This is a Trip Report from the Premium Economy cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
First written whilst still in the US
First written on an I Pad
And the other, well you will just have to read on
For many V Flyers, it is a known fact that Mrs Buns and I thoroughly enjoy Florida (and before anyone says it, with us both still working, it is not our intention to buy...... Right now
) and so this may seem as a repeat of so many of my former TRS, but some folks here seem to insist I write themAnyway, back to the prologue, the need for our spring break had prompted buying some K Class PE seats back in January, so we knew the chance of using miles to upgrade was virtually nil. As the flight day approached, the seat map become fuller and fuller and it did seem as though it would be a pretty full flight
As is our usual routine, Mr. Tristar arrived promptly at 8 am and we were on our way to the airport in no time - a little hold up through the roadworks on the M23 ( not helped by a minor prang which caused everyone to stop and stare) meant we pulled into Gatwick just after 8:30 and top marks to the driver who dropped us off at the upper level so all we had to do was walk into the airport
Upper and Premium Check in are now back into their old position opposite the main bank of check in desks in Zone A and we were seen immediately. My poor attempts at OLCI the previous day had been no use as an emergency at work prevented my checking in at T -24 and it was only until the evening that I did check in. However, I asked if Row 75 was available and hey presto it was!! After checking in, we went up the escalator, through and empty premier security area and after remaining on that level we were in the Clubhouse within 10 minutes of getting out of the car ANOTHER FIRST
Now I have always been a firm supporter of the team at the Gatwick Clubhouse and is visit was no exception. Although tinged with a little sadness as one of the true stalwarts of the place will be retiring next month and this wil be the last time we will met them
there is a really good customer service ethos amongst the team thereWarmly greeted by the team there who all remembered us from our last visit exactly 3 months beforehand, we were ensconced in the dining area (having of course booked our treatments
) having some fizz by 9am 
The Clubhouse became increasingly busier and after breakfast we retreated to the business area where the chairs are comfortable and you are out of major view of others. The only notable in there this day was a prominent Union Leader. We managed to have a chat with our good friend who will be retiring and remarked on how the place has changed over the years, yet the staff who work there still go out of their way to make everyone comfortable according to their needs.
Mrs Buns now opts for the Rejuvenating Hand & Arm treatment which is a paid treatment, but she looks upon this as her treat. This time round we found that that there is no longer a discount for the paid treatments, but she went ahead anyhow - being a cheapskate, I just had the manicure. Both treatments were top notch and the therapists were very engaging and professional
Anyway, after fizz for Mrs B and Redheads for me ( both served whilst we were having treatments
) it was time to bid farewell to the team there -I canot speak highly enou of the levels of customer service you get there 
A short sprint (well we did leave it to last call, meaning we had been in the Clubhouse for three and a half hours
) to Gate 19 where Pretty Woman awaited us. We were able to go straight to the jetway after our tickets were checked and picked up a free Daily Mail on the way (if nothing else it has many pictures and seeing as there were no Hello Mags it was the best on offer) and joined the queue to board the plane greeted at the door (but not by name) we quickly climbed the stairs and made our way to the exit row. We were both expecting we would be the last there, yet there still seemed to be quite a few seats still unoccupied. This was something the crew were equally surprised to see as I and within 5 minutes the doors were being shut with some 8 PE seats not taken It was a little disconcerting that the FSM also was surprised to see the seats empty, but I am sure if she had been concerned, we would not be making our wy to the runway.Swift taxi and take off and the service started pretty smartish
. Now I know there has been much debate on here about the possible new configuration for the Gatwick fleet but even with the current set up , it remains my preference was it is a unique space for PE and will be a great shame if this exclusive space is lost.Now I have only marked the crew as "Good", don't get me wrong, it is not that they did not do enough, it was simply that the service came across as clinical. A good thing was the way in which the dinner service started at each end of the cabin and this really did speed up the service. At one point in time, the FSM did come round and do a drinks round, but at no time was there any recognition of our Au Status
I will not bore you all with the menus as they are the ones posted here already; the beef was fine, the dessert far better than the previous Gu offerings and as always, the coffee dire
I did not bother with the IFE, the range of films did not appeal and I did have my trusty I Pad with me
As had been expected, this was a quick 8 hour flight, and the lady captain ( who by the way achieved 15,000 flying hours during the journey) was up to usual VS chatty standards by giving us all a running commentary on how we were beating a Lufthansa plane so we could get to Immigration first
Yes, sure enough we did land first, but with 3 VS jumbos in front of us, it was horror of horrors when I encounter yet another FIRST. Because Immigration was so busy WE WERE KEPT ON THE PLANE FOR AN HOUR
When Mrs Buns had come at Christmas we had to wait an hour to get through Immigration and it was the same again, meaning that by the time we were getting to the front of the queue the Lufthansa passengers were starting to come through.
It is clear that MCO has a major issue with so many International flits arriving at the same time and this is exacerbated by not all the Immigration booths being manned
I did hear the couple behind us in the queue say that they would go to Tampa the next time and I am inclined to agree if this is going to become the normAnyway, it was 8pm before we were waiting for our shuttle to the airport hotel - I have great pity for those with young ones with them (and there was a fair few I can tell you) and for those who would be going on to queue for the car hire as it was no doubt be an age before they were able to get to their final destination.
Thanks for reading - I promise to do these a speedy in the futur
buns
When we landed last week we came in at the same time as the VS MAN flight and it took us 30-45 mins to get through - to have 3 VS in front 
)
