BA2167 LGW-TPA 17 FEB 10 (CW)

Sorry for the delay but I have been out of the loop for a while....then I re visit the site and have panic attack as everything has changed Not being very computer literate it has taken me a while to work out where everything is

Anyway this will have to be short as I am not sure how much the poor old gray cells can remember..

This was my first non VS flight for a while and I had only booked it due to the BA sale prices that VS for once didn't match My first panic was not having a seat reserved so I was poised by the computer 24 hrs before to secure a window seat and managed to get 2K so I was a happy bunny and could then relax

On the day I arrived at the airport a little later than usual as I knew the Galleries was no CH. Check in was fine and security empty, then the terminal seemed empty and then the Lounge was empty I was convinced something had happened and I didn't know - so spent the next half hour contacting everyone to check the news Worries calmed I relaxed and missed the CH and the hot, albeit smaller breakfast....

Boarding was ok and seat fine...clean and all in working order. A glass of bubbles in hand and at last all was well with the world.

I am still not sure about facing a stranger and screen etiquette....at what point is it polite to raise the screen Anyway the man facing me was obviously going to be trouble as he wsa already sucking frantically on a plastic cigarette He became more and more stressed as the flight progressed until he was positively suffering from a complete inability to keep any part of his body still by the time we landed

The service on board was very friendly and I did enjoy a kir royale as a treat before my meal...which I have no recollection of (That is due to the time factor not the amount I had to drink as I was driving )

After flying the MCO VS route for many years it was a treat to be able to stop and start my films too....its funny how one gets used to not being able to.

So I watched 3 films slept a bit and we landed early at TPA

The passport staff were really friendly and there were no queues and my bag was 2nd out..... So that was an advantage against MCO too

I picked up my car at AVIS and it was a lovely sporty Subaru....so off I zoomed only to be caught by a State Trouper and fined more than the price of the hire car

Sunshine

Thanks for the TR. This was a route I did a few years ago if you can get it for the right price is a great alternative to MCO!

I picked up my car at AVIS and it was a lovely sporty Subaru....so off I zoomed only to be caught by a State Trouper and fined more than the price of the hire car

Ouch, did you have fun until you got caught though?!

Oh yes I did have fun....I think my problem was admitting that I had been slowing down when I was caught at over 25 mph over the speed limit

Susnhine

[honey lamb]

Nice trip report.

I'm very fond of TPA although I've only used it domestically with jetBlue. I just think it is so user-friendly

Yes Honey Lamb it is user friendly and now they have finished the long term road works it is easy to access and to escape from with a new road system. I often have to collect visitors from TPA even though I don't often use it myself

Much preferable to MCO...

Sunshine

Thanks for the TR sounds like a good flight - VS or BA in future if the price was matched?

[buns]

Sunshine

Thanks for the TR

For the moment, Mrs Buns and I are hanging on to VS to get to the gulf Coast - even if this means travelling via JFK

TPA is a sea of tranquility against MCO - even if it does have the double bag drop if arriving on an International flight

buns

Thank you for the great TR.

Thanks for the TR.
As we also travel to the Gulf Coast, have often considered TPA and it's good to see the comparison with MCO. If the price is right it's worth taking.

Just arrived here and it is noticeable that the State Troopers are more active - just hope we can stay lucky!

Top marks on the TR hope you had a great time, have never travelled on BANCW or the old one but i can smell a sale is imminent.

cheers

alex

Oh yes I did have fun....I think my problem was admitting that I had been slowing down when I was caught at over 25 mph over the speed limit

Susnhine

My mates dad once got caught by the police for speeding, in response to the their question "Do you know what speed you were doing then sir?" he replied with:

"To be honest, it could have been anything over 110mph mate".

Needless to say he did get banned.

To answer questions..

Jacki - I didn't think I would ever say it but VS or BA price matched now would be a difficult decision My next flight is BA to TPA again so I will see how that goes. I think though that now I will be losing my Gold card price will be my priority.

Buns - I didn't have to do the double bag drop at TPA, they let me keep my bag. I will be flying via JFK at the end of June and back from MCO but it just wasn't justifiable in Feb or April

Bill S and anyone going to the Gulf coast. The State Troupers are definitely out to get you in one week 5 people in my building were fined...there are speed traps everywhere In six years I have never seen anything like it.

Sunshine

[buns]

To answer questions..


Buns - I didn't have to do the double bag drop at TPA, they let me keep my bag. I will be flying via JFK at the end of June and back from MCO but it just wasn't justifiable in Feb or April

'Tis a bit of a pain I know, but the cost has been a significant factor for us in choosing that routing

Bill S and anyone going to the Gulf coast. The State Troupers are definitely out to get you in one week 5 people in my building were fined...there are speed traps everywhere In six years I have never seen anything like it.

Sunshine

Thanks for the warning
Not that I speed you understand

buns

[buns]

Quick update, currently there is a security scare at TPA, but the airport has now re-opened

buns

Sunshine

Knickers to the main TR bit, what was the State Trooper like, tall? handsome? good-looking? suave? debonair? winning smile?

Do tell, that's the important bit, bugger the double bag drop & road works.

R-P

Are they going for the tourists with these citations? It must be easy money to them.

[Scrooge]

This is probably a good time to raise this point.

With the economy in the toilet local governments are looking for ways to raise money, fines for speeding tickets etc are going up at record rates, so unless you like giving them your money or fighting a long distance fight (Reiffer) please keep with in the speed limits.

Also, whatever you do, do not speed in a school zone, the fines there will amount to giving up your first born, I.E the FIL got nailed for just under $1000 for going 10mph over in a school zone