Lufthansa LH 446
Frankfurt FRA to Denver DEN
747-400
Old First
1:20P-3:40P (sked)
1:20P-3:25P (actual)
February 16, 2014
First Class
Seats 83CH
Today a Porsche Cayenne, although shared with one other DEN passenger. A few minutes later we are at our gate.
Where our driver escorts us to the base of the jet bridge...
... up the elevator and onto the jet bridge, cutting the queue of Y pax to get us to the 1L of the no doubt the oldest 744 than LH operates. Thru the J and upstairs to one of LH's remaining old First class 744s, which seems to be used primarily on the DEN run.
At this point, the crew seemed normal although perhaps a little stiff. Cabin chief stopped by to say hello. OK, time to start drying out. Let's start with water today.
PDB Bar including Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle.
Rowena "Gents" amenity kit.
Meh.
The good news is that this antique bird has WiFi. The bad news comes later when trying to use it. But I digress.
Push and time to head home. Nonstop. But first... a very brief passing shower.
And back in the sun.
Once in the air, our two FAs set up the mid cabin cart. I like to see the action in front but there was all too much activity and setup going on today.
Hot towel.
Amuse bouche, a so-so salmon.
Today's menu. Another German celebrity chef, one Claus-Peter Lumpp.
At this point I told our lead FA that we wanted to wait a while to eat. But about an hour later after the rest of the cabin has been served caviar and starters, Mrs. SFO decided she wanted to eat.
For whatever reason, at this point, things went downhill as our crew, apparently in the Olympic spirit, attempted to break all known speed records for service. Perhaps when I told them we'd pass on the caviar cart, they figured that maybe they get us caught up with the rest of the cabin. What followed was the most rushed, un-paced, un-elegant, classless service on an airline not named Delta. Sure go ahead, drop another fork into my lap. These two FAs were rushing up and down the aisle. Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. OK, that was not turbulence, just our FAs. :D
Mrs. SFO quipped "how do they not run into each other?".
And in order to minimize the back and forth, they carried as much as they could in one trip, plates for two or more pax. Also clearing multiple tables and loading up their arms before heading back to the galley.
I started with Clauss-Peter's Yogurt and Tandoori marinated Breast of Poulard with Avocado and Soy pickled Tomatoes. I've been to India and to Indian restaurants... and there was nothing Tandoori or even yogurty about this one.
Leaf Salad with Cherry Tomato and Oyster Mushrooms. Another Meh.
Now for the interesting part. When I asked for the Breast of Spring Chicken, our FA told me "I'm sorry the chicken is gone. They only loaded three chickens. How about the Venison?" Seriously? If I'd wanted the Venison, I would have asked for the Venison.
I've never not received my first choice on any Lufthansa flight. As subsequently confirmed in the LH forum, LH loads one of each main for each passenger, with the crew then getting to choose from the leftovers (I guess unselected mains sounds better). Ergo, the crew decided that they wanted chicken and decided to use the old catering "only loaded three chickens" routine to steal my chicken. I opted for the sea bass which was actually pretty good, although strangely plated.
Octopus? Seriously? It's hard enough to get octopus right on the ground let alone at 35,000 feet. And once you have octopus at Milos (Montreal or New York), everything else pales in comparison.
The dessert cart. Pass.
After lunch, I caught up on work and tried to do part of my TR. The good news is yes, we have WiFi. ^
The bad news is that Lufthansa/T-Mobile are offering it free this month. :td:
Seriously? Did anyone stop to the think what would happen to connectivity when 300 pax try to access the internet??
Pretty much this...
When it did work, it was like watching paint dry. At one point, I stopped the cabin chief to complain. When I asked what sense it made to offer free WiFi when that renders the whole system useless for those are willing to pay, she replied "The speed does not depend on the number of users" but also adding "but there are not many using WiFi now". :rolleyes:
The worst part about old First is the ancient IFE.
Shortly after meal service, most of the cabin closed their window shades and decided to sleep while I continued working with my three shades open. Clearly working on my laptop and files. Yet twice in twenty minutes, the same FA came by and tried to close my shades. "Can I close these for you?" After the second go around when I muttered something like "Why would I want them closed? I'm working not sleeping", she got the message and didn't try again. Or do much of anything. Lots of traffic back and forth up to the cockpit but not once did an FA stop by and ask if I needed anything. I had a bottle of water so I didn't but she couldn't see or know that.
About two hours later, I decided to take a nap. But unlike the other pax who just reclined and slept, I knew there were mattresses. I asked the FA to make up my bed. And my wife's thank you. Closed the shades all on my own and slept for a couple of hours. With the mattress, even the old First seat bed is pretty comfortable.
After my nap, more work and trying to coax WiFi to work. And naturally no FA asking if I'd like anything. Not that I needed anything as I still had my water, but how did she know that?
At around T-2 the crew started prepping for the 2nd meal service but not before trying to put away the bedding. She stowed Mrs. SFO's before asking but didn't get to mine as I told her I wanted it as a bed with all my papers on it.
Today's Menu.
Beverage? Coke Light Please. One of the benefits of the galley cart in front of 83H is that you get to see what's going on. Instead of Coke Light, our FA pours from a Coke Zero bottle. When I called her on it, she said "what's the difference?" They taste different and they are two different products. At this point, I show her the menu.
-Coca-Cola
-Coke Light
-Coke Zero
Then she told me "I only have Coke Zero here" but figured perhaps that wasn't the best response, quickly adding "I'll go downstairs and get Coke Light." Oy. :rolleyes:
Yo LH, it's Italian Cuisine, why not just call it Vitello Tonnato? It was actually very good. Hard to imagine but I passed on the Octopus Carpaccio and the Filet of Anchovy. :eek:
Salt & Pepper shakers but only after I had to ask for them.
The Arugula Risotto with Walnuts, sun-dried Tomatoes, Eggplant and Spring Onions was very good.
Dessert cart.
The Sicilian Cassata Tart was excellent.
After the meal, our FA again tried to take away my bed. When I asked whether she really need to do it, she checked with her colleague, came back and acknowledged that was indeed not necessary to convert the bed back to a seat for landing.
Mercifully, we landed 15 minutes early to a glorious 66F +19C day in the Mile High City.
Of all our Lufthansa flights, this was the worst crew. Ever. Basic senior slugs putting in their time for pensions and travel bennies... just like a lot of senior US FAs. Unlike most great Lufthansa crews we've experience, this gang was not remotely interested in "customer service." But they sure were excited about their ski day tomorrow at Breckenridge.
Leave it to Mrs. SFO to sum it up... "The best part of this flight was sleeping. And nonstop home". As for our crew? "I can't stand them." Yikes.
Ah and look what just arrived. This should be fun. :D
The flight home notwithstanding, it was a wonderful quick trip and weekend in Paris. Thanks so much everyone for following along and for all of your comments. Now time to work before our next trip... Singapore Suites to Tokyo and Kyoto for Cherry Blossom season.
