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#824795 by buns
23 Sep 2012, 13:02
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Well the subtitle of this TR is " Where's Jack? more later :D

After a fabulous weekend in Miami in the company of Nottingham Nick and his family it was time to wend our way back to Blighty and courtesy of our travelling companions, we were at the Airport Terminal in good time

Check In was still quiet so we were processed in no time at all and no problems with getting a proper boarding pass this time ): y) y) As with Orlando and New York, being in Upper, your bags are entrusted to a Porter - I am never fathomed out why this is and what this achieves, but I am sure VS have thoroughly vetted these fellows beforehand :w

After Check In you just turn around and take the escalator up to the TSA Security; there is a separate line for Upper Class (I did not notice anything for BA??) and in keeping with our Arrival experience, there must have been personality makeover in MIA as all the TSA peeps were pleasantness personified

A substantial trek got us to the landing where the escalators go down to the Departure Lounge is but you bear off to the right to go to the Club America Lounge As reported by others before there are two sides to this Lounge and we were directed to the right hand side which is assigned to "Business Class" passengers.

The place was virtually deserted (and remained so for the entire time) and Mrs Buns and I were able to find a spot with easy access to power up our Apple devices (as much as I was tempted this time round there were no new ones ): ) Once settled, I made my way to the self serve bar, where horror of horrors not only was there no Tanquerry for Mrs Buns, there was no Jack Daniels :0 :0 It would seem that the Lounge has substituted the premium name brands for second tier brands - I suppose the view must be once you have added a mixer who would know??

A pleasant time was passed checking up on Facebook, BBC News and other windows on the World we have all become used to courtesy of the Interweb (and a good wifi connection!!) During this time sandwiches were brought out (no announcement) and the VS Ground Agent brought UK papers from the incoming flight for passengers if they were so inclined. When the boarding announcement was made, Mrs Buns and i retired to do our ablutions before making our way to the Gate

That would seem to have been a good call as we get to to the Departure Gate just as they had finished the Pre-Boarding The Gate Agent checking my Boarding Pass wished me "Have a pleasant flight Mr Buns" and we made our way onto the Jetway where upon boarding I was greeted by the FSM who welcomed me back by name before directing me to me seat y) y)

Back on Tinker Belle (the same aircraft we had come out on) the suite was in good repair with headsets and the new amenity kits already laid out - very quickly we were offered a welcome drink and we were to have an FSM working as Senior for the Cabin. I was already getting good vibes about this flight

Being a fairly light load (but not as far as Upper and PE were concerned) we were able to push back early and it was not too long before we were up in the air. The Cabin Crew immediately swung into action and it was obvious there had been a comprehensive briefing beforehand - not only were Mrs Buns and myself addressed by name by every crew member on every occasion, when I ordered a Jack Daniels the crew member was able to tell me that they had been used on the outbound (I ever find out who the blighter(s) was...... )

I should point out that this treatment was not the exclusive privilege of Mrs Buns and myself, other Golds were addressed by name and every passenger in the Cabin was looked after as much as they needed.

Both Mrs Buns again opted for the beef and once again we both found this to be tender and flavoursome - no need to ask, as much as there seemed to be some good wines we reverted to our usual ploy of continuing with our pre dinner drinks which were refilled without a problem As a slight aside, why is it that VS do not use Virgin Wines on board?? As a customer I have found these wines to be unsung gems on many occasion :? :?

Anyway after the meal service, my pre-ordered Duty Free was delivered and I went to the Bar and had a chat with the FSM, not only congratulating her on the excellent service but also discussing the pros and cons of the 330 and other aspects of the VS Service. Throughout she was professional and during this time there was a passenger from economy who was receiving some medial assistance from the crew and I was so impressed with how the FSM managed the situation, I resigned myself to despatching a Heroes Nomination to Crawley Towers on my return (which I have subsequently done y) )

After a spot of reading the SundayTime I had previously downloaded onto my I Pad (why is it that VS no longer carry the Times ?| ) I fell asleep in the reclined position only to be woken a few hours later to the smell of breakfast ;) As soon as I stirred, a CC was there to ask if I had changed my mind about not having breakfast - I just asked for orange juice and coffee before pulling myself together for landing

The ETA for landing slipped back as we approached a very busy Heathrow and were held in a stack just South of London (pity I didn't have a parachute to hand ): ) Landed ahead of schedule but once again we were held on the tarmac awaiting a Gate to become free

Now my only rant: Why is it that when a Gate has just come free,it still takes an age for a jetway to be attached to an incoming aircraft?? Far longer than it takes in the States - it simply does not make sense. As we arrived at the far end of Terminal 3 it was a massive trek to Immigration, which was not too bad, even tough for the first time in ages the Immigration Officer actually conversed with me!!

We were one of the first to get to the Baggage Carousel as I had figured it would be 6 whereupon we were accosted by fellow V Flyer "Tinkerbelle" who had also just arrived at Heathrow - what a small world :D :D

Through Customs we got to an absolutely packed Revivals where it was standing room only :0 as a result of 5 flights arriving at the same time We eventually got a table and settled down to a hearty breakfast before getting in the car and driving back home via, yet again, a trouble free M25

In conclusion, one of the best return flights that I have encountered in a long time. Impressive crew which just smoothed over any deficiencies there may have been (and I am still out to get the blighter(s) who woofed down the Jack on the outbound ): ) so much so that I cannot wait for my next VS flight

Thanks for reading

buns
#824800 by buns
23 Sep 2012, 13:13
Sealink wrote:Great TR! Would you say that Virgin Atlantic are "back"?


Thanks y)

Based on that flight and the entire crew experience (as they were all good) I would say a resounding "Yes"

buns
#824801 by joeyc
23 Sep 2012, 13:21
buns wrote: As with Orlando and New York, being in Upper, your bags are entrusted to a Porter - I am never fathomed out why this is and what this achieves..

This allows UC pax (and AU) to skip the queues to get your bag scanned by the TSA - sometimes they can be pretty lengthy waits.
buns wrote: there was no Jack Daniels :0 :0
Leave!! Leave now and don't look back :P and I most certainly could tell.. unless of course I was hammered already ):
buns wrote: (and I am still out to get the blighter(s) who woofed down the Jack on the outbound ): )

Just have got to say that it wasn't me.... I can prove that I was firmly in the UK at the time - enjoying the Jack supply of London ):

Thanks for the TR buns y) y) , sounds like an amazing flight and VS are on the comeback.. Let's hope this translates and is passed to the rest of the fleet's crews..

Cheers for posting 8D
#824812 by virginboy747
23 Sep 2012, 14:42
Great tr!

On the subject of the time taken to connect the airbridge I have noted that in the states there is an airbridge operator on the airbridge who gets a thumbs up from someone down on the apron once the chocks are in place. They then attach the airbridge.
In the UK the turnaround coordinator puts the chocks in place then has to make their way up to the airbridge to then attach it to the aircraft.
Don't know why but obviously different procedures in different countries with the tco being responsible for the whole process in the uk which means it takes longer to get the airbridge attached.
#824877 by pjh
23 Sep 2012, 20:59
Great TRs both ways, thanks...

buns wrote:After a fabulous weekend in Miami


Oh, envy is not a positive emotion... :D
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