March '88 was when BCal merged with BA , and BA airtours became Caledonian . Was BA Airtours 73 , LGW based at the the time .
North terminal opened shortly after that , and our 73s were about the first users . Used to joke that the terminal cost about £230 million [ if memory serves ] ... with just 7 stands and no piers ... We thought that was rather expensive , £ 30 million a pop for a 737-236 parking spot with no facilities . Guessed that NCP had organised and ran it . Slowly ground power , piers , more stands , were opened .
On Cale Tristars 96-98 , we did not always use the piers , often busses . Mind you only 5 a/c and the odd rented in Peach Air .
Later 98-01 , whilst on BA mainline 75s and 76s doing LGW scheds , mostly piers .
'01 , 3 days at LGW doing 73-400 diff. training [ ex Dan Air , diff cockpit insts ] , mix of piers and off pier , all N. Terminal .
hope this helps .
rgds condor .