I had an early start on Sunday, picked up at 4.30am for the trip down to Heathrow. Terry got me there in good time, and I was able to go straight through the fast-track security, with no queueing required.
When I flew to Montreal last month, it took me ages to find the way to the 'B' gates, because I missed one crucial signpost, so this time I knew exactly where I was going and it only took 10 minutes to walk to the 'B' concourse. I definitely only booked business class, but appear to have been moved up to first - for all the flights in my itinerary, which is nice! When I got to the lounge reception, I was directed down a different corridor into the First Class lounge instead. It was very comfortable, almost empty, and quiet! I had a quick English breakfast and coffee before heading down to the gate, just in time.
On the plane, I was given another breakfast, which I passed on except for the coffee and croissant, which was lovely with strawberry jam. Then I managed to sleep a little off and on throughout the flight, although I seem to have missed the freshly-baked cookies. Before arriving, a "light lunch" was to be served. This consisted of a prawn skewer with chilli sauce couscous salad; sweet potato and ginger soup; fresh seasonal salad with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, peppers, croutons, dressing; my choice of main course for which I chose the tenderloin of beef with Marsala sauce, chive mashed potatoes, carrots and sugar snap peas; cheese board; and finally ice cream with a variety of toppings!
Fortunately, the walk to immigration wasn't very far and, as I've visited the USA before on current ESTA, I was allowed to use the fast track area where you scan your passport on the console, do the fingerprint check and photo check, and it prints you a receipt that you take the official, who just checks it and stamps it and lets you in - it took less than 2 minutes! Sadly, there was then a 30 minute queue for customs and no fast-track. It's not entirely clear why it took so long, as all the official was doing was collecting the slip of paper that the machine printed for me at immigration!
This time, I avoided the long walk to the railway station by going around to terminal 2 on the transit train. I could have cut more time off, by cutting through the Hilton hotel reception. After I found my pass and reloaded it, I went into the city centre and out again to my hotel, which is in the River North area, close to loads of restaurants, the river, and to a Red Line station for getting up to the Cubs games. Unfortunately, the White Sox game today was early, so I couldn't sneak in an extra game!
I had a light dinner and then stayed up until 10pm to try to finish adjusting to the time zone change.
No comments:
Post a Comment