Something to Declare

Post No. 2. Premium Economy.

MAY 5, 2023

Trigger warning: For this post I was able to import one photo, but then the system started being unable to access my Google Photos. I’ve sent out a message to the platform (“HELP!!!!”). But until they get back to me, no more pix. When it gets fixed, I’ll send out a slew of this trip’s photos.

This trip is, in part, science experiment. Some time ago, Stef and I took a trip to Europe on my old saved-up American Airlines miles. There were enough to go Business Class, so we opted for that. OMG! Lie-flat beds, elegant drinks and dinners, the use of the Business Class lounge! We agreed, Economy Class? Never again! So the last few long-haul trips have been in Business Class, and the experience has been wholly positive.

The downside, of course, is the cost. Big bucks ($$$$$) for all of these nice perks. And with our post-Covid travel binge, this is not a small thing.

Then we came across something called “Premium Economy.” No lie-flat seats, but the seats do recline more than in regular Economy, with more legroom, and you do get drinkies. We were told that you can pay to access the Business Class lounge, where there’s a discount for Premium Economy flyers. Hmmmmm.

Then there came this short solo trip to Poland. I offered to Stef that I would “take one for the team,” and opt for Premium Economy. As I said, a science experiment: Are we permanently spoiled for Business Class? There are a few conflicts, like worrying about how close my reclined seat will come to the chin of the person sitting behind me. But, of course, that person can recline, too, right? Only one way to find out.

MAY 6, 2023

Okay, the verdict is in. Premium Economy is just not going to cut it. First, Premium Economy entitles you to the “United Lounge” for a fee that was not discounted. I got in for free this time, because the name on my boarding pass was not identical to the one on my credit card, so it kept getting rejected. So the gatekeeper gave up and just waved me in.

But the lounge itself is no great shakes, and you can’t eat and drink enough to justify the entry fee. On the other hand, the “Polaris Lounge,” for long-haul Business Class travelers, seemed pretty posh. The seats in Premium were bigger than in Regular economy, but not much; and they reclined more, but not by much.

Felt cramped and uncomfortable, and I was able to sleep a bit by taking two of Stef’s Melatonin gummies.

I know, I know, I’m a big spoiled baby. I admit it.

But now it gets good. Remember the old adage, that a travel disaster at least gives you a good story to tell later? Got a notice on my phone that the first flight to London Heathrow was going to be delayed by 20 minutes. I had the sense to apply the “Rule of the Thirds,” like in AA (when they tell you how much they’re drinking, multiply it by three), or in the law (the top third of your class become law professors, the middle third become lawyers, and the bottom third become judges [heh]). So I assumed (correctly) that the 20 minute delay would actually be 60 minutes. This meant that we’d be getting to Heathrow only one hour before the LOT Airlines flight to Warsaw would be leaving. It was going to be pretty close, right?

Yup. On my own and walking with a cane, I’d have never made it on time to the departure gate for the Warsaw flight. But there is a Fairy Godmother Department: As we were de-planing in London, there was a “Connection Assistant” waiting at the gate, asking who were the three passengers who had to make a connection to Warsaw. He ushered the three of us to where they provided one of those golf-cart-type vehicles, which whisked us to Security, and he also expedited Security for us, and we made the flight by a hair’s breadth. Everything okay?

Not quite. While zooming toward Gate 125 at Heathrow, I inquired as to whether our luggage would also make it to the plane on time. He said that they were going to rush to pull our luggage and try to zip it to the LOT flight.

Um……..not quite. My stuff never came through (that would have been too much to ask), and I had to go to Airport Services to report the matter. They said that the luggage will be delivered to the hotel tomorrow afternoon. (Yeah, right.)

I’m more worried about the other two Warsaw passengers. Both were changing planes (again!), one bound for Slovenia for hiking, and the other, an MD, for a Pediatrics conference in Moldova. (See, Stef, other people do go to these oddball places too!) But will these people ever see their suitcases?

Okay, gotta go and meet the rest of this tour in the hotel lobby. Later…….

May 6, 2023 (Later Evening)

Okay, back from dinner. Met our group (28 folks of varying backgrounds and pairings (married couples, siblings, grandma and grandson, some traveling alone like me). Our tour guide, Anna, took us on a tour bus for some pre-dinner sight-seeing of the Stare Miasto (Old Town). Too rainy and obscured for any photos. I relied on the kindness of strangers: Some tour companions were nice enough to lend me an umbrella and a shawl, and tomorrow I’m getting the loan of a jacket and a sweater.

Dinner was at a place in the Stare Miasto called Restauracja Kuchina Warszawska. Each of us had a complementary shot of the local Vodka Zubrowka. Straight-up, ice-cold, yummy with herbal notes. We shouted “Na Zdrowie!” (bless you), and chugged the vodka, but we couldn’t throw our glasses into the fireplace because it was blocked off.

Dinner was traditional Polish, white veggie soup with delish local bread, breaded pork chop with cabbage and potatoes,and a dessert of carrot pudding in pastry. With a few exceptions, everything was made with ingredients that are the worst things in the world for you to eat, right?

Please pray for my luggage to arrive today, and that they can fix the photo problem.

Na Zdrowie!