Ian,
I use the verb "lure" exactly as defined by the dictionary..." to tempt to do something or to go somewhere.'' I was indeed tempted by the VS promise that AU members can bring a guest into the CHs. Though the EWR CH is not the nicest, it is still better, by far, than waiting at the gate. We are Americans who relocated to London 7 years ago, leaving behind our families and friends with whom we are very close. This means frequent LHR-EWR return flights. I make one or two more trips a year than does my husband and usually fly at least PE because of joint problems, hence my reaching AU and not my husband. Five flights per year on PE renews AU but three or four in economy does not get my husband to AU. (He may this year because of some other travel, including a flight to Sydney.) So, as you can see, it is important to me to be able to bring my husband into the CH as a guest and a primary reason for me to remain at AU. Sure, I do use the CH when flying alone, but that is only 1 or 2 times out of 5.
I appreciate that there are times when the CH may be at capacity, but I believe the airlines have enough information on hand to predict and plan accordingly. We have made the exact same flight out of EWR at least 15 times, all at holiday times, and this had never happened before. There were times when the CH was bordering on being uncomfortable. Once we couldn't sit together and once where the queue for the buffet was very long. My guess is that the staff/manager would rather turn guests away than have people complain about the service.
Wouldn't you agree that a better way to manage over-crowded conditions would be to plan for it rather than "deal" with it when it happens?
BTW, I am really enjoying reading all of your comments. I didn't realise what I was starting here!
Fran
I use the verb "lure" exactly as defined by the dictionary..." to tempt to do something or to go somewhere.'' I was indeed tempted by the VS promise that AU members can bring a guest into the CHs. Though the EWR CH is not the nicest, it is still better, by far, than waiting at the gate. We are Americans who relocated to London 7 years ago, leaving behind our families and friends with whom we are very close. This means frequent LHR-EWR return flights. I make one or two more trips a year than does my husband and usually fly at least PE because of joint problems, hence my reaching AU and not my husband. Five flights per year on PE renews AU but three or four in economy does not get my husband to AU. (He may this year because of some other travel, including a flight to Sydney.) So, as you can see, it is important to me to be able to bring my husband into the CH as a guest and a primary reason for me to remain at AU. Sure, I do use the CH when flying alone, but that is only 1 or 2 times out of 5.
I appreciate that there are times when the CH may be at capacity, but I believe the airlines have enough information on hand to predict and plan accordingly. We have made the exact same flight out of EWR at least 15 times, all at holiday times, and this had never happened before. There were times when the CH was bordering on being uncomfortable. Once we couldn't sit together and once where the queue for the buffet was very long. My guess is that the staff/manager would rather turn guests away than have people complain about the service.
Wouldn't you agree that a better way to manage over-crowded conditions would be to plan for it rather than "deal" with it when it happens?
BTW, I am really enjoying reading all of your comments. I didn't realise what I was starting here!
Fran
