Parking drop off
Hotel Tango,
It isn't just BHX that charge rip off drop off fees, I travel in and out of Edinburgh on a regular basis and they charge similar fees to BHX. If my memory serves me correctly East Midlands also have similar drop off charges. I try not to use drop and go and get dropped off at Birmingham International Train Station and use the air rail. If you are picking up you have 20mins free (but i've never seen anyone around so you'd be unlucky to get ticketed).
Essentially it's just a very easy way for the airports to make money, it would be interesting to see how much they do make as at BHX I've seen people charged over £30!!!
As OP pointed out the most frustrating thing is the abolishment of the long stay charge £1 for an hour.
El Bogster