Trip back in Envoy - more of the same but service shows holes
18 August US 781 FRA 1130 PIT 1420 A333-300 N784/2UW?
Arrived into FRA terminal 1 @ 08:22on the local train. Followed signs to the people mover to terminal 2. After a bit of walking and some 5 escalators, get to the platform. The train (uses rubberised wheels?) is interesting in that it goes in a loop like at DFW instead of along a single track such as in NRT 2, LGW, PIT and ATL. One car is sterile/airside and the other is landside. Short putt over to T2 and 3 escalators down (the escalators to from the platforms are dual which indicates space constraint) puts me at the US check in counters at 08:40. Get the usual security questioning thing which turns out o be lame as usual. Check in and it seems the agents know to ask for my systemwide upgrade (still have 4 so I shouldn't complain). Tell the agent that I need to get my VAT refund so have to take my bags to German customs (FRA works backwards from the other airports). Need an escort so a security person takes me there. Get the paper work done but the adjacent baggage checkin person is gone when I finish. Take my bags back to the US counter to check in. Big security hole here if they don't x-ray luggage.
Go through Im-/emigration and security and then get my VAT refund. Off to the Cathay Pacific Lounge where I take a shower ater my morning hike to the airport. It appears not many US pax make use of the facilities despite some 40 premium pax.
There is a check of documents just before boarding but I think the agents seem to make slips and there are holes in it. Even though the plane is docked with 2 jetways, they are funnelling all pax through 2L. The procedures are the same as the outbound flight so I'll highlight the exceptions. U.S. and German papers are offered but there is a shortage. They run out of all the day's english-language papers by row 3.
The Envoy cabin is apparently full and a party of 4 take up the F cabin. There may have been a 5th solo traveller.
The a/c pushed back at 1133 and took off at 1145. This flight deck was very silent on this flight, with one announcement to the cabin crew that the a/c had been cleared for takeoff onto the active runway and a second one announcing 30 miles out of PIT and on the final approach. The flight deck crew was introduced by the FA. Not even the flight time was announced.
The gaping hole in service came in this flight. When it first started, the service was as on the outbound flight. For some reason, the galley FAs served and the serving FAs went to the galley. The former galley FAs took to catering to their 2 side pair pax and only the pax on their side in the centre row. As a result, my seatmate was rightly peeved and complained when he wasn't offered any bread and his hors d'oeuvre plate wasn' taken away. There needs to be a feeling of ownership. The division of the cabin into left and right doesn't work.
Lunch Menu
The meal service started with mixed nuts as usual with the drinks ordered before takeoff. The featured chef is Patrick Bittner of the Français Restaurant at the Steinberger Hotel Frankfurt Hof.
Hors d'oeuvre
Smoked trout canapé
Sliced chicken breast served with tomato and
miniature tartlet with cranberries and a lemon twist
Devoured quickly though I see most of my fellow pax (all American) left the cranberry tartlet alone. Had the Louis Guntrum Royal Blue Riesling which seems to be more fragrant on this trip than on the outbound. Maybe there was a bad bottle?
Seasonal Salad
Red chicory, iceberg and lamb's lettuce offered with your choice of oyster mushrooms or tomato
Mustard Vinaigrette or roasted garlic and blue cheese dressing, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette, shredded Parmesan cheese or fresh lemon
Had the garlic and blue cheese dressing which was rather nice. FAs offered the oyster mushroom and cherry tomatoes as well as cucumber which was not on the menu. The parmesan cheese was shaved rather than shredded and came in slices. Usual selection of breads but garlic bread was offered this time.
Entrees
Signature Chef Selection
Filet of Beef
Tenderloin of beef enhanced by a red wine sauce, served with potatoes au gratin, carrots, beans and mushrooms.
Chicken Tagliatelle
Thinly sliced chicken accented by a tomato sauce and served with sunburst squash on a bed of tagliatelle noodles.
Cheese-baked Salmon
Baked filet of salmon complemented by a creamy velouté sauce, served with basmati rice, spinach and peppers
Express Meal
Chicken Breast and Scampi
Marinated chicken breast with herb crust, accompanied by tiger prawns, served with penne pasta salad.
Had the beef which was o.k. but a but tough due to reheating. I guess you can't win with airline food no matter what. Drank the Château Calon Montagne-Saint Émilion 1996 with the steak.
Finished the meal with cheese (Boursin, Cambozola and smoked Cheddar with crackers) and the Riesling tart dessert, and coffee. FAs brought a box of Godiva (the Campbell Soup version, I am sure) chocolates after everything was cleared away.
Can't sleep so I nap and listen to the music. Continously through the flight, the FAs came around seeing if anyone wanted a drink and midway through the flight, came with a tray of orange juice and water, and distributed small cups of Haagen-Daz cookies and cream ice cream with a oversized US spoon. I used the plastic scoop packaged inside instead.
Went to the bathroom just after lights are turned for the afternoon tea service. An electronic bell starts chiming loudly when I am in there so I return to my seat and see cabin crew and a pilot go towards the back of the a/c. After a few minutes, the chime goes off and a FA announces that the sound was from a lavatory smoke detector and a cigarette had been found. More on this later.
Afternoon Refreshment
Fresh Seasonal Fruit
An assortment of Sandwiches featuring Smoked salmon and Cheddar cheese on a baguette
Chicken Mushroom Pithiviers
Puff pastry filled with chicken and mushrooms
Assorted Pastries
The tray came with a plate of fruit and the sandwiches which I seem to remember as flat bread rather than a baguette. The pithivier was a half. 3 different pastries were offered but most pax were too stuffed.
Flight starts descent for PIT sometime after the meal service is cleared away. Landing into a cool foggy PIT is very smooth on this thing. I wonder how much s pilot skill, good weather, the software and the a/c. Landing is around 1416 with docking at around 1422. There is a bit of a hold up as it seems that the smoker will be arrested and the crew is waiting to identify the offender to the authorities.
Am the first to reach U.S. Immigration and had to wait for the INS officer to come out to man the booth. The procedure was quick and painless (I'm a non-U.S. national/resident). Had to wait 10 mins or so for my luggage to come out. Call to upgrade my flight from YVR-SYD while waiting. Breeze through U.S. customs and head for B48 for my flight to GSO.