FlyerTalk Forums - ex-DUB TP Run (almost live)

On leaving LHR the previous evening I caught the free local service bus (route 423) to Premier Inn T5. I have stayed here once before when visiting London on a work trip, and was aware of its proximity to the terminal having stayed at the Thistle in January. I had a wait of about ten minutes for the bus, but this was no bad thing considering you are dropped off right outside the hotel. Check in was really straight forward and pleasant and I was in my room within a few minutes. I have stayed in Premier Inns on numerous occasions with family as I really like the no-nonsense approach to the rooms – hotels where you have to stop a child from picking up and rummaging through things is a bonus. The fact that I often pick up rooms for the advertised lead-in rate is also good. I also find, despite being a chain, they often have little personal ways of running. For example, a regular one we stay at in Derby always leaves a plastic duck on the bed, which you return to reception and claim a reward. I really liked the non-standard email I received direct from the hotel, as well as the main chain one. I digress. The room itself was exactly what I expected and I was soon tucked up in bed with the expectation of getting a god night’s sleep. It’s guaranteed, supposedly. I set various alarms for 4am, not daring to sleep through and missing my flight. Anyway, I woke up at 2.30am and couldn’t get back to sleep. What happened to the guarantee? Any grounds in complaining and getting my room rate refunded?  It came as no surprise that I was packed and out of the hotel at 4am ready to catch the bus back to T5.

I needed to print my boarding cards as well as check in for the AA flights later the same day – neither the BA app, website or the AA website would allow me to check in. However, even I knew that the desks would not open until 5am, and I wasn’t that eager to get through to the lounge to wait for it to open. I decided to take a little journey on the pods. Simply heading over to the parking and straight back. Well, it helped kill about ten minutes.

On returning to departures, I tried to check in using the automated booths. Printed my boarding pass but told me I had to do an additional passport and visa check before heading through security, so had to queue up at the CW check in desks. A reasonable queue had formed by 5am, but about six agents came out, logged in and started processing those who had bags to check in. I had my passport checked – no mention of visa, although I would be surprised if there was as I have a valid ESTA. I also received my boarding passes for later on.

Security at South was a doddle. No additional screening. Green smiley face recorded. And so I was off to Galleries South. The lounge was more or less deserted, and I helped myself to some juice, a coffee and bacon roll. If you can class a slice of bacon in a petit pain as a bacon roll. The bacon was cold but the roll was slightly warm. The coffee machine was really slow, and why do you need to press twice to get a decent portion.

I had no real qualms about the lounge, although on a visit to the toilet the ‘sharps’ bin was missing a lid and people had come to use it as an ordinary bin. Not very safe. I left the lounge around 6.45 and headed to 5B where I knew I would be flying from. I’m not psychic – I had asked! Already by this point, I was aware of the flight being delayed due to late arrival of the incoming aircraft. So a 9.15 departure was scheduled instead of 8.20am. No big deal. Yet! Took the transit rather than walk – today was going to be a long day and I needed to conserve my energy. Even more important with the escalator to the lounge being out of order.

One of the reasons why I headed over early was to try to get into the spa. I thought that this one would be quieter and just after seven I was able to book myself in for a treatment. I was offered 8am, but concerned that they might bring the flight forward from the new time, I decided to just try the chair massage. I am fairly tall at over six feet, and clearly I had not sat in the chair properly at the start and so missed out on getting my feet done.
My ankles did seem to get a good working over. The whole experience was a bit strange and not what I expected. Despite going for the medium over the firm, the sensation at times on my lower back was quite painful. Although quiet nice the few times it did something near my shoulders. (From what I read on the first page of the spa thread – visiting the spa is something that CWS has not done – must surely be one of the few things BA related that he hasn’t!)

Following that I spent a little time in the lounge and headed to the gate around 8.30am. Not long after we were called forward with very clear priority boarding announcements. Despite asking for those needing assistance, children and first, I was second to board and the first up the stairs to the upper deck. I caught the crew something off guard as they were clearly having a quick bite to eat. In hindsight this was clearly wise.

As I write this, mid-flight, I have to say the crew have been excellent. Everybody was welcomed on board and spoken to. Without even asking a child was taken up front to meet the captain. Why do they think only children want to do this? An excellent blend of humour, pleasantness and professionalism. Service has been excellent. Including three pre-flight glasses of Tattinger. Being aware of the delayed departure, and that we had been catered breakfast, they made a point of taking all orders whilst still at the gate, especially as we encountered a series of delays. Firstly there was an issue with a cargo door for which the engineer was called. Once this was fixed, paper work completed and the engineer on his way, two whole plane lost power. Although the captain was able to restore this, one of the power generators was broken and the engineer had to be brought back. From the messages we were given, including starting one of the engines on stand, we were allowed to leave without this being repaired, but it still had to be authorised, and so delayed us further. Was most depressing to see on FlightRadar that the later flight to JFK had already pushed back, and would clearly beat us into the immigration hall at T7. Eventually all technical issues were resolved and we pushed back and were heading to the runway. One slight advantage was seeing the LAX service taking off. A first for me seeing it slowly rumble along the runway. It did look slow! However, what also surprised me was a number of flights landed on the same runway that we were taking off from. I thought the alternated, one for take-offs and the other for landing?

And so the flight commenced, and we were served yet another drink with our ‘extravagant’ breakfast. I went for the smoked salmon, which was served alongside a very rich fruit and nut granola. This was more than enough, but I still had the cooked breakfast to come. This was not too bad, and considering how hot it was, not dried out. Wrapping the scrambled egg in the bacon was a good touch and made sure it didn’t dry out. Just a pity the bacon was smoked as I prefer mine plain. Overall the food was of a decent standard and I have no real issues so far.

After gorging myself – I felt compelled to eat it all as not sure how I will find the afternoon tea offering. I put the seat down and went to sleep. I thought I did quite well and when I woke was somewhat perturbed to find that I had only been asleep for about 30 minutes. Oh well, more time to drink the Tattinger.

As for the seat. Being without status I refused to cough up £75/£85 to select a seat and was therefore waiting for online checkin to open. However, a few days before I discovered that I had been allocated 17K. I would have been happy with this, but really wanted to try the upper deck. Fortunately 63K was available and I was able to swap into this when I checked in for the first flight from Dublin. Overall I am pleased with the seat. However, there are a few issues. The arm rest is very loose and wobbles about, and the spring on the IFE screen is broken. I currently have it propped open with a folded piece of paper, which moves every time I touch the screen!
The rest of the flight was fairly uneventful. I went to check out the club kitchen to find it had been raided and there was virtually nothing left. Afternoon tea was served but this was somewhat uninspiring. The scone was nice but I managed to get a nice dollop of cream in a place where it does not look good!

The final approach was a little bumpy, but touchdown was smooth. However, when getting to the gate we needed to be towed into position, and then had to wait an age for the doors to open

Coming next – fun and games at immigration, Admirals Club lounge at T8 and AA JFK/LAX on the A321T.

Pictures will be loaded later.