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#877049 by Petmadness
01 Jul 2014, 19:49
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
* photos to follow *

So after a completely epic two week RV tour of the NW USA it was time for our return journey to LHR. As we rented our RV in SFO and dropped off in Ferndale,WA we chose to fly home from YVR, which our renters gave us a free transfer to. Now, I have no financial gain or interest in the firm but will say that I have a contact at El Monte RV rentals and she does a great deal and sorts us out perfectly everytime..PM me for details.

Anyway, to the VS part I hear you cry! Here goes....

I managed to upgrade Mrs P to UC around 2 weeks prior to travel for the inbound leg and then, whilst we are in the US, a G appeared on Tues 17th, so I contact UK FC and, after some workings out, I was told it was all sorted & upgrade done? Marvellous
As we were staying in State or National Parks we had no contact with civilisation until 6 days later when I find out I have no ticket and my original ticket has disappeared. Something fishy! So once again I contact UK FC and, after investigation, I am told that the additional tax was not taken by the original agent. So I happily pay the tax and am once again told that everything is in order.
Couldn't get access to internet at T-24 so tried to complete OLCI but was given the message to check in at the airport.....Trouble again then?

As we arrived at YVR at 1pm we stowed our luggage and caught the sky train for a last minute shop in the Pacific Center & Robson St followed by a little lunch in Yaletown. A great way to spend a few hours prior to a 8pm flight :-)

We returned to the airport where Mrs P checked in & I had to see cashier who then told me I had to pay the tax as it hadn't been paid.....REALLY!! Apparently the FC agent put notes into my booking but failed to take payment even though she took my card details v( !! Sorted and now in the Plaza lounge (which is fairly quiet) with a glass of Pinot Gris :-)

Check-in agents were all friendly, polite and chatty and we were asked if we wanted to voluntarily downgrade?!?! Mmmmm what do you reckon?
Called to the gate around 45 mins to departure with no evidence of priority boarding until the agent who was involved in my check-in saw me and called us to the front immediately for boarding - I thought this was brilliant service.

Awesome service from the start. Welcomed on board African Queen by name at the door by UC CSM, CC introduced herself and was superb from the off. FSM came around to hand out the menus and was polite with a 'sir' but no name check which would have been just the icing on the cake. Our CC came back to take our meal and drink orders and graced us with a Mr&Mrs P greeting & acknowledgement of AG status prior to completing her task...hey FSM, that's how you do it!! oo) oo) ^) ^)

As we are sat in 8&9K we hear quite a lot of what the CC are saying and I hear them discussing certain pax preferences for drinks and even the best way to communicate with a partially deaf pax - so great to see the pax being at forefront of everything the CC did on this flight. y) y)

Our seats were in good condition, my tray table was scuffed a little but that's just wear & tear.
I chose tomato & leek soup & beef tenderloin for starter/main. Tabled laid, bread offered and accepted (as was a refill for wine, and soup served and devoured - very nice). Named throughout the service which makes a difference. The beef was very tender, served on a bed of mash with carrots & broccoli - all in all another tick in the box...cheese & port next (no room for dessert after a big lunch!)
This was served QuickTime by our CC as she knew I was keen to sleep. Once again this was great, port downed in true Joey C fashion :w and it was time for sleep :#

Prior to going to sleep I asked both the UC CSM and our CC if I could name them in my trip report as I would be delighted to commend them personally. Both Anthony (CSM) & Helen were very happy for this to happen and were extremely happy that I had taken the time to pass some positive feedback to them. Anthony was familiar with V-Flyer and was keen for the TR to be posted as he was concerned about some reports that he had recently read. We also discussed the new VS boss, amenity kits and consistent service levels - a real genuine VS Staff member wanting to make a difference!! A note to Crawley Towers will follow this TR y) y) y)

Woke up with the announcement of 40 minutes to landing so went off to get changed, freshen up and batten down for landing. Landed 15 minutes early, thanked the CC again, off the plane after informing the FSM how great his CC were, got to the first internal door at Heathrow and it was locked. Rapidly 200+ pax were lining up and after a 10 minute wait we were free. This also happened at the next door but this was rectified in seconds and we were on our way, through customs and with bags within 15 minutes.

So in summary, this was a fantastic flight with awesome CC, service was fabulous and a delight to experience. Thank you Virgin oo) oo) oo)

(Have marked entertainment as average as it was the old system)
#877053 by buns
01 Jul 2014, 20:31
Thanks for a fabulous return TR y) y)

Whilst the true splendour of the wilderness in NW USA is something I would love to see, the thought of Mrs B going anywhere near a RV........... Never mind the absence of IT makes a beautiful rest ;)

Well done on getting the upgrades and good job too if they were looking downgrades :0

Yet again super crew and if VS can keep this up then they can match the best

Thanks once again

buns
#877058 by hazban
01 Jul 2014, 20:58
Thanks for the informative report, I have been on the lookout for one on this route as I am on the flight to Vancouver on Sunday (back on Thursday !).
Good to read there was plenty of Port to accompany the cheese, had a few disappointments with the bottle running out. Any advice on guaranteeing a full glass?
You seem to have had a great holiday, no doubt the next is in the planning stage?
#877059 by Petmadness
01 Jul 2014, 21:07
hazban wrote:Thanks for the informative report, I have been on the lookout for one on this route as I am on the flight to Vancouver on Sunday (back on Thursday !).
Good to read there was plenty of Port to accompany the cheese, had a few disappointments with the bottle running out. Any advice on guaranteeing a full glass?
You seem to have had a great holiday, no doubt the next is in the planning stage?


Ha ha Hazban...you know me too well already! The next one is definitely already being planned y) y) As for the port, in fact anything on from our CC, there was no hinting required because they we straight there as the glass was emptying!
#877070 by honey lamb
01 Jul 2014, 22:34
I've down the YVR-LHR route twice and the LHR-YVR one once and they have all been excellent flights. Perhaps it is the smaller UC cabin that helps (although one of the worst flights was on an A343 ex-DXB - it was awful!)

I am a big fan of the Pacific North West. I have frequently travelled from SF to Fortuna and Eureka and some of my most pleasant stays have been in the Benbow Inn in Garberville and the Little River Inn just south of Mendocino. And of course, Seattle and its environs and the San Juan Islands as well as Vancouver Island have been big hits with me.
#877073 by Bretty
01 Jul 2014, 22:45
Another great TR PM, and so wonderful to read of such fantastic and friendly service from great people. I know that the CCs main job is pax safety, but great service from people who obviously enjoy their job is what makes for a great customer experience. I'm pleased everything was top notch.

I have fond memories of Vancouver, a city I love much and hope to go back to one day. But I have many more places to see first!
#877080 by MrsBear99
02 Jul 2014, 07:43
Fab TR - thanks so much for posting. An on form VS crew is something wonderful to behold and makes the world of difference. As has been said many times before, if only VS could nail the consistency, they could see off any competition...

If you still have my contact details, pls send me the details of the RV company - that is one trip that is def on my bucket list as is revisiting Vancouver - loved it when we visited in 2000.

Cheers,
MrsB
#877085 by pjh
02 Jul 2014, 10:04
Thanks for the TR, and looking forward to the photo update.

In the absence of a Seattle route, Vancouver is on the list to try.

honey lamb wrote:I am a big fan of the Pacific North West. I have frequently travelled from SF to Fortuna and Eureka and some of my most pleasant stays have been in the Benbow Inn in Garberville and the Little River Inn just south of Mendocino.


Though we have only done the road trip from San Francisco up to Seattle the once, y) and +1 to HL.

buns wrote:
Whilst the true splendour of the wilderness in NW USA is something I would love to see, the thought of Mrs B going anywhere near a RV.


Rest assured you can get quite a lot of wilderness in a Mustang with comfortable lodging for the evenings. :)
#877174 by Petmadness
03 Jul 2014, 19:11
MrsBear99 wrote:Fab TR - thanks so much for posting. An on form VS crew is something wonderful to behold and makes the world of difference. As has been said many times before, if only VS could nail the consistency, they could see off any competition...

If you still have my contact details, pls send me the details of the RV company - that is one trip that is def on my bucket list as is revisiting Vancouver - loved it when we visited in 2000.

Cheers,
MrsB


Email sent y) y)
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