As time goes by the world is becoming a smaller place. With travelling becoming faster and more efficient navigating the globe has become easier and more accessible. Yet many of the processes, whilst being more efficient, remain the same.
We checked in this morning to London Heathrow after an overnight stay at the Renaissance London Heathrow hotel. It's added a few extra pounds to our trip but was so worth it as our morning was a relaxed affair and consisted of a 5 minute taxi ride to terminal 3.
Check-in was fine but going through security was a bit more adventuresome as Gem, who is the first to admit it, talks constantly when she's nervous. But what is it about going through security that gets us all in a mucking fuddle? Watching everyone do the x-ray walk always cracks a smile; we awkwardly saunter through doing a walk we only do when we're either trying a new pair of shoes on or are being watched like a hawk. We then gaze at the security officer as if to say "did I pass?". For them it must be a great power trip.
We got through unscathed, had some breakfast and, pretty much in our own time, wandered down to the gate for boarding. And that's where the difference in classes begin.
First class are invited to board the plane.
Premium economy are asked to board the plane.
The rest of us are told to just get on.
I've travelled first class and business class before but only as free upgrades. Whilst it's undeniably nice... ok amazing, I just don't feel the price tag warrants it. Sure it's nice to travel in luxury but I can have a lot more fun with the £5k saving thanks.
And then there's the security issue. Understandably the airports and airlines run high security measures constantly and you're not allowed a large selection of items in your carry on luggage. For example you can't carry on a knife. Well that's perfectly understandable. Yet if you travel 1st class they give you a metal knife to eat with.
After all terrorists don't travel 1st class.
So there we were sitting in economy, Gem had unpacked and repacked her bag must be 5 times whilst getting herself sorted and ready for the flight (she's become a bit of a nervous flyer) when, over the tannoy, we hear there's a "minor issue with the plane".
Queue minor hyperventilation and subsequent imaginary brown bag. I calmly remind Gem that it's probably just the falangey which makes her chuckle and calms her down. And then we hear from what we can only imagine is the captain. Now why do they all sound so disinterested? Like talking to their passengers, their fare paying customers, is the lowest point of their day? Are we really that below them?
Back to the classes. I also noticed that the air hostesses for 1st and business class appeared to be attractive with decent bodies. The air hostesses in premium economy weren't so fit but still passable. Our's were over-weight with troweled on make up. A co-incidence? I think not.
And then we were off. In my day to day life I don't get much time to read or watch films so I was looking forward to going on a long haul flight to catch up a bit. I chose my first film and sank back into my seat to enjoy. 30 seconds later I'm interrupted by another nondescript message over the tannoy by the captain.
2 minutes later another message by the co-pilot. 2 minutes after that a message from the cabin crew manager. 2 minutes after that a message from one of the hostesses. This seemed to go on and on until every member of staff had had their 15 seconds of inflight fame. Enough already!
I'd made it 42 minutes into my film when the in-fight entertainment crashed. "I'm terribly sorry, I'll have to reboot the whole system which can take quite a long time" apologised the captain.
Better the entertainment than the plane I thought.
We arrived into Detroit and proceeded through immigration. Eduardo was very helpful as Gem chewed his ear off in nervous panicment as her fingerprints didn't scan (she has the strangest fingerprints which have to be seen to be believed). It came down to just one thumb in the end which we considered losing just to be allowed in. Thankfully it didn't come to that and now we wait for our connecting flight to Las Vegas.
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