HEATHROW
Thiefrow Express
Last week I had to go to a meeting in London, then on to Frankfurt. Normally, neither wild horses nor an offer involving Cameron Diaz and warm baby oil would drag me to LHR, but on this occasion I had no option....
Drove to LHR, then to the expensive long term car park. The trip in the bus from the long term car park to T2 seemed worse than I remembered, including a tour of various dingy caverns under T1.
Tried to check in my suitcase, only to be told I was too early for my later flight, so I had to pay £6 for the privilege of 'storing' my case for a few hours... Then followed the signs for the 'Heathrow Express'. A seemingly endless trudge along miles of corridors, then the payment machine.
LHR to Chancery Lane, cheapest return seat? £37!! Utterly outrageous - that's at least 8 times the equivalent cost at Frankfurt - which has a far more reliable and efficient transport system.
Finally returned to the airport after my meeting. Another endless walk and then the queue through security. Unlike sensible countries, the Blairite Republic requires you to take your shoes off - but won't allow them to be put into the trays. Nor do they have any shoe horns to assist you when putting your footware back on again afterwards. The flight itself was late due to LHR congestion (predictably) - Frankfurt seemed quite straightforward in comparison.
The return flight some days later was delayed as well. The queue through passport control was frankly ridiculous, this pathetic airport really cannot cope. Then out into the cold and wet (even BHX has bus shelters) to wait for the bus to the long term car park and my escape from the utterly absurd rip-off which is the whole Thiefrow travelling experience.
It will hopefully be a very long time before I'm subjected to the chaotic daylight robbery of Thiefrow again. For me it's Birmingham every time!
If Red Ken really expects to attract people to the profligate nonsense of the 2012 Olympic Games - to pay through the nose to watch a few sweaty oafs running, jumping and throwing things, he should first take a very big stick to the people who run the sorry affair which is LHR.
Still, at least I didn't have to risk travelling with ba!
Drove to LHR, then to the expensive long term car park. The trip in the bus from the long term car park to T2 seemed worse than I remembered, including a tour of various dingy caverns under T1.
Tried to check in my suitcase, only to be told I was too early for my later flight, so I had to pay £6 for the privilege of 'storing' my case for a few hours... Then followed the signs for the 'Heathrow Express'. A seemingly endless trudge along miles of corridors, then the payment machine.
LHR to Chancery Lane, cheapest return seat? £37!! Utterly outrageous - that's at least 8 times the equivalent cost at Frankfurt - which has a far more reliable and efficient transport system.
Finally returned to the airport after my meeting. Another endless walk and then the queue through security. Unlike sensible countries, the Blairite Republic requires you to take your shoes off - but won't allow them to be put into the trays. Nor do they have any shoe horns to assist you when putting your footware back on again afterwards. The flight itself was late due to LHR congestion (predictably) - Frankfurt seemed quite straightforward in comparison.
The return flight some days later was delayed as well. The queue through passport control was frankly ridiculous, this pathetic airport really cannot cope. Then out into the cold and wet (even BHX has bus shelters) to wait for the bus to the long term car park and my escape from the utterly absurd rip-off which is the whole Thiefrow travelling experience.
It will hopefully be a very long time before I'm subjected to the chaotic daylight robbery of Thiefrow again. For me it's Birmingham every time!
If Red Ken really expects to attract people to the profligate nonsense of the 2012 Olympic Games - to pay through the nose to watch a few sweaty oafs running, jumping and throwing things, he should first take a very big stick to the people who run the sorry affair which is LHR.
Still, at least I didn't have to risk travelling with ba!
Last edited by BEagle; 27th Jan 2007 at 20:00.
Too mean to buy a long personal title
Then followed the signs for the 'Heathrow Express'. A seemingly endless trudge along miles of corridors, then the payment machine.
LHR to Chancery Lane, cheapest return seat? £37!! Utterly outrageous - that's at least 8 times the equivalent cost at Frankfurt - which has a far more reliable and efficient transport system.
LHR to Chancery Lane, cheapest return seat? £37!! Utterly outrageous - that's at least 8 times the equivalent cost at Frankfurt - which has a far more reliable and efficient transport system.
With a pre-pay Oyster card, the return trip would have cost you no more than £7. If you started from Heathrow after 0930, it would have been price-capped at £6.20 on the Oyster card.
And the journey would probably have taken you no longer than doing it via Paddington on the HEX. That is not the best answer for all journeys into town, particularly if you don't have heavy baggage.
In addition, if you paid £37, it looks like you were paying £29 for the HEX return, plus the (deliberately punitive) cash single fare of £4 each way for the Tube journey. You can't blame Heathrow for the latter bit, as that's imposed by Uncle Ken on everyone who uses the Tube.
Frankly, it is difficult to think of a more expensive way to get to your meeting and back by public transport, even if one tried to spend as much money as possible - other than to have bought a first class return on the HEX.
Last edited by Globaliser; 29th Jan 2007 at 19:48. Reason: Typo, and fact-checking the price cap
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The Heathrow Express is a major rip off. The Heathrow Connect is actually way cheaper, just as modern and comfortable and the only 5 - 10 mins longer tops?
And the Tube ain't great but it is cheap with OYSTER !!!
BEWARE THE HEATHROW EXPRESS.
Why would you use it anyway? Pretentious and stuck up staff seem to think they are working for a high class airline not 15 mins delaying FGW trains into London. Remember, you still need to change at Paddington regardless....
( end rant )
And the Tube ain't great but it is cheap with OYSTER !!!
BEWARE THE HEATHROW EXPRESS.
Why would you use it anyway? Pretentious and stuck up staff seem to think they are working for a high class airline not 15 mins delaying FGW trains into London. Remember, you still need to change at Paddington regardless....
( end rant )
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LHR to Chancery Lane, cheapest return seat? £37!! Utterly outrageous - that's at least 8 times the equivalent cost at Frankfurt - which has a far more reliable and efficient transport system.
It will hopefully be a very long time before I'm subjected to the chaotic daylight robbery of Thiefrow again. For me it's Birmingham every time!
to pay through the nose to watch a few sweaty oafs running, jumping and throwing things, he should first take a very big stick to the people who run the sorry affair which is LHR.
It will hopefully be a very long time before I'm subjected to the chaotic daylight robbery of Thiefrow again. For me it's Birmingham every time!
to pay through the nose to watch a few sweaty oafs running, jumping and throwing things, he should first take a very big stick to the people who run the sorry affair which is LHR.
Again in my experience LHR is not that bad. You just need to be organised and pay careful attention to where you are going. If you tried paying attention and not expect everythinh to be handed to you on a plate, you might do a little better.
"Sweaty Oafs"...dont get me started on you. Who the hell do you think you are???? Do you realise how hard these athletes work to get to where they are? I didnt think do. Just because you wear a suit to work and have a company car dosent make you better than anybody else. Im sure many of the so called "sweaty oafs" would have had enough sense to read their ticket condtions and check-in times and found a more cost-effective way to their destination.
May I suggest youy get out of your SUV for a while and realise for just one second that the world does not revolve around you and what YOU want. I wont just be LHR you will find more pleasent, it will be life!
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Community talks at Heathrow
A series of talks is being held at Heathrow on various aspects of the airport past, present and future. Although the first talk on the history of Heathrow is almost full, there are several more if PPRune members would be interested:
Tuesday 27 February 2007 – 6.30pm – Christian Bonard, Environment Manager, Terminal 5
‘T5 and the Environment’ – BAA is transforming the ColneValley into a fantastic green space for local residents. Find out more about this and other construction mitigation measures at the T5 site.
Tuesday 27 March 2007 – 6.30pm – George Cook, General Manager – Airside Projects, BAA
‘The A380 at Heathrow’ – Heathrow will be one of the first three airports in the world to receive the new A380. Learn about the changes BAA has made to make Heathrow ready.
Tuesday 24 April 2007 – 6.30pm – Martyn Jeffrey, General Manager, NATS Heathrow and Richard Smith, Infrastructure and Compliance Manager, BAA
‘Air Traffic Control and Airfield Operations’ – Air Traffic Control and Airfield Operations play a crucial role in the running of Heathrow. Learn more about how they work together to guide aircraft safely.
Tuesday 29 May 2007 – 6.30pm – John Lewis, Head of Framework Archaeology
‘Archaeology at Terminal 5’ – Discover how people used the landscape within the boundaries of Heathrow for 8000 years, from the time of hunter gatherers to the earliest farmers.
Tuesday 26 June 2007 – 6.30pm – Rob Stewart, Commercial Director, Terminal 5
‘T5 – Making History’ – A new landmark for London, T5 is set to be a template for building projects of the future. Find out more about the construction of the new terminal.
These talks will all start at 6.30pm, with refreshments available beforehand, and will take place at the HeathrowAcademy on Newall Road, UB3 5AP. If you are interested in attending, please call us on 020 8745 5791 or email [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you.
Tuesday 27 February 2007 – 6.30pm – Christian Bonard, Environment Manager, Terminal 5
‘T5 and the Environment’ – BAA is transforming the ColneValley into a fantastic green space for local residents. Find out more about this and other construction mitigation measures at the T5 site.
Tuesday 27 March 2007 – 6.30pm – George Cook, General Manager – Airside Projects, BAA
‘The A380 at Heathrow’ – Heathrow will be one of the first three airports in the world to receive the new A380. Learn about the changes BAA has made to make Heathrow ready.
Tuesday 24 April 2007 – 6.30pm – Martyn Jeffrey, General Manager, NATS Heathrow and Richard Smith, Infrastructure and Compliance Manager, BAA
‘Air Traffic Control and Airfield Operations’ – Air Traffic Control and Airfield Operations play a crucial role in the running of Heathrow. Learn more about how they work together to guide aircraft safely.
Tuesday 29 May 2007 – 6.30pm – John Lewis, Head of Framework Archaeology
‘Archaeology at Terminal 5’ – Discover how people used the landscape within the boundaries of Heathrow for 8000 years, from the time of hunter gatherers to the earliest farmers.
Tuesday 26 June 2007 – 6.30pm – Rob Stewart, Commercial Director, Terminal 5
‘T5 – Making History’ – A new landmark for London, T5 is set to be a template for building projects of the future. Find out more about the construction of the new terminal.
These talks will all start at 6.30pm, with refreshments available beforehand, and will take place at the HeathrowAcademy on Newall Road, UB3 5AP. If you are interested in attending, please call us on 020 8745 5791 or email [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you.
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I am trying to find information regarding the construction work going on in front of Terminal 3. Since the moving of the multi-story car park, I am lookinr for info on what is going to be put in the space left by the old car park.
Any pointers most welcome.
Any pointers most welcome.
The reason I didn't take the Piccadilly line was the usual one - delays were announced due to engineering works on the day in question. Also I didn't have the time to get from Chancery Lane to Thiefrow in the time the Underground takes. And I can assure you that I researched my travel options very carefully - normally I drive to Didcot and use the train, but as I was going to be away for a few days, I wasn't going to leave my car in the station car park...
Whether its 'signal failures', 'late running engineering works', the wrong type of snow on the line or whatever, the Underground is a frequent source of misery and frustration.
Whichever way you look at it, £37 return from Thiefrow to Chancery Lane is completely outrageous. Added to the frankly awful experience of travel from that wretched airport, it's even worse.
As for the profligate waste of money to hold the Olympic Games in 2012, I stand by my earlier comment. Billions of pounds for a few people to run, jump, splash about and throw things is excessive - particularly when the business case is ropey.
And I drive a 354bhp sports car, NOT a Chelsea Tractor!
Whether its 'signal failures', 'late running engineering works', the wrong type of snow on the line or whatever, the Underground is a frequent source of misery and frustration.
Whichever way you look at it, £37 return from Thiefrow to Chancery Lane is completely outrageous. Added to the frankly awful experience of travel from that wretched airport, it's even worse.
As for the profligate waste of money to hold the Olympic Games in 2012, I stand by my earlier comment. Billions of pounds for a few people to run, jump, splash about and throw things is excessive - particularly when the business case is ropey.
And I drive a 354bhp sports car, NOT a Chelsea Tractor!
Last edited by BEagle; 10th Feb 2007 at 17:02.
So what DO you like about London? - Well, Egnxema, since you ask - the view of it in my rear view mirror!
"What would you say are Heathrow's:
Strengths? - NONE whatsoever.
Weaknesses? - Absurdly expensive, difficult car parking and appallingly scruffy. Hardly a show piece for visitors arriving in the UK for the first time.
Opportunities? - Plenty of scope for large scale rebuilding and redecorating! It's a shabby dump which cannot hold a candle to decent modern airports, such as Munich.
Threats?" - Anyone living 50 or more miles to the west of the place will one day realise that regional airports are vastly more convenient for most intra-European travel - and will choose NOT to fly from Thiefrow.
"What would you say are Heathrow's:
Strengths? - NONE whatsoever.
Weaknesses? - Absurdly expensive, difficult car parking and appallingly scruffy. Hardly a show piece for visitors arriving in the UK for the first time.
Opportunities? - Plenty of scope for large scale rebuilding and redecorating! It's a shabby dump which cannot hold a candle to decent modern airports, such as Munich.
Threats?" - Anyone living 50 or more miles to the west of the place will one day realise that regional airports are vastly more convenient for most intra-European travel - and will choose NOT to fly from Thiefrow.
Last edited by BEagle; 11th Feb 2007 at 06:26.
Too mean to buy a long personal title
The reason I didn't take the Piccadilly line was the usual one - delays were announced due to engineering works on the day in question. Also I didn't have the time to get from Chancery Lane to Thiefrow in the time the Underground takes.
...
Whichever way you look at it, £37 return from Thiefrow to Chancery Lane is completely outrageous.
...
Whichever way you look at it, £37 return from Thiefrow to Chancery Lane is completely outrageous.
Obviously, without knowing about the delays that day, I can't say whether I would have made the same decision as you. But if there had been no engineering works, I don't think that it would have taken you any longer to go by Tube from Chancery Lane to Heathrow than it would have taken you to Tube to Paddington and then to take the HEX. Of course, your researches would have uncovered the fact that HEX + Tube would have saved you no time over Tube only, if all had been working well.Even LHR's greatest detractors normally recognise the vast array of international destinations served non-stop, the choice of airlines, and the consequent frequency of service. The question for each of us is whether we're prepared to put up with the cr@p that comes with it. Many people aren't, and that's fine for them. But if you don't even recognise the airport's balancing strengths, then either your travel is limited to a narrow selection of places that happen to be well served by some other airport and you therefore have no need at all for LHR's strengths, or you're simply expressing an unreasonable toys-thrown-out-of-pram type prejudice.
Unfortunately, at the time I had to leave for Paddington, the state of the Piccadilly Line wasn't clear - so rather than risk it still being subject to delays, I opted for a return ticket using the Thiefrow Express.
Yes there are indeed a wide range of international destinations served by LHR. But the whole LHR travel experience is currently very poor. Simple things - why no bus shelters for the long term car park bus at T2, for example?
Perhaps when T5 opens, things will be better at LHR. But it will still be an expensive and difficult place to get to by road/rail from anywhere except London.
Whereas tomorrow I have a pleasant drive through the heart of England to Birmingham to look forward to! Beats the heck out of the M40/M25!!
Yes there are indeed a wide range of international destinations served by LHR. But the whole LHR travel experience is currently very poor. Simple things - why no bus shelters for the long term car park bus at T2, for example?
Perhaps when T5 opens, things will be better at LHR. But it will still be an expensive and difficult place to get to by road/rail from anywhere except London.
Whereas tomorrow I have a pleasant drive through the heart of England to Birmingham to look forward to! Beats the heck out of the M40/M25!!
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So, as long as you do an hours' research on t'internet and have got an Oyster card, you can get away with not being too excessively ripped off travelling into town.
Not a good defence really.
Not a good defence really.
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Totally agree Spud,
I live in the Uk so doing some research is not a problem, I know how bad LHR is. However do we expect every visitor flying into LHR for the first time, to check the internet to avoid this rip-off and agro? I don't think so.
I live in the Uk so doing some research is not a problem, I know how bad LHR is. However do we expect every visitor flying into LHR for the first time, to check the internet to avoid this rip-off and agro? I don't think so.
Yes, the newt-loving Red Ken seems to think that it's London for the Londoners - and fleece anyone visiting!
Compare the cost of travelling from Munich airport to Munich. A one-way ticket for the 41 minute S-bahn (vastly better than either the Heathrow Express or the London Underground) costs.......£5.81.
There is NO EXCUSE for the absurd cost of the Thiefrow Express!
Compare the cost of travelling from Munich airport to Munich. A one-way ticket for the 41 minute S-bahn (vastly better than either the Heathrow Express or the London Underground) costs.......£5.81.
There is NO EXCUSE for the absurd cost of the Thiefrow Express!
Well, thanks. I didn't know of the Heathrow Connect - it seems a much better option altogether. LHR to Ealing Broadway, Central line to Chancery Lane. Jobzagoodun!
No wonder there were so few people on the absurdly expensive Thiefrow Express!
No wonder there were so few people on the absurdly expensive Thiefrow Express!
Too mean to buy a long personal title
But pay the extra money and use it, if you choose.