Snooze Packs I eat my words

[Scrooge]

Now has anyone asked for a kit from Y yet?

Also im half thinking about bidding on a kit then sending it to SRB as a christmas present....oh hang on,why dont we start collecting say the socks from the UC kit's,send them to Steve with a note saying these stink as much as your UC kit?

I agree with some earlier posters that the packaging is the main issue. I didn't have any quarrel with what was _in_ the pack I was given, it was more the fact that the packaging looked worse than what I would have got in Economy. A tatty little cardboard wallet is truly awful. Put it in a nice wallet, which I'm going to be inclined to keep and reuse, and most of the problem would be solved, I think. It contains useful things but it must be made to look as if I've been treated according to the class I'm travelling in.

I'm not sure I'd advocate a return to the big OB packs. I used to leave them behind most of the time precisely because they were too big to carry off the plane easily withou repacking my carry-on. A small, almost pocket-sized wallet would be so much more useful.

Chris

Why don't we organise a boycott of the new UC packs and ask for one from Y?[:?]

VS.

Originally posted by VS045
Why don't we organise a boycott of the new UC packs and ask for one from Y?[:?]

VS.

I'm sure we Y types would be more than happy to let you have ours (less the pen, of course) for a small financial consideration.

Paul

Originally posted by fozzyo
[:0][?][:0]
I'm speechless.

Please, somebody tell me that the crew don't have the embarrasment (/ humiliation) of giving out a clear plastic bag like that to passengers paying £1,000's for tickets. The Y kit is so much better!

That is just appauling, I'd seen photos of the envelope before but that has really shocked me. I can't believe that Virgin managed to get it so completely and utterly wrong!!

They have got to rectify that, and soon!

I thought I was being a bit hard on the kits, but I agree, they look incredibly cheap and nasty. You're right, the Y kit is *SO* much better ( and the good quality bag doubles up as a great beach bag! )

How *anyone* in Virgin thought that this was good enough for their top level of passengers I don't know.

I think Virgin need to rethink this, and other upcoming 'improvements' quickly. If they want to give the impression of being an unprofessional, non-customer focussed airline run by accountants looking to cut corners all the time, they're going the right way about it.

David.

Originally posted by ade99
The ebay pack two is a bonus one - it comes with a toothbrush already.

If they want a quick fix then while the rest of the crew are busy preping the cabin why can't the IFBT when she does the rounds do so with a little basket of things and instead of an envelope you have a little paper carry bag that you can take your things from the basket and then feel all posh and UC!!!

That would be all well and good IF you are flying from LHR [:?]

I agree for the most part but I am struggling with the waste side.

I do think the packaging needs radical improvement to a non disposable more envirmonmetally friendly form. That is more pleasing to the eys and looks like more than a £1's worth of contents.

Question Are the Eye shades better quality than than the Y ones?

Why oh why can't they include a pen and some mints.

I still dont think this would bring it up to other airlines standards but it might be a start.

I agree that the OB kits were bulky. I like the little kits from ages ago they had a zip all the way round and a little pocket in the lid, is this the Vie kit?

How about when the crew give out the kits they ask 'do you want this or wouldyou rather just have the essentials?'

I clearly see the issues with pick and Mix and pre oredering, the logistics would be a nightmare and not achieve the money saving VS are after.

Isit possible for VS to put this out to tender with paprameters and see who comes back with what at the lowest price?

They are advertising the Gu product at the moment isnt thisawy for companies to push their products to the right market in the right environment. I think there would be plenty of companies willing to do this It might take a bit of effort and a few phone calls but wouldn't that be a good idea?

While I am at it I was looking ont he VS website and have to ask why was Carlos removed after it won an award? (I liked it)

After our flight last month we posted a feedback on their website. We got a letter today from SRB office:

"I am sorry you were not happy with the new style of amenity kit in our Upper Class Cabin.

Before introducing any changes to our amenity kit, we did carry out extensive research into those products that our passengers felt were most important to them. Whilst many passengers felt that socks, eyeshades and ear plugs were essential comfort items, general feedback indicated that the other items were of less importance.

Therefore, it was decided to offer passengers the option of selecting those items that they required. In this way, we can offer a more personal service and reduce the amount of wastage.

As I am sure you will appreciate, it is important that expenditure on complimentary items is used to best effect. For example, one area that we have been encouraged to develop further is our Clubhouse and as you know, our new Clubhouse now offers the very best in pre-flight relaxation and facilities.

I would like to assure you that we are carefully monitoring all feedback and your valued comments will of course be passed to our Product Design team for their information. Please be assured that changes will be made should we find that demand dictates this.

In closing, I would like to thank you for taking the time to contact us. I trust that all other aspects of your flight were as enjoyable as you would expect and that we will have the pleasure of welcoming you back on board with us again soon."

[:?][:?][:?]

[Scrooge]

Ok maybe im missing something here,was the Y bag's contents reduced as well? or has it be reduced in the past? Im just thinking that if VS wanted to save $$$$ wouldn't it make more sense for them to reduce the offering to the Y/W pax rather than the J pax just on the basis that they give out more.

BTW,I am not saying they should do that,I am firmly in the mind set that this is a stupid idea implemented by a stupid person.

Originally posted by jetwet1
Ok maybe im missing something here,was the Y bag's contents reduced as well? or has it be reduced in the past?

I don't think so. Might have lost the earplugs ? I tend only to extract the pen and forget about the rest, unless it's the useful beach bag configuration as opposed to the pencil case type.

Is it still one of the differentiators between VS Economy and other offerings ?

Paul

[Scrooge]

I guess my point is that VS045 is right,anyway you look at it the Y pack is better,if VS is still offering the same crap in DEC then I will be asking for one from Y.

[fozzyo]

Originally posted by jetwet1
I guess my point is that VS045 is right,anyway you look at it the Y pack is better,if VS is still offering the same crap in DEC then I will be asking for one from Y.

Thats what I'll be doing on our UC return from JFK in October. Also our first time in the Snooze Zone, will be interesting to see how the slightly bigger bed feels.

Originally posted by ade99

As I am sure you will appreciate, it is important that expenditure on complimentary items is used to best effect. For example, one area that we have been encouraged to develop further is our Clubhouse and as you know, our new Clubhouse now offers the very best in pre-flight relaxation and facilities.

Argh!!!!!!!! [:(!]

So it's now coming out in official communication : We're not an airline, we're a hotel / lounge / private members club. Justifying service degradation for all by improving the Heathrow Clubhouse for a few seems rather off to me.

And I thought my spoof press release earlier in this thread was too unbelievable, it seems it's closer to the truth than I first thought!

Of course, the reply received assumes that you're a business traveller and that every airport you fly to/from has a Clubhouse. If you're not one of those people, then improvements to the Clubhouse do nothing for you, but changes in the air mean everything.

David.

Originally posted by ade99

"Before introducing any changes to our amenity kit, we did carry out extensive research into those products that our passengers felt were most important to them. Whilst many passengers felt that socks, eyeshades and ear plugs were essential comfort items, general feedback indicated that the other items were of less importance.

Therefore, it was decided to offer passengers the option of selecting those items that they required. In this way, we can offer a more personal service and reduce the amount of wastage.


I would like to assure you that we are carefully monitoring all feedback and your valued comments will of course be passed to our Product Design team for their information. Please be assured that changes will be made should we find that demand dictates this."

Urgh, that world famous VS Spin.[:$]
Did they ask the participants in their "extensive" research whether a good alternative to the current kit would be a plastic shrink-wrap bag containing socks and eye shades and that toothbrushes would be placed in a plastic cup in the lav. I am sure that would have won a raptuous applause.

After extensive research of my own, I have been able to find the VS design team, perhaps we could give them a round of applause.

[preiffer]

How about EVERYONE that travels in J from now on asks for a Y amenity kit?

a) It's surely get the message through loud and clear.

b) You'll get a better kit in the process [y]

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by VS045
Why don't we organise a boycott of the new UC packs and ask for one from Y?[:?]

VS.

Great idea Paul,Mr Original thinking

It is official, the chimps (bean counters) are in charge of the private members club (lounge). Arrrgh, it's a virtual airline ... the only thing provided is ..... err what?

Still, I am a fan of non-waste but seriously, plastic toothbrushes in a mug in the lavvy .... 'oh and yes sir your J class ticket will be £5,500 ... oh no [}:)]

It is official, the chimps (bean counters) are in charge of the private members club (lounge). Arrrgh, it's a virtual airline ... the only thing provided is ..... err what?

Still, I am a fan of non-waste but seriously, plastic toothbrushes in a mug in the lavvy .... 'oh and yes sir your J class ticket will be £5,500 ... oh no

Maybe we're being a bit unreasonable, I mean, come on - a toothbrush for a few grand[}:)]

VS.

Originally posted by VS045

It is official, the chimps (bean counters) are in charge of the private members club (lounge). Arrrgh, it's a virtual airline ... the only thing provided is ..... err what?

Still, I am a fan of non-waste but seriously, plastic toothbrushes in a mug in the lavvy .... 'oh and yes sir your J class ticket will be £5,500 ... oh no

Maybe we're being a bit unreasonable, I mean, come on - a toothbrush for a few grand[}:)]

VS.

to get your monys worth you could swipe the mug aswell[:o)]

Originally posted by ade99

As I am sure you will appreciate, it is important that expenditure on complimentary items is used to best effect. For example, one area that we have been encouraged to develop further is our Clubhouse and as you know, our new Clubhouse now offers the very best in pre-flight relaxation and facilities.

I would like to assure you that we are carefully monitoring all feedback and your valued comments will of course be passed to our Product Design team for their information. Please be assured that changes will be made should we find that demand dictates this.

What made me laugh was the 'complimentary items, suggesting to me that the clubhouse is a 'complimentary item' so what else when you pay your 5K for an upper ticket is complimentary???

As for the 'should we find demand' comment I would encourage anyone who has done an upper flight recently to leave feedback on their website and maybe VS Product Design team will start to see a trend.....

Originally posted by preiffer
How about EVERYONE that travels in J from now on asks for a Y amenity kit?

a) It's surely get the message through loud and clear.

b) You'll get a better kit in the process [y]

Okay, I'm going to be brave and ask for a Y kit during my UC flight in August[y] Either that or give the cabin crew a big look of disgust!

Anyone else feeling brave?

VS43 today still has the old kits, I assume Gatwick has still not run out of them.

Originally posted by MrsG

Originally posted by preiffer
How about EVERYONE that travels in J from now on asks for a Y amenity kit?

a) It's surely get the message through loud and clear.

b) You'll get a better kit in the process [y]

Okay, I'm going to be brave and ask for a Y kit during my UC flight in August[y] Either that or give the cabin crew a big look of disgust!

Anyone else feeling brave?

Out to India next week, I think I'll say "I hear the economy kits are better, please may I have one of those" with a wink and a laugh

Other than the crew on v-flyer, do most FAs realise that pax are unhappy?

VS.

[honey lamb]

Yes! Aer John waxed lyrical in his contempt of them on our HKG-SYD leg last night. The IFBT admitted she was embarrassed handing them out and said it was being revamped. There were no toothbrushes in the loo, however and I had to ask for one. How many didn't know to ask?

Incidentally, the packs were behind the water bottle on the first leg. Obviously no-one wanted to be seen giving them out. [}:)]

Oh, and on our SQ flight in First we were offered an eye mask and slippers only although there was an amenity kit drawer in the loo. However it was only a 3 hour day flight