We had a lovely Phoenix DO as as my friend, who shall remain nameless (and shameless), and I were coming back from PHX on an obvious routing PHX-LAX-SJC-LHR-BLL-LHR. Obviously... With a 5 hour break in LAX QF F most appropriately planned so it spanned both breakfast and lunch service. A pleasant wake up (for some of us) and a quick breakfast before our 7:30AM local time shuttle to PHX, pre-security and straight in one of the worse AA lounges in the network...

Anyways, we eventually got to SJC, and we already knew there would be a delay and I called GGL to hold us seats on next day's LHR-BLL service. Coming back on a very delayed service (2h) from SJC on Sunday (for the interest of the avid readers it was flight BA278 operated by a delightfully new B787-9) we absolutely knew we would not make the connection. At boarding the map was showing arrival at 1540 and our LHR-BLL was departing 1605.

To our great surprise CSM came along 30 min prior to lending to ask whether other parties were travelling along because BA special services was gonna wait for us upon arrival. I was fully expecting to get SOFITEL vouchers and rebooked boarding passes. Lo and behold we touched down at 15:30 and get to gate in C gates of T5 at 15:35. First of the plane (due to strategic 7J/K seats), on airbridge we are met by a team of SS, who check our passport and ask obligatory customs question about amount of cash. At this point the SS contacts the TRM (turnaround manager for LHR-BLL) and informs them they have us.

We are taken down the jetty elevator, and onto a waiting car with our luggage. We drive to C gates security entrance, pass through security (moment we clear another call is made to TRM to hold the flight as we are through). We get back into the car and speed to gate A20. Back up the elevator onto the aircraft at 15:53. What a transfer. Of course that wasn't everything - I informed the crew I was coming back, with them, on a B2B. They couldn't believe it, but eventually, after the lovely CSM checked the flight for return I was on it, in exactly the same seat and same Kosher meal.

The trouble did not end here. I didn't expect I would make the LHR-BLL and BLL-LHR, hence I didn't check in for the BLL-LHR and when i tried as we taxied, my APIS wasn't working so it said check-in at the airport - which is not great when check-in will be closed by the time I get to BLL.

Sheepishly I ask the CSM whether she could speak with the pilot and get BLL ground to check me in. 30 min prior to landing she informs me pilot got the telex they can't check in without correct APIS, but SS BLL (who knew they existed) will await for my at jetty. As we land and park at gate 12/15 can't remember, sure enough the SS BLL (or as it actually turns out just a Ground staff member in charge of BA Ops is waiting for me to take me straight to gate (not going through passport or security) and scans my passport in and prints BP. Then I am asked whether I would like to get onboard immediately, which I decline as I don't wanna be in the way of cleaning staff.

But what a great, albeit for some stressful, experience and an exhausting day was head. I was very glad to put my head down at 9pm at LHR T5 SOFITEL that night...