V-Flyer

** I have decided to include some pics in this TR, think it has worked but I have no idea if they are the right size or anything so very sorry if they aren't but I have no idea how to change them**

So after many months of planning and with our Civil Partnership having gone way better than we ever expected on the previous Saturday, the time for our holiday was here.

Being the typical tight Northerner that I am, I had refused to pay the 175+ the hotels on the Bath Road wanted for 1 night and 10 days car parking so after many hours on the net I finally found a Premier Travel Inn only 10mins away and with an excellent discounted rate at Q Park, I got both for 128 (bargain!). So I picked Luke up from work at 2:30pm and after a quick gloat to all in his office we set off down south and after an excellent journey arrived at the hotel just after 6pm. We then made good use of our half price Pizza Hut voucher at said eatery across the road from the hotel, along with a couple of beers it was a most joyful start to our holiday.

Alarm was set for 6:15am, this was done so we could maximise our time in the CH as it was our first visit. Dropped the car off at Q Park just gone 6:30 and got on our free transfer bus to the terminal (no 8 each on the Hopper for us!). Dropped off right outside T3, and as it was our first visit since it has been redone I must say I was very impressed. Straight through the doors and over to the UC check in desks (no lovely lady in a red suit to welcome us through the doors like the promo vid said though ). Dealt with pretty much straight away by a lovely agent who confirmed our new seats of 12A&K, we had decided to grab these at OLCI stage, perfect when travelling as a couple and we both find the little shelf at the front of the suite very handy for our bits and bobs. We were given instructions on how to use the new security channel and directions for the CH.

The Security channel is again very impressive and it was a breeze, didn't even have to take the laptop out of my carry on, we walked straight past the shoe removal bit without so much of a look from anyone and into the main terminal. Stopped at WH Smiths to pick up a couple of papers and magazines (didn't think the CH would have The Sun or Heat) and then made our way up to the CH. I have to say the CH is very impressive, much larger than I expected too. Decided to have some breakfast straight away and sat down at a table. Full English for us both, with just OJ and Coffee for the time being. I must say that at this point I noticed how posh and smart most of the people (us excluded of course) looked and started to worry a little that we looked out of place, but I then remember LRoM is a frequent guest in the CH so not everyone who uses it is posh and well dressed.

We had both had an 8:30 shave treatment booked so made our way over for that. I went in first and had a lovely ex IFBT doing my treatment. She was extremely chatty and took great pleasure in letting me know which 'celebs' were in the CH that morning (David Furnish and Estelle), where they were sat, what they were wearing, which treatments they had had etc etc. Now I love a gossip as much as the next person but I have to say the shave I received was nothing short of rubbish. Yes I found out that she once had given David Beckham a manicure in flight but it didn't stop me from having a chin like scouring pad and the need to shave once we got to our hotel in San Fran.

Treatments over, we settled down in the bit behind the bar overlooking the gates, had a couple of glasses of champers and made use of the free wifi. The flight was called and we made our way out of the CH and down to gate 1, following one of the 'celebs' being escorted to the gate by one of the CH staff. The gate was very well organised with a separate UC line to have your passports/boarding cards checked and then also the new 2 jetway loading system was in place and we boarding through the L1 doorway.

Was met by the FSM and a lovely CC member and directed to our seats. First thing was to check and see if we were going to be unlucky and joined in the A section by any kids or worse babies, but thankfully luck was on our side and we were the youngest by a good 10 years. Drinks were finally offered, although because we were on separate sides, me A and Luke K, it needed the two different CC members looking after each side to give us a drink each. Amenity kit and menus were on the ottoman when we arrived at our suite and the basket of goodies was brought round not long after take off by the CSS. The suite was in good condition although I have to say it felt like it has lost some of the padding in the seat, something that could certainly do to be replaced as it did make is slightly uncomfortable in certain positions.

Push back was on time, flight time of 10hrs 35minds advised, taxied to the runway and then stopped. Typically, we had been positioned behind a BA 747 that our Captain took great pleasure in telling us had cocked up its load figures and they were having to recalculate them, so it was BA's fault we were delayed. Finally took off about 35mins late.

View whilst Taxing:
[img]http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp164/nhamlyn/DSC00880.jpg[/img]

The BA 747 that had help us up taking off:
[img]http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp164/nhamlyn/DSC00882.jpg[/img]

A short while in to the flight drinks/nibbles orders were taken and then food orders not long afterwards. The CC member looking after the A suites, whilst very professional made absolutely no attempt to interact with the pax at all, but to give her some credit everything I asked was done/delivered correctly and promptly. The CC looking after Luke and the K suites, was the total opposite, very friendly and chatty but it took 3 requests by him to get a laptop power adaptor and it was only when he asked the UC CSS did he get it and just in general the service he received wasn't as good as me. So whilst chatty and friendly is nice, I would say I received the more satisfactory service (something that was repeated on our return flight too).

The menu was as per the recent thread (yes the one with the weird Yorkshire Pudding thing) and as per Darren's recent TR on the same route. Luke has a terribly annoying habit of taking pictures of everything, including food, so I have included the pics the offerings.

I didn't fancy any of the starters so had one on the light bites which was quite nice:


we both had the pie, which was nice and tasty:
[img]http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp164/nhamlyn/DSC00898.jpg[/img]

The best was the 'desert of the day', a chocolate thing (cake type thing) with warm fudge dressing. This was my perfect desert and it was 'bloody lovely' as we say 'up North:
[img]http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp164/nhamlyn/DSC00899.jpg[/img]

The FSM was helping throughout the meal service, setting the tables, doing the water rounds and just in general he was very pro-active.

Watch a couple of episodes on the Royal Family whilst eating and then watched some of our own stuff we had on the laptop.

Me watching the laptop, and look I do smile (but only very occasionally):
[img]http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp164/nhamlyn/DSC00900.jpg[/img]

Whilst V-Port is very good, I was quite disappointed with the offerings, both film and TV wise, obviously it is down to personal choice but there really wasn't much that took my fancy. Decided that I should try and get some sleep so converted to a bed, with the FSM offering his assistance as soon as he saw me start. Probably managed about 30mins before I was tapped on the shoulder by my CC member and Luke and I were both handed a lovely box of chocolates with a note on. This was a lovely surprise organised by Dean and Mat and the message on one of them was very funny and made me LOL. Couldn't be bothered to try and sleep again so converted back again and then read my book for a bit.

Afternoon tea was then offered, with it being the selection of sandwiches as per the menu. Now I know I am a bit of a fussy eater but every one of the offerings had some sort of sauce/mayo on them, something I cannot stand. I asked about any alternatives but there was none as ever the PE/Y sandwiches were similar. Surely VS could do a more plain offering and have sauces as extras to be added as necessary. This is something that really gets my goat, it is the same with all pre packed sandwiches, I wish someone would understand that not every single human being likes Mayo-bloody-nnaise.....ok rant over. I was told there was a 'selection of cakes' instead, which upon further questioning, the selection turned out to be a scone as per the menu, some selection! It was very nice and Luke said the sandwiches and tea were good too (I don't drink hot drinks so can't comment on them either).

Luke's afternoon tea:
[img]http://i408.photobucket.com/albums/pp164/nhamlyn/DSC00902.jpg[/img]

Nothing else really happened on the flight of note, I went for another wander around the aircraft. The new PE section really doesn't look that appealing at all. The new seats look very good but just the size of the cabin now really is quite off putting, saying that it was packed as was Y. I could only last a couple of minutes in Y before I started having nightmares about 'young chav lad' from my MCO experience down the back in April and just catching site of anyone under 21 was enough to send me back to UC as quick as my little legs would take me. Safely back in UC I asked for a drink and made my way back to my suite to finish my book. Never sat at the bar, as every time I went past it was totally empty and not knowing the correct etiquette for plonking my self down and requesting a drink, I did the very reserved thing and just didn't bother.

Landing was pretty uneventful, about 15mins later than schedule and the Captain gave us a heads up just before landing that the BA flight was very close behind and we should therefore have a quick march to immigration to ensure we beat them. Thankfully it was dead when we arrived, although the 2 door disembarkation didn't happen, even though an airbridge was brought to the L1 door, and the CC member was told that we were using it, nothing happened. Eventually we were told to use the main door but they had already started to let the PE pax off at this point. Priority baggage was as rubbish as ever with loads of Y bags coming off before ours, so we made our way to the BART for a very cheap and easy ride in to SFO and a 5 min walk to our hotel.

Overall, a very good, nice flight, nothing special but certainly nothing bad and considering the amount we paid (used some miles too) it was excellent value for money, although had I paid the nearer 5k for the 2 tickets which was the price when we got our tickets, then I am not so sure I would have been of the same opinion. Saying that however I certainly won't be flying long haul (well apart from maybe NYC/BOS) in less than UC, it does make for a much more comfortable journey and does leave me a lot fresher at the other end.

Neil

Great TR! Thanks for posting!

GJ

PS -- Please maintain your freshness at 't' other end.' It's only good hygiene.

Neil

first and foremost, Congratulations on your Partnership[y]

Thanks for the informative and illustrative TR[y][y] What certainly comes across is your excitement in anticipating the hard earned UC travel from Heathrow and the Clubhouse. Pity the treatment left a little to be desired, but hopefully the drinks and general ambiance made up for that[;)]

As to the flight, I do sense you were left a little disappointed, albeit you have caught the awful UC bug[}:)]

Take care

buns

Originally posted by buns

As to the flight, I do sense you were left a little disappointed

Oh, dear buns, this is Neil at his most vociferously pleased! There's no disappointment here at all, aside from the usual drear adopted by any Humbertonian.

Why, the lad is practically skipping along with a grin and a whistle (and a fresh other end).

GJ

See, that wasn't too painful was it.

Nice shots of the taxiing. How did you bribe the crew to take them?

If the bar is empty and no-one there, the etiquette is simple - dig in and help yourself! [:D]

Thanks for the TR and piccies, although I'm still trying to make out what was in the thumbnail photo. I know you said it was from the Lite Bites section but was it really that small? [:w]

I'm glad you took the time to do the TR and I got a good sense of your enjoyment of the flight (as well as the little niggles we all get from time to time)

Priority baggage was as rubbish as ever with loads of Y bags coming off before ours

Actually I've always found that SFO is very good with regard to priority bags, so I was a bit surprised at that. Must have been loaded wrong at LHR.

Now hurry up with the return [:D]

G&Ts = double posting

[:w]

GJ

Originally posted by buns
As to the flight, I do sense you were left a little disappointed, albeit you have caught the awful UC bug[}:)]

You are probably right, whilst there was nothing wrong with the flight, it just wasn't anything special, which for the money it could cost I find a little disappointing.

Nice shots of the taxiing. How did you bribe the crew to take them?

Luke took the all the pics, 12K is must just offer good views!

although I'm still trying to make out what was in the thumbnail photo. I know you said it was from the Lite Bites section but was it really that small?

Hmmmm, the lite bites pic looks the same size as the others on my screen, will have to have a fiddle in the morning to see if I can sort it[:?]

12A! They look like they were taken from the cockpit.

Nice TR, and definitely good pictures! Best thing about the row 12 seats is definitely the view.

I don't know about it not being anything special - try Economy again for 11 hours, then tell us about it [;)]

Originally posted by Neil
So after many months of planning and with our Civil Partnership having gone way better than we ever expected on the previous Saturday, the time for our holiday was here

Out of curiosity, just how badly did you expect your Civil Partnership to go?

This is the TR of a man who didn't really want to write one? Well, I'm jolly glad you did. Champion TR, me lad, champion; although I am left with the feeling the real highlight of the whole trip for you was using your half price voucher at Pizza Hut.

Sorry to hear you felt out of place wearing your hoody in the Clubhouse. Maybe a little lesson to be learnt here....?

Originally posted by mdvipond

Out of curiosity, just how badly did you expect your Civil Partnership to go?

We didn't expect it to be bad, it just much much better than we expected, which was nice.

although I am left with the feeling the real highlight of the whole trip for you was using your half price voucher at Pizza Hut.

It was a close run thing between that and the helicopter trip to the Grand Canyon, although the helicopter trip just won out in the end[:D]

Originally posted by mdvipond

Originally posted by Neil
So after many months of planning and with our Civil Partnership having gone way better than we ever expected on the previous Saturday, the time for our holiday was here

Out of curiosity, just how badly did you expect your Civil Partnership to go?

[:o)][oo][oo][oo]

Neil,
Congratulations and best wishes on your partnership. And thanks for writing a superb report. I felt as though I were traveling right along with you.

Regards,
Chuck-

Ditto on both. That's a smile?

And well played on remembering the CCs instruction that all electronic items must be switched off during take off and landing... or perhaps it was a Box Brownie?

Originally posted by Decker
And well played on remembering the CCs instruction that all electronic items must be switched off during take off and landing... or perhaps it was a Box Brownie?

A camera isn't an electric item[ii]...and in any case it was switched off for take off, the photos were taken whilst we were taxing not taking off[:)]

Cool a mechanically powered camera - how does that work? Do you pedal to close the shutter? It is of course up for debate what take off means. I actually thought the rule was after the cabin doors were secured! [;)].

Originally posted by Neil
[the photos were taken whilst we were taxing

Oh, so you're Gordon Brown, then?

GJ

Originally posted by GrinningJackanapes
Oh, so you're Gordon Brown, then?

You know what I mean, stop being picky. Taxiing (sp)[:?]

Cool a mechanically powered camera - how does that work? Do you pedal to close the shutter? It is of course up for debate what take off means. I actually thought the rule was after the cabin doors were secured!

Take off for me is the bit when you go fast down the runway and then say 10seconds after that, so even though our camera isn't electronic it would still have been ok. Oh and it is a wind up shutter, ever so posh!

Originally posted by Neil

Take off for me is the bit when you go fast down the runway and then say 10seconds after that

Gleaned (yes, Decker - gleaned) from the 'Big Boys' Book Of Aeroplanes' I presume? Pilots of the future, please take note...

it's so nice when ones' protegŽs begin to show independent thinking don't you think?

Originally posted by Neil

Cool a mechanically powered camera - how does that work? Do you pedal to close the shutter? It is of course up for debate what take off means. I actually thought the rule was after the cabin doors were secured!

Take off for me is the bit when you go fast down the runway and then say 10seconds after that, so even though our camera isn't electronic it would still have been ok. Oh and it is a wind up shutter, ever so posh!

Poor Neil...Decker is concern trolling. [V][V][V]

GJ

Huge congrats to you both on your CP. [y]

I think half of the problem with flights like these is V-Flyer [:)] We know what to expect when we get on the flight so unless the service is outstanding or something noteworthy happens it can feel that the flight was very uneventful and even pick holes in the service as opposed to feeling special for sitting in the pointy end. Well thats how I feel sometimes.

As for etiquette at the bar, I dont think there is any. Just sit down and wait at least 5 minutes before serving yourself [:D]

Thanks,
Sarah

5 minutes!! Patience of a saint.

Thanks for the TR Neil [y]

Re the bar etiquette - sorry but I for one dont think it's appropriate to serve yourself. I always go and find a member of crew first.

Regards