V-Flyer

Well I was not expecting to be sat here writing a TR tonight, however I have had a lovely little day out thanks to Little Red and I thought what better way to top it off than by sharing with you guys!

So my flatmate requested late on Friday night to have the place to himself on Saturday as he had a "friend" coming over nudge nudge wink wink, and in the interests of not wanting to hear them join the 40ft high club (we live on the second floor!) I thought I would make myself scarce.

A quick walk up to Peterborough station which is approximately a 1 and a bit miles away and I had managed to book myself onto VS3043 LHR - MAN for no real reason other than to sample the delights of Little Red, and have a wander around Terminal 2. So it cost me the usual couple of thousand miles and a few quid and I was set!!

Now I hasten to add that the previous night had also seen me jumping for joy when the lovely people at Virgin America sent me a little present to add to my expanding collection, quite sad of lanyards!! Anyway here for your viewing pleasure is the "Virgin" subsection of this Geeky Little collection!!



A short hop down to King's Cross on Virgin Trains and I was trying to check in, but alas it was not to be, also I was concerned that although the confirmation email had come through I hadn't had an E-Ticket and not being the sort of person that usually books flights with a few hours notice I was not sure of the procedure!! Anyway never fear, with little phone signal to make a call to FC (and less battery than I normally go out of the house on) I took to Twitter!! VS Twitter did answer me very quickly but so did V-Flyer LREDI! After a few tweets between us turns out we are actually long lost friends!! The power of V-Flyer!!

Anyway VS Twitter Team had sorted the issue as I got to Check-In but I was slightly ahead of then. When I got to Check In at T2, the guy, who I was not impressed with to be honest, he was just luke warm in how he spoke to customers, explained that as the booking was so last minute he needed to confirm payment. So he put my card back through, then it turns out that the VS Twitter people had already confirmed payment and thus the booking whilst he was doing that so he had to process a refund which he appologised for the confusion but it was probably more my fault for "taking to Twitter" anyway I got to choose my seat, and saw the flight was pretty empty.

Quick nip over to The Flying Chariot for a quick drink before heading through security, boarding card in hand!



Security was very quick, I was very impressed with it, friendly staff and for once I did not get frisked, has to be the biggest annoyance of mine that it always seems to be me at airports who has their bag examined or gets pulled by the TSA for enhanced screening!

I have to admit I liked Terminal2, quick look around I like the layout of it, its not in your face with the shops. I had a quick enquiry into the Premium Plaza lounge but for how long I was there it wasn't worth it!

The guys at the gate area were fabulous, they were singing to themselves quite jovially and involving customers where appropriate. They were real ambassadors for the brand and quickly made my forget the lukewarm guy at check-in!

An EDI boarded which looked quite full, and then there was about 75-80 people left for the VS3043! Boarding commenced promptly at 16:20 and I was onboard very shortly after.




Quick Taxi past T3 and then T5.


In no time at all we were on the runway, I have a tradition when I fly I must have Wethers Originals to suck on during take off and landing, so the packet I picked up in Smiths was being worked at!!

Had a fantastic cabin crew lead by the Senior Cabin Crew who was a guy, really friendly all of them, I don't think we are allowed to mention crew names, but all four were fab!


The whiskey and coke, really hit me!! I was tempted to ask for a second, but given the long journey I had ahead of me by train I thought better of it!!

Captain announced when we were about 20miles outside of Birimingham and then we started our descent, the cloud was a lot more broken over Cheshire so got some lovely shots on approach in to Manchester!



Speedily on to the gate and I was off the aircraft and a quick run through Terminal 3 and into the station to make the 18:06 Transpennine Express back to York, to connect for another Virgin Train back to the delights of Peterborough!! Lovely sun set over Manchester!



I have a few more LR Runs next week on the Manchester's so I shall save the sentimentality for then, but needless to say this was a flawless flight, and everyone I dealt with from VS was brilliant, even their Twitter people!!

Oh and if anyone was wondering what ever did happen to my flatmate and his "Friend" ... she didn't end up turning up so he spend the day in bed with a Domino's Pizza!!

Thank you for a most entertaining TR and delightful pictures.
Love the sunset one.

Great TR thank you, photos really do add to it. I like your knowledge of train routes and connections, part of the day job presumably. And what a co-operative flatmate you are!

If only I had known....I was on the same flight with the family....just a few of us!!

Such a great crew (as always) yesterday with really attentive service. It was also good to see again a high number of VS connecting passengers.

I can't believe we are a week away from the end

Thanks for the TR and photos. Really appreciate it and maybe we'll see each other on the last day of flights next Saturday

Jon

When I was on the train between Huddersfield and Leeds it did suddenly occur to me given the frequency you are on the LRs if you had been on that one!!!

ColOrd wrote:When I was on the train between Huddersfield and Leeds it did suddenly occur to me given the frequency you are on the LRs if you had been on that one!!!

Thanks for the TR! Good to hear another positive post.

As I have said before, it's ashame that the LR service is coming to and end

Dan

Thanks for the TR. Sounds like you had a more exciting day than your flatmate!