These are our personal thoughts written during the trip itself.
|
Mark's EntryDecember 23 - The First Plane RidesThe wakeup call came at 4:00. We showered, packed and took a very nice cab to the airport. We stood in line to check our bags and I felt a little sick while waiting. When we got to the front of the line some guy came from around the back of the check-in area and told us to follow him. It was very strange walking through what appeared to be the back-workings of the check-in area. He directed us through some doors and we ended up in the first-class check-in area. We were the only ones there. The attendant checked our passports and took the boarding passes that I had printed out the morning before. She printed us new ones and said she upgraded us to first class. COOL!!! I checked the passes and realized we were in first all the way through to Entebbe, which means we would be able to sleep on the plane. VERY COOL! I updated this log while waiting for the plane. OK so when we boarded the plane it wasn’t first, but is was Club World, which was still VERY nice. Club World is an extremely comfortable cabin without all the frills of first. The seats were sleeper seats and even 6 hours into the flight I was still smiling and happy. I could have stayed in that cabin for a trip all around the world and been very comfortable. About 2/3 of the way through the flight I had my seat all the way back and was almost napping. I noticed that snack service had just begun and being in an isle seat, I had just a passing thought of “I hope they don’t spill anything on me,” and fell asleep. A few minutes later I hear this very loud ‘POP’ from fairly close by. Not really startled, but curious, I slowly opened one eye just in time to see a long arc of bubbling Champaign about two beats before it landed all over my lap. I was soaked! The poor stewardess, the cute one with large eyes and hair in a short ponytail, felt so bad. She ran to get towels but by the time she got back it had soaked through everything. Even though there was very little to soak up, she still offered to help ‘pat down’ my lap, which I agreed to. Ann got a BIG laugh from all of this and this was the first time I had seen her happy for about a week. It was nice. We were worried about making the short connection at Heathrow, but we did actually had a few minutes to spare. Heathrow terminal 4 is very nice and modern looking, but dark. It really feels like a mall. The waiting area for the flight was full when we arrived and I looked around at the people. It was made up of about 30% white, which is more than I expected. On the plane the cabin crew was all white. Upon stepping onto the plane I was very disappointed to see that we were NOT in Club World on this flight after all. The seat numbers were equivalent but the plane was smaller. So we were in Premium Economy, just as I had bought. PE is a little less than halfway between domestic coach and domestic first. The seats don’t go back very far and sleeping was difficult. I got only 3 hours of sleep on the 8-hour flight. Ann and Jacob got even less. |
Ann's EntryFirst Class FiascoJFK Airport - 23 Dec 2007 - 05:30 EST We already have our tickets prior to arrival. All we need to do is have our luggage checked and, in theory, we are all set to go. The line is rather short – so far so good. I get a little irritated by the people behind me who keep bumping into the bag over my shoulder, as if this will make the line move any faster. As we get to the front of the line, an airline agent motions for us to come forward, leads us through the baggage check-in counter, down a back corridor, and into an area normally restricted to passengers. Oh, boy! I think we’re busted. We are singled out for some reason. I didn’t think I looked that menacing. I can only surmise that all of our contents are about to searched. What a way to start this trip! But to my surprise – no! Instead, we are directed to the elite first-class counter for check-in. Mark is just going along with it all, smiling all the time. Now I know that he likes the bigger seats. I am about to make some comment about how much money he’s spending, but he gives me a look that says I should probably stay quiet. After this point, I learn that British Airways will automatically upgrade passengers if their first-class section is not full. We were randomly selected for an upgrade. What a way to go! First class is so very nice. They serve drinks before take-off. We were given mini-spa kits to use during flight (notions and potions of all sorts.) Each seat is like its own pod. The directions alternate (some seats face front, some seats face rear.) There are dividers between each in case the person you are now facing is not your traveling companion. The seats fully recline for sleeping, and they have foot stools. Every seat has its own television screen and you can choose whatever movie or show you want to watch (not a plus for me, but it is for a lot of other people.) They even have audio books. The food is non-stop: appetizers, main course, dessert, endless beverages, plus snacks upon request. I could have spent the whole six-hour flight just eating. I am now very spoiled. Mark Has ChampaignBritish Airways First Class section - 23 Dec 2007 - in transit to Heathrow Airport We all know that Mark does not drink alcohol of any sort. I married my permanent designated driver. So how is it, you may ask, that Mark has champaign? It is because they serve it in first class in a very special way… I am seated across the aisle from Mark; we are facing in opposite directions so that we can talk. During one of the endless rounds of beverage service, the couple in front of us orders champaign. The flight attendant pops the cork on a new bottle, and…the cork goes flying, champaign shoots out like a volcano, and lands all over Mark’s lap (who happens to be in recliner-sleep mode.) I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time. Mark didn’t see it coming. He looks like he peed his pants. The stewardess is absolutely mortified. She runs to get a towel and starts wiping off Mark’s pants (yes, he’s still wearing them!) Everyone is a jolly good sport about it all, no major harm done to anyone. Of course, all I want to know is…does this translate into an automatic upgrade on our next flight? |
| next day: December 24 | ||