Thomson-Questions, comments, bouquets & brickbats (Merged)

[rm2242]

Hi all

Booked to fly the TOM4242 on 23rd June 2009 (returning 4243 2 weeks later) from Gatwick to Skiathos. Originally the flight times suggested a stopover at Thessaloniki on the way home, so im guessing B738 equipment (i.e. not a 757 which does it non-stop, and no ex-FCA A320's based at Gatwick for S'09).

Now when i try and book the same holiday, the flight time on the way home is about an hour shorter.

So my question is - has the equipment been upgraded to a B757???

Also, used to have access to the TOM flight schedules on the ANA cargo website, but this no longer seems to hold them. Would love another source if anyone knows....

Regards

rm2242

[anengineer]

All of you eat - or none of you.

I just tried adding in-flight meals to my holiday flight, (having booked the holiday weeks ago but not choosing meals at that time). Two of the three in our party want meals, the other one doesn't. Thomson have just told me that either we all have meals - or none, giving me some bizarre explanation about the meals all being located at one end of the aircraft (well, I didn't think the Captain kept them under his seat !).

I can't think of any justifiable reason for them to refuse to take meal orders for only part of our party. It smacks of rip-off tactics to me.

Are there any genuine reasons why this would be so ?

[G-BPED]

I think this is due to the fact that all passengers that are having meals will be seated in one part of the aircraft to make the meals service easier.

The system may only be able to cope with Meal or No Meal for an entire party and not individuals in the party because of the seating arrangements.

Of course I stand to be corrected.

Regards,

G-BPED

[sagered]

G-BPED You are correct, last time I flew with Thomson that was the case, all passengers with meals were seated together on the plane.

Sage

[Saintsman]

Similarly with excess baggage. It was either 6 of us pay or none at all. That was something like £90. Now I'll make sure I'm under the limit.

[anengineer]

Thanks for the replies. It seems rather a silly practice to me. However, I coughed up and paid for all three of us - the 'non eater' can still have nothing - and I can have double

[A2QFI]

Eating two airline meals voluntarily! That is true desparation!

[Envoy320]

aircraft meals for passengers are ticketed.....the lead passenger saying yes or no to a meal generates a reference for the whole party.

if everyone chose what they wanted in every group of passengers on a plane - it would never work.

[WHBM]

Originally Posted by Envoy320

if everyone chose what they wanted in every group of passengers on a plane - it would never work.

Hmmm ... I would guess you've never worked for a major scheduled carrier.

[Envoy320]

WHBM - the meal or no meal option, when pre-booked, is for charter operations.....an altogether different "type" of operationand flight.

It would not work.

I believe the thread was in erlation to a Thomson holiday....charter carrier.

[al446]

and I can have double

So you might even end up with almost a decent quantity.

[Dropline]

Why would anyone pay extra for an airline meal???

[Michael SWS]

Why would anyone pay extra for an airline meal???

Indeed. You can pick up a much tastier (and more nutritious) take-away meal from Pret or Eat in the departure lounge for about the same price or less.

[Gulfstreamaviator]

beer drinkers sit together too

How stupid can aviation be...

All those who want to eat must sit together.

All those who drink red wine must sit together, and beer drinkers must sit in back three rows, to be near the toilet.

Have we all gone mad.?

Dont tell MOL.?

[jetset lady]

Not that simple Gulfstreamaviator! The flights in question are with Thomson. Take their normal 757 aircraft. That's 235 seats, unless it's changed, and provisionally 235 passengers. Say,for example, that around half of those passengers have decided to book an inflight meal, thats 117 passengers to find from the list, assuming that none have swapped seats.

Now what is going to be quicker? Seating those 117 people in the same section of the aircraft or scattering them about all over the place and having to look for them one by one? I was priviledged enough to be working for Britannia, as it still was back then, when the joys of "Your Holiday, Your Choice" first came into being. During those first few days, passengers that had ordered a meal were scattered about the cabin, while the system glitches were worked out. It was, frankly, a b****y nightmare! Those that hadn't chosen to eat had to wait while we served the meals before they could get a drink, due to the meal carts being in the aisle, while the poor souls at the back of the aircraft that had paid for meals, were sat for ages waiting for them and then being offered tea and coffee before they'd even got the lids off the starters. In the meantime, those at the front were stuck with empty trays in front of them for far longer than should have been neccessary.

By grouping the passengers together, those that are eating should get their meals promptly, whilst those that have chosen not to eat, are able to have their drinks and snacks from the bar in the meantime. Much simpler, I think you'll agree, for everyone concerned.

As for suggesting that those drinking beer should be separated from those drinking wines etc? It's not quite comparable, seeing as the bars contain a mix of drinks...but then again, maybe it's not the same in your Gulfstream world!

anengineer,

I hope this gives you some idea of why the seating is arranged as it is.

Jsl

P.S. I have to admit to not having worked for Britannia/Thomson for some years now so I apologise to all if things are done differently now or if I have remembered anything incorrectly!

[13 please]

Great explanation jetset lady..!

I always wonder why some people when they don't understand something just completely condemn it, without just asking politely,

"why..?"

[denachtenmai]

Thomson Airways. Tom 030

We are booked to go on TOM 030 to Montego Bay in June, I am assuming that it's operated by a Thomson 763, does anyone have any idea of the best seats to go for?
I have tried seatguru but Thomson Airways doesn't come up, I would like to get an exit seat as my wife had a total knee replacement in December
Regards, Den.

[eliptic]

exit seat as my wife had a total knee replacement in December

against regulations

[Lightning5]

Try 08701900737. This is Thomson airways and you can buy extra leg room seats, mainly at the overwing exits. Or Premier seats if you have lots of "dosh". However seat pitch has been increased to 32 in. and they are not to bad. Hope this helps.

[**777lover**]

You'll be on a 757.