Tuesday was the lucky day. We decided to go to the airport early – around 4:00, just to be certain we could check in and hang out before the flight. We board the hotel shuttle and there are so many of us on the BA flight that the driver actually takes us directly to the International terminal. What a bonus!
We head straight into the terminal and find all our guys from yesterday (well, early this morning) on duty again. Bless their hearts. We had made brownies to take with us to London for Natalie and Roger, but these guys have been working so hard, and long, and doing such a wonderful job, we gave them to all of the desk staff to share – to thank them for their help. Figured the caffeine/chocolate might help them make it through this second long day.
Check in was fine – we tried to upgrade, but again, it wasn’t happening – too expensive and no “bonus” upgrade. So we ended up switching seats to the exit/bulkhead row. That works! Lots of leg room to lay out and sleep. We also got $18 in food vouchers each – so we avoided the lounge and just hung out in the restaurants in the general area. Had a drink at Jekyll Island – which was good – but the food was all fried, so we decided to wait and go upstairs to another place. While we were there, the guy next to us (long straggly hair, older, overalls and guitar on the back of his chair) asked us what time it was. 5:40. He thought it was 4:40 – and he was waiting for his 5:50 flight. Oh no! He hot footed it out, ran across the hall to the gate – for Amsterdam no less – and barely made it on the plane. They literally closed the door right after him. That would have been ugly!
We watched some others saunter up to the gate only to be turned away. Phew!
We went upstairs to Ecco for dinner with our vouchers – and wow = we were totally blown away by the food. We are in the airport – and it was one of the best meals we’ve had. Small plates – all perfectly prepared. Fried goat cheese with honey and pepper sauce, Garlic Shrimp, Lamb Manti (which were little phyllo wrapped bundles of lamb – yummy) and harissa yogurt cauliflower. Fantastic – and free! We were quite impressed – and happily sated before getting on our (fingers crossed) flight!
Back to the gate we go – and this time – success! We board with no issues, take off with no issues and are flying our way to London. Big sigh of relief.
We stretch out in our seats, joke with the flight attendants and enjoy the ride. We end up watching Wiener (the documentary) and just shake our heads when it is over. What a total waste of talent! Just a complete shame.
Ed eats dinner, I just snag a roll. Then it’s time for sleep. Sadly, the people in the row behind us don’t agree with the fact that we are allowed to recline our seats. I get ready to sleep and recline, only to have them poke me on the shoulder and tell me to move my seat. I try to nicely say, I’m just going to sleep – the seat isn’t even all the way reclined. No – they won’t allow it. Huh? They then shove the seat back up to sitting position. And I can’t move it. I try with all my might – but they’ve done something to jam it. So, ok, we’ve got an empty seat in our row – I move there, and try to recline – but no – they won’t let me do that either. Well, by now, I’m furious – almost to the point of tears. I just want to sleep. Ed is ambiened out, so he’s sort of, well, zoning. I do what I must… I go rat on them to the flight crew!
And, flight crew to the rescue. After I tell my tale of woe to the entire crew (they are all in the back galley at this point), the adorable gal who we’ve been joking and talking with all night says “oh, no! I’ll handle this, come with me!” Out out she comes with fire in her eyes – only to be completely and totally berated, complete with fingers wagging in her face. They were actually screaming at her. Telling her they paid for these seats and they aren’t going to move and they’re not letting me recline. Ed turns around and says, “what? did we get these seats for free? We didn’t pay for our seats?’ The screaming match continues, with Ed asking “I guess this is your first flight?”
I’m just stunned. The two crew go storming off to the front of plane, and I’m left sitting there thinking, well, ok, what now? They come back and ask if it is only the 2 of us traveling – yes. So they say – “don’t take your stuff, just come with me.” Ok – we’re outta here! And guess what? We get our economy plus upgrade – for free! They put us in the extra big seats up front (not business or first, but extra recline and space) and we spend a very nice 4 hours stretched out and sleeping. Thank you BA 226 flight crew. The best.
We wake up to breakfast, then go back to our seats, where I really, really want to recline just to make a point, but I don’t! The captain comes on and tells us that there is still a baggage situation and if we don’t see our bags after about 15 or 20 minutes of the carousel going around – they aren’t coming. Well, at least we have 2 days!
Deplaning is as snap, we’re in line at passport control quickly. And we go through quickly and easily too. And that’s saying something! One of our co-refugees who I was joking with on the way to the hotel was stuck in passport control for 10 or 15 minutes. The whole time we were there and after. And the young girl with a guitar was getting the fifth degree and explaining that she had an associate’s degree and all these other degrees. We got stamped and passed through with barely a question.
And then….the bags! They are both there. Yay! Total success- if you don’t count the 24 hour delay!
Our driver calls us as we are getting our bags, so we are expecting him outside. Unfortunately, he isn’t there when we come out – and it takes about 5 or 10 minutes for us to find him (for him to come into the terminal), but once there – all is smooth and we make it into town in under an hour. We are calling this day’s flight a total success! Finally. London!
No comments:
Post a Comment