Anyone recently flown to MCO?

I would appreciate feedback from any flyers who have recently returned from MCO about the present situation regarding immigration.
How long does it take to get processed etc.. and are there normally long queues?
I have another question and that is to do with the Visa Waiver forms (white?) and Custom declaration forms (green) which are filled in on the plane before landing - are these available before boarding so that they can be filled in before take off but handed to a FA when required?

Rgds.

Neil

My last visit was in March this year, so I don't know what the current situation's like, but it wasn't too bad back then (see trip report - here)

quote:I have another question and that is to do with the Visa Waiver forms (white?) and Custom declaration forms (green)

T'other way round - the VWP form is green, and the Customs form is white

quote:are these available before boarding so that they can be filled in before take off but handed to a FA when required?

In my experience, they're handed to you at check-in, and there are more on board if you make a mistake. However, you don't hand them in on board! You will be going through immigration and customs at MCO, the nice immigration man will stamp your passport & both forms, remove the larger part of the VWP form and staple the departure part to your passport. The nice customs man will take the customs form

Cheers

Michael

Michael,

Thanks for putting me straight on a few things[:I].
What class did you fly?
I hear on the LGW 744 row 11 & 12 are UC seats but used for PE with PE service. There is also mixed feedback wrt service comfort, I think I would prefer the PE upper deck which is where we are booked.

Rgds,

Neil

quote:Thanks for putting me straight on a few things[:I].

No problem - we're all here to help each other out

quote:What class did you fly?

PE

quote:I hear on the LGW 744 row 11 & 12 are UC seats but used for PE with PE service.

Yeah, that's correct - or at least, rows 11 & 12 are UC seats and *can* be used for PE service. Although this is usually the case, I have a feeling that it can be changed based on operational decisions.

quote:There is also mixed feedback wrt service comfort, I think I would prefer the PE upper deck which is where we are booked.

Can you expand on "service comfort" please? Do you mean the comfort of the seats, or the cabin service level?

IMHO, the upper deck PE is really nice, because it feels more "exclusive" - I remember the first time I flew PE it was LGW>MCO and it felt like a private club, but these days, give me an UC seat anywhere on the plane and I'll take it

Cheers

Michael

Hi Michael,

The info I gleaned from reading the seat reviews I understand there to be mixed feedback depending upon which seat is allocated to you from an ambience perspective (for some seats, not all, curtain not closed properly, proximity to loos etc and proximity to areas of people traffic), I understand the level FA service and the comfort of actual seats to be V good though.
But hey, I agree I'll try an UC seat anyday!:D

Regards,

[HighFlyer]

quote:The nice customs man

Really? LOL Cant say ive me many of those! hehe

Hi Highflyer,

Just seen your pics of PE posted from 21 Sep:). How do rate PE on the upper deck?
I fly with Mrs & 3.5 year old to MCO next Tuesday on VS015 seated in row 74 (A,C &H). How do you rate these seats?
How was your experience?

Cheers.

[HighFlyer]

Hi Neil

Just replied to this in the other thread, but if you have any further questions feel free to ask. I always fly PE (excepr for the rare upgrade or miles expenditure to UC) and im slowly converting all of my friends to it too

[RichardMannion]

I flew to MCO earlier this month, immigration wasn't too bad (but then I was one of the first off the plane), they did open more desks to deal with the incoming passengers.

Good idea to have your greena nd white cards filled in before hand, there were a few that had not, yet were still stood in the queue.

Luggage retreival was a bit of a pain. But it has normally been okay.

Rows 11 and 12 are not used for Upper Class on this route, they are counted in the PE seat allocation but they will tend to be given to people that have mobility access (as the upper deck is via the stairs) or Gold's. They cannot be pre-booked in advance, but can be allocated at check-in at the airport.

Thanks,
Richard

Hi Neil

quote:Originally posted by neilh123
I fly with Mrs & 3.5 year old to MCO next Tuesday on VS015 seated in row 74 (A,C &H). How do you rate these seats?
Cheers.

I flew in March in row 76. Observations on your seats would be:

No one behind you so you should be able to recline without affecting anyone else. The crew seats are directly behind but it doesn't look like they affect the recline too much.

You're far enough away from the loos so that people won't be standing near you waiting for the loo (and the loos are more than adequate for the cabin so there's almost never a queue). People are unlikey to "stretch their legs" by your seat as well - they make for the space behind your seat in front of row 75 or stand up by the section opposite row 80 where the newspapers are and where juice and water are left on most flights. (Please note these coments relate to the current configuration of the LGW 747s - I understand from other posts that there are plans to do something either with the loos, crew seat positions or both in order to accommodate another row of seats during the re-fits)

With so few seats upstairs it does have a good feel to the cabin and the service is good with a dedicated FA.

I did have a peek at 11 & 12 and they are undoubtably better seats (e.g. more leg room, wider, etc) . However the area had a more claustrophobic feel about it, economy directly behind, felt like a corridor rather than a room (ok weak analogy but hope you get the overall drift). I think Alan A might have flown in both (he has picutes on the site showing row 11 or 12) so might have a more informed view. Personally, I'd take the seats in the bubble

Regards

Pat

Neil

quote:The info I gleaned from reading the seat reviews...

Ah ok, I getcha there - only sat in 12H before, was pretty good (I add the comments to the seat ratings page). Would still prefer those Recaro seats anyway

HighFlyer:

quote:Really? LOL Cant say ive me many of those! hehe

Yeah, I figured - my quotes were quite Tongue-In-Cheek
Though, I've not had a problem yet with customs

Cheers

Michael

As you are travelling in Premium Economy you will be amongst the first passengers to disembark. Therefore the lines at Immigration will not be too long.

Make sure all of your forms are fully completed with no crossing out or writing on the incorrect line otherwise you will be sent to the back of the queue to fill in a new form. [}:)]

The most frustrating part of Orlando Airport is the double bag drop. You collect your luggage before clearing customs and then have to give it back! You then take a monorail to the main terminal building and collect your luggage again!! [V]

Yes, thanks for reminding me, the double bag drop![:(]
Glad to hear lines at immigration will low as a result of being first off - I presume with UC passengers?

Cheers!:D