This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
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So I booked my flight for the Friday night flight the day before, amazingly I found a last minute return in economy for only $455. It had been a while since I flew on the night flight in economy, I'm rather tall and don't fit in the seats particularly well...I wasn't looking forward to it.
I set off from the office driving up the turnpike to Newark nice and early, expecting lots of traffic as it was Good Friday. I actually got there in record time, parked, and headed to the UC check in desk. I asked if it would be possible to upgrade to UC using miles (I know my ticket theoretically shouldn't have allowed that, but I've had much more luck at EWR doing this than at LHR). To my very pleasant surprise, the lady at the check in desk told me I could save my miles, as I had been bumped up to UC already, as they had oversold economy. [:D]
Headed to the lounge for dinner, which if I remember rightly was pork. Hmm, actually it may have been beef. Anyway, one way or the other, it was reasonable enough. Had a couple of drinks, read my book for a bit, then as they called our flight, I went outside for a quick smoke (a bonus of the lounge being before security and not too far from the outside doors!) then headed through security, which was a breeze.
UC & AU holders were boarding when I got to the gate, so I wandered straight onto the plane. This is one thing I do love about EWR, the 9pm flight is normally the last one of the night out of that terminal, security is normally a breeze, and the gates are so close. Took my seat, was immediately offered a glass of bubbly, and made myself comfortable while a seemingly never ending stream of school kids trooped past heading to the back.
We took off pretty much on time, and most people seemed to start making up their beds and getting to sleep. That had been my plan, but I couldn't put down the book I was reading, so I ordered a hot chocolate. FSM came round and introduced himself, and the rest of the crew were fantastic, very friendly, chatty and constantly asking if they could get me anything. I took the hot chocolate to the bar with my book, as I saw they'd put some crisps and snacks out, sat there reading and chatting for a bit. The hot chocolate was so good, I had another, but then the seatbelt sign went on so I had to head back. Finished up, made my bed and slept, only waking again 3 or 4 hours later when breakfast was starting to be brought round. I had a bacon sandwich and fruit and a few cups of tea.
We landed about 40 mins early, hiked about 8 miles to the immigration desks, went straight through Iris (which I love!)(when its working) and then went to collect my bag, which rolled off 2nd, after waiting for maybe a couple of minutes....could this trip possibly get any better I thought?!
The answer was no, it couldn't. It all came crashing down a little later. I got to Revivals, and asked the lady at the desk to look up my reservation and see with whom my rental car had been booked with, as if I had been told, I'd forgotten. I went to take a shower while she looked it up. When I came out, she came up to me, very apologetic, 'I am sorry Mr T, but there has been a bit of a mix up, and car rentals are supposed to be booked 48 hrs in advance, and yours wasn't. You should have received a call back when the reservation didn't go through, but it looks like nothing was done. We're very sorry, if you give us a bit of time, we'll make some calls and see what we can do.'
I sat and had several cups of tea, and an hour later, she came back with the manager, with more bad news. There were no cars anywhere in London, or Manchester (where I was headed). To be fair to them, they really had tried everyone, even the brother in law of the massage therapist, who was a manager at Enterprise! They had come up with the option of putting me on a National Express coach which left at midday. How long does that take, I inquired, somewhat hesitantly. Just under 6 hours apparently. No way was I sitting on a coach for 6 hours. They said they were putting 5k miles in my account by way of apology, and would pay for whatever transport I finally managed to find. I said I would do a bit of research myself.
I was supposed to be stopping halfway up in Shrewsbury to see a friend briefly, so I called him to say I wouldn't be making it. I am doing a charity car drive/rally across Europe in May with him and another friend, and about 100 other people....rules of the 'rally' say that we have to buy a car for under 400 pounds, come up with a theme, and do the car up appropriately. We are doing the A-Team this year, and my friends bought an ancient Toyota Previa for 400 last month. It was at my friends house in Shrewsbury. He suggested that he would just put me on the insurance for it now, and I could get the train to his, and drive the crap-mobile for the weekend. This was the best idea thus far, and so that is what I did.
Turned out to be quite a road test for the thing! I don't know how many of you watch Top Gear, but our Previa is very much like one of the cheap cars they buy for their challenges! Petrol tank can't be filled completely, it leaks at the top. Steering doesn't seem overly connected to the wheels above about 65mph. Doesn't always start. Couple of weird noises. 3rd gear is impossible to find. I think that was everything!
I'm going to try and ask VS for a charitable contribution for our cause...Teenage Cancer Trust, instead of the miles in my account. Last year the rally raised 29,000 pounds for War Child. We're hoping to better that this year. Not sure if VS do that kind of thing though.
Anyway, I just realised how much I'd been waffling on! Time to go.
To summarize, flight was great, one of the best I've had, but let down big time with the mistake by the call centre staff.
Andrew
