If all three London clubs get to a final I wonder if the authorities will relax the night time restrictions at Gatwick, Luton and Stansted? Obviously the flights have got to be operated from the London area and next year it could be even worse with the semi-finals and final of Euro 2020 being played at Wembley in June!

Thameslink Saturday service from May 19th has finally gone back to matching its franchise agreement with 4 semi fast services to London taking 32 minutes to St Pancras.
Sundays sees 6 trains per hour with 2 slow trains plus 1 non stop East Midland train that will eventually become 2 non stop trains an hour.

Construction update
 

Columns can now be seen rising from the foundations of Luton Airport Parkway Dart Station. This will support the first floor that will contain the DART platforms. In the distance can be seen the route of the DART. The plans shows construction in 2 phases, maybe due to public access issues to this side of the railway station. This is phase 1, phase 2 shows the station further towards the camera but it looks like phase 1 will be completed first. A new pedestrian railway crossing will be installed but could be part of phase 2 as that crossing point is also further back along the platforms.
https://i.imgur.com/cu6WIAn.jpg

At the other end of the line the foundations of the walkway to the original multi story have been exposed as the DART will cross this point underground to enter Luton Airport Central Station.
https://i.imgur.com/V6b57HC.jpg

Meanwhile the digging out of the line can be seen inside the CTA
https://i.imgur.com/EnHZQ8A.jpg

Once the roof has been installed over the tunnel the road will be diverted to allow work to start on the missing section.
https://i.imgur.com/JPZks2o.jpg

This is looking like the exit to the drop off area as a ground floor column has been replaced by extra steelwork above it. In the foreground what looks like another pair of lifts are being installed. The question is does traffic pass to the left or to the right?
https://i.imgur.com/FyUK0RU.jpg

Finally the main core containing 3 lifts and stairs is being topped out. The second multi story will eventually reach this point and will be taller than MSCP1
https://i.imgur.com/ZDlzA7D.jpg

They will be at the second floor but access will be apparently restricted. Not sure why they will be joined if passengers cars can't cross the gap.

https://i.imgur.com/USuNd8b.jpg

I’ve been using LTN quite a bit since the new year and I really quite like what they’ve done with the terminal and security was a breeze surprisingly. But one negative I seem to experience every single time is having to negotiate the wall of Eastern European chain smokers outside the entrance to departures. I mean, isn’t the no smoking sign universal to any language? LLA really need somebody out there to reinforce this as it’s pretty nasty for anybody like me who’s never smoked to have to battle their way through.

I have mentioned it to staff and passing police but the view is that if they did something about it 2 minutes later the problem has returned. It does appear though that half of Eastern Europeans smoke.

Southern europeans smoke a lot too..But since it is outside you cant fault them for that. The area is open, so the smoke goes up in the air..Perhaps a solution would be to build dedicated closed off glass areas like in other european airports inside the building

Is it actually possible to enforce (with a penalty that the courts would not overrule) a no-smoking policy in the area outdoors where all the smokers gather ? It's not an enclosed space - and am wondering how it being private land versus a public transport facility would affect this

I'd guess that with all the smokers likely to be leaving the UK within a few hours, it might be rather difficult to enforce any financial penalty, especially if Brexit really does happen and thus the UK loses its ability to enforce court judgements across the EU

Only if there's NO wind ! With a prevailing SW wind not only does smoke blow across anyone entering or leaving the terminal, it also permeates the outer reaches of the terminal, including food outlets. Not nice for passengers, nor for staff, the vast majority of whom have to use the same exit route as the public.

Hi, am meeting a pax next Monday for the first in ages. Is the new multi-story the place for short stay? I have to go into the terminal to greet.

Yes the multi-story is the short term. £8 minimum or use the long term and catch the free bus. First hour free or £4 for 1-2 hours.

Great, thanks. I look forward to seeing Bank Holiday traffic inside and out ... :*

Alpha re-route
 

The Alpha detour for DART taking shape now, looks very near to firestation, or just looks like it from multistorey!

Thanks for the tips. The multi-story worked fine and, being a quiet afternoon many spots available. I walked down to Ground as was not sure where the walkway connected? As my visitor was badly delayed in passport control (on account of few humans being on duty, gosh what a surprise!) from landing to exit - with NO checked bag - took an hour.

The interior of the car park, stair wells etc was down to the usual LTN standard of don't pay anything you don't have to. I was in the car park for 1 hour and 16 minutes, so £18 puts them in LHR territory and they are clearly aiming to make their money back very quickly.

Ouch, I did recommend the long term car park which would have cost £4 for up to 2 hours with the first hour free.

Not to worry LTN man. My guest had a five hour flight plus two hours time change and his family were anxious to see him. And I had imagined that, with no luggage, he would be out sooner. Silly me! But all went well.