BIRMINGHAM - 6
Join Date: Jun 1999
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Unfortunately it is a fact that the more successful an airport becomes, the worse the passenger experience gets particularly at peak times. BHX is not alone in this.
That's true, but it doesn't make me feel any better. I have been using BHX regularly for the past 45 years but it's only in the past 18 months or so that it has become an increasingly irritating experience. What really bugs me is the lack of honesty by the airport management who hide behind PR stats such as that illustrated above.
Analysing the problem, I'd suggest the common factor is that all are privately operated companies who's main aim is profit, followed by profit, with profit coming a close third. I'm not suggesting that everything that is nationalised is / was great - it isn't / wasn't but you do have to question whether a return to some sort of governmental oversight and funding for proper modernisation and expansion might be appropriate; even though the UK has a track record of building for today, and never for tomorrow.
Not to mention that most important priority of all in today's UK PLC (and US) corporate world - maximizing management bonuses linked to those short term shareholder returns !! That goes for airlines as well as airports.
Quaint concepts such as customer service and investing for the long term are so last century unfortunately...
Quaint concepts such as customer service and investing for the long term are so last century unfortunately...
Last edited by Logohu; 16th Jun 2017 at 09:53.
but you do have to question whether a return to some sort of governmental oversight and funding for proper modernisation and expansion might be appropriate
maximizing management bonuses linked to those short term shareholder returns !! That goes for airlines as well as airports.
Quaint concepts such as customer service and investing for the long term are so last century
Quaint concepts such as customer service and investing for the long term are so last century
Grown-ups remember the chaos of nationalization: Lack of investment, no innovation, lazy management, unresponsive staff, endless strikes and diabolical service. I was overjoyed that my employer was privatised in 1982, and witnessed first-hand the resulting transformation involving investment, training, innovation, better service, and yes, profits at last!
Never must we allow ourselves to be led back to the totalitarian stalinism that Comrade Corbyn represents.
Rant over.
Join Date: Aug 2016
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It's not whether it's private or public, it's whether it has a philosophy of long-term investment versus short-term profits. The FTSE company whose share price is depressed by a large capital expenditure programme, and the corresponding large borrowings, lays itself open to takeover. It is, I think, the same in the USA, but in many European and Asian countries the financial rules encourage longer term planning.
It sounds as though you have been infected by Corbynomics, that successful, well-tested 1970s model that served us so well.
Grown-ups remember the chaos of nationalization: Lack of investment, no innovation, lazy management, unresponsive staff, endless strikes and diabolical service. I was overjoyed that my employer was privatised in 1982, and witnessed first-hand the resulting transformation involving investment, training, innovation, better service, and yes, profits at last!
Never must we allow ourselves to be led back to the totalitarian stalinism that Comrade Corbyn represents.
Rant over.
Grown-ups remember the chaos of nationalization: Lack of investment, no innovation, lazy management, unresponsive staff, endless strikes and diabolical service. I was overjoyed that my employer was privatised in 1982, and witnessed first-hand the resulting transformation involving investment, training, innovation, better service, and yes, profits at last!
Never must we allow ourselves to be led back to the totalitarian stalinism that Comrade Corbyn represents.
Rant over.
Unless, and until the inherent shortsightedness of planners is addressed we will continue to have situations such as being described, ranted and tweeted about at BHX and all our other major airports.
What AT Notts said !!
With a bit of forward planning it shouldn't be that difficult to have both fit for purpose airports which are capable of coping with market growth AND which also make a tidy profit for the shareholders.
I certainly wouldn't vote for a return to the horrors of nationalization (and yes I am old enough to remember working and living through that). Privatization was a welcome breath of fresh air at the time, but as far as UK airports are concerned the pendulum does seem to have swung a little too far on the side of short term profits and screw the customers.
With a bit of forward planning it shouldn't be that difficult to have both fit for purpose airports which are capable of coping with market growth AND which also make a tidy profit for the shareholders.
I certainly wouldn't vote for a return to the horrors of nationalization (and yes I am old enough to remember working and living through that). Privatization was a welcome breath of fresh air at the time, but as far as UK airports are concerned the pendulum does seem to have swung a little too far on the side of short term profits and screw the customers.
Nationalisation worked in the beginning but in time the system was abused. Privatisation came along as a breath of fresh air, but now that is being abused. No single system will be effective for long unless it is properly regulated and supervised by an impartial body.
Join Date: Mar 2004
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Waterford is back from 24th July (Mon/Tue/Thu)
The flights will be operated by a new airline, Aer Southeast, using a Saab 340 aircraft based at the airport. Prices will start from €79 each way.
Bookings can be made for London Luton via Waterford Airport's website (flywaterford.com) and aersoutheast.com from 9am on June 20.
Bookings for Manchester and Birmingham will be available shortly.
Six flights a week will operate to London Luton, the airport says, with three flights a week to each of Manchester and Birmingham.
Aer Southeast is an Irish aviation start-up with registered offices at Waterford Airport. It is run by SkyTruckers Ltd., a company with "very considerable experience in regional aviation and the backing of Irish and Scandinavian investors," according to a statement by the airport.
The flights will be operated by a new airline, Aer Southeast, using a Saab 340 aircraft based at the airport. Prices will start from €79 each way.
Bookings can be made for London Luton via Waterford Airport's website (flywaterford.com) and aersoutheast.com from 9am on June 20.
Bookings for Manchester and Birmingham will be available shortly.
Six flights a week will operate to London Luton, the airport says, with three flights a week to each of Manchester and Birmingham.
Aer Southeast is an Irish aviation start-up with registered offices at Waterford Airport. It is run by SkyTruckers Ltd., a company with "very considerable experience in regional aviation and the backing of Irish and Scandinavian investors," according to a statement by the airport.
Join Date: Nov 2011
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Does anyone know why and when the glidepath for rwy33 is likely to be back up and running?
The NOTAMs say the end of June but I'm taking that with a pinch of salt. I've not seen a calibrator or anything at all!
The NOTAMs say the end of June but I'm taking that with a pinch of salt. I've not seen a calibrator or anything at all!
Lvl Chg, the glidepath saga has been going on for a very long time, and expect a new notam to replace the current one. Last Summer it was Cat1 only but was withdrawn last September. I did see a notam about calibration sometime over the winter but I don't believe it was ever done. I wouldn't be surprised if a beancounter has realised that Rnav gnss approaches are a lot cheaper than buying a new ILS system or sorting the drainage out.
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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BHX AIRPORT
Horrendous experience .. long Qs to Security and Immigration. Also late departing because of tow bar issues and on return, steps positioned as airbridge not working!
Terminal overloaded awful experience!
I preferred BHX as my choice of airport but will think twice next time
Terminal overloaded awful experience!
I preferred BHX as my choice of airport but will think twice next time
Join Date: Jun 1999
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Horrendous experience .. long Qs to Security and Immigration. Also late departing because of tow bar issues and on return, steps positioned as airbridge not working!
Terminal overloaded awful experience!
I preferred BHX as my choice of airport but will think twice next time
Terminal overloaded awful experience!
I preferred BHX as my choice of airport but will think twice next time
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Birmingham
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I went through BHX on Saturday am and came back Tue pm and no problems at all.
In other news !
Andrew Cornish resigns as CEO of Liverpool John Lennon Airport | YBnews
Better offer ?
In other news !
Andrew Cornish resigns as CEO of Liverpool John Lennon Airport | YBnews
Better offer ?
Horrendous experience .. long Qs to Security and Immigration. Also late departing because of tow bar issues and on return, steps positioned as airbridge not working!
Terminal overloaded awful experience!
I preferred BHX as my choice of airport but will think twice next time
Terminal overloaded awful experience!
I preferred BHX as my choice of airport but will think twice next time
I guess you get my drift. Chronic under investment at all the UK's major airports is causing delays at peak times.
Join Date: Jun 1999
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ATNotts your points are totally valid but no excuse. Birmingham's aim should be NOT to be like all the others. So, as a regular user, I for one will continue to highlight this airport's failures until I see positive improvements for the users.