With the UK being my destination, I always enjoy the departure lounge part of the journey, as the ratio of British to US accents starts tipping in favour of the old country (and that mysterious 'u' starts reappearing in my spelling).
Having been born in the sixties in the UK, the class system is still on my hard drive. Standing in the Virgin Atlantic queue (who's directive was 'Upper Class'), the fist 20 years of my youth arose to remind me I was sneaking into an area where, according to my accent and upbringing I didn't belong. Luckily after 28 years of living in the US I didn't give a shit and felt completely deserving! Yet I did ponder later 'would I have felt that way had the airline not been British'? When the stewardess asked me quietly “Is this your first time in Upper Class”?, I blurted “yes, it is, does it show”,?! “no, no”, she assured me as we chuckled, “we ask everyone, so we can familiarize you with the in-flight chair and entertainment system”! Phew, and I thought she had spotted the impostor! (With apologies for the blurry turbulence enhanced picture-hic!).
The green and pleasant land.
How to pick up girls from Leeds...
Tempting Heathrow.....very tempting.
I had partaken in the joys of free beer and Earl Grey at the Upper Class lounge at LAX. However, I had also found myself behaving like an urchin from the street, 'steeling' a complimentary granola bar and apple for the harsh reality when 'poof', 10 1/2 hours later at LHR I'd be back to my regular middle class life.
5 comments:
Ahh, the comforts of first class travel. Lean back, relax, and enjoy it while you can. While I worked for an airline and had the opportunity to travel overseas I had the good fortune to enjoy first class service with a number of airlines. The only time I was treated less than graciously was by British Airways. Just a coincidence probably.
Never pass up the opportunity to cop a free snack. You deserved that apple and granola bar! My best to Anne.
TG: I'm ruined for life now and will have to spend more money to earn my next mileage ticket! Granola bar still in back-pack awaiting it's 'moment'.
Misleading title...
Do you think you gave the cabin crew a hint that you were new to this grandeur when you whipped out your camera to photograph the dinner??
TG: The only time I was treated badly was on a United Airlines flight, so maybe it is a "Us and Them" thing when the staff hear a person's accent? Hopefully not...
Sharon - if you're heading anywhere near Devon look us up.
Cammar: ....but excellent comment.
Mchumbie:Crikey you might be on to something with the photographic journal theory! Not going as far as Devon (shame or I'd ask Gordon to put another chair in the greenhouse for me), but London is definitely in my future!
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