HEATHROW
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London (Babylon-on-Thames)
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Lax security or am I missing something....
It seems that when I am busy having my Daily Telegraph swabbed for explosive traces and trying to find a clean piece of carpet to put my shoes back on, 2008 holds further intrusions for me. Now I need to present my fingerprints to the BAA before they'll let me fly domestically to Scotland to see my Dad ! It seems that they are concerned that inbound passenegers will be able ( somehow ) to avoid immigration and embark on a UK domestic flight without clearing UK Customs. How can this ever be possible in a new build state of the art building? I know that they do the same at Gatwick in that they photograph you, but nothing at Stansted and Edinburgh, all of which have a common UK / International departure lounge.
Anyone able to justify this bollocks?
Anyone able to justify this bollocks?
So when you are delayed and the resulting car parking costs so much you wonder if you will have to sell the car to pay for it, that's money to BAA's bottom line. Oh, and it's all in their budget. Additional retail margins on days of disruption more than offsets reduced landing fees (all regulated charges anyway) and any additional costs. So BAA's view is "bring on the fog".
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Mech Assassin
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
The problem was not that information was patchy, once the flight had been shown to have landed, (at 22.36) it was non existent. This was the last update before it was wiped from the board. The only way we knew anything was when other people waiting received mobile phone calls from passengers on the plane. I well understand the difficulties that fog must cause especially in icing conditions and the added complications caused for departing aircraft, however to wipe all reference to the flight off the board before it has even been allocated a stand could surely be easily remedied. The news “waiting for a stand” would at least help. As far as announcements are concerned, I am afraid I don’t remember any.
Our passenger came out of the baggage hall at 0040. This was a relatively short wait compared to some of the people around us who were still waiting for passengers that had arrived on earlier flights. Similarly, neither did they receive any information from an official source about their flights. Perhaps BA does share some responsibility for this but there was very little evidence of any airline staff anywhere at that time of night.
In short we expected the delays due to weather and can even put up with the wait for a stand but I feel the lack of any attempt to provide any information is inexcusable. Approximate information would have been quite acceptable even if subject to change!
Thanks for taking the time to reply.
The problem was not that information was patchy, once the flight had been shown to have landed, (at 22.36) it was non existent. This was the last update before it was wiped from the board. The only way we knew anything was when other people waiting received mobile phone calls from passengers on the plane. I well understand the difficulties that fog must cause especially in icing conditions and the added complications caused for departing aircraft, however to wipe all reference to the flight off the board before it has even been allocated a stand could surely be easily remedied. The news “waiting for a stand” would at least help. As far as announcements are concerned, I am afraid I don’t remember any.
Our passenger came out of the baggage hall at 0040. This was a relatively short wait compared to some of the people around us who were still waiting for passengers that had arrived on earlier flights. Similarly, neither did they receive any information from an official source about their flights. Perhaps BA does share some responsibility for this but there was very little evidence of any airline staff anywhere at that time of night.
In short we expected the delays due to weather and can even put up with the wait for a stand but I feel the lack of any attempt to provide any information is inexcusable. Approximate information would have been quite acceptable even if subject to change!
Join Date: Nov 2002
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know that they do the same at Gatwick in that they photograph you, but nothing at Stansted and Edinburgh, all of which have a common UK / International departure lounge.
Anyone able to justify this bollocks?
Anyone able to justify this bollocks?
Join Date: Mar 2003
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As mentioned in the LCY thread, KLM to end the EIN route in March and tranfsder slots to Northwest.
Was that the last turboprop route operated into LHR? If so, the end of an era.
Was that the last turboprop route operated into LHR? If so, the end of an era.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Not in the same way that's true. Surely if all formalities are NOT complete before access is granted to the domestic departure area, there is nothing to prevent you passing illegal goods etc onto someone boarding ELSE a domestic flight.
1) Enter UK on arriving international flight
2) Clear customs and immigration
3) Gain access to domestic / common departure lounge
Where's the loophole that gives anyone access here without clearing UK Customs? Or are they treating T5 like Terminal 3 Flight Connections Intl to Intl without having to pay someone to do the passport checks?
1) Enter UK on arriving international flight
2) Clear customs and immigration
3) Gain access to domestic / common departure lounge
Where's the loophole that gives anyone access here without clearing UK Customs? Or are they treating T5 like Terminal 3 Flight Connections Intl to Intl without having to pay someone to do the passport checks?
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Mech Assassin,
Well many thanks for the efforts of your colleagues on that night then. I do remember that at least one member of staff made some effort to deal with individual problems which was to be commended.
So the airport runs an on a best efforts and Voluteer basis after 22.30 then? No emergency cover or contingency planning?
Well many thanks for the efforts of your colleagues on that night then. I do remember that at least one member of staff made some effort to deal with individual problems which was to be commended.
So the airport runs an on a best efforts and Voluteer basis after 22.30 then? No emergency cover or contingency planning?
Last edited by ISO100; 10th Jan 2008 at 11:57.
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Mech Assassin,
Thanks for your responses. It is good to have a better understanding of the way things are. Now all we need is to hear from management as to how they plan to remedy the situation!!!
Thanks for your responses. It is good to have a better understanding of the way things are. Now all we need is to hear from management as to how they plan to remedy the situation!!!
United to Denver
Delighted to get an Email from United on Monday to say they are starting a non stop Heathrow to Denver this spring as that is where my daughter lives and it gives BA some competition (there current prices being a little severe).
Surprisingly, when I tried to book it to sample the prices, United's website still wanted to offer me the cheaper alternative of a flight via O'Hare with a change to TED.
Surprisingly, when I tried to book it to sample the prices, United's website still wanted to offer me the cheaper alternative of a flight via O'Hare with a change to TED.
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Apsley UK
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Heathrow's Roads
The architects keep designing new terminals, and access roads are added bit by bit. So the road system in and around our busiest airport is a total, confusing, mess.
Someone, somewhere, should have scrapped the lot and started again years ago. Is it too late to sort this out? Could it be done now?
Over to you
Brine
Someone, somewhere, should have scrapped the lot and started again years ago. Is it too late to sort this out? Could it be done now?
Over to you
Brine
Join Date: Mar 2007
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I come in from Hemel (near you?) everyday and sometimes the journey off the M25 onto the M4 and into the central area is longer than the trip from Hemel, so I totally see where you're coming from.
Not sure what can be done about it though. There's been many times I wish I could just walk in and out of the central area. Would cut a good 30 mins from my journey time.
Not sure what can be done about it though. There's been many times I wish I could just walk in and out of the central area. Would cut a good 30 mins from my journey time.
Join Date: Oct 2006
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LHR roads
Seriously, what do you expect from 'Hounslow Bus Garage', it's a crock & will only get worse when more slots are added.
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Let's look on the brightside. It can and will get worse !! It's far too late now to do anything about it.
Heathrow should have been uprooted and moved about 30 miles west of it's current position and placed just north of the M4. 30-40 years ago It might have been feasible as land could have been set aside for future development, but now absolutely no chance as I'm sure there's probably an endangered lizard,newt,flower, type of grass wherever it could go.
Heathrow should have been uprooted and moved about 30 miles west of it's current position and placed just north of the M4. 30-40 years ago It might have been feasible as land could have been set aside for future development, but now absolutely no chance as I'm sure there's probably an endangered lizard,newt,flower, type of grass wherever it could go.
Join Date: Sep 2007
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Yes, I'm near Hemel. Not far from the Magic Roundabout. Now that really is a marvel of the road makers art!
Thanks for the input. Yes, it is too late but nothing wrong with 'blue-sky' thinking. Just had a further thought on the matter.
As there is already a road tunnel into the airport, and so many services in London are under ground, how about a new road system underneath!
Brine
Thanks for the input. Yes, it is too late but nothing wrong with 'blue-sky' thinking. Just had a further thought on the matter.
As there is already a road tunnel into the airport, and so many services in London are under ground, how about a new road system underneath!
Brine
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Personally I think the biggest problem with the LHR road system in the poor signage. The poor tourists/non locals in their hire cars struggling to read those tiny little signs to the car rental places, which are located at opposite ends of the airport depending on the company, gettin in the wrong lanes then stopping in the middle of the junctions.. 
If the M4 spur was signed a bit better, for example have T3 in big letters over the outside lane, then T1/T2 over the middle lane, and T4 and all other areas over the inside lane, it would give drivers a mile or so to be in the right lane and would help avoid alot of the lane changing around the non-concorde roundabout and at the tunnel exit in central when people realise they are in the wrong lane once they find those tiny little signs !!.
The only new roads to be built in the last 20 years or so is down by T5, and thats not exactly complicated.
I've stopped using the M4 spur now, it is just too unpredictable, and I only have to travel a few miles to get to it. And how frustrating is it when you leave the staff car park late at night, drive down the M4 spur to be greeted by a huge traffic jam due to roadworks on the roundabout that has only just been re-built !!!. If there was some warning in the staff car parks, the staff could take alternative routes and avoid adding to the congestion !!.
That roundabout is also the source of most of the congestion with the timing of the traffic lights coming into LHR. The main block of traffic going into LHR comes down from the M4/M25 eastbound slip, yet the lights only let about 5 cars through at a time in each lane, then you have to stop again half way round whilst 1 car comes down from the M4 westbound slip !! I think it has been done on purpose to create congestion so that Mayor Ken can use it as an excuse to introduce the congestion charge around LHR as has been mooted last year.
If I were you VSlhrcsa, I'd carry on down the M25 to the next junction and go round the perimeter road, a bit longer but quicker and more reliable, or what I have also done myself, go past the M4 spur to the next junction, turn round and come back down the other way, or even go down onto the A4 from that junction and back along it - pain in the a$$ but usually quicker if the spur is solid.
If the M4 spur was signed a bit better, for example have T3 in big letters over the outside lane, then T1/T2 over the middle lane, and T4 and all other areas over the inside lane, it would give drivers a mile or so to be in the right lane and would help avoid alot of the lane changing around the non-concorde roundabout and at the tunnel exit in central when people realise they are in the wrong lane once they find those tiny little signs !!.
The only new roads to be built in the last 20 years or so is down by T5, and thats not exactly complicated.
the journey off the M25 onto the M4 and into the central area is longer than the trip from Hemel
That roundabout is also the source of most of the congestion with the timing of the traffic lights coming into LHR. The main block of traffic going into LHR comes down from the M4/M25 eastbound slip, yet the lights only let about 5 cars through at a time in each lane, then you have to stop again half way round whilst 1 car comes down from the M4 westbound slip !! I think it has been done on purpose to create congestion so that Mayor Ken can use it as an excuse to introduce the congestion charge around LHR as has been mooted last year.
If I were you VSlhrcsa, I'd carry on down the M25 to the next junction and go round the perimeter road, a bit longer but quicker and more reliable, or what I have also done myself, go past the M4 spur to the next junction, turn round and come back down the other way, or even go down onto the A4 from that junction and back along it - pain in the a$$ but usually quicker if the spur is solid.
Join Date: Nov 2005
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The public transport needs to be improved and made more affordable. Also, what about not allowing vehicles into the central terminal area and sticking a load of car parks around the airport perimeter, a bit like what is done for the staff car parks?
The biggest new problem at LHR is the new car park and traffic flow around T3. If frequently backs right up through the tunnel and causes a huge jam on the spur road. When you eventually make it through the tunnel it is obvious that the cause is T3, all the other routes are clear. I go there to work on a daily basis and park at T2 so I see this happening all the time. The people who designed the new layout need sacking.
Join Date: Mar 2007
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I was just wondering what will happen when LHR gets it's mixed runway operations?
Will most slots be handed to BA/BMI/VS or will BAA make them available to 'everyone'?
Will we expect alot of new carriers and new destinations or will it be mainly BA/AA etc. who will gobble them all up?
Cheers.
Will most slots be handed to BA/BMI/VS or will BAA make them available to 'everyone'?
Will we expect alot of new carriers and new destinations or will it be mainly BA/AA etc. who will gobble them all up?
Cheers.