Originally Posted by tezzer
(Post 17864559)
Ok, I'll bite.
The welcome, in my opinion was perhaps well meant, but as a very Frequent flier I found it a little patronising, being told what to expect as it was my first time in a Club cabin. As someone who fortunately or otherwise travels in the premium cabins of major airlines on a virtually weekly basis, I knew what to expect, thank you. BA know what programmes I am in, and at what level, it does not take Sherlock Holmes to figure out that I fly "a bit". Had the, very polite, lady told me to expect mediocre service, and a general air of disdain from the CC, it would have been nearer the mark, but I digress. As for boarding, as explained, as soon as the screen said "boarding" I was on my toes. By the time I had gone from the 4th floor to the 3rd, it was "last call", and by the time I was a minute from the gate, it was "gate closing". Hussein Bolt couldn't have made it to the priority boarding if he had been having a coke in the lounge. Although to be honest, he was more likely to be flying Virgin Upper class than BA Club World. A bloke with this level of humour, irony and balance cannot be lost. Stay around - your forum needs you!:) |
Originally Posted by tezzer
(Post 17864559)
BA know what programmes I am in, and at what level, it does not take Sherlock Holmes to figure out that I fly "a bit".
I doubt they do, and to them, it very likely will have looked like you had never flown with BA before (since records from 15 years ago may not be on the system) and it was your first time in CW. I doubt the staff member knew you were a frequent flyer and the information provided to her probably indicated the complete opposite. Indeed, it was your first time in the current BA CW cabin, as the current generation was not around 15 years ago. What was business class like back then - was it even called Club World (sorry, don't know when the first-gen flat beds came in). Please do report back on your return flight and I hope you get better service there. |
Originally Posted by tezzer
(Post 17864559)
Ok, I'll bite.
The welcome, in my opinion was perhaps well meant, but as a very Frequent flier I found it a little patronising, being told what to expect as it was my first time in a Club cabin. As someone who fortunately or otherwise travels in the premium cabins of major airlines on a virtually weekly basis, I knew what to expect, thank you. BA know what programmes I am in, and at what level, it does not take Sherlock Holmes to figure out that I fly "a bit". Had the, very polite, lady told me to expect mediocre service, and a general air of disdain from the CC, it would have been nearer the mark, but I digress. As for boarding, as explained, as soon as the screen said "boarding" I was on my toes. By the time I had gone from the 4th floor to the 3rd, it was "last call", and by the time I was a minute from the gate, it was "gate closing". Hussein Bolt couldn't have made it to the priority boarding if he had been having a coke in the lounge. Although to be honest, he was more likely to be flying Virgin Upper class than BA Club World. Stick around! 218 |
Originally Posted by uk1
(Post 17864593)
:D
A bloke with this level of humour, irony and balance cannot be lost. Stay around - your forum needs you!:) Also, please do continue to share your experiences, it enriches the experience for all(and apart from that, I'd point to you to my signature line) |
Originally Posted by tezzer
(Post 17864559)
Ok, I'll bite.
The welcome, in my opinion was perhaps well meant, but as a very Frequent flier I found it a little patronising, being told what to expect as it was my first time in a Club cabin. As someone who fortunately or otherwise travels in the premium cabins of major airlines on a virtually weekly basis, I knew what to expect, thank you. BA know what programmes I am in, and at what level, it does not take Sherlock Holmes to figure out that I fly "a bit". Had the, very polite, lady told me to expect mediocre service, and a general air of disdain from the CC, it would have been nearer the mark, but I digress. As for boarding, as explained, as soon as the screen said "boarding" I was on my toes. By the time I had gone from the 4th floor to the 3rd, it was "last call", and by the time I was a minute from the gate, it was "gate closing". Hussein Bolt couldn't have made it to the priority boarding if he had been having a coke in the lounge. Although to be honest, he was more likely to be flying Virgin Upper class than BA Club World. BA obviously do know that you fly a bit if you're a bronze member, but as you say they've not been long haul flights and your welcome was to BA Club WORLD which is BA's long haul business product. With all respect if you've not flown BA long haul for a while how would BA know that you used to fly with them 15 or so years ago? Also BA would not know any other FF programmes you're a member of as this information is not available to us. So they would only know you "fly a bit" short haul, not that you fly long haul with BA. So it really is not the fault of the staff that they were doing their job in welcoming you to a long haul CW flight. They were trying to make you feel special and it's sad that it had the opposite effect with you. Hence why you MUST complain if you're offended by it. As for boarding, unfortunately we have no control over the "boarding", "flight closing" signs that are shown on the screens (there is no "last call" sign). This is done by the airport authority who go on departure times they have rather than actual word from the TRM. As an experienced long haul traveller though I'm surprised you didn't wait a little to enjoy some more lounge time, though perhaps not flying BA recently you were unsure of the boarding process. As for your comment about Usain (who I presume you mean) Bolt you're very much incorrect. He flies with us all the time and many of us have dealt with him in the past. He's a charming man who loves spending time with the staff and is always offering to take pictures with us or passengers. Jamaica and BA have a long history and there's quite a fondness for BA in Jamaica (I know as I've lived there). Many Jamaicans prefer to fly BA because of that link, but I think VS attracts more tourists than returning residents on their flights. |
Originally Posted by tezzer
(Post 17863277)
I was paged by my full name to attend the desk, where a nice lady welcomed me to my first trip in the CW cabin. Actually, I used to use it every month in the dim and distant past, but don;t let that stop you being patronising.
Originally Posted by tezzer
(Post 17863277)
I got to the gate, and joined the queue of WT passengers, which went from the entrance to the airbridge to the plane door, about 10 minutes.
Originally Posted by tezzer
(Post 17863277)
The welcome onboard was a cool affair, and I have to say I was completely unimpressed with the service throughout the flight. Anything I wanted, I had to virtually beg for, I asked for a pen, to fill in the immigration form for Jamaica, and a short sharp "no" was all I got, not "I'll see if I can find you one" or any offer of assistance, just a plain "no".
Originally Posted by tezzer
(Post 17863277)
Ok, I didn't expect to be waited on hand and foot, that only happens in EK's first cabin with which I am very familiar, but this was a BIG let down.
Originally Posted by tezzer
(Post 17863277)
The seating didn't work for me either, a rearward facing window seat was a bit odd, but the nick-nack drawer at floor level is a right pain if you actually want to get something if as in my case you are less than fit and agile.
I wouldn't judge BA too much based on one experience. I could quite easily try EK for the first time, and dislike it, but you would perhaps argue I should fly them more often to gain a representative sample. |
Originally Posted by Genius1
(Post 17864673)
BA do have Fast Track lines in place at all gates, but I agree that they could be better signposted/staffed.
|
A thoroughly acceptable experience
As somone who hasn't used BA in a very long time, apart from 1 economy return to Bermuda, I had the chance to fly in the New Club World cabin of a 777-200 (3 class) from Gatwick to Kingston this week.
Imagine my shock and horror as a newbie to find dedicated check in desks away from the people travelling in lesser cabins. My sense of well being was futher enhanced by being able to use the "Gatwick Premium" security line, with only 1 other personin the line in front of me. Having found the lounge, I was overwhelmed to be summonsed to the front desk, by name no less, and given a pre flight briefing as to what to expect and welcomed to "the club". Wow, I mean, WOW, they knew it was my first time, and I was treated gently and made to feel special, like all "first timers " should be, I was going to use the term virgin, but that may cause offence, and indeed confusion in the airline business. After a very pleasant stay, in the lounge, I was given the opportunity to work off any calories that I may have inadvetantly put on, but taking part in the 500 metre dash, to the now closing gate, before givine a most welcome to get my breath back, by standing in the queue to board the lane. Having been shown (from the door) where the right hand side of the aircraft was, I found my cocoon, sorry, seat, and installed myself. Lovely. After take off, I was offered drinkies, a bag of nuts, and soon, a 3 course meal, washed down with wine and water. Presumably, for fear I might draw on the walls, or even injure myself or those around me my request for a sharp implement, to whit a pen, was refused point blank. In retrospect, I can see that this might have been a security related issue, after all, giving peple unused to air travel, and who have had a drink from the complimentary bar a pen could be seen, in these litigatous times foolhardy. Thanks for looking out for me. After being left alone to sleep for the remainder of the flight, I barely noticed the cabin crew, we arrived at our destination, no fuss, no faeces. Well done BA, the "to fly to serve" motto was carried out in an impeccable manner. I will be back, Friday night next week if your listening. |
APOLOGIST !!!!
I demand a recount !!!! BAH |
Cop out ! I posted a new and unrelated thread only to have it merged !
I was interested to see what response a different slant would have ! |
Rarely has an OP so much been the worst person to pick on!
This has been the best and most amusing thread for yonks! :) |
Originally Posted by tezzer
(Post 17864762)
Cop out ! I posted a new and unrelated thread only to have it merged !
I was interested to see what response a different slant would have ! |
Originally Posted by uk1
(Post 17864776)
Rarely has an OP so much been the worst person to pick on!
This has been the best and most amusing thread for yonks! :) |
I was thinking apologist too, but BAH Bolt beat me too it. :)
|
Originally Posted by tezzer
(Post 17864762)
Cop out ! I posted a new and unrelated thread only to have it merged !
I was interested to see what response a different slant would have ! If they don't then there are plenty of other airlines out there, as you know :) |
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