This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
After 6 nights in NYC it was time to go home. I had arrived the previous Wednesday to pouring rain and driving wind and my last day was like that too.
The interim days were fine and sunny but cold. I’d avoided the blizzards of the previous weeks but there was still snow on the ground in many of the parks but the roads and pavements were cleared.
I’d done the usual round of museums and shopping - an empty Guggenheim rotunda, the Cloisters and an exhibition at the Fashion Institute of Technology being the highlights.
I’d also talked to a lady at the National Museum of the American Indian in the Custom House about my visit there and she was interested that it was a repeat visit. I thought she was just one of the docents but it turned out she was one of the curators! Anyway I was complimentary about her exhibit because it was very good!
I totally failed to get SEQ1 for my return then I’d having a matching pair but as I did OLCI at 3.30 AM (dirty stop out I hear you cry! – I’d been over to NJ to see a friend) and a SEQ in the 30’s would have to do!
I’d booked a Carmel car to take me from the hotel to EWR (earning some UA Mileage plus miles for booking on-line, and it kept my UA account active for another 18 months) and that arrived a little early but the driver neglected to check if I was ready or not but I was soon shouted for when it was time.
I’d stayed at the 4 points by Sheraton Manhattan Chelsea on 25th / 7th and thanks to finding a discount code on here I got a really good deal as well as a referral to become Gold in Starwood Preferred so I also got points bonus plus a ‘customer appreciation’ bonus!
Despite leaving 25th and 7th at about 6.30 we were at EWR within an hour.
The taxi paid for, I lugged my bags to the UC desk to be seen instantly. Bags were all tagged etc and lounge invitation issued.
I followed the chap (chap A) who was at the next desk down the escalator to the CH and was warmly welcomed. Found a chair amongst a set of 4 and chap B sat opposite! I sorted my carry on luggage out then nipped to the duty free for a quick look – no purchases made and a v disappointing selection.
When I returned another chap (chap B ) was moaning about ‘his’ seats having been ‘stolen’ by myself and chap A.
I said that I’d arrived 15 minutes before and no one else was sat there apart from this other gentleman to which the reply was ‘we only went to get something to eat’. Our response was ‘well there was nothing to indicate you were sat here’
Then Chap B decides to take umbrage and snapped ‘no need to be rude’ to which our response was ‘you are the rude one, how were we supposed to know’ – the logic of which completely escaped him. He then said it would be OK for us to sit there to which my response was ‘am not sitting next to you’ and moved to another area.
It’s that sort of chap who really annoys me – being a complete arse for the sake of it! Luckily I never saw him or his ‘companion’ again. TBH it all looked a bit strange and the words ‘sugar daddy’ crossed my mind as the younger ‘companion’ appeared to be avoiding him and looking uncomfortable even though they were together. Sometimes having an active imagination can be fun!
During all this a drinks order was taken and the server managed to track me down to my new location!
Anyway the contretemps was over so I could relax with a refreshing glass of champers.
I made my way around to the food area but the main meal was curry. Not my dish of choice before a flight so I ‘made do’ with a place of cheese, meat and salmon. Oh the hardships and privations I have to suffer!
A couple more glasses of champers and a nice desert later it was time to board. The EWR CH is a nice place to spend an hour or so but that’s about it.
I also used the wifi to log into v-flyer and post the ubiquitous ‘greetings from the CH’ thread.
I made my way to security – and it was a much improved area that last year. More space etc but still not enough seats in the redressing area.
I loaded my bags onto the conveyor belt, laptop, shoes and belt etc in a basket then walked through the scanner – stopped for a run over with the wand and was looking for my back pack when there was a shout ‘whose bag is this’ and to see it being held in the air by a TSA agent.
Much embarrassment as there was a bottle of water in it! I thought I’d removed it. Anyway Mrs TSA plonks bag back in the belt holding people up to allow me to pull the bottle out and mutter several ‘sorry’. Having tossed the bottle, the scanner agent then calls me through in front or a few people – more looks! But I guess his logic is that my stuff is blocking the end of the belt so the sooner I’m sorted the sooner everyone will be back on track!
That incident over with its time to board the plane.
It was a 747 (sorry forgot to check name but it was dark and raining) and I had a seat in the A-Zone and was warmly welcomed aboard.
I guess (downstairs) UC was about 80% full, I didn’t go upstairs. Welcoming drinks were proffered, Tonty and Beary arranged on the ottoman and I nipped to the loo to change in to my ‘heart’ lounge pants which generated lots of comments from the crew (and a couple of other pax who were bored by the ninja suits).
Drink and dinner orders were taken.
I had the
Seasonal leaf salad with sautéed baby scallops (not enough scallops)
Chicken cacciatore
Washed down with Du Toitskloof Chenin Blanc - South Africa (same as on the outbound – v nice it is too)
Followed by coffee, cheese and the knock out dose of port!
The FSM kept an eye out on things but I don’t remember them playing a particularly active part in the service but to be honest I wasn’t paying that much attention.
I had the bed made up and settled down to watch ‘Fame’ (yes again – needed something that didn’t need any effort to watch) and some Simpsons and Family guy.
I managed to doze off for a couple of hours and woke just before breakfast. I managed a bacon roll, cinnamon bread and a couple of cups of tea from the bar.
Landing was smooth and we made out way quickly to the gate then the long walk to immigration and baggage.
My booked taxi was waiting so (deliberately) missed out on revivals.
All in all a good flight to end my holiday.
Huzzah for International Jet-setting !
