This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
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Staying over at Half Moon Bay meant it was only a short drive to SFO but as I was unable to get a late checkout I had some 4 hours to kill before the check-in opened. In a final effort to make the credit card cry, I headed over to Burlingame to hit the Apple store for an iPad. Burlingame is a lovely little town with well maintained sidewalks where I could sit in the warm sun with a large tea and just watch the world go by without lots of traffic or giant malls. An iPad was soon added to my growing collection of fruit-based technology but I still had 2 hours to kill. A slow drive along El Camino Real, stopping off at places like Best Buy and Jack in the Box soon filled the time up.
Pulling into the rental return garage, the Dollar return area was totally empty and as I pulled up, the returns team all but swarmed over the car. After the Airtrain trip, I soon arrived at the International Terminal and after a quick re-pack to accommodate the iPad, I wondered over to the check-in area. Being 14:40, it was closed and there was a small queue developing. I did try to do OLCI the4 night before but there must have been a problem or planned work going on as it could find my booking and advised to check-in at the airport. A couple of hours and a couple of G&T's later it all worked and I manages SEQ48 and retained 19K.
The check-in opened and although there was a couple in front of me, I was directed to another desk before the Y queue was started. Now, as I was officially on a through-ticket to AMS, I had to make sure my bag was only checked as far as LHR. This was done with what I can best described as a 'Roger Moore raised eyebrow' look. No matter though and it was done, but not before I double-checked the baggage stub. Usual questions about Clubhouse location and one invite later I was away. Why they issue the invites I'm not sure, but I would have thought a correct boarding card or a AU card along with a passport check would be all that was needed.
First into the CH but rather than a cocktail, my first goal was a shower. Cubicle 1 was ready but after a few minutes, it became clear I was starting to paddle. Yes, the main drain was blocked and it was overflowing into the main area where luckily the other drain coped. I had nothing on the floor, but I did end up using every towel to get somewhere dry to stand. I mentioned this to the reception and they went off to resolve it ready for the next user.
Feeling clean, drink and food was needed. I wasn't too hungry so went for the smoked salmon and avocado salad. Good portion of salmon and the avocado was nicely ripe. A cold dry martini helped it along nicely. A bit later I went for the tune Nicosia and it was delicious. Nicely cooked so it was still pink inside and very moist. Cheesecake finished it all off along with a pot of tea which SFO do very well.
As has been mentioned before, the Wi-Fi was still playing up. The sfo-vir SSID was fine when I arrived, but as the CH filled up, it became unusable. You can see the free SFO-WiFi but when you connect, you get allocated an IP address of 169.xxx which most likely means the access point is not connected to the network. There is also a AWG-WiFi that uses the same AmEx Ads-for-Access system and that worked perfectly. I've passed my unscientific findings to VS, but it looks like the Wi-Fi was badly installed and doesn't take into account the SFO free Wi-Fi of there is interference.
As usual I didn't wait for the boarding call so I could avoid the security delays. Saying my goodbyes (still miss Claire) they told me they had cleared the blocked drain with some Mr Muscle type stuff. As predicted, security was quiet but still slow. One thing they do now have is a place to drain your water bottle, take it through security then refill it on the far side. A great idea and one that should be extended. Shoes off, liquids out, laptop out, iPad can stay in and I'm at the Joe 90 'BIG RAT' scanner. There must have been something showing as I received a pat down, but only in the specific area identified by the scan. Water bottle filled and off to the far end of the terminal. On going down the escalator, I could see boarding had just started and there were 2 jetways in use.
Greeted by name at L1 and directed to my seat (not that I needed it
) Had bealy put my bag down and I was offered a glass of Champagne, which I accepted so as not to appear rude. Bag stowed and a quick change into my own PJ's ready for the off. Pushed back pretty quick and the flying time would be about 10 hours. Looking at the suite, it looked in very good condition, almost as if it had just had a deep clean. No crumbs or red marks.A combination of JitB and Clubhouse meant I wasn't too hungry so just went for the lobster tail salad and the cheesecake. Passed on the cheese plate as the Wisconsin Blue (green) just turns my stomach. A spot of V-Port to finish Battle: Los Angeles and a few Simpsons, I was ready for bed. Made my suite up and apart from a bit of turbulence requiring the fasten seatbelt sign to be illuminated, I slept for about 6 hours which really surprised me. Breakfast was taken at the bar with copious amounts of juice and the full english. Delicious.
Approach was straight down the M4 corridor and I had a lovely view across Somerset and Dorset and the skies stayed clear all the way to Heathrow. Landed just before half 1 so unlike my May trip, there would be no Revivals for me. Baggage was out quickly too and soon outside. Having used the Purple Parking Meet and Greet service I went to the waiting area to, well, wait. And wait, and wait. I'd called as I left the gate area but still had to wait a good 20 minutes for the car to reappear. Great concept but they do need to improve the speed of return.
Another very enjoyable flight with attentive, engaging crew. 10/10.
Thanks
Darren
Darren
. It is a lovely town, there are some great restaurants, and it won't surprise you to know that the average income there is like gazillions higher than the US average, apparently there's a house for sale up the hill for $45m!
