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#960826 by David1946
09 Feb 2023, 13:34
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It was time to resume our annual trip to Naples after the COVID break, not having been since being repatriated in March 2020. We booked last August and managed to use points to upgrade an Economy ticket.
Not trusting the M56 we overnighted on Monday at the Radisson Blue with a nice meal being a great start. Up early Tuesday and walked down to terminal about 6.30am, checked in quickly, Fasttrak was busy with wheelchair passengers but we were sent to the next gate and through fine.
Off to trek through the shops to find The 1903 lounge where we were welcomed by a member of the VS ground staff who explained everything. Lounge was very quiet as only about 7am. Had a good breakfast and settled down. Watched our aircraft 'Beauty Queen arrive and saw she turned right towards the far end of the old terminal. Long walk ahead!!!
Lounge filled up then the Orlando flight was called to Gate 204 and the lounge emptied. Shortly afterwards we were called and noticed board showed Gate 202, the furthest away and green light showing 'boarding not 'go to get. Started the long trek back through the shops passed the end of Security and up what is now a deserted corridor which is very strange. The only other passengers were the ones for Orlando all other flights seemed to be going from the new gates.
We were all processed through into the 'holding pen and then boarded for our 10.30am departure. The FSM came around as did the other crew and introduced themselves and were very chatty as they were all flight. They didn't announce the load but I think it was not large and only about 20 in Upper.

Shortly afterwards the Captain announced us ready to go early and after waiting for the Orlando to go we backed off 10 mins early with expected arrival 30 mins early. The flight was fine but not the catering. We didn't receive an email regarding menus only the one for Flyready but I had found a link on Vflyer to order the food. We had done this but the website said it had failed and try again. Surprise when the crew came to take orders ours had actually gone through. The first course was fine but we had both ordered the pie rather than the fish. Big mistake. The pastry was wet and soggy and afterwards laid heavy to such an extent that neither of ate anything before landing. Whereas the bread & butter pudding was beautiful.

The rest of flight was fine with regular visits and chats with the crew
We landed 30 mins early and proceeded to Global Entry machines. Wonderful just press button takes your picture and states done. We then proceeded to Immigration Officer who greeted us by name said 'anythingto declare, no, fine you are good to go's. He didn't check or stamp passports.
In to baggage hall to wait for cases and most of the passengers were through quick because Immigration Hall was empty when we arrived. Cases came off but nobody was grabbing any, strange, then we noticed they were off the VS103 from LHR and the passengers off that flight were waiting at a different carousel. One of our passengers went and told them so they could clear the carousel as our baggage came up. Then off to Domestic and again a long queue at security but TEA approved straight through on a different. Then off to catch our Delta flight to Fort Myers.

Checked later and the VS103 landed 2 mins behind us but an hour late whilst we were 30 mins early so it made sense to process their baggage first, just a shame it was on the wrong carousel
#960840 by mitchja
10 Feb 2023, 18:45
Thanks for the TR :)

Your ATL baggage collection sounded as chaotic as my previous couple of flights into ATL. Used the VS103 in Nov then the VS109 in Dec and both had similar long waits (the VS109 took about 40mins) and confusing carousel numbers!

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