Interesting Flight home from MCO

Hi,

We flew home in PE on Wednesday from MCO to LGW. Interesting flight. As we were pushed back, we could see another Virgin plane (I believe one bound for Manchester), was surrounded by fire trucks with their lights blazing. Didn't hear the reason for what was going on.

Crew on the flight were great. There were at least 4 infants in PE (us included). One woman, sitting at the bulkhead in the middle however threw the biggest tantrum of all though. Was constantly mouthing off at the crew because she didn't get the 2x seats at the side with a window. We were asked (but in no way encouraged) to swap with them, but we politely declined. I can't say for sure, and maybe I'm being overly sensitive, but I got the feeling she somehow thought we "stole" her seats. Nonsense as we had booked these seats as soon as we booked - last Oct/Nov.

Argh. Other than that, was a good flight. First time in PE, and while its no UC, was pleasantly surprised.

I would have talked in an overly loud fashion about how lovely the view was from the window, and how wonderful the seats were to make sure i antagonised her even more.

It was G-VLIP Hot Lips, I was on the return flight VS74. We were told the pilot of the inbound flight reported a high temp on the brakes when landing. The was only a minor delay in the departure of about 30 mins on the return flight but due to strong tail wind we arrived ahead of schedule in MAN.

[buns]

Crew on the flight were great. There were at least 4 infants in PE (us included). One woman, sitting at the bulkhead in the middle however threw the biggest tantrum of all though. Was constantly mouthing off at the crew because she didn't get the 2x seats at the side with a window. We were asked (but in no way encouraged) to swap with them, but we politely declined. I can't say for sure, and maybe I'm being overly sensitive, but I got the feeling she somehow thought we "stole" her seats. Nonsense as we had booked these seats as soon as we booked - last Oct/Nov.

This shows the danger of pinning your hopes on a particular seat or row (for example the "Dibbers Row" on the upper deck). Things happen and you have to have a frame of mind that can accepts that changes or circumstances can occur and that in themselves does not make it a bad flight.

Sites like V Flyer can help planning, but cannot cover all eventualities - including the winning Lottery numbers

buns

Quite a few years ago when the upper deck was all PE, we had selected the back two seats on reservation no one else had reserved any seats. On checking in with the correct seats still allocated the agents gave us new boarding passes, when I asked for a reason she just shrugged her shoulders and said we could not now have them. They put us right at the front by the toilets. I am the half of the relationship that would have made an issue and stood my ground but hubby just said thanks and went, we've got seats what more do you want.

I did complain all the way back as it was horrendous, no sleep and people queuing for the loos. Never again.

Yeah, I can see your point.

One of her complaints was wanting a seat back screen, not one that pulls out. #WTF !

So that's what was happening, I was sat in 12A (UC) and the crew were not impressed with a group in PE.

As for the Manchester flight there was an issue with overheating brakes which turned out to be a sensor problem, got a photo of the aircraft surrounded by the emergency vehicles, I'll upload it if I can remember how

-Steve

On a similar note I had a guy give me intimidating looks after I declined a request to move seats on a LGW 747 in UC. He wanted to be opposite his girlfriend rather than her in the seat next to him

On a similar note I had a guy give me intimidating looks after I declined a request to move seats on a LGW 747 in UC. He wanted to be opposite his girlfriend rather than her in the seat next to him

I've had looks and snide comments throughout a flight home from MCO in the past. My crime was refusing to move from 9K to 12A so the old guy in 12A could sit next to his wife - the friend I was travelling with was in 10K.

The icing on the cake was when the old guy did not get his first choice beef meal either - we both got beef due to FC status. Payback was sweet - two beef main courses eaten slowly and as visibly as possible

LOL!

I'm fairly sure it's those that don't fly regularly get the arse if someone doesn't move so they can sit where they want especially if they see someone travelling alone. On my outbound to BGI a week or so ago the FSM asked if I was travelling with anyone and if I'd move (to accommodate a couple upgraded from PE on boarding) -and I said no. I wasn't swapping 1K on an A330 for a middle seat near the back

That's cheeky of the FSM to ask in those circumstances.

And the general rule of thumb is not to move to a worse seat than the one you have.

We were asked once if f we would move from the two rearmost seats on the old all pe bubble (vs76).

Apparently a chap had a bad back and needed the extra recline. We declined pointing out all seats declined the same. I did ask which seats were on offer and then eyeballed the culprit. He seemed able to heave a clearly heavy cabin bag okay!

Truth be told - he just wanted our seats. Truth be told - he didn't get them.

That's cheeky of the FSM to ask in those circumstances.

And the general rule of thumb is not to move to a worse seat than the one you have.

Yep however I forgave him as he let me bring my Mum to the bar who was on the same flight back in row 50 for a drink when it was quiet

[mitchja]

The only time I've played musical chairs was on a flight to SFO a few years ago. Originally booked in the nose section of a 744, was asked to move as a couple had been split up (one in nose section, other in the main cabin). As their seat was a window seat, I wasn't particularly bothered so I happily swapped, only to find after take-off that the IFE in my new seat was broken.

The person sat next to me (who I had not noticed until just then, but it was actually Steve Ridgway; VS's old CEO) was happy for me to swap with his wife who was already sat in the nose section, so I finally ended up back in the nose section sat next to my original seat!!

It really was frustrating the way she was getting on. There were crocodile tears at one stage also. What an absolute 'see you next tuesday'.

Also at one stage she got up and made a big fuss over the toddler in the row in front about how good she was etc etc (as if in some way this would p!$$ us off, or make us jealous). Turns out the toddler wasn't that good a few hours later!

Arghhh. Very annoying

[honey lamb]

Ah yes! The old game of musical chairs! I remember a former mod who was also AU being requested to move for a zeleb but refusing. Quite right too!.

I was once paged in the LHR CH and was asked if I could move from my seat in the B zone of a 747 (I had booked late enough that the A zone was unavailable) The reason? So a family could sit together. Fair enough? A seat next to the toilets. Sorry, no. OK, how about 12K and with a rider that the first alternative seats had a toddler across the aisle. OK, so I'm a mum and understand the difficulties of travelling with toddlers (especially as Aer John screamed his way down a rapid descent on a flight into MAN at the age of 4) but I was particularly stressed prior to this trip following the demise of two close family members within ten days so I grabbed 12K - and as I found out, although 12A/K are touted as perfect for couples, it wasn't too bad for a single traveller.

As a single traveller, I am frequently asked to change. On BA in CW I was asked to change my seat so that a lady could be near her mum and I felt all kinds of a heel for refusing but I had paid in advance for the seat and was reluctant to do change.

Similarly, on an Emirates flight from DXB to DUR an elderly Muslim woman seated next to me asked if I would change my previously selected seat so that her husband could sit next to her. I initially refused both her and the cabin crew but then good old Catholic guilt took a hold and in any case, they were not going to be drinking alcohol and (quelle surprise!) I was. I didn't want to be offensive to her and it turned out they were both sweethearts when it came to me agreeing to move, even to delivering my carry-on bag to me on arrival, that I was glad I did.

Horses for courses!

I would have happily swapped by 5A in UC with a broken bed for a person in distress - no-one seemed interested.

That's cheeky of the FSM to ask in those circumstances.

And the general rule of thumb is not to move to a worse seat than the one you have.

I don't think it's cheeky for a member of cabin crew to ask politely; then it's up to you whether you say yes or no. No harm to ask in my opinion.

Having said that, I usually offer to move if I notice a family or couple split up. I'm happy to be anywhere in Upper!!

Easily pleased!

EC

I don't think it's cheeky for a member of cabin crew to ask politely; then it's up to you whether you say yes or no. No harm to ask in my opinion.

Agreed. If the crew have got a difficult passenger demanding to move to an already occupied seat, what's the harm in asking? They don't know whether it's your favourite seat that you requested months ago; for all they know you were allocated it at check-in and would rather be elsewhere too.

If you agree, problem solved. If not, they can go back to the difficult passenger, smile sweetly and tell them they tried their best but they're staying where they are.