GCIlover - I agree 10mins 'should' be enough time if firstly you know exactly where you are going, secondly all you are doing is dropping off - ie chuck em out the car and finally can be arsed with the hassle.
The last one is always going to be there, however watch how people baulk at the entrance to tha carpark, then dither, then drive slowly, probably parking in the wrong area and getting shouted at by 'authority'. Some passengers want to quickly wave their friends/family off into the terminal. Now I am not saying they should be allowed half hour to go fart around in the terminal but for most I bet you 10mins seems rather risky to dare chance it. (yes I know the 10mins isn't really 10mins according to BAA staff) but that is what is displayed on the matrix board. I think 15 or 20mins just gives the nervous time to fanny around, hugs n kisses and maybe escort the grandmother/father into the terminal and point them to the right desk.
The short stay carpark is hardly ever at capacity so it would be taking little or no revenue from BAA for extending it. But might release the danger and stress hotspot around the round about and barriers. It is both funny and frustrating watching the continuous argie bargie that goes on as someone breaks the rules. It really need not be like this. I find it rather pathetic that BAA have actually encouraged this to happen by their own policies. Yes there will always be the sod that breaks the rules, but I watch what I would normaly pre judge as good folk dumping their bags on the roundabout.
I want to be there when trigger happy SOU ATC press the crash alarm and all of Hampshires finest appliances come hurtling down the access road to be confronted with cars dumped on the roadabout, airport bus trapped mid swing and the UNIlink bus blocking the entrance to roundabout.
So health and safety guru's that BAA proclaim to be - can't see the wood for the trees. See now this would all be solved if the passengers were mandated to wear a high viz jacket - DONE UP - and life would return to a safe and secure environemt. Maybe this is the next project for some new upstart in the compliance of compliance office of elf and safety and line painting and sign making management?!?!?!
Last edited by CaptAirProx; 22nd July 2012 at 09:34.