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Old Aug 2, 2009, 10:30 am
  #16  
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
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Thanks for the very comprehensive report HIDDY.

As BA crew, nothing you wrote about the BA First experience came as a surprise ... most of us agree that the hard product is well past its expiry date, and the soft product, including food, is subject to unacceptable degrees of variation - as became apparent to you during your experience.

The pre-departure nuts will be gone, as will the canapes and chocolates in the next couple of days (cost-cutting). Nuts will be offered after take-off, and the canapes are to be replaced with amuse-bouches.

As for the crew cutting corners - there really is no excuse - but it's BA after all .... still a lottery, especially in the Economy cabins. Changes are under way, but it will take time.
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Old Aug 2, 2009, 10:35 am
  #17  
 
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Excellent repot. Thanks!
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Old Aug 2, 2009, 10:56 am
  #18  
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Thanks again Hiddy - shame it did not appear to be up to what F should be. Looking forward to the next one

Regards AKS120
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Old Aug 2, 2009, 6:03 pm
  #19  
 
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Great TR Thanks for Posting.

Cheers Larry.
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Old Aug 2, 2009, 8:41 pm
  #20  
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Originally Posted by restlessinRNO
HIDDY It's a bit sad, IMHO, that after flying F SYD-SIN-LHR, you're still hungry and need to visit the BA Arrivals Lounge in London for breakfast!
Well it did take us a wee while to get from T4 to T5 and we did have to go through immigration and collect our luggage so it was a while after we had eaten on the plane. You could call it greed as well of course.

Originally Posted by Paint Horse
In my case it was a $14,000 difference.
Wow that is a big difference - you made the right decision.

Originally Posted by SanDiego1K
Beautiful pictures. Thank you for a great photographic/text report.
Thanks SanDiego1K

Originally Posted by anat0l
Once again HIDDY, you're proving yourself quite handily to be a very formidable trip reporter.
You can obviously spot a literary genius when you see one.

Originally Posted by RTW4
Thanks for writing such a beautiful report.. The photos were great.. I completely agree with your assessment of BA first..
It's a shame that BA F can be a bit of a hit and miss - Good news was that the next flight was much better.

Originally Posted by QF009
I've been following your series of reports, thanks for taking the time to share the highs and lows of your trips with us HIDDY. Thanks especially for the wonderful pics.
Ah thanks - Mine must seem boring compared to yours though.

Originally Posted by macabus
It seems like HIDDY's finally getting the hang of writing a decent trip report.
Good job I know your sense of humour.

Originally Posted by pb3
Sydney looks very nice - I'd simply love to visit some day but such a long flight puts me off. I could only manage such a marathon flight in F.
You know the SIN-SYD leg is quite short so once you get to SIN from LHR and have a stopover it's not at all bad even in Y I imagine. Definitely worth doing as Sydney is a great city.

Originally Posted by totti
Great report and wonderful pictures. I really enjoyed this one:
http://p2qgda.bay.livefilestore.com/...J/SNC11764.JPG
Yes how could you not love a Koala - Lovely little animals.

Originally Posted by elitetraveler
Two more great reports, with excellent photos ^
Cheers. ^

Originally Posted by Genius1
When entering Galleries Arrivals, does the agent scan the pass or just look at it?
Hi Genius1 - I haven't got a clue to be honest. She did take a while so I'm guessing she must have done more than just look at the BP stubs - maybe she was getting the CCR invitations sorted as well.

Originally Posted by aSiAnRiCk
Nice TR! Thank you for the good read ^
Thanks.

Originally Posted by Bar Operator
Thanks for the very comprehensive report HIDDY.

As BA crew, nothing you wrote about the BA First experience came as a surprise ... most of us agree that the hard product is well past its expiry date, and the soft product, including food, is subject to unacceptable degrees of variation - as became apparent to you during your experience..
Maybe we were lucky but both cabins were pretty fresh looking and there was nothing wrong with the seats so that side of it was no problem. The food quality and service wasn't the best though. I have to say they were the worst two BA flights I have ever had in over 40 years of flying since the old BEA days. Lets hope they get it sorted out.

Originally Posted by The_Rockaway_Kid
Excellent repot. Thanks!
Thanks for commenting. ^

Originally Posted by aks120
Thanks again Hiddy - shame it did not appear to be up to what F should be. Looking forward to the next one
Regards AKS120
Next one was better.

Originally Posted by larrywilmot747
Great TR Thanks for Posting.

Cheers Larry.
Thanks Larry.
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Old Aug 2, 2009, 9:57 pm
  #21  
 
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Originally Posted by HIDDY
Ah thanks - Mine must seem boring compared to yours though.
Ah you flatter me dear HIDDY; unfortunately you must have confused me with PUCCI GALORE as there are no MUCCIs or any other lollies for you to pick up here. Don't worry, your reports are totally cool! ^
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Old Aug 2, 2009, 10:55 pm
  #22  
 
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Excellent trip report - I must say though, the BA-F product on your flight looked a bit lousy.....There are many airlines in J that would provide a better overall product than BA did on that flight. As for the empty box of chocolates.....being a self-confessed chocoholic myself....that is quite a pathetic effort by BA, especially for F customers on a half-full flight....
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Old Aug 3, 2009, 12:34 am
  #23  
 
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Great report, HIDDY.

I recently flew HKG - LHR on CX F, and although the seats were old generation, the meals and service were just outstanding. BA really need to polish their act.
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Old Aug 3, 2009, 3:41 am
  #24  
 
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Ahh. The Flight of the Uncooked Sausage!

Sorry it was a comparatively bad set of sectors HIDDY, but as you pointed out the on-product is getting frayed around the edges quite badly. The CCR services looks good and well delivered though.

A shame. It seems like the crew really didn't want to be aboard that flight to say the least.
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Old Aug 3, 2009, 5:03 am
  #25  
 
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HIDDY, is it possible to sneak out of the CCR for a crafty fag when departing LHR?
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Old Aug 3, 2009, 6:31 am
  #26  
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
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Excellent question, Donkeyk. Begs the question if there is a thread anywhere about airports which give the smoker a chance of a fix whilst airside?

Quite a trip report! ^ Factual, to the point and brilliantly illustrated. Certainly puts me off cashing some miles for an F trip though.
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Old Aug 3, 2009, 6:56 am
  #27  
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Originally Posted by QF009
Ah you flatter me dear HIDDY; unfortunately you must have confused me with PUCCI GALORE
Who's PUCCI GALORE?

Originally Posted by Platinum A332
Excellent trip report - I must say though, the BA-F product on your flight looked a bit lousy.....
Have had a lot better I have to say.

Originally Posted by VanMan
Great report, HIDDY.

I recently flew HKG - LHR on CX F, and although the seats were old generation, the meals and service were just outstanding. BA really need to polish their act.
Thanks VanMan - Our next LHR-HKG F flight was far better.

Originally Posted by Kevincm

A shame. It seems like the crew really didn't want to be aboard that flight to say the least.
Hi Kevincm - Maybe some of the bad news coming out of BA is affecting their performance?

Originally Posted by donkeyk
HIDDY, is it possible to sneak out of the CCR for a crafty fag when departing LHR?
The departures CCR as you know is airside unlike the arrivals one. Although I never bothered on my last visit I believe you can get escorted back out landside for a smoke. Downside is it's a bit of a hassle as you have to go back through security. Really not worth it to be honest unless you have plenty of time on your hands.

Originally Posted by CityRules
Excellent question, Donkeyk. Begs the question if there is a thread anywhere about airports which give the smoker a chance of a fix whilst airside?
I was thinking about that as well...maybe you could start one? I can certainly mention a few airports that still cater for smokers.
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Old Aug 3, 2009, 7:19 am
  #28  
 
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Another winner Hiddy! ^
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Old Aug 3, 2009, 7:28 am
  #29  
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Victoria, Australia
Posts: 73
Like everyone else I loved your TR. Ooooo ahhhh the veal didn't look so good (to me anyway). Uncooked sausage, burnt veal, cold tea, stale sandwiches...in F no-one can hear you scream.

I was so disappointed when our $$$$$'s didn't quite stretch to BA F but after hearing the comments here and other forums, I think it was kismet. For us in Australia, those BA F prices are really steep and I would have been disappointed if I had your experience paying those bucks.

I'm a Hiddy fan too...looking forward to more :-)

Diva
http://1stclassdiva.wordpress.com/
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Old Aug 3, 2009, 7:06 pm
  #30  
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Nice report, get any weird looks taking pictures on the plane? I've got a BA F trip coming up and still contemplating whether or not to go "all in" on the trip report.
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