At the other end of last nights problems I was listening on BHX tower as the last divert of the night landed in lashing rain , an A320 on a GLA-LGW shuttle. He first asked the tower if he could have a jetty stand which was swiftly replied in the negative. After a while he was told to taxi behind the 'follow me' to Taxiway T for parking. he said " Park on the taxiway?" the controller said " Yes behind the Cyprus A320" . " so we are here for the night then? " he asked to which the controller replied "ummm yes" . She went on to say " To put things in perspective you see that Speedbird 767 on your right ? That landed at 23.00 (it was now 01.10) and has not fully deplaned yet , that's what your up against! "
It was a fascinating night but I really felt for all pax and crew aswell as the ground staff Especially on One of the diverted aircraft was a Thomson 757 en route from Lapland to LGW , a santa flight for the kids...