Right, after 11 hours sleep, feeling more with it and ready to update.....
For the outbound journey, you can see my TR
here and if you are interested in the whole trip, look
hereAs I had stayed the night before in Framingham I didn't fancy driving to JFK via I95 and instead traveled down to New London. CT and caught the Long Island ferry to Orient Point. If you ever get the chance to try this do so. Very pleasant drive and only stressful as you get closer to JFK. Anyway, I digress.
Having finally got to the rental car return point (thank you TomTom) I board the Airtrain to T4. As it was only 5pm and there were 2 other flights still checking in, I decided to just plonk myself down in front of a closed airline desk and people watch. Sadly I chose the area where the check-ins were closed so it was quiet. Too tired to move anywhere else.
Once 6pm arrived I made my way to the self-service terminals and made use of these instead of the queues. Not sure what had happened as not only had my pre-booked seat of 19H been reallocated, but they had me down as female (API shows male)! The agent on the desk was most helpful and quick as a flash had the receipts and labels printed and on my bags. TBH I was expecting a chaotic check-in based on other TR's so I was quite pleasantly surprised. Bags were dropped off and after a longing look at the CH, off I went for a wander. 10 minutes later, bored with shops I headed to gate B30.
On arriving at the gate, VS004 VHOL was still on the stand but pushed off pretty quickly afterwards. This gave a clue to the delay for later. I seemed to sit on the taxiway for ages before finally disappearing.
Being at the far end of the pier, gate 30 seems to attract an awful lot of staff just keeping out of the way. There was one 'security' guy who seemed to be hiding for about half an hour. That and various cleaning, assistance staff etc. made the place feel like a rest area. Pretty bored with the wait I spent the time playing Mahjong on the laptop and trying to find a free wi-fi connection - no joy.
Eventually other passengers arrived and so did the crew, who sat right behind me. Ears go into flapping mode in case I can pick up a useful titbits. The conversations when something like this:
'My boyfriend...' this and 'My boyfriend...' that etc. as if making a point. One had been studying for a test and was getting hung up on one question about the location of the Freon gas in the rest area 'I was told it was beneath the stairs, not below the stairs. What's the difference?' I nearly chimed in with 'one shows you have read the manual, and other shows you haven't.' but given this is MY crew, I chose to keep quiet. Another was complaining that they couldn't include a distant relation in their family list. 'Well my boyfriend...'....
The plane for the leg home was G-VOGE Cover Girl and I had 19C. After the disappointment of the IFE not working on VS003 I was pleased that V-port was fitted and working. I have several bruises from being bashed about by other passengers bags as they boarded. I suppose they will learn that a bag over the shoulder will not fit down the aisle! The seats were still looking new although didn't quite seem as soft as outbound. A full load and we pushed off a little early. Sadly this was the only good news.
As mentioned above the Captain soon came onto the intercom to advise us that ATC had advised him of a 2 hour delay[:0]. As he wasn't happy, he said he felt we should share in his annoyance - a bleedin' comedian. [:o)] To be fair though, he did allow use of the toilets and allowed the IFE to be turned on while taxiing. I was halfway through Hot Fuzz before I realised we still hadn't taken off. Finally we did after a nearly 2 hour delay. The Captain still wasn't happy and said that perhaps Newark might be a better choice in future. I think I might just take him up on that suggestion next time.
After Hot Fuzz, dinner was served. I chose the Beef and Guinness stew. OK-ish but huge lumps of meat that was a bit gristly. Salad, carrot cake, cheese and biscuits polished off quickly though. I did try to sleep at first but failed, so tried to watch Shrek the Third instead until I got an uncontrollable urge to shut my eyes. Managed about an hour and a half so feeling a little better I picked up where I had left the film.
Disappointing 'breakfast' of a cup of tea and a cereal bar. I seem to recall the PE breakfast being a bit more than that.
Arrived at LHR 90 minutes late and went to a gate immediately for a change. Long walk to the immigration hall but not much of a queue. Did get the satisfaction of seeing one guy getting sent back for being on his phone at the desk, despite the signs. As I had some TC's to change I did this in the baggage claim area while waiting. Travelex were quick and within minutes of arriving at the belt my bags were out and I was off. Didn't get stopped at Customs (PHEW!!! [:w]) and as I got to the bus stop, there was a Q-Park bus just about to go. Luckily he went straight back to the park and not around the terminals. Plane door to car door was about 40 minutes. Most impressed.
Overall, an average flight but Newark is looking more attractive next time. JFK really need to sort their 'S' out or risk loosing traffic. I know it's a busy airport but 2 hours taxiing is ridiculous and a sigh of impending collapse. Having been spoilt on the last few flights, I really need to get back to turning left again as I missed the CH and revivals this time.
