(UGH, THIS IS GONNA BE LIKE 5 SECTIONS)
They announced major turbulence so we were asked to sit. Then, a big surprise, with winds so strong at Gatwick they said we may have to land at Stansted Airport(way out of London, and far from Gatwick!). This was a tough one, never been to Stansted Airport before. I was on the motorway at one time on the way there and it wasn't in my dad's interest to go, so, we didn't go
. Oh well, someday. I also knew that any problems could kill my evening in Paris, which is too sacred.
They said they would try it and boy, did we try it! I don't know if I have ever in my life experienced such turbulence. Even so bad that I kept the air sickness bag next to me,
. I didn't need it, but was good to have it there. I clutched my airliner magazines and a little prayer went along way. We did the customary approach into Gatwick(near the South Terminal) and the winds were indeed NASTY. Plane shook around and I did my best not to get airsick. Bounce, bounce and touchdown, Yeah!!! No Stansted, not today anyway. Someday! I was so happy to be on the ground, can't even tell you.
LGW was a full house, lot's of good planes, the most special being the Air Zimbabwe 767.
We arrived at the domestic area of the BA North Terminal, second set of doors, and I told the gate agent how happy I was to be on the ground, boy did it feel good. I have taken alot in the air on different flights, so I guess this was bad to feel so relieved to be back on the ground. I was happy to see that I didn't have to go through security again(rare for a UK airport!) and a hallway led me into the Terminal. Apparently, some planes were sent to Stansted so many planes were delayed, more so one to Cuba, which we heard several announcements for.
I love LGW North Terminal and as usual, didn't have enough time to go see everything. I have access to the BA Terraces Lounge, the Sir Hardingham( generic handling lounge), and the Delta lounge, which I am sure was closed. Not bad for one terminal. The shops are also incredible. The area is large, spacioius, and clean. Why I love UK airports so much. Some of the best airport shopping in the world, but the pound is too expensive for us!
.
Hit the BA Terraces lounge. There is a way to sneak into the First Class area,
, he he he, but didn't bother with that this time. I have done it 2X, and very easy. It is actually very small, no where near the size that it should be, maybe to turn us lurkers away!?
. I am happy with the upstairs.
The BA Terraces lounge at LGW are outstanding. Big, spacious, 2 level, with excellent views of the field and planes. At certain times of the day, as was the case in Manchester, they do a very nice sandwhich service, which I normally love. This was not one of those times and with my stomach doing somersalts from the approach, was fine to just drink mineral water. I decided to try out their shower suites. Not quite as nice as LHR T4, but good. An attendant, unlike at LHR, gave me a couple of sets of toiletries and enjoyed a nice shower. The hike at MAN made me all sweaty.
Peroused the lounge some more and the Sir Hardingham, or something like that... they have a certain candy bar that I love and more to take, with a couple of timetables and inflight magazines. The attendant was very sweet, unlike the usual older woman who must be on PMS all the time
. Sorry, has to be true. She chases people away.
I wished that I had more time to see the shops, they are good, get some BAA points on my card. I have to be the only Californian on that program(BAA shopping)! They were calling my flight and again, they pulled a fast one on me. I miscalculated my time to the gate as it was one of those outer space gates. Dang! Don't mind the walk, just don't understand why they would put a plane way out there, as there were plenty of closer gates. I asked the gate agents if we were walking to Paris
. Said more in fun than complaining.
Again, a weird operation. Down the ramp, that is fine. Then down a staircase, again, huh? outside, COLD!, onto the field, ok, I liked that part, easier to see the aircraft registration number(for the logbook), and up the stairs to the plane. I was kinda wondering why, again???, the stairs, they had a good jetway up there, huh? Whatever...... As long as American Airlines doesn't pull this all the time, I will live.
FYI, British Midland, now BMI, did this all the time at Heathrow. Last flight of the day, would park at the very last gate, tons of empty jetbridges, but we got to use stairs, stairs down, stairs up, and then the massive hike to customs, with full carry on. Maybe the Britts think this is funny!? I don't know. I don't find it amusing...
A royal pain, if you will.
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Michael
AA PLT,1 MLN Miles+
Hilton Gold
Sheraton Gold
Marriot Silver