VS201 HKG-LHR 31 May 09 (Upper)

This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin

Ground Staff

Food & Drink

Entertainment

Seat

Cabin Crew

Once we had arrived, it was a mad sprint to get to the lounge quickly as there was only 1.5 hours before the departure to LHR and we both wanted a shower. Security was a bit of a nightmare, as they saw something 'odd' in the other half's bag, and so it was unpacked and re-xrayed. So much for being off the plane quickly. At the lounge reception, our red boarding cards were taken off of us, and we were presented with re-printed Purple ones (now feeling like a proper Upper Class passenger again!). Despite our best efforts, both showers were occupied...damn! However we were number 1 and 2 in the queue, so that meant we would def get one before departure. A glass of diet coke (which never actually came) was ordered, and then the shower became available. After the refresh, I had a glass of champagne and the light bite option of jacket potato with sweet and sour pork - this is a light bite option as it really is about the size of a new potato!

Boarding was called, and when we got to the gate, we noticed that there was a huge economy queue still waiting to board. Hong Kong has separate first/business lanes at each gate - why can't LHR do that??? Straight on to the plane to be greated by the friendly smiley cabin crew.....maybe as they were on their way home after the time away (LHR-HKG, 1 night HKG, HKG-SYD, 1 night SYD, SYD-HKG, 3 nights HKG, HKG-LHR). Boarded early and time to head off home!

The menu for this flight was:

Starters:
Seasonal leaf salad with blackened tuna, cherry tomatoes, soy sauce honey dressing
Leek and potato soup
Pork char siu money bag with hoi sin sauce

Main courses:
Country style chicken with three cheese pasta, green peas, pumpkin and gravy
Beef tenderloin, morel and porcini mushroom sauce, minted mashed potato, green beans
Vegetable lasagne
Stir-fried prawns in soy sauce, steamed rice, jade sprouts, carrot flowers

Cheese

Dessert:
Hazelnut orange opera cake with orange sauce
Choc chip ice-cream with choc chip cookies.

After take-off I had a G'n'T with lime - fairly strong! I noticed that you get grey goose vodka on LHR-HKG-LHR and Absolute vodka on HKG-SYD-HKG routes....wonder why the differences? I opted for the pork char siu money bag - this a basically a portion of pork char siu inside a sweet pastry packet....really tasty! I opted for the chicken - the chicken and pasta was nice, but the peas were like bullets!!! After this, I had hot chocolate and then it was sleep time.

After about 4 or so hours of sleep, there was a call for a medically qualified person on board. I knew that there was someone else, but I still thought I would check that everything was ok. I won't go into the exact details on here, but basically there was an unwell person on the flight. In the end it was good that there was someone else to discuss things with. We got to open up the VS box of magic tricks and fancy medical kit, speak to the Medilink Doctors in Arizona via a satellite link, look into the onboard drugs kit......and then fill out lots of paperwork. In the end this started around about 0200 UK time, and basically occupied the remainder of my flight until the seat belt signs went on around 0415. I had plenty of cups of tea / coffee and the crew were very good and efficient trying to sort everything out. It was interesting trying to sort out a medical problem at 37,000 feet, but nothing something that I would rush to do again! I had some fruit and yoghurt at the bar towards the end of the flight, and then changed just as the seat belt signs went on.

We arrived just before 0500 to a sunny LHR which was very quiet - we were the first arrival at T3. There was an ambulance waiting for us at the gate, and they came on to see the unwell person and take them off to hospital. I had a brief chat with them before leaving and heading off to immigration. This was empty! Our bags took ages and ages to come off - pretty much most of the plane was by the baggage carousel before the first bags started to come off. However, priority baggage worked, with the HKG priority off first, and then the SYD ones. Once ours were retrieved, it was off to revivals - only 5 people off of our flight ended up in revivals.

All in all a good flight, with a friendly crew, good menu (if you were really hungry) and the medical emergency didn't actually cause me any problems.....ask me this evening if that is still true (I was asleep when the call went out for a doctor, just as on the outbound flight!).

Thank you for both reports on the return [y].

Golly, there never seem to be medical emergencies on my flights, not that I'd be any use! Maybe they time them when you're flying [:w]. I hope VS have thanked you for your assistance?

I have to say that some of the crew were really and nice and grateful for the assistance. They took my details for the paperwork and I will see if something comes through from HQ.

One thing that I thought was very disappointing - I had thought that the FSM might have come over and said thank you personally to myself and the other doctor once everyone was seated prior to landing and they did the final checks....nothing! A small thank you would have gone a long way after the time involved and I thought it showed poorly on the FSM. His one memorable comment was when I said I would wait for breakfast in revivals, and he chipped were both of us entitled to entry, otherwise he would make sure that we were (big deal was we were both on Upper class tickets anyway!). On the flight out (LHR-HKG on 19th May) when they asked for a doctor and I didn't get involved as there were too many on the flight, the FSM went and said thank you to the doctor who did help (and I think she had a bottle of something nice in her possession to take off with her!).

We'll see whether VS are in touch.......

Thanks for the TR. Good job you were on the flight with these medical problems. I don't think I have ever been on a flight with a medical issue. Good job as I would be no help at all!

Dominic

Great TR but sounds like the FSM needs a bit of a refersher course.

Given the other thread on here were any of these emergencies peanut related?

But seriously I hope the patients make full recoveries - out of interest do you ever get told about what happened to your patients (within the bounds of patient confidentiality of course?

Thank you for the TR!

Hope you get some sort of recognition from VS.

Good TRs, and glad to hear there were so many Doctors on board both ways ;-)

A friend was on board a VS flight many years ago, when there was a call for a Doctor, when it was found there was no Doctor on board, he volunteered his partner, who was a Senior Coronry Care Nurse, and she spent some time with the patient, decided a diversion of the plane was not necessary as the patient was likely to feel better soon. The patient perked up a lot a few hours later and they arrived on time at their expected destination.

Despite suggestions that VS would be in touch, nothing ever came from that, despite the fact the crew were considering a diversion, and her efforts avoided that from happening.

I hope VS have improved their handling of such help from those on board.

I know from the FSMs I speak to, many would be extreemly greatful of the guidance and assistance, and I am sure would be utilising the rousources (duty free) to say a thankyou.

Like you I am surprised the FSM was not more directly involved.

Thanks

Mark

Great TR.

Your food sounds much more appealing than on my MIA-LHR leg! Though my taste for eastern food is probably being seduced

On a side note, when we left LHR - VS had two entrances open for us. One gangway to the front of the plane for UC, and another for PE/Y. Which was very nice, and they were quite firm on UC/PE/Gold boarding first too. Nice changes from previous flights when usually it's a scrum from all classes regardless of class or row.

quote:Originally posted by MagicWok

On a side note, when we left LHR - VS had two entrances open for us. One gangway to the front of the plane for UC, and another for PE/Y. Which was very nice, and they were quite firm on UC/PE/Gold boarding first too. Nice changes from previous flights when usually it's a scrum from all classes regardless of class or row.


Yes there are certain gates in T3 where it is possible for two airbridges (if they are both working) to be used. Am still not sure if both jetbridges will fit on the A346 at LHR but they do most of the time on the B744s.

Great brace of TR's and I am sure your assistance is very much appreciated by the patient if not VS! I'd like to think some miles will be winging their way to you.

Just to follow up - I had a lovely letter from VS about 2 weeks after the flight thanking me on behalf of the passenger, their family and the crew. Also there was a voucher for 100 to spend on future flights. Not bad - wasn't expecting anything, so it was a nice little surprise (well done VS!)

quote:Originally posted by gingerflyer
Just to follow up - I had a lovely letter from VS about 2 weeks after the flight thanking me on behalf of the passenger, their family and the crew. Also there was a voucher for 100 to spend on future flights. Not bad - wasn't expecting anything, so it was a nice little surprise (well done VS!)


You deserve it enjoy your next trip.[^]

quote:Originally posted by gingerflyer
Just to follow up - I had a lovely letter from VS about 2 weeks after the flight thanking me on behalf of the passenger, their family and the crew. Also there was a voucher for 100 to spend on future flights. Not bad - wasn't expecting anything, so it was a nice little surprise (well done VS!)


You deserve it enjoy your next trip.[^]

quote:Originally posted by gingerflyer
Just to follow up - I had a lovely letter from VS about 2 weeks after the flight thanking me on behalf of the passenger, their family and the crew. Also there was a voucher for 100 to spend on future flights. Not bad - wasn't expecting anything, so it was a nice little surprise (well done VS!)


Nice touch that VS got back in touch, great TR such a shame you missed your flight in UC attending to some one ill.

cheers

alex