Prior to leaving London we had contacted FC and paid 90 and 10k miles to upgrade my partners Q economy fare to a U, so we would both be in PE. We were told that we would be sent a new e-ticket for it. This never arrived but we assumed it wouldnt be a problem (guess whats coming!)
We left the Telegraph Hill apartment at 10am and took a cab to the Embarcadero BART. I find this offers better value ($5.15 to SFO airport) than shuttles ($12ish each) plus you dont have to worry about it taking up time picking other passengers up.
Thus, we arrived at SFO ludicrously early. I always prefer to get their before check-in opens normally we fly in Y and I am very fussy about getting exit row seats. So, we sat around for a long time and watched the staff set up check-in.
(I believe) SFO check-in is supposed to open at 1230 but have always known it to be a little late. We were the first passengers in the PE line, with one couple behind us. We had a chat with them; they had spent a week in Lake Tahoe and also had issues with rain. They mentioned that they had tried to check-in online but got to the last page only to get an error message. This didnt surprise me given all the issues with the web-site (we were unable to provide API online before leaving London, which is ironic, as, when you ring FC and press the option to provide API, it tells you to do so on the website). I suggested to the couple that they ask for seats in row 70.
If you read my TR on our outgoing leg, you may recall I was less than impressed with check-in. I have to say that Ive never had good experiences with the VS SFO check-in staff. Today was no exception.
I handed over our e-ticket printouts (i.e my K and my partners old Q one). I pointed out that we had not been sent a new e-ticket for her U fare and also requested two seats in row 70. The surly agent stated that we needed to pay a change fee of $87.40. I pointed out that we had already paid 90+10k miles with FC in England.
I cant check you in without you paying it was the blunt reply. Very customer focussed.
We then had a discussion which resulted in an impasse I felt that we shouldnt be paying anything further, the agent wouldnt check us in without it. I was annoyed because I felt they should simply have phoned UK FC to sort the matter out.
Anyway, there seemed no further point in arguing. So I suggested that I paid (on Virgin MC of course!) the fee and we took the matter up with FC on our return.
Concerned that this delay (for sorting out the payment, etc.) would mean we missed out on exit row seats, I asked the lady if she would check us in in the meantime. She refused my partner in, but checked me into 70C. I asked her to block 70A in the meantime which she did, although rather grudgingly.
$87.40 and 15 minutes later and we were checked in. Her colleague (supervisor, possibly) who handled the card payment was blunt to the point of being rude. There was no apology for the payment issue; indeed the onus seemed to be on us for making the error. Still, at least we had seats in row 70!
On previous visits to San Francisco (when we have been able to check in in a more timely manner) we have then taken the BART back downtown for lunch/last minute shopping, then BART-ing back up to SFO in time to board.
However, we decided that, as it was now around 1.05pm, wed just sit it out in the airport.
Had some food, spend some last minute $s in the SFMOMA store and eventually made our way to the gate.
It always amuses me how, at boarding gates in airports, people stand round, boarding cards in hands, like a sprinter on the blocks, waiting for boarding to start. Youve got your seat, the planes not going anywhere calm down!
Pre-boarding was called, then shortly after UC /PE/FC Gold.
We made our way up to the Upper Deck. I hadnt realised before, but the overhead lockers dont seem to be that spacious (i.e. in relation to the lower deck), although this may be my imagination.
I had a small-ish rucksack and my partner a small holdall. This, with one coat, took up all the room for row 70/71 on that side.
We sat down only for THE most annoying couple to board behind us (i.e 71 A/C). Firstly they took a look at the overhead compartment, turned to us and said Are these yours?
Yes, we replied.
But theres no room for our bags, they continued. A fair point, but not one I could do anything about for them.
The passengers on the other side of row 70 (the couple we had spoken to at check-in) pointed out that it wouldnt be a problem, the crew would find space for them at the back of the cabin.
But, rather than asking one of the FAs, the husband decides to arrogantly walk to the front of the cabin (i.e the divider between PE and UC) and slam their bags down there and storming back to his seat.
Thus began an immense session of moaning from both of them. From what I gathered, they were an American couple and I got the impression they had booked PE assuming it was a business class product.
I cant sit here, theres not enough room..
Its like being sat in a prison..
This is awful..
Blah blah blah and on and on. The air-con was too cold, the seat wasnt big enough, the seat-pitch wasnt sufficient, the storage to their left wasnt good enough, you get the idea.
I was very, very close to turning round and providing them with a verbal volley of my thoughts but instead sat back and tried to see the amusing side of it all.
The FAs were fantastic, they kept their cool even when the couple started moaning about V-Port (I cant read that!, I just dont understand it!, WHEREs Prison Break?, etc.)
Although it has been said before, I do agree that the PE seat is not comfortable. Hopefully the new seat will address this. For me, the main issue is the lack of comfort in the head/neck area. However, we both liked the leg/foot rests. Row 70, being an exit row, affords much more leg room, however I dont think the seat pitch is that great in the other seats.
The flight seemed to go by relatively quickly. The crew who dealt with us were superb the service was ten times better then the outbound leg in UC which is ironic.
My main vegan meal (some kind of rice/veg slop) was horrible, thankfully I had extra food with me that we had procured from WholeFoods.
I whiled away a few hours watching programmes on V-Port but didnt manage to get any sleep.
Apparently Joan Collins was on the flight, I think she was in UC on the lower deck.
The weird thing is, when I got back and checked by Virgin MC statement online, FC had never charged us the 90 fee. So it looks like, by paying the $87.40, weve ended up paying less somehow. Strange, but it negates the need for me to write a complaint letter!
So, in summary, a great crew, food wasnt good but Y vegan options never are, upper deck was nice and quiet (annoying couple aside), seat wasnt comfortable but beats Y!
Thanks
Andy
That turbulence was fun though eh!
