V-Flyer

This had started as an economy flight, but at some point in July the upgrade offer was down to a price that I liked, so I spent some of my hard earned cash to upgrade from Y to the pointy bit - it also meant that I would get to Gold on the return

As usual I used Voyager to get to the airport - I have used them for 5 years, and they are absolutely excellent, and very competitivly priced At bang on 7:30 they turned up and I was off to LHR - after a pretty good journey I was deposited at a extremely busy checkin, but was swiftly pointed upstairs, and I didn't hesitate.

I dropped off my bags and headed to the security lane, which, shock, had a queue It seemed that some Gold member flying Y had taken his family through that lane - in my eyes that should be banned, especially as they were completely clueless about what needs to go where, and basically it took far longer than I would have liked.

After security I sent straight to the clubhouse, and then to the cowshed - and sadly no hair cuts, but I opted for a massage which was excellent, very relaxing.

My usual breakfast of cooked english and sausage sandwich was washed down with 3 or 4 glasses of champagne - I'm not going to let the side down on that front

Following v-flyer protocol of waiting for the second call I meandered to the gate, and although there was a clearly marked priority lane, the virgin staff at the front scanning boarding passes was awfully slow which meant it might have been quicker to stand in the Y lane - that was truly awful - they badly need to get things sorted on that front.

Service on board was absolutely excellent, they claimed to be people down, but I saw no impact on service at all, the FSM was always there, and the CSS was always wandering around making sure things were ok - definitely a thumbs up from me for the onboard crew

I managed to fall asleep before we had even pushed back, and woke up just in time for the meal - I had a salad and the ham - both excellent.

After 4 or 5 hours sleep I headed off to the bar to join the party going on there - I managed to pass a couple of hours there, and then unfortunately the party was cut short by some turbulence - why does that always happen?

Before long afternoon tea was served along with the cake stand

We landed just about on time, and unfortunately were just behind a BA and AF flight - both filled immigration, and although I was first of my flight I was stuck in a lane with a _really_ slow immigration person dealing with it - he spent about 10 minutes per person, and it was truly awful.

However - I did bump into a friend who had come in on the BA flight so that made the time go quicker. Eventually the US lanes were opened and I made a move over there, but still it took far too long - at least my bag had already arrived on the belt!

Then sadly it was from one queue to another - the taxi queue was horrendous, but it did move quite quickly, so soon I was off to central SF (1 Nob Hill!) for another week in the foggy city

Crispin

Thanks for the excellent TR

I managed to pass a couple of hours there, and then unfortunately the party was cut short by some turbulence - why does that always happen?

I can say this occasion is certainly not a "because you are worth it" moment Something more to do with reducing the numbers standing around the bar area

take care

buns

buns wrote:Crispin

Thanks for the excellent TR

I managed to pass a couple of hours there, and then unfortunately the party was cut short by some turbulence - why does that always happen?

I can say this occasion is certainly not a "because you are worth it" moment Something more to do with reducing the numbers standing around the bar area

take care

buns

I was going to ask was it real turbulence or a ploy to clear the bar? The latter has happened on more than one occasion when I have been there - and before tonty can ask, no I wasn't dancing on the bar!

honey lamb wrote: and before tonty can ask, no I wasn't dancing on the bar!

Of course not dear lady ...

There's no pole on the bar !

Crispin - looks like you had a great flight despite the (usual) shenanigans at the gate.

tontybear wrote:

honey lamb wrote: and before tonty can ask, no I wasn't dancing on the bar!

Of course not dear lady ...

There's no pole on the bar !

Crispin - looks like you had a great flight despite the (usual) shenanigans at the gate.

Thanks for the TR. Now there's an idea - in flight pole dancing classes! Great work out and good entertainment for the other pax.

Thank you for the greast TR.

crispin wrote:so soon I was off to central SF (1 Nob Hill!) for another week in the foggy city

Very chic - though a bit of a slog to walk back to after an evening out...

Paul

A full cooked AND a sausage sarnie AND four glasses of Champagne? Bravo sir, bravo...

Thanks for the TR.

Thanks for your TR sounds like a goodun.

cheers

alex

Excellent TR, Crispin, thank you. Turbulence seems on occasion to be a euphemism for "they are having too good a time". Hey Ho,

Jacki wrote: in flight pole dancing classes! Great work out and good entertainment for the other pax.

Pole dancing classes - the V-Flyer PCP 2011 is coming to mind!

HWVlover wrote:]

Pole dancing classes - the V-Flyer PCP 2011 is coming to mind!

Oh, that's been done already in the PCP 2010

Jacki wrote:
Thanks for the TR. Now there's an idea - in flight pole dancing classes! Great work out and good entertainment for the other pax.

Well there is that great big dancefloor space in A-zone on the LHR 744 - should be able to fit a pole there and you'll have an audience!

honey lamb wrote:

HWVlover wrote:]

Pole dancing classes - the V-Flyer PCP 2011 is coming to mind!

Oh, that's been done already in the PCP 2010

AND I have pics to prove it !