This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Denver to LHR, via LAX
This report is very long, but contains some little gems. Within the company I work for a few of us play Travel Olympics, and there is at least 1 Gold Moment in this TR.
I want to start with the connecting flight, to highlight the variances in United's service.
I was coming back from Denver, as the second flight has stopped from DC, I had to go west to LA, to get a later flight, as I had to be back for a Haloween Party and a Scout camp. The LA flight meant If there were any problems I might be able to get the later flight.
I checked in at Denver, with an overweight bag again. This time by only 5lbs, and not 7lbs, which they let slide without question.
This time, it was, 'Can you unpack anything Sir ?'
I took out some candy and my climbing harness, but it still was 2lbs over, which I thought they would let it go, but the baggage person had to ask to let it through. My alowance was 2 x 50lbs, and I was only checking 1 bag.
The United rep approved it and I headed down to the gate.
The flight to LA arrived a little early, but i got confused with the gates, and found myself at the wrong end of terminal 7, and VS fly out of terminal 2, so I headed to the LAX connection busses.
There was a scrum for the first bus, so I held back, and saw a second bus had arrived, which no one else had seen, so I headed for that one to find I was the only passenger on it, as everyone else had she horned themselves onto the first bus.
I had a chat to the driver, to ask her if terminal 2 was indeed the right one for Virgin.
She started to drive, and when we got to terminal 1, where the other bus had stopped, she checked which terminal I needed, and decided not to stop at T1, and headed directly to T2. I thanked her for my private bus ride, and chalked that up as a Travel Olympic Gold.
The time was around 3pm, and the checkin area was empty, I was first in line for the next available agent. While I was waiting a middle aged couple arrived next to me in the PE line.
Despite having been waiting for 5 to 10 mins, this couple then lept upon the next agent, leaving me in their dust. So I waitied for a few more moemnts until an UC agent was free.
I asked if there was an Exit row available, as I was lucky to get one on the way out. 51A was free, and I was given it without the $180 charge.
I headed to the 'Premium' Security line, which was long, but not as long as the regular line. I found that the PE couple who were beside me at checkin were now behind me. And for the next 15 mins all I heard was that this line is not moving as quickly as the regular line, the TSA don't know what they are doing... etc etc.
We were held at the bottom of the escalator, as the upper security area was full. During this time some 'celeb' was rushed through, with a camera crew waiting outside the security area. No one had any idea who this person was. Normally 'm pretty good at recognising people, but this was a US celeb I was not aware of.
I saw the sign to come up the stairs and was half way up by the time the security staff at the bottom realised, and got up there to find some long lines. I chose the left hand line, which was a mistake. If you are at LAX, choose the right hand line, as it has a shorter waiting line.
Again behind me were PE couple with the lady complaining about pretty much everything the airport was doing. When I got near the front I got the nod from a TSA rep who pulled me to the front and got me to a cleared security line, I suspect it was because I was the only one ready with laptop out, shoes untied etc etc. PE couple followed behind me.
It was about 30 minutes from checkin until I got into the Lounge, which had changed a little in the year since I had last been there.
There was no hot food, only make your own sandwiches, some fruit and cheese.
I had a shower, to find that the hose was split squirting water everywhere.
I went down to the gate, as I was at the back of the bus, and wanted to store my carryon to use as a foot rest.
Boarding was a little late as the plane had been late coming in. This seems to be a trend recently. I did 28 flights year without any form of delays. This year, pretty much every VS flight has been late in some shape.
I boarded with the UC and PE, and was asked why I had come forward, despite having my boarding pass, I had to explain what I was a Gold FC member, and I was in Economy.
I got to 51A, to find that the doors on the A340-600 are futher forward, and do not really impede the seat by the window, so another Travel Olypic Gold result.
I stowed my bags, letting the FA know I planned to use it on the flight, she said she did n't think I could, so I told her the story of the FSM who insisted I use her bag in an exit row, she checked with a senior and confirmed to me it would be ok.
Just before we were about to close the doors and push back, a very large gentlemen arrived, and went to sit down next to me. He only just managed to squeeze himself in, and could not do up the seat belt. He said he did n't need one as he could n't move. I thought I would prefer him to have a belt on in case of turbulence he came oout and landed on me.
He also , er, how do I put this without getting suspended or having 200 people compain to the BBC..... he was a bit stinky, and it wasn't BO. He overflowed the armrest, meaning the tray table could not be utilised.
Before take off, he asked to be moved, as he had paid for a bigger seat he asked to be moved. As there were only normal seats available, he did n't want to move. He was told that they would refund his money, however, he was not prepared to pay for a PE seat, which he was offerred. He said that he would just stand for the flight, as he could not get comfortable. The CSS said the options were to move to another seat in Y, or pay to go to PE, or stay where he was. She handled it very well in my mind.
I was a little concerned as he was breathing a little heaviliy and was well wedged into the seat.
We pushed back on time, the inflight video tape got stuck and they did a manual demo, and my FA said they had used the video because of the short taxi to the runway. I did ask her if the other crew were pulling her leg, because in LA my experience is that it's one of the longerst Taxi's to the runway I've ever experienced.
After a good 15 mins driving around the airport we took off over Long Beach and headed north east.
After the seatbelt signs came off, around 5 mins after the CSS came back and said after speaking to the FSM, they were prepared to move him to PE free of charge.
I was quite happy for my neighbour to get a more comftable seat, as I am sure I'd have a better night's sleep as a result.
I did speak to the CSS afterwards, and she had noticed I was leaning to the left due to a number of factors ! One of the criteria was to ensure I was Ok as well. To be honest, he would not have been able to perform the duties required of a PAX in an exit row seat anyway.
When the drinks were brought round, shortly after, I was asked if I was Mr Hayden, and what meal would I like. They would make sure it was kept back for me. I am guessing this was due to being a Gold member.
A nice touch, there was no other welcome or FSM recognition.
I'm keeping a tally, this is now 40 flights without an FSM making an appearance and checking all is OK.[:(]
The food did appear to take some time, and there was some confusion about the food, but when it came out, it was presented on a PE tray with real metal cutlery, rather than the plastic tools you get.
I took a photo of the Beef caserole, just so Paul can make some witty comment on another thread [:D]
I watched '21' which I thought was a good film, and then settled down to sleep, which I think around 3 to 4 hours of reasonably good sleep.
Breakfast was served around 10:30am, and cosisted of just a Cheese and Ham Bagel, which is a BIG improvement on the Coissant, it was tasty, but that is all it was, no other food at all. I know the East Coast breakfast's are light, but I thought this was a little cheap. I was still hungry.
We were due to land around 12:30, and despite being around 30 minutes ahead of schedule, we circled for a while. During this time I chatted to the FA I had met when I sat down, she had only been with Virgin for 6 months, having previously worked at Epcot. She was having her 6 month review this week, in fact I think it's today. I said she had looked after me well, and I was sure it would go well for her if all her flights had been handled like mine.
We headed in over Windsor, giving a clear view of the castle.
I got to Immigration, and BOTH IRIS machines were working.... although the righthand one was not allowing a lady through, but that could just be because she may not have been listening to the instructions.
I was through straight away and down to Belt 9, hoping my bags had been Interlined by United. Priority baggage did not appear to be in effect today, and my bag was one of the last to arrive on the belt, along with a bunch of other UC and PE passengers.
I arrived home at 2pm, which was 90 minutes after touchdown. My record is 55 Minutes.
In Summary
A much better flight to the way out, in timekeeping and service. I had some lucky breaks with transportation, seats, seat neighbours and being looked after.
I write this in the Clubhouse, with another 4 hour delay, and some suitably interesting observations at checkin that I'll put into the next TR. All I can say, currently is that the Police were in attendance.
Have a good day everyone.
Mark
