This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
The clubhouse was an oasis of peace as ever - I know some people think its getting overcrowded, but I don't feel that - maybe I'm just lucky. (If you want to see crowded, just go out into the melee that is at the centre of T3!). In the CH I always choose to sit by the windows in the Gallery area because its quieter and the tables all have power points. The downside seems to be that it can take a while to get served. After 10-15 mins of failing to get someone's attention I walked up to the bar and asked for a glass of champagne which was promptly delivered.
I had booked a treatment on arrival, so at 12:30pm I went over to the spa. When I initially booked, I asked for a back massage, but I was told there were no masseurs (masseuses?) available before my flight, so I was offered a facial or other treatment. I opted for the facial to see what it was like. I have to say that it was more relaxing than the back massage and I'd definitely have it again. Its not a very blokey thing to admit to, but lying out flat on the treatment chair having all sort of stuff slopped and massaged around your face then scrubbed with the hot towels is really very pleasant!
The call came on time and I headed off to gate 13, stopping only to snap this pic of the lovely Tinker Belle on the way. (The real metal one that is, not the cheery imposter who lurks on these forums!)
At gate 13 it was chaos in the "holding pen". They kept saying over the PA for UC, PE and Au passengers to board and please would everyone else stay seated, but of course it never works like that when there is only one jetway. I eased my way through the bodies and went down the ramp, then upstairs to my seat, stowed my carry on in the handy cupboard in front of me and settled in. As well as having an exit row seat I was fortunate to have an empty seat between me and the chap in the aisle seat. Considering how full the plane was that was a result.
Push back was at 14.11, followed by quite a long taxi, then the captain told us we were 8th in line for take off. We finally left the ground at 14.36. I didn't catch the total number of pax on board, but the cc told me it was virtually full and there were only 2 spare seats in the upstairs Y section. The FSM had announced that the crew were down 3 members from 15/16 of a full complement, nevertheless, the service was exemplary for me with the drinks, food, DF all taking place without fuss. Maybe that is the bubble effect and front row in particular, but I'm sure it had a lot to do with the hard work from the crew.
On the drinks round I had my usual - a bloody Mary (spicy please) - then settled in to watch The King's Speech. Unusually for me I did not fall asleep so I managed to see the end! I had the roast chicken and stuffing (average) with a glass of red wine.
After watching the film, I took a stroll down to the galley at the rear of the bubble and asked for a cup of tea. I was looked after by a lovely crew member called Abigail (permission to name asked and gratefully received) who was very obliging. She did not have any paper cups so she asked me if I would mind drinking from a china mug and staying in the galley. That was great on both counts, as I prefer a mug and I'm always happy to stand and have a chat. She said that part of the understaffing problem was due to business picking up faster than expected after the recession (when they laid people off) and it is taking time to train enough new staff. (There is probably a bit of cost control as well, I'd guess.)
When I had finished my tea, I handed the mug back to Abigail and because they do not carry much china, she said she would put it on one side in case I wanted another later. I asked her to write "Martin" on it so it wouldn't get mixed up!
I went back to my seat and got my laptop out to do a bit of work (and a bit of TR writing).
There was no ice-cream service for us in economy
, but I did see a tray of what I think were Haagen-Dazs tubs go through to the UC passengers. Most came back. 
Tea and a very chocolatey Gü brownie were provided on the tea/coffee round about 2hrs out from New York.
About 40 mins from JFK, the captain gave us an update and said that he had been asked by ATC to "slow down a bit" as there was congestion going in to JFK. Despite this, we landed 4.24pm and were at the gate by 4:35pm
I know the topic of the Y/J bubble has been much discussed recently, and today it was particularly bad for the UC pax on arrival at JFK. Firstly they had to wait for the whole economy section of the bubble to clear down the stairs - as is normal - but in addition, there was no "crowd control" in place at the door/stairs junction. This meant that the whole PE section had emptied and there was a general flow of economy passengers coming from the rear of the plane. I was the last economy passenger down the stairs and there were 10 UC passengers behind me.
What was a lovely and unexpected touch was that Abigail said "Bye-bye Martin" to me at the top of the stairs.
I'm not sure what other v-flyers do but once through the jetway, I power walk at a ridiculous pace down the walkways to immigration. I reckon for every 30 people I pass, I save 5 or 10 minutes. I have no idea if that's true or not, but I feel better for it. (Of course when I'm travelling with the OH I am banned from racing ahead.)
There was a medium length queue for immigration which meant my checked bag was waiting for me. Judging by the number of bags stacked high, most of the pax had not yet made it through. There was a queue for the yellow cabs - and no cabs, and while I was pondering about alternatives, I was asked by the SuperShuttle attendant if I was going into Manhattan so I took that with 10 others. We left almost immediately at 5.10pm and got to my hotel by 6.50pm. At $21 its not bad, but a bit of a faff as they stop at a load of hotels on the way.
I have spent the week working in New York and Toronto - I'm back home to the UK tonight on VS4 - in PE thankfully.
Cheers
Martin
