VS039 LHR-ORD 31 Dec 08 (Econ)

[mitchja]

This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Having arrived from MAN the day before I booked a 19 room at the Travelodge T5 which was great value but your only options for public transport to/from LHR is via the hotel hoppa busses which only go to/from T5 so I jumped on the HEX which is free between the LHR central station and T5 or T4.

Arrived at T3 about 06:45 and headed to Upper Class check-in which was very quick with no waiting. Used the Upper Class Wing (which is likely to be my last time as my AU runs out in Feb [:I] and I an unlikely to re-new, although I still have BMI AU status until August so I can still use the CH with that)

No shoe carnival once I was though security. Made a quick detour to Dixons to pick up my pre-ordered MacBook which was waiting for me (you can ring them upto a week before you travel to reserve any item). My original plan was to buy one in the US but after weighing up all the options and with current US Dollar exchange rate, they are cheaper tax-free than buying in the US at the moment.

Headed to the CH which had just opened where I was informed there would be about a one hour delay on todays VS39 service (now departing at 12:00) due to the late arrival of the A/C from BOS. I grabbed a seat near the bar. Service was pretty good whilst I was there. I'd a pre-booked hair-cut at 08:30 but they couldn't find my reservation but managed to fit me in at 09:45.

As I had an extra hour or so due to the delay, after my haircut (which was good), I decided to head back land-side for a quick smoke [:I]. I've mentioned before how you do this but basically you head towards the transfer area in the far corner of T3, back-track though this area, pass though arrivals immigration, though baggage-collection and finally back outside. Had a bit of a worry as the IRIS machine took several minutes to let me though (I was actually inside the booth and after scanning it took a good few minutes to let me out. I had visions of been stuck in the glass booth [:I] although I did have my passport with with just in case)

With IRIS and Upper Class Wing access, it only takes you about 20 minutes to do this round trip.

Back to the CH for an hour or so which gave me time to get used to my new MacBook.

At about 11:30 the VS39 service was called and we where departing from gate 30. This whole area is currently undergoing renovation so the gate areas are currently a bit messy. By the time I reached the gate, the last of the pax where boarding but there was still a lot of congestion down the single jet-bridge as due to the cold weather, the staff where closing the entry door to the jet-bridge and only allowing small groups of pax though at a time.

When are VS going to improve their A/C boarding [V] It really is a mess and always seems the same when departing LHR.

Once onboard, I was greeted by name (again) and made my way to the first row of economy. I was originally in seat 43K but asked if i could be moved forward to the bulk-head row in the CH which was done for me so I was now in 42G which is an aisle seat in the middle section.

A/C was G-VAIR (A343). Economy was virtually full bar about 3 empty seats but I've never seen a PE cabin so empty for a long time (there was only 4 pax in PE and I think only about 12 pax in Upper)

In no time at all the door was closed and we pushed back at about 12:15. We where airborne by 12:30. Todays flight would be just over 8 hours so we would make up some lost time by the time we arrived at ORD.

Seat-belt signed was turned off after a few minutes and Odyssey was started. I thought Odyssey was very poor actually as most of the films where the same as the ones I'd had in early November (almost 2 months ago). Several channels weren't working or where that distorted, you couldn't watch them.

A drinks service was soon offered after take-off. Dinner was served about 2 hours later. There where once again 3 choices (yep you guessed it chicken, beef and pasta!!) I opted for the BBQ chicken which was quite nice actually apart from the broccoli that came with it [:$]

Shock, horror as mid way though the dinner service, my QC2's decided to break (although not terminal hopefully as the plastic cracked below where you adjust them). They still work and I think I should be able to wrap some tape round this bit as a temporary fix but will look into getting them repaired or replaced (?) by Bose when I get home. They are several years old now so not sure if Bose will do anything or not.

After dinner was cleared the cabin crew came round and decided it was obviously time to sleep and they closed all the window blinds and turned the cabin lights off. Sorry but this is a day flight so thought this was out of order. I didn't want to sleep (nor did many other pax). Perhaps another ploy to keep the pax quite in order to reduce the on-board service [:?]

As Odyssey had nothing worth watching I was glad I'd packed a couple of DVD's in my bag to watch on my MacBook.

There was only one water and juice service during this 8 hour flight. No sign of the FSM most of the flight.

One of the pax sat in the back row of the front Y cabin managed to break their seat as the seat back was right back resting against the cabin wall nearly horizontal! The FSM moved this pax and their travel companion into the PE cabin. Errr, sorry but what was wrong with the 2 empty Y seats that where in the row behind me [:?] Obviously it's a case of break your seat and get an upgrade [:w]

One of the washrooms in Y was out of service so numerous pax felt the need to use the bulk-head row I was sat in as as a thoroughfare and a way to switch aisles to get to the working washroom. I was getting a bit p1ssed off with this towards the end of the flight. Mind you the design of the A343 cabin is not good in this respect as there's no where to walk to switch aisles apart from right at the back of the Y cabin.

About 90 mins before we landed the cabin lights where finally switched back on and the snack service was served. A choice of either a cold bacon and egg sandwich or a cheese and pickle one along with a flapjack bar as well as coffee or tea.

The cabin was soon secured and we landed at 14:25, so only 20 mins late. No waiting at immigration and I was waiting at the baggage belt some 5 mins later. Waiting and more waiting, finally after about 20 mins the bags started coming off. There was ZERO baggage priority yet again as once again my bag was nearly last off [V] [n]

How difficult is it to load an AU bag into the J bin at LHR then unload this J bin first and get this to the belt before the others?

After passing though customs I got wrapped up (it was about -7'C in Chicago) and headed outside for a smoke before heading to the Blue line into the city. Once you actually get to the Blue line station, it only takes about 35mins to get to downtown Chicago and only costs $2.00 ($2.25 from Jan 1st 2009)

My only issue with this mode of transport, is that there's no obvious link from the international terminal (T5) directly to the Blue line station at ORD as you first have to get to either T1 or T2 via the free train (unless I'm missing something?)

Overall, not a bad flight but nothing special. It did what is said on the tin and got me to ORD.

Regards

[mcmbenjamin]

Immigration for a smoke - That is hardcore James.

Me thinks if VS could deliver the benefits (especially baggage handling at LHR) they claim to offer with status or UC/PE people would stick with VS. Do what you say, Say what you do VS.

[buns]

James

The key points of VS still not getting the embarkation at LHR sorted and the calibre of the FSM influencing service levels on board come through loud and clear in your TR.

Sorry to hear that this will be your last (well at least for the time being) Au trip[:#][:#]

Take care in the windy city with those sub zero temps - I have been there and know how dangerous it can be at this time of the year

buns

James,

Nice TR. Dorry to hear about the Bose headphones. A senior Exec at our company recounted a story of some Bose headphones breaking while he was on a trip, the repair centre was a few miles away, the QC2s were out of warranty but Bose decided to replace them FOC, he told that story to over 3000 engineers. I know of at least 2 people who bought them on that good story ;-)

Mark

[Darren Wheeler]

[}:)]

http://www.v-flyer.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=27260

[:w]

Thanks for the report James.
Sounds like the same old problems -shambolic boarding, lacklustre service (one juice and water round being reported yet again) and a FSM who's entered the Bermuda triangle. And this nonsense with the blinds being pulled down on a day flight. Why??
Have a good trip.
DL

Thanks for the TR James - I particularly appreciate the tip on getting outside for a smoke from the Clubhouse, what though, does 'backtrack' through the transfer area mean?

Hope you had a great New Year in Chicago, I see the temperature went down to -11C or so, which is fairly normal though not exceptional.

Shame about elements of the flight though. Several little things that add up to more.

[mitchja]

It's pretty cold here in Chicago, but nothing I'm not used to.

quote:Originally posted by slinky09
I particularly appreciate the tip on getting outside for a smoke from the Clubhouse, what though, does 'backtrack' through the transfer area mean?


From the CH go back into the shopping area/main departure area of T3, head towards Dixons in the far corner and then enter the transfer area. Bear left and follow the corridors (transfer pax will be coming the opposite direction). There's no signage at all but keep walking until you get to the transfer security area. You don't need to actually go though this security as there is a walk way and exit gate on the far right of this area. Go though the gate, turn left and follow the corridor round then up the ramp. This brings you out where the steps are down into T3 arrivals immigration area. Then head down into baggage claim, though the green channel and finally outside as if you are arriving off a flight. On reaching T3 arrivals area, head right and back on yourself to get back to T3 check-in (which is signposted).

I've never had any issues doing this or using Upper Class wing access more than once either.

Obviously you will need your passport (I still carry it even using IRIS just in case) and your boarding card. I leave my bags in the CH cloakroom. The only thing I'm not sure about is what would happen if you use IRIS more than once on the same day?

Regards

what stops you buying duty free and then heading through this route and out of customs and handing it over to someone outside when you have your smoke?

[mcmbenjamin]

quote:Originally posted by gingerflyer
what stops you buying duty free and then heading through this route and out of customs and handing it over to someone outside when you have your smoke?



Well you would not have been out of the UK for more than the stated time and as such would not have a duty free allowance. You should report any items brought 'into' the UK to customers. Will the stop and ask? Your risk.

A bit late to the party but thanks for the TR![y]

Don't understand having the blinds down and trying to get people to sleep on a DAY flight.[:?]

Hope you're having a good time in ORD. Did you catch the Winter Classic?

[mitchja]

The return flight was even worse. Pax where asked to keep the blinds closed even though it was still dark outside.

Full TR to follow but basically the return flight was one of the worst VS flights I been on. The on-board service was dire.

Regards

[Decker]

Oooh looking forward to this! Thanks for the TR.