Does the CH need a 'VIP' area

Ok I wasn't being cagey deliberatly I just thought it might not be allowed, it was Madonna and Lourdes. However Naomi Cambell was also around...

[Darren Wheeler]

Originally posted by jimbob247
However Naomi Cambell was also around...

Dear god!!! One has to make do now BA refuse to carry her. Just waiting for the FSM to inform here they have lost a bag.

On my last flight to New York, I was asked to vacate the sky lounge, or whatever it's called, because it was being roped up for important people. It's a pity - it's a nice place to relax. They roped it off, but nobody turned up in the two or so hours I was there, so I guess they were too important even to show up

I guess with VS, Upper Class is actually divided into mere gold-card holding riff-raff, with probably-compped celebs being held in true esteem

Originally posted by jimbob247
Ok I wasn't being cagey deliberatly I just thought it might not be allowed, it was Madonna and Lourdes. However Naomi Cambell was also around...

Yeap, she's an A-Lister in my opinion and she is very protective of her children. I still disagree about the kids sections being roped off.

Was Naomi Campbell in the roped off section [ii]or using the 'Do you know who I am' line[V] to get in or was she sulking around attempting to keep a low profile?

She was just walking with another 'lady' through the restaurant bit. Maybe about to have a full english?

Originally posted by jimbob247
She was just walking with another 'lady' through the restaurant bit. Maybe about to have a full english?

Must have been told to be on her best behaviour, otherwise she wouldn't be allowed to play with the other kids.[:o)]

[Darren Wheeler]

Originally posted by jimbob247
She was just walking with another 'lady' through the restaurant bit. Maybe about to have a full english?

Full english what though? [}:)]

Perhaps the real reason she is so a b*&%h is that she is always hungry!!!

Madonna flies Virgin Atlantic??? mcnaugha <-- faints

Holy cow. I would have died. I knew she flew BA First sometimes. Part of her 'trust me I'm trying to be greener' thing despite owning a jet.

I think it was only right she had a roped off area because otherwise she probably would be approached repeatedly by those who dared. I don't think I could have resisted, being a member of her official fan club.

I hope she goes back stateside the next time I'm in the CH. What I wouldn't give to be on the same flight. Maybe she would have bought up the entire front section of the upper deck for additional privacy.

She'll be heading over for the album launch promo tour preparation. Nice to know she took Lola with her.

Originally posted by willd

Originally posted by McMaddog
If they are real VIP's they will have their own airplane and fly into Luton just like Roman does.

You'd think a helicopter would be a better way of getting from London to Portsmouth than taking a 767!

Originally posted by mcnaugha
Madonna flies Virgin Atlantic??? mcnaugha <-- faints

Holy cow. I would have died. I knew she flew BA First sometimes. Part of her 'trust me I'm trying to be greener' thing despite owning a jet.

I think it was only right she had a roped off area because otherwise she probably would be approached repeatedly by those who dared. I don't think I could have resisted, being a member of her official fan club.

What I object to is that not only are they getting super special treatment unlike everyone else (who've also paid for their tickets), but we're also having our faces rubbed in it by having all this special treatment right in front of our noses. If they're so bloody important, then as another poster has said, they can rent out a special area from BAA. Otherwise, put up and shut up.

I was surprised to find myself sharing a first class carriage on the Gatwick Express with Dame Judy Dench. She certainly wasn't so up herself that she had her own carriage. Far from it in fact.

H

[RichardMannion]

Ahh yes, the fabulous Dame Judi Dench. I have had the pleasure of being in a VS CH the same time as her, and she is a different class. Absolutely wonderful, so down to Earth. Was quite happy to sit with the other pax in the facility, and wasn't wanting any special attention at all.

I think in reality, most pax using the CH facilities couldn't give a toss about any celeb/zeleb in the CH - the lounges aren't exactly a free for all via Priority Pass.

At least I haven't seen an absolute -n_ zelebrity from any reality TV show yet in a VS CH or shared facility. They tend to fly in Y or PE and then throw a strop because they can't use the bar in UC. I know Decker had to sit next to one of them on a BMI flight to Scotland a few years back - how he managed I'll never know. I would have had to be cruel and humiliating.

Originally posted by Gill Smith
Oh god this really gets my back up. So if I turn up with my two boys and find the childrens area being used by a VIP and closed to the likes of me (who have paid over £7000 for my flights) would I have a cause to complain?

I will be there in August with my two children, and I will do more than complain if they can't play in the play area. I will let both of them (ages 4 and 2) stand by the ropes and crying as loudly as possible, 'But Daddy, why can't we play in the children's area?'. I wouldn't normally wish my children to cry, but under the circumstances...

Like Gill, I paid good money to make the trip easier while flying with my family. I hope this doesn't happen to us.

She probably paid for the special treatment or VS may be sponsoring her next tour or something.

I don't believe anyone that says she would have been left alone. She was with her daughter and deserved privacy. If you could understand what it is like to be her then you'd understand the need for such measures. I would propose that there was no alternative available in T3. Madonna can afford anything and isn't going to get any kind of ego-boost from having a roped off section in the CH. Let's get a grip.

Those that were unhappy can write to customer services for compo.

Originally posted by mcnaugha

I don't believe anyone that says she would have been left alone. She was with her daughter and deserved privacy. If you could understand what it is like to be her then you'd understand the need for such measures. I would propose that there was no alternative available in T3.

There is another alternative:

1. she hires out a room from BAA
or
2. She arrives by car at the a/c steps and walks on.

That way she will manage to get some privacy.

I have a friend with a very famous father and know too well that it can often bring unwanted attention, having said that the vast majority of people are way too shy to come up and have a conversation with him, its more just a little smile when they realise who he is. You can be that famous and be left alone especially when you have a million heavies as im sure Madonna does.

I thought you said it was someone famous, not a washed up singer?? [:o)][:o)][}:)]

Originally posted by AlanA
I thought you said it was someone famous, not a washed up singer?? [:o)][:o)][}:)]

What does washed up mean to you? To me it would mean someone who is no longer successful.

Who has the current UK number one in the singles chart (on downloads alone I might add)? Her 13th UK number one. The album, coming out next Monday, is also likely to go to number one. The single and album are also looking like going to number one in the US too.

Washed-up just doesn't seem right. It would be funny if it was even remotely true.

Originally posted by willd
There is another alternative:

1. she hires out a room from BAA
or
2. She arrives by car at the a/c steps and walks on.

That way she will manage to get some privacy.

I have a friend with a very famous father and know too well that it can often bring unwanted attention, having said that the vast majority of people are way too shy to come up and have a conversation with him, its more just a little smile when they realise who he is. You can be that famous and be left alone especially when you have a million heavies as im sure Madonna does.

So:

1.) It's beyond the realms of possibility that nothing else was available on Sunday???

2.) That this may have been an assistant's doing. Madonna herself probably didn't have any involvement in the arrangements.

I don't think there are many, if any, that can compare to Madonna's fame status. Whether people like it or not. I wish people would break the mould of being stereotypical business class passengers. It's a commercial airline. Commercial being the operative word. Premium Business is as high as Virgin gets. You want better, then pay for it. Rent your own kids area. Rent/buy your own jet. Claim compo if you think you're entitled. I personally don't think lack of access to the kids area really counts as loss of service level - I'm sure it's not guaranteed in the T&Cs, but that's for customer service to decide not me.

Blimey, treading on a raw nerve time!

Anyway, I think a point is it's reasonable for someone who may be mobbed to have a bit of space and privacy. After all if it happened on board the CC would intervene. What's unreasonable is that fare paying customers are denied facilities by said person.

Originally posted by willd
2. She arrives by car at the a/c steps and walks on.

Good point. When on my way back on the A380 last month SIN-LHR, I shared a buggy with a couple also in R to the gate from the lounge. I still have no clue who they were, possibly some Bollywood types, but they had a car waiting for them at the steps of the aircraft back at Heathrow.

I was very surprised Madonna would ever be seen in the CH. She may be getting on a bit, as am I, but I wouldn't object to sharing the hot tub with her. I might even lend her my water wings.

H

Originally posted by mcnaugha
I don't believe anyone that says she would have been left alone. She was with her daughter and deserved privacy. If you could understand what it is like to be her then you'd understand the need for such measures.

That I agree with.

Those that were unhappy can write to customer services for compo.

But that I do not agree with. Why should other paying pax suffer an inferior service because someone else needs privacy?

It's a shame the Sky Lounge isn't a little larger. That would be perfect for privacy without unduly affecting other pax (it's always empty whenever I go up there).

Originally posted by mcnaugha
So:

1.) It's beyond the realms of possibility that nothing else was available on Sunday???

Maybe but then again as you pointed out Madonna is a massive personality so am sure that even if everything was fully booked she could have had a few strings pulled.

2.) That this may have been an assistant's doing. Madonna herself probably didn't have any involvement in the arrangements.

Maybe but then again if she didnt want any attention she would have told the assistant this.

I don't think there are many, if any, that can compare to Madonna's fame status.

I think my friends dad is on a par with Madonna but I do not wish to comment on who he is/brag so will keep that to myself.

It's a commercial airline. Commercial being the operative word. Premium Business is as high as Virgin gets.

I would imagine that Madonna did not pay to have her own VIP area. She most probably did not pay for her ticket either.

I personally don't think lack of access to the kids area really counts as loss of service level - I'm sure it's not guaranteed in the T&Cs, but that's for customer service to decide not me.

Thats a matter of personal opinion. I am sure if I had a 3 year old with me I would be pretty annoyed. Of course its not in the T&C's but then again nor is 'the kids play area could be out of bounds for Madonna'.

I do not have a problem with Madonna and did not mean to step on your toes. In my original reply I was merely trying to point out that there were other alternatives that Madonna could have used. For such a massive celebrity I am still shocked that she used the CH.

My personally opinion on the matter is that if VS wanted a VIP room then they should have incorporated into the current CH layout. They could have done this o so easily.

[honey lamb]

Well if there's anything guaranteed to get you noticed it's requisitioning the sky lounge or the children's play area for yourself. There are many nooks and crannies in the Clubhouse where you can sit discreetly and not be noticed by all and sundry

Maybe this was all Sir Richard's doing. He's done some sort of deal with her and in return she's agreed to make a fuss by roping off the kids play area. I wouldn't put certain sponsorship activities beyond her. If VS turns out to be a sponsor of her upcoming tour then we'll have our answer.

On a par with Madonna... would this friend also happen to be friends with Madonna with a name beginning in S and ending in a? Sir Paul is the only man I can think of that is on a par with Madonna. Well I suppose he's above her if there was such a ratings scheme.

Both LHR and LGW have V.I.P suites, LHR also has the royal suite, There is a V.I.P suite in T1 LHR and I believe a second suite was added to T5 LHR. The suites were originally paid for directly by the taxpayer, but this changed on the 1st of April 2008 when the lounges were handed over to the control of BAA, so in the future the 'Z' and not quite 'A' listers could purchase admission to the ultra private suites. some 'A' lister have used the Royal Suite in the past the most notable recent arrival being Kyleigh. I do believe that the Royal Suite remains in the control of the U.K Government.

As for any form of celeb in a mainstream airport lounge I believe that yes they may deserve areas of the lounge being roped off to allow them some privacy if required but by no means should they rope off a facility or area of the lounge that would mean other users are not denied any part of the facilities or services on offer.

In my opinion the Clubhouse could easily facilitate any celeb in the old smokers section of the glass gallery behind the bar, If toy's or other items are required then I am sure that V/S could provide them on request within this area.

One nominated member of the Clubhouse staff should be on hand to assist the celeb whilst using the facility but the rest of the staff should continue serving the wider population of the Clubhouse.

Jerseyboy

Get a grip people.Passengers are passengers (except they aren't).This nonsense HAS to stop . I pay lots of (my own ) money to travel. I am soooooo fed up of this sycophantic c--p. I HAVE complained in the CH (with good reason if you follow previous threads). What was the outcome - nothing (and all I was requesting was that passengers were treated equitably. Fat chance). I do not care if you are 'famous' (or even 'infamous') . Not interested. At all. Get it ?? I have been accused many times of being tasteless, yes. But a fan (of either old haridan)? NO, I think not. On a par? With what?? What do any of them actually do??? Please enlighten me and enrich my dull life.
The world has gone mad.