This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Set off for the airport with my 72 cans of Diet Mountain Dew distributed between my bags and arrived before Check In opened with a colleague who had decided to take advantage of the Lounge with me (and possibly a miles upgrade from W). As soon as Check In opened we were in the queue and checking in. My details were entered and the Check In person started making phone calls to see how to process a 'Commercial Upgrade'. Basically I had intended using a miles upgrade on the way back so had booked an S but watching availability on ExpertFlyer I'd panicked on Wednesday when availability dropped to 2 J so I'd called and booked a Flying Co upgrade. Under the new March 1st rules this can be booked only a couple of days before travel and is no longer issued as a Voucher but as an annotation on your PNR.
She decided that it was likely a 'GI' code but thanks to Lipstick I was able to explain that it was a GV. Out popped my UC Boarding pass for 11K. My colleague then asked for a miles upgrade but was told that none were available - I'd bagged the last J.
We made our way to security via the obligatory charity collector at the bottom of the escalator and feeling benevolent I dropped some dosh in. Security was a breeze - karma anyone? No shoes off and no insistence from TSA. Walked up to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge and was handed a VS menu with the explanation that someone would be by to take our order shortly. Colleague and I bagged a seat by the window and studied the menu. I went for the cheese steak sandwich and colleague (being vegetarian) went for a Curry Vegetarian Samosa. Grabbed Molsons from the Fridge and settled in.
Time passed and we decided to go for a stroll to take in the limited airport facilities. Picked up some nice wines - more than intended as the nice assistant explained that I'd get a discount if I bought 3. With the conference souvenir bottle in my luggage this brought me to 3 litres - 1 litre over Duty Free Allowance. That would have been it but as I paid some watches under the counter screamed 'Mrs D' at me. She'd been mentioning a need for a new watch for a while and the fetching Coach watch seemed to fit the bill. This was ordered and we went on to browse the remaining stores. Nothing stood out so I returned to the lounge whilst colleague continued shopping. The lounge was pretty full by this time so I grabbed the last remaining seat pair and awaited colleagues return. When he did return he was able to point out a well known (he said) actor who would be flying UC. For the remaining 30 minutes we watched a harassed red outfitted VS rep try and persuade people to move seats to attempt to accommodate the sort of person who says Ive paid X for my seat and I expect to have a seat in the lounge. Yes they have and it is not an unreasonable expectation but it still sounds lame.
The flight was called and the VS Rep led us down to gate 24A the priority queue. As we waited two armed officers escorted a gentleman to the door between 24 and 24A. They seemed to be there to ensure he got on the plane. This was either a VIP or a deportation and as he wasnt in the lounge the latter seems a firm favourite. The queue for the plane reached all the way up the air-bridge to Indian Princess (so v:port both ways) so it was a few minutes before we were on board and I was able to bid farewell to my colleague and get to my seat.
All of the space over my seat was already taken so I redistributed my stuff around and settled in. Usual routine with the IFBT confirming that manicures were back on the menu! We took off quickly and as we rose to cruising height there were a couple of bright flashes outside my window. As we leveled off the captain came on to announce in a broad Scottish brogue that we may have noticed a couple of lightening strikes on takeoff but that we were completely unaffected and would be making rapid time of 930 to London. He offered to personally reassure any passengers who were worried by this (the strikes not the rapid transit) and sure enough he did come by later and pass through the cabin.
The FSM then did the obligatory safety announcements in a distinctly male voice rendered confusing by subsequently spotting a tall female black shirted FA. This was explained when the FSM dropped by and seating himself on my ottoman called me by name and asked for my opinions on the flight so far. It seemed he was training and so was acting up. I welcomed the personal touch and he explained that it was recommended that they try and chat to some pax.
The food was the beef salad and saut_ed chicken menu and was pleasant enough. The CSS wholeheartedly concurred with my choice of the Shiraz and the port with the cheese was tasty. After that, some Batman Begins and some quality bar time before settling down to sleep. Managed to skip breakfast and awaken 10 minutes before lockdown and shucked my sleep suit in favour of my jeans and rugby shirt. The IFBT dropped by with a priority card and the female FSM announced that the acting FSM had completed his first ever trip as an FSM and requested a round of applause happily delivered!
Landing was without incident and we were even on stand albeit the furthest one in T3. Immigration was backed up but at least they didnt complain about the VS stickers on the back of the passport. Youll recall that the last couple of times immigration have complained about carriers having the temerity to sticker their passports even going to the extreme of trying to rip them off. Im quite fond of my VS stickers so I have super-glued them back on.
Turned up at the belt and my bags were amongst the first off priority handling done well! As I mentioned earlier I was a litre of wine over the limit so I headed off through the red channel. I approached the officer who asked me what I wished to declare. A litre of wine I replied. Off you go he said. The perfect end to a near perfect trip! I love it when a trip is this good so I made sure that I dropped Customer Relations a pure praise e-mail as Im quick enough to complain!
No flying now for another 2 weeks how will I survive?
