View Full Version : Virgin Twilight check-in - Gatwick
As we arrive at Gatwick the day before our flight out to Orlando I was going to take advantage of this - anyone used the service before and if so how was it?
Ta ! [msneek]
Yeah we used it 2 years ago and it was great no waiting around just needed to make sure we had enough clothes etc in hand luggage to last the day. well worth it if you are staying in a hotel.
We have used it, its great.
The only thing is if you are going to park while you go and check-in, be prepared for
a shock. Last year we did this and could have only been 10 minutes and the charge was
£3:50, I thought it was very expensive.
Apart from the the service is great.
Very easy and very quick makes you think holiday started day early! also used the downtown disney check in on return journey, spent rest of the day at Seaworld - straight to airport - through departures and on plane,no hanging around, no stress :D
We used the twilight check in last year and it was fantastic. It was great not to have to rush to the airport so early on departure day but have to agree that the short term parking fee is high.
We used the twilight check in a couple of weeks ago and I must say I think it is one of the best things about flying with Virgin. We got there at about 3 o'clock and just walked straight up to the desk. No wait at all. It was great.
As we wanted to take our daughters car seat to Florida with us but needed it to get to the hotel that evening and then back to the airport they let us keep it until the next day. Before the flight we could just hand it in without queueing and boy was I glad we had already checked in when I saw the length of that queue.
KarenScott
14-06-2004, 14:54
Does everyone who is flying need to go?
Karen
Yes, it is the same as normal check in just a day before.
Actually I suppose others could check in later but wouldn't be sat near you.
Brizzle
Also take your hand luggage with you, they do need to see it. They asked us last year
if it was all we had.
We used it for the first time last month as soon as we said good bye to our bags we felt like our holiday had started :)
The only issue we did have was the fact that when we arrived in Orlando, my wife's case was wet through and all her clothes were damp, as it wasn't raining in Orlando, but it had been continuous at Gatwick, we can only assume that her case wasn't protected from the rain properly.
We spent our first night in Orlando drying clothes :(
Not sure if this is down to Virgin or the Baggage Handlers, we did write to Virgin but as yet we haven't heard anything back.
Im not 100 percent sure, but I think the 'Holding area' is not covered
This certainly sounds promising although a bit worried that we will be at the mercy of the elements at Gatwick - in this country not particulalry a safe bet by any means - however, will probably 'chance it' bearing in mind the benefits.
Has everyone found that the queues are better the day before? Check-in is certainly not my favourite past-time [?]
Every time we have used it there has been no queue whatsoever.
Like you I hate queueing (the kids don't help) so the twilight check in gets a big thumbs up from me.
Worried about the "non-covered holding area" rumour though as I go in November this year :(
Brizzle
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by chrisj
Also take your hand luggage with you, they do need to see it. They asked us last year
if it was all we had.
[/quote]
Thanks for that snippit Chrisj, we had planned to leave ours in the B&B.
What time does the late night check-in close? [msnsmile]
I believe the check in hours are 3pm -9pm at Gatwick.
Thats a shame as we wont be arriving off the Edinburgh BA flight til 10pm - we will just have to queue with everyone else on the morning of the flight :(:( - not my favourite time of the holidays!!
True about the wet cases, our got soaked (one case) last year and have heard the same from quite a few people, have never encountered a que at twilight check in but we do get there before 4pm.
We always line our cases with polythene anyway after a disaster with soggy stuff in Europe once many years ago - I thought everyone did but obviously not!
Most of the wet comes in at the bottom end of the case (particularly if it's stood in a puddle!) so we just get a big polythene sheet (decorators one is ideal to chop up), line the case at the bottom and throw the rest over the lid when we're packing. When everything's in, we flap over the polythene sheet, tuck it into the bottom bit that's already there, shut the case up and that's it.
KarenScott
14-06-2004, 23:43
Just thinking if so many people use the twilight check-in wouldn't that mean that there would be less of a queue the next day?
Kx
Its not just at Gatwick that things get soaked. When we left Orlando last week it was during a thunderstorm and when we arrived in Gatwick my daughters pushchair was soaked through.
Luckily she is old enough to walk so it wasn't too much of a problem but there were a few people with younger babies who were not at all happy.
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by kemscott
Just thinking if so many people use the twilight check-in wouldn't that mean that there would be less of a queue the next day?
Kx
[/quote]
Yep that could be the case, a friend used the service a few months
ago and he said the queue was huge
KarenScott
15-06-2004, 01:29
Chris
Huge at twilight or on the day?
Kx
Sorry it was at twilight, but to be fair this is the first I have heard it happening
Excellent suggestion on the polythene 'blott' - I'd never of thought of that.
By the way I've got an enquiry in with Virgin about the manner in which stuff is stored, ie, secure and 'dry'. I'll let you know what comes back. [msnscared]
I would have thought it would be secure, but as to wether its under cover, or it might be
that sometimes if the whatever they store the cases in isnt covered properly ??
Must admit Blotts idea is good
Does anyone know if twilight check in is available from Manchester? Are there details on the Virgin web site?
Hadrian
To be honest I think its only available at Gatwick
You're right Chris, it's not available at Manchester.
See Blott men can be right once in a blue moon :D
I wonder if because people fly from Gatwick from far away, wonder if
that could be the reason behind it
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote: See Blott men can be right once in a blue moon :D[/quote] Did I ever say otherwise? [:0] I'd agree with the blue moon thingy though! :D:D:D
:D:D:D:D no you didnt but I could see the HINT :D:D
Response from Virgin regarding concerns about luggage getting wet... [msnsmile]
Dear Chris,
Thank you for your e-mail.
Your baggage will be protected and held inside the terminal.
Kind Regards
Katalin Swann
Contact Centre Customer Services Team
Voted Best Transatlantic Airline 2004 by Travel Weekly Magazine.
wonder how some peoples luggage has got wet then
Thanks for the info
Just received reply from Virgin, no hand luggage required on twilight checkin ( but would certainly have it available in the car) and bookin 50 mins before departure following day.
Can someone please advise on costs of short term parking, I think a few members have said thiscould be expensive
Many thanks
Andy
steph_goodrum
11-07-2004, 12:50
We have encountered queues a couple of times at Twilight checkin in but it's normally not too bad. The only disadvantage with it is that if you are Silver flying club members you can use Premium economy checkin where there is very rarely a queue, but at Twilight checkin there is only one queue for all passengers. It's still worth it for the fact of not having to get up so early and hang around at the airport so long the next day. It seems to make the whole journey shorter as we don't have the drive to the airport and the 3 hrs on the day of the flight.
I'm sure Manchester and Heathrow dont have the facility because Virgin are based at Gatwick and therefore have secure storage available which probably isnt the case at the other 2 airports.
Parking at Gatwick cost us £3:50 last year when we checked in, took us approx 10 minutes
so was shocked at the cost
Only Gatwick offer Twilight checkin