area, we landed at Logan. A short wait while our berth was vacated and to have the doors opened and whoosh--I managed to be the first EVER in my entire life --in line at immigration. Of course I stood there with five immigration officers at five desks waiting for me to walk up to the yellow no cross line. I couldn't seem to wrestle my passport out of my bag so had to put it all down and pull it out, five sets of eyes daring me to try wasting their time. I headed for the officer I deemed least annoyed with me and was waved through to once again wait and wait and wait for bags to come off. Through customs, out to kerb, Logan Express comes driving right up and home.
A quite decent flight, tired plane (I would really like a flight with the new/new PE seats just once!) and only an extreme restlessness midflight (you know that sort of feeling like you'd just as soon get out now?) to mar it. Early arrival was a big plus and much appreciated. I was wondering about the benefits of gold--and can say quite honestly that being able to use the CH and Revivals makes an enormous difference if not flying UC. My next flight is with that other Virgin--the one in America-- and quite looking forward to it.
[;)]RR
Roadrunner
