HEATHROW
Join Date: Jul 2007
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Obviously, the expertise doesn't seem to exist in the UK?
I would be totally hacked off if I was a T4 pax today which is another reason to avoid LHR like the plague.
And now the big question - will life get any better when T5 opens?
Discuss
Suzeman
Join Date: Nov 2007
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Oh yes... I'm sure T5 will be superb! You'll be able to buy a Gucci bag, drink a latte from one of 50 coffe shops, have a £15 sandwich and buy a different scarf / tie from one of 1000 Tie Rack stores...... and then maybe if you are really lucky you might be able to take a plane trip
BTW - No hoodies allowed in T5 aka Bluewater 2
BTW - No hoodies allowed in T5 aka Bluewater 2
Join Date: Feb 2007
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My sympathies to anyone who has had, or will have, travel plans disrupted by this failure.
Whether this is a software problem within the baggage transfer and delivery system or a facilities failure itself; it shows a lack of managment skills on behalf of the BAA in that they do not seem to have any back-up plan to mitigate the failure.
Any airport knows (or SHOULD know) the volumes of baggage going through their systems at any time; models worked on histories and flight programmes can acurately predict the anticipated volumes.
BAA should be held to account. Unfortunately I would predict that the airlines will not be able to take action because of the terms and conditions imposed by the BAA for operators and there is no breech of contract involving individual passengers as they have no direct contract with the BAA.
Will T5 be any better - don't make me laugh, almost guaranteed that there will be major disruption at some stage within the first 6 months of opening.
The BAA are more interested in investing in ambience to encourage shopping than rock solid infrastructure behind the scenes.
Whether this is a software problem within the baggage transfer and delivery system or a facilities failure itself; it shows a lack of managment skills on behalf of the BAA in that they do not seem to have any back-up plan to mitigate the failure.
Any airport knows (or SHOULD know) the volumes of baggage going through their systems at any time; models worked on histories and flight programmes can acurately predict the anticipated volumes.
BAA should be held to account. Unfortunately I would predict that the airlines will not be able to take action because of the terms and conditions imposed by the BAA for operators and there is no breech of contract involving individual passengers as they have no direct contract with the BAA.
Will T5 be any better - don't make me laugh, almost guaranteed that there will be major disruption at some stage within the first 6 months of opening.
The BAA are more interested in investing in ambience to encourage shopping than rock solid infrastructure behind the scenes.
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Will T5 be any better - don't make me laugh, almost guaranteed that there will be major disruption at some stage within the first 6 months of opening.
It's about time there was a passenger's charter in which incompetence of this level counted as a criminal offence. At the very least, BAA should be made to compensate passengers - say to twice the value of their ticket. And have a limit placed on how much they can increase their charges.
I totally agree with green granite. This is the usual BAA management incompetence. Knowing what happens if the baggage system fails, they should have emergency back up procedures of some sort. Of course, less automation and more manual staff could actually be less likely to have these cock ups.....
I totally agree with green granite. This is the usual BAA management incompetence. Knowing what happens if the baggage system fails, they should have emergency back up procedures of some sort. Of course, less automation and more manual staff could actually be less likely to have these cock ups.....
I REALLY SHOULDN'T BE HERE
If only passengers were to vote with their feet and, where possible, take flights from alternative airports where they wouldn't have to put up with the nonsense and excuses maybe then customer satisfaction might find its way onto the agenda. 
.....what was that...did someone mention monopoly?
sr
.....what was that...did someone mention monopoly?sr
Join Date: Apr 2002
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Big Airways Boardroom.
Willy agrees that there are many international standard airports in the UK but he decides to concentrate his resources on one only.
Which one should he choose?
Which one is the biggest hell hole that several times a year, every year, has two or three melt downs, and always will despite T5.
Answer, Heathrow.
Sound business decision or what?
Willy agrees that there are many international standard airports in the UK but he decides to concentrate his resources on one only.
Which one should he choose?
Which one is the biggest hell hole that several times a year, every year, has two or three melt downs, and always will despite T5.
Answer, Heathrow.
Sound business decision or what?
According to BA's latest/updated announcement things have improved a little for some of their pax travelling from T4 today (20th). Hold luggage for some destinations can now be checked in, irrespective of cabin.
See link on post #11
See link on post #11
Join Date: Jul 2007
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If you are visiting the UK surely you have no choice but to check in luggage if you are returning, its not like you can just leave it in a hotel etc. Not so bad if you live in the UK but still seems totally unreasonable, can passengers change their travel dates without penalty?
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: It wasn't me, I wasn't there, wrong country ;-)
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Well done BAA
BAA = British Applied Arseholes
I rest my case, I thank my luck stars that I don't have to go near Hounslow Bus Garage.
I rest my case, I thank my luck stars that I don't have to go near Hounslow Bus Garage.
Join Date: May 2006
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Absolutely scandalous state of affairs yet again. At least BA shouldn't lose too many bags today, just the passengers this time!
I'm a corporate driver and every time I read of these horror stories, I just think it makes my job more secure. Scheduled travel from or via LHR or CDG are amongst the most unpleasant experiences one inflicts on oneself. I'd rather have a root canal job without the novocaine!!!!
I'm a corporate driver and every time I read of these horror stories, I just think it makes my job more secure. Scheduled travel from or via LHR or CDG are amongst the most unpleasant experiences one inflicts on oneself. I'd rather have a root canal job without the novocaine!!!!
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Reply to Tortola
Yes some people who cannot delay their trips and have no UK relatives or colleagues to take their baggage to LHR later are going to end up fedexing their luggage if BAA won't let it be checked in and held until the system is back up.
I hope BAA will reimburse such passengers.
What a cock up.
Glad I am flying back to the UK via Munich to MAN. LHR always has some unplanned adventure in store for me...
I hope BAA will reimburse such passengers.
What a cock up.
Glad I am flying back to the UK via Munich to MAN. LHR always has some unplanned adventure in store for me...
Join Date: Oct 2002
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If the baggage belt problem was caused by a computer reload ,did anyone in the BAA think to keep a copy of the last one and reload that ?
Probally not ,that would be far to simple for them.
Probally not ,that would be far to simple for them.
Join Date: Oct 2004
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If the baggage belt problem was caused by a computer reload ,did anyone in the BAA think to keep a copy of the last one and reload that ?
Probally not ,that would be far to simple for them.
Probally not ,that would be far to simple for them.
did anyone in the THE COMPANY THAT SUPPLIES THE BAGGAGE SYSTEM think to keep a copy of the last one and reload that ?Probally not ,that would be far to simple for them.
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Look guys, have a sense of proportion.
No company with an automated system is going to keep enough people on immediate standby to manually operate the system, even if is physically possible to do so (and don't forget the health a saftey jobsworths who will probably stop "untrained" staff doing the job). Clearly IT systems should have backups and there should be some redundancy but sometimes things do go wrong.
No company with an automated system is going to keep enough people on immediate standby to manually operate the system, even if is physically possible to do so (and don't forget the health a saftey jobsworths who will probably stop "untrained" staff doing the job). Clearly IT systems should have backups and there should be some redundancy but sometimes things do go wrong.
Join Date: Nov 2006
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According to one report in the papers I saw today they did try and reload the software.
Even on a good day Heathrow is a bloodly awful place to fly from and bearing in mind that it is the first thing new visitors to the UK see, it is a disgrace that it has been allowed to become so shabby (dirty/torn seats and carpets, water stains on walls, ineffective cleaning, badly maintained plumbing etc). In addition to this we have the security hassles and stupid carry on luggage weight restrictions. Contrast this with HK, Tokyo and Singapore. They have the advantage that their facillities are run by people who care about and take pride in what they are doing.
As far as BAA performance goes people have to be held accountable and heads must roll when they screw up. Personally I favour shooting them as it stops repeat offending and is a most effective motivator for the next one in the job, but I am just old fashioned.
Rant over
Even on a good day Heathrow is a bloodly awful place to fly from and bearing in mind that it is the first thing new visitors to the UK see, it is a disgrace that it has been allowed to become so shabby (dirty/torn seats and carpets, water stains on walls, ineffective cleaning, badly maintained plumbing etc). In addition to this we have the security hassles and stupid carry on luggage weight restrictions. Contrast this with HK, Tokyo and Singapore. They have the advantage that their facillities are run by people who care about and take pride in what they are doing.
As far as BAA performance goes people have to be held accountable and heads must roll when they screw up. Personally I favour shooting them as it stops repeat offending and is a most effective motivator for the next one in the job, but I am just old fashioned.
Rant over
Join Date: Nov 2007
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In response to the post from green granite, er, how many people would be needed to
1. heave 'x' 000s of bags per flights, never mind transfers.
2. go through security searches
3 any additonal search - where would all the bags go in the first place.
4 once 'OK', then go back through the maze of T4 to get back to apron and then to an aircraft. PLEASE, think about it.
B.A.A. shambles all over again.
Again it'sthe likes of BA,it's poor passengers and staff who will bear the brunt and cost of this.
IMHO, I hope the various airlines BA, KLM etc operating from T4, act together and litigate. Enough really is enough.
1. heave 'x' 000s of bags per flights, never mind transfers.
2. go through security searches
3 any additonal search - where would all the bags go in the first place.
4 once 'OK', then go back through the maze of T4 to get back to apron and then to an aircraft. PLEASE, think about it.
B.A.A. shambles all over again.
Again it'sthe likes of BA,it's poor passengers and staff who will bear the brunt and cost of this.
IMHO, I hope the various airlines BA, KLM etc operating from T4, act together and litigate. Enough really is enough.
Isn't there anything on the contract of the top BAA management that obliges them to meet a certain level of service (like amount of delays, baggage delivered within x amount of time) and based on that they receive their bonus?
I seem to recall some years ago that Royal Mail managers received salary invreases based on the perception of the users.
Rwy in Sight
I seem to recall some years ago that Royal Mail managers received salary invreases based on the perception of the users.
Rwy in Sight
