Thanks for the various bigs of advice. No one seems to be advising me that it is worth switching to the 737 from LGW or the 757 from LHR, both of which arrive in MAD about the same time. So, although I am not in general one for believing that life is long enough to try out everything once, I guess I will stay put and see how the LCY flight goes. If anyone does think I should clearly switch, please yell now.
Even the most negative comments, from Land-of-Miles, seemed to suggest that in the circumstances (heading out straight after work, from the Wharf) I should fly from LCY as he had the proviso.
unless I had a good reason to fly from LCY (e.g. if like me you live very close) then I would choose to fly from elsewhere.
Unfortunately SKipcool's advice does not apply
Originally Posted by
Skipcool3
If you are booked on the RJ as a solo pax enjoy the exp, and try to get an empty seat next to you by playing with the OLCI.
as I pointed out I was travelling with a friend (moreover, one whose seat can't be assigned to OLCI). I think the best we can hope for is to be far enough forward to get some extra seat pitch. Probably the middle seat next to me (I'm currently in 11C) won't be bagged before OLCI. We won't mind spilling onto each others' laps a bit (it's that sort of friend) so that may make things a bit more bearable.
I shall try to enjoy the fact that getting to the airport is a short taxi ride away, although I clearly don't mind the journey (tube + GE) to Gatwick in late afternoon anything like as much as Raffles does, and I suspect I probably regard the claustrophobia of a cramped plane much more of an issue than he does.