Excel Parking "Services"

[ShotOne]

Have any other pilots been ripped off by this outfit? They make a living by charging flight crew extortionate fines for parking in staff car parks at various UK airports.

I grudgingly paid an outrageous £60 fine a few months ago -and have just received another bill for £100 together with a summons. Their only point of contact is a premium rate phone number. Has anyone else been stitched up by them?

[homer j]

LOTS of people S.O.!! - Talk to your bosses, they will certainly be active in this matter. Remember, your company applied for your permit, and neither they, or the airport, told you you'd be fined for whatever "transgressions" you have allegedly committed, so get them fighting on your behalf - you won't be the only one. Excel is going way over the top and should be stopped NOW! I hope Excel realise the negative feeling and publicity the company is generating - last week a flight attendant was stranded in a huge car park in the middle of the night due to a clamping. How long could Excel survive if this incident could be shown to have put this person at risk. Let's hope the company can see sense and moderate the behavior of it's attendants.

PS. non premium rate no. is 01142678008. Good Luck!

[ 21 January 2002: Message edited by: homer j ]</p>

[aileron]

they tried to fine me also.

I wrote them a letter of appeal. They wrote back saying that they still wanted me to pay. They also threatened me with court and costs. SO WHAT! LIKE I CARE! They can sue me. Id love to go to court and explain to the judge about their crappy little outfit. Put this into perspective, its just a parking ticket.

they rely on people to roll over and play dead. thats how companys like this survive. remember the onus is on them to prove you are guilty.

[ShotOne]

...Yes, just had another demand from them;

-"Notice of intent to issue court procedings" -the bill has gone up to £170 (£20 court fee and £50 "solicitor's scale costs").There is NO WAY they are getting any of that!

[Joyce Tick]

Park in the right place with a valid sticker. If you think you might use the other car - get a sticker for that too. No problem - no ticket -no fine.

[Pete Otube]

ShotOne -oh yes you will, and more if you don't pay up soon. You have more chance of getting off if it were a case of theft, molestation or drugs, but a parking fine -never!

[homer j]

Sorry Joyce Tick, tried that! Only one sticker per employee, unless you lie and say you have lost the original and pay approx £7 for a spare. Why should we have to do that? People are being fined because passes are left on dashboards, and not affixed to the windscreen, and because a dirty windscreen and / or a windscreen wiper obscures some detail on the pass! Surely this gives some idea of the company ethos with which we are all dealing?

I honestly don't need hassles like legal consultations on my days off, but, like Shot One and aileron, it will be a cold day in hell before these bully boys get any of my hard earned cash - just ask my solicitor!

[763 jock]

Top of the f**k off list as far as I'm concerned. By the way, one of their vans was parked outside Olympic House the other day and I truly wished for the cops to come along and tow the ******* away!

[gotajob4us?]

Oi Joyce tick,-

I feel that I must apologise for not being quite as amazingly perfect as you must most certianly be.

You must be fun on a nightstop....

[willoman]

Try copying a few sticker passes on a good quality scanner/printer. They produce excellent fakes!!

[ShotOne]

Do you have some basis for saying that Pete'O -like you used to work there?

Many employees have been intimidated into paying up. The letters are very menacing, with threats of court action and huge escalation in these charges if not paid immediately.

How does the company manage to get away with this -and is the airport authority taking a cut?

[King Chile]

It's not clear from this if the parking people are resorting to wheel clamps, but if so you can always do what I did, i.e. nip down to your local hardware store, purchase a sodding great pair of bolt-cutters, ...... nuff said ! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

The best one I ever saw was a builders van with a clamp on it. The builder came back, looked quizzically at the clamp, opened the rear door or van, pulled out the biggest petrol powered angle-grinder I'd ever seen, and after a deft bit of handiwork no more clamp. He then drove off, but not before he'd finished grinding 'F*** you !' right through the metal of the clamp itself - pure art it was, pure art - yep, nice one !

[ShotOne]

Good story. Unfortunately Excel's ideal victim is more likely to be a stewardess returning from a flight at 3 in the morning.

These people are sharks. They know that their intimidation tactics will work as we go away a lot and are too busy to want the hassle of fighting a claim in court.

[ShotOne]

I have just discovered why Manchester Airport tolerate these parasites. They get an equal cut of any cash that they screw out of us. How low can you get -boosting their cash flow directly from the pockets of workers who have no choice but to park there.

Over half the pilots I've spoken to have fallen foul of Excel in one way or another. One guy ticketed because his windscreen was dirty. Another returned to find his car clamped then ticketed twice on successive days -a bill of £180. Why don't we let the airport authority know what we think of their money raising tactics by encouraging EVERYONE who has been done over by Excel to write directly to the Managing Director Geoff Muirhead at Manchester Airport. Lets Get Rid!

[763 jock]

I arrived back yesterday and the clampers had been out playing. I was using a borrowed car as my own is u/s but I left a note to explain and they left me alone. Guess I was lucky, but the clamp would be worth more than the car. If we are to be clamped for minor transgressions then our airlines should issue proceedings against Excel for the cost of replacing crews who are having their rest periods compromised by waiting around for said clamp to be removed.

[DoleBoy]

One suggestion may be a trick I tried with my bank a few years ago. write back to Excel explaining you have received their letter and you are charging them X pounds in administration costs for this confirmation letter, and they have five days to pay or you will take them to court. It certainly worked for me the bank manager rang me personally. One other trick is buy 4 Clamps and the next time your clamped get a couple of mates to come to your assistance and while the bloke is unclamping your car clamp his van, I'm sure it's probably illegal but then they sail extremely close to the wind.

. . <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[frazhm]

Be advised, much as we read in admirable awe as to the antics of people, who remove clamps with bolt-cutters/angle-grinders, this will be criminal damage.

The only way that I know of, is if you can jack the offending wheel up and see if the wheel can be manoeuvred off without damaging the clamp. This can only be done with certain designs of clamp and may not be possible with Excel at EGCC –GOOD LUCK. . <img src="tongue.gif" border="0"> <img src="tongue.gif" border="0"> <img src="tongue.gif" border="0"> <img src="tongue.gif" border="0"> <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">

OK Scotty you've had your fun now beam up my pants!!!!

[DamienB]

Take the remains away with you. How can they *prove* they clamped you?

[pdashley]

Leave the remains of the clamp where they are, they have to prove that YOU removed the clamp. You could always claim that the clamp was on the ground when you got back. You'd need to be careful about any CCTV though.

[Lou Scannon]

There is a continual problem of disposing of unwanted cars. Some people dump them by the side of the road, others pay to have them removed. Why not get Excel to help out with the problem: If you have an old banger that needs to be dumped, let Excel have it to practice clamping.

Do make sure that you remove the number plates and tax disc so that it can't be traced. Better still, once on private ground, swap the number plates around to give them even more fun.

Just a handful of dumped cars in each of their car parks should get the message across.

[ShotOne]

I admire the sentiment, Lou. The trouble is that these are not "their" car parks -they are OURS and having them filled with scrap cars doesn't help us.

While it doesn't have the attraction of some of the more aggressive ideas posted here, how about we start with all of us writing to Mr Muirhead, MAN airport MD, or fax to Ringway Handling on 0161 489 3306, (and to any local paper) to ask him to explain why he is extorting money from flight crew by putting this bunch of hyenas in charge of parking.

p.s. If anyone feels like telling Excel how much we like them, their address is PO Box 686, Sheffield, S11 8XR

[overstress]

ShotOne:

As a former colleague, may I say I am glad that I currently do not suffer the 'Best Airport in the World' or its car park policy.

May I humbly suggest 5 cubic yards of concrete dumped on their own doorsteps in Sheffield?

Shouldn't be too difficult to arrange for, say, 3am on a Sunday?

[ShotOne]

Well I like the idea. The trouble with all the suggestions which involve acts of vandalism or criminal damage is that they could ruin a pilots career. On the other hand, Excel's employees are unqualified toe-rags with nowhere near as much to lose.

We need to focus our attention on Manchester airport who have sanctioned this extortion racket and who almost certainly are getting a large cut of the proceeds. Write to/fax the airport MD and lets keep hassling him until this greedy scam he has started is no longer worth the bother.

[Airbus215]

Excel is simply a trading divison of :

Vehicle Control Services Ltd. .PO Box 686. .SHEFFIELD. .S11 8XR

to whom all legal documents should be served ! of course they do have a real address as opposed to the P.O. BOX.... .but legal reasons mean i couldnt possibly disclose it here ...

Vehicle Control Services Ltd . .356 Cemetery Rd . .Sheffield . .S11 8FT . .(0114) 267 8678 . .or a little more digging brings you:

Excel Parking Services Ltd Car Pk Mgrs . . 356 Cemetery Rd, Sheffield (0114) 267 8008 . . FAX, Sheffield (0114) 267 8009. .

classy address aint it !

<img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[av8er]

I was also clamped at MAN back in December. I was unclamped for the fee (£40) and obviously complained bitterly. I have to confess that shouting at the 'Manager' on the premium line did little to help my case, but it certainly made me feel better.

I appealed, in writing, and claimed a fee for my time hanging around in the cold. They rejected it. However, the Base Captain was extremely helpful and, after consultation with Man airport, they have promised to refund the £40 and rip up the parking ticket. I have also claimed the telephone expenses back, but have yet to hear anything.

I agree that this company is criminal. I was clamped for not having the '2' on the passs visible in the windscreen. Although my pass had risen-up the 2 was still visible if you tried. What indicated the true value of this company to me was that they use a premium line if you wish to contact them, they will not call you back and they state on their letter that if you wish a receipt for the £60 parking fine you have to send an SAE. Get real people.

Oh, by the way, they do not clamp you for an hour after they have put the warning on the car. As I tried to explain (whilst paying them 50p a minute for the pleasure) thats a great deal of use in a long haul car park!!

Good luck Shot One et al. I was never going to pay them either and was quite relishing the challenge!

[Airbus215]

WELL YOU NEEDENT PAY 50P PER MINUTE ANY LONGER .

THE NORMAL PHONE LINE IS LISTED ABOVE ALONG WITH ITS ACTUAL ADDRESS SHOULD YOU WISH TO POP ROUND TO DISCUSS ANYTHING.!

[ALTSEL]

Rent a set of bolt croppers and call Mr John Spooner, the new big wheel at Manchester.These wheel clampers are just a bunch of ill educated gypsies. I will grab John when he next appears. .at his local nr EMA. good luck.

[No speed Restriction]

They won't enter into discussions on the normal rate number !!! I know I tried !

NsR

[Thin Controller]

Why don't you get your company to look at an independant staff parking company. There are plenty around who have half empty areas for half the year and would appreciate the year round income.

That way, you get away from Excel, have a service which is most likly to be better, no fines, no courts and it may cost less as you don't have to pay for each employee, just the amount of spaces required at peak time.

Simple, just takes someone to do their homework.. .Trust me, it works, we have done it.. . :) :) :)

[ShotOne]

Has anyone found who the directors of this racket are? it should be possible to fing that if they're a ltd company.

Their rip-offs seem to be geting even worse. One of our girls was recently clamped because her pass had curled slightly in the sunlight. This cost her one hundred quid.

[reheat 2]

Hello. I have been lurking for a while but this tipped me over the edge. To get around these cowboys keep the following items in the boot of your car.. .1/ huge pair of bolt croppers. .2/ Large padlock and key.. .If you get back to your car and its been clamped then use the croppers on the padlock. Then phone up the company and say . ." Hello, you've clamped my car. Unfortunatly the guy who clamped it left it unlocked and even left the key in the lock. So I'll be on my way. goodbye.". .Then hoik the clamp off your wheel, replace the broken padlock with the new one, drive out of the slot and just to nark them off place the clamp in the exact spot where it was left around your wheel. . .Remember, the only thing they can charge you for is the release fee. and as you have left the padlock for them then they can do nothing about it.. .reheat.. .P.S. and if youre feeling vindictive, send them an invoice for a scratched wheel.

[Bigears]

If you want to have a laugh at their website.. <a href="http://www.excelparking.co.uk/docs/parking.htm" target="_blank">http://www.excelparking.co.uk/docs/parking.htm</a>. .and click on 'contact'!. .You have my sympathy

[somewhatconcerned]

[email protected]

should save on the costly phone calls and you can keep a hard copy.

Battery drill with screwdriver attatchment £20.00. Continual disappearance of Excel clampers vans number plates £Priceless

Light fingers £FOC. Continual loss of Exel Vans tax disc when ever anyone walks past it £Priceless

How about removing all your wheels when parking up.. .Halfords trolley jack aprox £25 Axel stands approx £25. Watching the poor numptey trying to figure out how to clamp your wheel less car £Priceless.

[jetset445]

The person responsible for inflicting Excel Parking on emloyees at EGCC is a Mr Martyn Lloyd the business manager for MAPLC car parks, he has totally destroyed morale in the car parks section by totally ignoring the input of loyal staff. When we where in charge of our own clamping nobody was clamped unless they ignored several warnings. He introduced Excel at bristol where he worked previously and is slowly bringing in at MAN all the companies he had dealings with there. He has been awarded a directorship for his "sterling efforts" but we the staff have yet to see any improvments, things get worse each week. Just remember the staff at MAPLC car parks are just as opposed to Excel as you are.

[Who has control?]

Surely there must be some journos lurking out there would would love to expose another rip-off company?

The post about 'clamped & fined because the pass had curled' must be worth a few column-inches.. . . .Expose them for what they are!

[greatorex]

Just remind these jokers that it actually took an act of parliament to enable the London Councils to clamp peoples' cars. If memory serves me correctly. These characters are relying on ancient common law which goes something along the lines of:- If an animal strays onto your land, you are entitled to hold onto it until the owner pays you a reasonable sum for the grass that it may have eaten. I think that "a reasonable sum" is the key word here, a few private clamping cases have been overturned because the court did not believe the amount to be reasonable. Another thing is that they have to display signs clearly stating how much you will be charged, don't know if they do this at Manchester as I never fly out of there?

One other suggestion; The AA and the RAC have quite militant motorist protection sections that love cases like these, and I think they probably have more resources then Excel Parking of Cemetery Road!!!!!

[squeakyunclean]

[email protected]

spam spam spam spam spam . .spam spam spam spam spam. .spaaammm, wonderful spam ....

Might not make any difference but it will probably make you feel better.

[greatorex]

Thanks for that Squeak, I feel better already!! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[reverserunlocked]

God forbid that one might send the poor chaps at Excel lots of spam... That would be simply awful..

But just out of curiousity does anyone know any good spam websites, just so that, er, I can see how they work. Honest.

[Julian]

Apparently there was an article in the paper the other night about someone who cut off a wheel clamp and was not prosecuted - not sure how he got away with it though.

Also this below from Evening Standard...

. .Three Londoners clamp a clamper van

by Matthew Beard. .Three Londoners spent £30 to make a dream come true - they clamped a clamper van.

"We wanted to give Westminster council a taste of its own medicine," said Mitch Webber, who masterminded the plan to buy a clamp and hit back.

Fellow conspirator David Brady added: "It was quite a bit of an adrenaline rush doing it, but we felt much better for it. As every Londoner will know, it is bloody annoying to get clamped."

Yesterday's Evening Standard carried the story of how the white van had to be towed away by Westminster council after it was mysteriously immobilised.

Today, Mr Brady, Mr Webber, and Julia Benwell, all executives at Tugboat advertising agency in Greek Street, said they had acted on behalf of Soho's many small businesses which are paying out a small fortune in fines.

"The last straw came when I watched the TV show Clampers. There was one sympathetic guy who gave motorists fair warning and another in the City who was intent on getting 100 tickets in the day. It was then I realised it was time to act," said Mr Webber.

"They arrive in their van at about 10.30am and issue a load of tickets to cars parked on residents bays, but no one around here, including the residents, knows where they can legally park."

When they spotted the white transit van on a yellow line in Soho Square during a routine "swoop", the conspirators went into action.

After waiting for the legal time limit to elapse, Mitch and David snapped on the yellow device while Julia took the photographs. They slapped a tongue-in-cheek penalty notice on the windscreen which read: "STOP. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MOVE IT. YOU HAVE BEEN CLAMPED. There is nothing you can do. There is no-one to call. There is no one to go to for help."

A spokeswoman for Westminster council said police had been notified, adding: "Any unauthorised interference with council vehicles is taken seriously."

[squeakyunclean]

The easiest way to find the best 'spam' sites.

1. Sign up for a 'hotmail' account. .2. Give the new email address out to anyone on the net that wants it.. .3. Hey presto, more spam than you can shake a stick at.

Then just bin the hotmail account.

or

just give out the previously mentioned email address and cut out the middle man.

[ 28 February 2002: Message edited by: squeakyunclean ]</p>

[brockenspectre]

Why not try and find out the names of all who have been clamped, the time of day/night, the "offence" details (i.e., curled but legible pass) and then club together and brief a solicitor on a class action for psychological trauma/distress etc. Arriving home after a long flight in the wee hours to find a clamped vehicle and no remedy must surely cause significant distress, especially if alone (man/woman makes no odds) in the middle of a darkened or barely lit carpark. Add to this the stress induced by meanly worded threatening letters.

Just a thought :)

P.S. surely it would be sufficient for the parking company, if it perceives a transgression of the rules, to note the registration number, establish the ownership of the vehicle in question and then issue a letter on a "three strikes" basis (i.e. three such letters on same issue means a fine is imminent). If someone knew that a curly pass was not acceptable they would uncurl it!!! It seems that no-one is intentionally trying to breach whatever rules are in place... <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

[Aviatrix69]

Really feel for you guys.... .Made me so angry I had to write them an e-mail.. .Genuinely unbelievable!!!

[BLACK RAT]

From Companies house:. .Name & Registered Office : . .EXCEL PARKING SERVICES LIMITED . .356 OMEGA COURT. .KENWOOD PARK. .CEMETERY ROAD. .SHEFFIELD S11 8FT . .Status :Active . . Company No. :02878122 . .Date of Incorporation : 06/12/1993 . . . .Country of Origin : United Kingdom . . . . . . . .Company Type: Private Limited Company . .Nature Of Business (SIC(92)): . .6321 - other supporting land transport . .7414 - business & management consultancy . . . . . . . .Accounting Reference Date : 30/04 . .Last Accounts Made Up To : 30/04/2001 (SMALL) . .Next Accounts Due : 28/02/2003 . .Last Return Made Up To : 06/12/2001 . .Next Return Due : 03/01/2003 . . . . . .Last Members List : 06/12/2001 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Previous Names . .Date of Change : Previous Name : . .07/02/1994 IMCO (3293) LIMITED

A check on the above reference to IMCO reveals another reference:. . . . . .IMCO (2498) previously listed as dissolved company quoting same address. . . . .Isnt the web great,all this info at the touch of a button.

[chiglet]

Said "Company". .Have been "featured" in several local rags. The best two. A parking ticket issiued to a vehicule 150 miles away at the time of the "alledged" offence, and a ticket issiued to a "legitmate" parked [posh] car 'cos "You can 'kin afford it matey" <img src="mad.gif" border="0"> . .we aim to please, it keeps the cleaners happy

[Send Clowns]

Surprised I haven't seen this one yet. If you are clamped for a silly offense - not visible or curled ticket :

Pay by cheque.. .If they refuse, call the police - they have a legal requirement to release your car on payment.. .Stop the cheque. .Let them take you to court, the case is thrown out by the judge. .Send them demand for your expenses (don't expect any, just feels better)

[Scottie Dog]

SHAME – SHAME – SHAME - SHAME. .. .Sunday 3rd March 2001 – Time 0955. .. .Arrive Manchester Airport to find 2 Airport Authority vans parked in the disabled bays just inside the entry barrier to T1 Multi-Story Car Park on Level 5.. .. .Having parked my own vehicle in a legal space, proceeded down to the ground floor where the car park control unit seems to be – no access to building for the General Public. Go to pay-station and through intercom politely enquire as to whether they are aware of the illegally (?) parked vehicles – yes, comes the answer (obviously they have known for some time, and I am not the first to make comment), but I will have to speak to Car Park Supervisor on ext ….. .. .Go into main terminal and use internal phone and repeat the situation. Ask how long it will be until the vans are removed – seemed like a sensible question for a Sunday morning, and was told they had no idea as they were trying to trace the drivers! Suggested that it might be a good idea to have Excel come and clamp the vehicles – excuse me but who am I speaking to says the mystery voice at the other end of the phone. I politely explained that I am the husband of a disabled driver that (whilst she was not with me at the time) the spaces are provided for the use of disabled drivers and not MAPlc employees. Suggested that the vehicles be removed within 1 hour or be shamed on a web site.. .. .Sunday 3rd March – Time 1125hrs. .. .Vans are still parked in the same spaces. Have a word with airport police who, no surprise, say that is not their jurisdication. Ask that they make a note of the fact. Pay for my own car parking and then spot 4 traffic wardens. Again repeat my complaint to one of them – very helpful but again says that the spaces are not under her control, but that she will report the incident.. .. .Final drive through the Terminal 1 drop-off zone at 1140 and the vans were still there, but I did notice the traffic warden had been true to her word and had at least gone to look at the vehicles.. .. .If any MAPlc employees know who was driving L992GND & N955DEM then I suggest you let them know that they have been spotted! . .. .Come on Manchester Airport – stop the punishment of employees who park quite legitimately in Car Parks – and get your own house in order. Be Shamed.. .. .Scottie Dog. .. .Edited for better use of the English language!. . . . <small>[ 03 March 2002, 13:41: Message edited by: Scottie Dog ]</small>

[Gin Slinger]

This story has now made it to the latest edition of IPA's Skypointer newsletter.

[kaikohe76]

As a point of interest,has anybody consulted BALPA at all on this matter. Might be interesting to hear what they suggest, in particular from a legal position. ie. What in plain english are the rights of car park users (not just Crew but all of us) and what recourse do we have.

[paul192]

interesting reading, why don't you all just get onto the m.d and keep on and on and on about it ?. .hasn't anyone got an e-mail address for this bloke Martyn LLoyd ? is he on a bonus ? interests in this company ?. .surely the local press must be interested.. .nothing short of extortion !

[greatorex]

A chum of mine in a similar situation once got a load of Pals together and each one rang the company in question up pretending to be a journalist from a different newspaper asking for a quote about whatever it was that the disagreement was about! I'm not for one minute saying that anyone should try this with Excel, however, but just mentioning it as a point of interest....... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

[crab]

Excel featured on East Midlands local TV last night.They issued a £60 parking ticket to a pensioner for parking 4inches over a white line in a tight parking space in an Ilkeston car park.He spent quite a lot of cash phoning the premium rate no.on the back of the ticket but surprise surprise didn`t get anywhere.

[alosaurus]

Let the tyre down . .Jack the car up . .Most types of clamp can the be levered off without damage. .(check your spare is not flat before you start) <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[BOAC]

Further to Gin Slingers post, if you are an IPA member they ask that as well as writing to Mr Geoff Muirhead, MD, you let them have details as 'they can take matters further with the Airport authorities'. .. .IPA - £5 per month; IPF (IPA union) currently £5 per month.. .. . <a href="http://www.ipapilot.com" target="_blank">IPA</a>

[gyrohead]

Has anyone considered sending this topic to "Watchdog"?..Could be worth a shot!.. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Roll Eyes]" src="rolleyes.gif" />

[thegirth]

As alosaurus says - Let some air out of the tyre and drive out of the clamp - You can now purchase 12V compressors that attach to a car's fag lighter socket, you'll be able to reinflate and drive off in a couple of minutes. You can pick these units up for about a tenner. . .. .You leave the clamp undamaged, so no criminal charges.. . . . <small>[ 06 March 2002, 08:51: Message edited by: thegirth ]</small>

[ShotOne]

Getting the clamp off, unfortunately, is not a full answer. It won't stop them clamping you the next day or the one after. Also, all of the above suggestions which are essentially about committing petty acts of vandalism are likely to fail. The odd damaged clamp won't hurt Excel much and if you get done for criminal damage, what would you do for a living then?. .. .What WILL hurt them a great deal is losing their contract at Manchester Airport. This was a one year contract due for renewal around September. We need a concerted effort to lobby the airport management by letter, fax, local papers, or any other means and give them such grief that by then they are utterly sick of hearing the name Excel.

[ShotOne]

...just seen a letter from the Chief Exec of Manch Airport in which he admits the project is "self financing", i.e. that MAplc are taking a juicy cut from the cash ripped off airport staff. We suspected this all along but it is interesting to hear the culprit admit it.. .. .Interestingly also, the reason they give is complaints from staff regarding lack of supervision of the car park. This stems from a two week period in which all the barriers were left open. Predictably this caused chaos as members of the public parked for free, leaving flight crew with nowhere to go. It now looks like this whole fiasco was a deliberately set up to give them an excuse to embark on this money-grabbing venture.

[kaikohe76]

As I have said a number of times before, `What if anything are BALPA & the other Unions doing about it!

[refplus20]

Why not buy your own clamp? Fit the clamp when you park and place copies of the appropiate notices on the windscreen. Then on return, remove your clamp, place in boot and drive off!!!. .. . <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />

[ShotOne]

I saw the Excel clamping/extortion team were hard at work in the staf car park again yesterday morning -obviously having a break from clamping old age pensioners. Any more ppruners been done lately??

p.s. how come the building site contractors can park anywhere without getting a ticket?

[crab]

Probably because they have big angle grinders,bolt croppers and lots of muscle!

[160to4DME]

If all staff @ MAN united on this matter, we could stop it and them easily.

All it would need is for every short-stay carpark entrance to be conveniently blocked one morning by vehicles which all mysteriously breakdown at the entrance barriers.....easily done chaps...hit 'em where it hurts :D

[phd]

I have just been 'done' by Excel in Lincoln - seems they are popping up all over the place. The transgression was parking a car in a car-park!!!!! As the car-park was very busy my wife and I had to park at the end of a row - just beyond the last white line - but with plenty of space around the car and without blocking or impeding any other vehicles. Having parked safely and responsibly and bought a voucher for the correct amount I was seriously p**ssed when I found a penalty notice on the windscreen and thought someone was playing a practical joke. They were not.

I took independent legal advice and was told that because there were warning signs (one line at the bottom of a notice next to the ticket machine) that I had not read, they were entitled to issue the fines under contract law. The fact that there were no double yellow lines, hatching, bollards or other indications that I should not park where I did, and therefore I believe the ticket was issued unfairly, is apparently irrelevant under contract law. If I did not pay the fine it would increase from £60 to £100 and they could take me to a county court for recovery action. I did not fancy the bailiffs calling.

Reluctantly I have paid the penalty but have appealed to Excel and the land-owner and to the Toys 'R' Us store which the car-park serves.

I consider that Excel are extorting money from unsuspecting members of the public and am considering approaching the local media to publicise what is going on and warn others about these sharp practices. I have indicated to Toys 'R' Us that I will not be visiting their store ever again and would encourage every ppruner to put their complaints in writing and lobby as many organisations as possible. If enough companies start losing customers by p**ssing them off with unfair parking enforcement then they might start to rein in the likes of Excel.