VIII - The BA Experience on The Way Back

DAY 15 - 27 SEPTEMBER

The trip from Menton to Nice took about 45 minutes, as advertised. The problem arose in finding out where to return the rental car and getting to the terminal. We followed the signs, but they led us to the return area for Hertz and National. I asked (fortunately, the folks in the booths speak pretty good English), and got the directions to the Sixt return area. We dropped the car off, they checked it out, and we unloaded the **** luggage. Now all we had to do was get to Terminal 1, since the drop-off point was near Terminal 2. We snagged another luggage trolly (again free!) and made our way through the parking area to the shuttle bus pickup point. As we waited for the bus, I glanced at my watch and realized we were starting to get very close to takeoff time. I said a silent prayer of thanks that I was able to pay by check; if I had to have gone down to town and back, we would have never made it.

It was pretty warm, and we were starting to sweat a bit. The bus came by and we squeezed on board - with all the **** luggage, of course. We finally pulled up to the terminal and grabbed another free trolly, and looked around for the ticket counter. We found it, but it was quite a walk, and time was gettin' short. The line was pretty long, but since we were travelling in Club Europe, we could get into the premium line. It was closed, but they opened it up, tagged our luggage, and rushed up upstairs to Security. I was pretty damp by this time, because the scheduled depature time was about NOW!

Well, we got through Security and found the gate, only to find that the flight was delayed a bit. Not a whole lot, but just enough so that we would have no problem. I suppose there is a lounge at Nice, but we really didn't have enough time to locate it. Sorry, folks; maybe next time.

The flight back was on a nice 767 - I think. It was either a 757 or 767. Had two aisles. Do you know which it was? Until I get further data, I think I'll call it a 767. Anyhow - we were up front in seats 4D & F. I wondered about seat 4E, but it was a narrow area with a seat belt, but I don't think you could put anyone in it. I wonder what it's there for?

As we took off about 15-20 minutes late, the clouds had rolled in, so we couldn't get a nice view of Nice. We were in the center anyhow, but a last look at the Riviera would have been nice.

Shortly after we levelled off, the FA's came around with the hot towels and drinks. There was no in flight entertainment, so we pulled out the magazine and read that. Shortly thereafter, they started the meal service. It's been so long, I'd forgotten what it's like to be fed well on a plane. The main course was a choice of either a quiche (which I selected) or chicken (which my wife chose). I asked for wine, and was shown a selection - I chose a Merlot and they gave me the bottle. Food was excellent. Even the coffee was more like American coffee.

Overall, the flight was rather uneventful (my favorite kind) and soon we were on final approach for Heathrow. The only task now was to get from Terminal 1 (where we landed) over to Terminal 4 (where we would depart). What could be easier, right?

Well, I hadn't realized how far it is from T1 to T4! We walked for what seemed like a couple of miles - down halls, on moving walkways, finally down some stairs where we joined up with hundreds of others in snaking through Security - to leave the building! I can't for the life of me figure out why we had to do that.

After clearing Security and being x-rayed (I was starting to worry about the camera and film), we went outside to catch the shuttle bus. At T4, we again went through Security and x-rays, and finally climbed up to the gate level. I checked the A&D board, and the Toronto flight was delayed. Good. Found the lounge and they directed me to the Concorde lounge. It's across from gate 10. Which is a lo-o-o-o-ng way from where we were. So .... we schlepped across the shoppe area (migawd - the place looks like an American shopping mall!) and finally located the Concorde lounge. We flashed our First Class boarding passes, and they whisked us in.

The folks at the front desk informed us that there had been a major auto accident on M25, and the crew couldn't get there for our flight. They would inform us when it became available. Hearing that, we quickly located the smoking lounge and settled in to relax and dry the sweat off. A couple of Johnny Walker Blacks helped. Also some cucumber sandwiches - why the Brits eat those things I'll never know. The carrot cake was good, though.

We weren't there very long (certainly not long enough for a shower, which I would have loved), when the departure time for our flight came up. Apparently either the crew had gotten through or they rounded up another. Finished our drinkies and made our way to gate 11. When all the riff-raff had loaded, we strolled on turning left and began to settle in.

On the return leg, we had chosen seats 2A and 3A. As it was a day flight, we hoped for some nice views out the window. There was a single woman in 2K, and a couple got on in 5E/F. I spoke with the FA, and he informed me that they had been booked pretty full, but apparently the same accident that had delayed the crew was also delaying the other pax. It looked like what was there was all there was going to be. Seeing that, I asked about the rumor that, if one sat in 1A or 1K, you could just see beyond the curvature of the plane and good a look forward. He said he had heard that, too, but had never had a chance to check it out. He then invited me to sit in 1A or 1K for the takeoff. I was like a kid in a candy store! After quaffing the complementary champagne (no Krug again - oh well, Peiper is fine with me) I strapped myself in to 1A and strained for a look as we taxied toward the runway.

Can you see anything? Sadly, no. At least, not much. If you strain real hard, and convince yourself that thare's something there, I guess you can see a little. Not enough to get excited about, though.

Since we were so light in First, the FAs had plenty of time to take good care of us ... and they did. After another drink (JWBlue, of course ) and settling in, they came around and took out orders. I had undid the buddy seat on 2A, and we pulled out the tray. The flight was smooth, and we might as well use up the whole cabin.

The menu was as follows:

FIRST COURSES

MAIN COURSES

and of course:

ALWAYS AVAILABLE

CHEESE, DESSERT & FRUIT

And, of course, beverages, beverages, beverages.

As we were looking it over, the FA warned us that the fillet of beef had been sent back by a couple of pax already (apparently, the Club World menus was the same, at least as far as the main course was concerned). They said it was because the meat was overcooked. Now, we like our meat reasonably well-done, so we said we'd give it a try. It turned out that, as far as we were concerned, it was done to perfection. Yummy, too.

We cleared off the buddy seat and slid out the tray, and proceeded to dine as if we were in a very nice (albeit small) restaurant. That's one of the features my friends have difficulty comprehending.

It was quite a pleasant journey. The weather was clear and beautiful. The view was relatively unclouded and we could chat and watch the ocean below. Then, another drink, and it was movie time.

I selected "Ed Wood", because he's one of my favorite bad directors. I have a clean copy of "Plan Nine From Outer Space" in my library. The video was well done, and I was able to get it into and out of the slot with no trouble this time. Whew!

So, we watched movies, talked, wandered about the cabin (as it was practically empty) and in general enjoyed ourselves. I resisted the temptation to "moon" the coach pax. Maybe next time.

Because of the delay in getting off out of LHR, we were about 45 minutes or late in pulling into YYZ. Coupled with the usual delays, getting the **** luggage (they called ahead that they had neglected to load one of the pieces), we got out about an hour or so later than we had expected. Our daughter was there with the car. We loaded up and headed toward to border. We were home at last

[This message has been edited by BigLar (edited Nov 28, 2003).]