Odds n Sods

[S.o.S.]

The title is an English reference to 'Odds and Ends'.

I have often seen airline related news items that did not need a whole thread and might be just for amusement or passing information. Also, many things go into the Airlines, Airports & Routes forum and might be missed in here. So this thread is aimed as being a catch all for one line items, humour and so forth.

My opening gambit is that I am fed up with seeing articles 'How to prevent/cure jet lag'. :ugh: They are simply trying to sell you something or fill space. On the occasions I am changing several time zones - I deal with the jet lag as and when, by sensible scheduling. As I get older jet lag becomes more of a problem but I have more time to snooze!

[redsnail]

Only way to do long haul is sitting in a comfy seat, watching movies and drinking champagne. :D

My pet peeve are articles about "how to guarantee an upgrade" (hint. Pay for it) or "the things that annoy cabin crew the most" (hint. Passengers :D )

[PAXboy]

It is amazing that they are still recycling those stupid 'free upgrade' items. They have nothing new to say. The articles about Cabin Crew are always marked with hyperbole to catch attention for all the adverts, nothing else.

I cannot recall the last time I needed to use the seat call button but some people seem to have their finger resting on it at all times.

[Asturias56]

they're click bait or similar - all the poor SLF dream of an upgrade it almost never happens - like a lottery win - but people like to read about it and dream

In many years of traveling I've had one - and that was because the airline had screwed up the numbers in Slave Class.

[Saintsman]

I once was upgraded to first . Something I ate, made me sick through most of the flight.

Upgrades are not always what they are cracked up to be...

[Mr Mac]

I have had two upgrades when flying in the back. One BA out of Delhi circa 2004, one on TWA St Louis to Little Rock after inbound flights had been delayed in JFK meaning a missed connection. As others have said, find the money and pay for ticket. I am lucky to have been upgraded from Business to First on a number of occasions with my companies favoured carriers LH, SQ, EK, but this is easier to accomplish than the initial upgrade.
As for Jet Lag get the best seat you can afford and on arrival try and stay awake until back on local time.

Cheer
Mr Mac



mm

[PAXboy]

It is always 'interesting' that, in arrivals, folks will abandon their trolly to run into the arms of their family/friend who have ducked under the barrier to reach them, thus making two 'lumps' of congestion in the pathway. I saw this again at LHR T5 last Sunday morning. This happens with such regularity at LHR, I wonder if it happens at other airports? Or, do they have a better 'out flow' system that limits such actions?

[S.o.S.]

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/602x720/297423594_5264235093662985_8433408569302630305_n_f7edfca2231 5d8f77174e380667b0d28787e665c.jpg

[PAXboy]

Sites that specialise in flyer points now assessing the changes BA made to the Avios system last week - especially with the 2-4-1 credit card vouchers. If you are laying plans, you may wish to check the announcment and changes.

[S.o.S.]

I was checking out options in the Far East when I saw something called the Value Alliance. So I looked at their route map and this is a screen shot. If they cannot make their map display in my browser of choice - I am not going to travel with them.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1025x669/value_allaince_a44cf86b9d3b7ffc92068263e1ae305f0178765c.png

[DaveReidUK]

It's upside down. :O

[Asturias56]

as any Australian would tell you that's a clear statement of Northern Hemsiphereism Dave

[PAXboy]

BBC:Airport security 100ml liquid rule to be scrapped
BBC 17th Dec 2022 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63975270)

[paulc]

After a shambles by a well know german airline last week, i was rebooked onto Kuwait Airways and overall was pleasantly surprised. However during a transfer at Kuwait City, security decided to relieve me of 2 packets of AA and AAA batteries (20 in each) leaving me 8 in total. New rule or did they need some batteries.

[clareprop]

BBC:Airport security 100ml liquid rule to be scrapped
BBC 17th Dec 2022 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63975270)

I can see this is going to be fun. Apparently, in the beginning, some lanes will allow +100ml and some won't because they won't have the equipment installed - how do you pack for that? . Then, of course, what happens when transiting through airports that still have the 100ml rule?

[DaveReidUK]

I can see this is going to be fun. Apparently, in the beginning, some lanes will allow +100ml and some won't because they won't have the equipment installed - how do you pack for that? . Then, of course, what happens when transiting through airports that still have the 100ml rule?

Probably not worth worrying too much yet about something that's not going to be allowable for another year and a half.

[PAXboy]

I saw this today. Airline told her that her bag was with the third party in a warehouse waiting to be forwarded to her. But the AirTag said otherwise and she tracked it down.Some airlines do have a reputation.



https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/585x538/united_again_3230a07264adbb0eb35cff4ae7b6363f51adf04d.png

[Asturias56]

I can see this is going to be fun. Apparently, in the beginning, some lanes will allow +100ml and some won't because they won't have the equipment installed - how do you pack for that? . Then, of course, what happens when transiting through airports that still have the 100ml rule?

This summer at CDG longhaul we were kept waiting by a large Saudi family - the ladies had every carryon bag full to the brim with great big bottles of perfume etc etc. It was so bad an agent finally turned up, took all the "confiscated" bottles and assured them they'd be in the hold.

[Donkey497]

It is always 'interesting' that, in arrivals, folks will abandon their trolly to run into the arms of their family/friend who have ducked under the barrier to reach them, thus making two 'lumps' of congestion in the pathway. I saw this again at LHR T5 last Sunday morning. This happens with such regularity at LHR, I wonder if it happens at other airports? Or, do they have a better 'out flow' system that limits such actions?

I do kind of like arriving in at Pearson in Toronto. There's a slight rise after you pass through the last check in the baggage/customs hall that incorporates a right / left dog leg to sliding doors out into the public concourse. Kind of naturally regulates the speed of the escapees leaving the baggage hall, but once you get through the doors you find that you're at the top of a little "stage" only about 18 inches high with 20metre long ramps down into the semi-circular amphitheatre for the waiting families that had a load of Muskoka chairs put out for the folks waiting.
This layout seems to work quite well - everybody waiting gets a good view of who's coming through the door and the layout with the chairs seems to encourage the waiting families to chill out a bit and the ramps have tall perspex bannisters to discourage folks from climbing onto the ramp and are also high enough that they can't be used as leaning posts either so there's nobody obscuring the line of sight & kids are kept out of the way of the trolleys.

A couple of times there was also overhead screens listing the flights that had landed and estimates of where the passengers & luggage were in the system - deplaning, immigration, baggage reclaim, customs etc. I don't recall seeing these the last couple of times I so that may have disappeared, but on the whole I generally find arriving at Pearson [for personal reasons] fairly painless.

[PAXboy]

Bemused to see advert for a Cabin Bag that is self powered and will follow you around, when wearing an arm band. It will also BlueTooth to your phone if out of distance. It looks very smart but the empty weight is 6Kg. I guess that, if you are travelling in F, that might not be a problem. Nor might the £500+ cost.

Has anyone seen one of these at first hand?

[Mr Mac]

PAXboy
No not yet, but will advise when, and if I do. Seems a bizarre bit of kit though, and as you say heavy, though £500 is still a lot cheaper than a certain bag maker beginning with the letter R !!

Cheers
Mr Mac

[ZFT]

So an unattended/unaccompanied bag at an airport!!!!

[PAXboy]

Ah .. a self-propelled case that could be 'driven remotely' into a crowd? Good plan.

[Asturias56]

I thought the Age of buying expensive luggage for scheduled flights was long gone. You want something as strong and as light as possible and it should look like you've had it for years. I have a vile design soft sider that takes a tonn (or tonne) of stuff and is so horrific I can spot it a continent away and no-one, but no-one, would do anything but recoil in horror.

[PAXboy]

Having not been to the USA since 2007, I had to complete ESTA applications for the first time.

The system indicated that if you did not have a local contact [family or friend] that you could leave this sector. Turned out it would not let me continue without completion. Happily my cousin whom we will visit said she would open the door to the Men in Black with the big guns and tell them that we were not trying to overthrow the USA govt. Namely as the USA populace is doing that pretty well all by itself.
I completed my application and then continued with my partner's. The contact details were, naturally, all the same. But it now took exception to the phone number of my cousin. On my application, I ticked the box to confirm that this was the correct area code and number and could proceed. Not so for my partner. So backed up and saved the application and then logged in from Msoft Edge browser. Entered all the same information and ticked the box and it all went through.

I am bemused that this is not a Visa system but an 'Electronic System for Travel Authorization' but you have to enter all the same information as a Visa! I do love our American allies.

[radar101]

Just completed the US Visa application (having been to Cuba in the last 11 years we cannot use an ESTA) and came across the same problem - only way to continue was to give details of a hotel we may be staying in in 6 months.

[Asturias56]

always choose the Airport Hotel................

[S.o.S.]

That is very neat advice Asturias56.

[PAXboy]

I see a report that the EU 'Entry Exit System' EES for non-EU travellers has been postponed until after the Summer 2023 travel period.

[PAXboy]

I've checked this with S.o.S. before postin for, as a rule, PPRuNe does not allow the same topic in two threads. I have put this in Heathrow but that forum will not be read by all SLF. This is a story from a friend of mine:

I was involved in a parking scam at Heathrow Airport.
Basically, you leave your car with a driver inside the terminal and they take your car, store it, and are there to meet you when you land, with your keys. Awesome.
Now, I had used these people before, but on our return from zzzzzz, we were told there’s a problem and our car was stuck in the secure parking. So we immediately thought that we were being told a load of bollocks and we contacted the police and our insurance.
This was on the 3rd of January.

We got assigned a police officer called Mike and he called us every few days saying he was still looking for our beautiful Ford Ranger. His problem was that some 75 cars had gone in this scam.
It turns out, most Meet and Greet companies don’t have any storage facilities at all. They leave your car in a field or parked by the side of the road, or anywhere that won’t attract a fine. (So beware.)
Turns out that while we were away for Christmas, these bastards threw everyone’s keys in the bin and took all the money and ran. Leaving everyone thinking their cars were stolen.

This morning Mike told me that he and his team had found over 60 of the missing cars. This afternoon he found mine. I know the Metropolitan Police are understaffed, f**ked over by our government policies and mismanaged, but they still try. And our super cop Mike, is the cops cop. He will never read this, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart for finding our RAID truck. You are a bloody legend. Thank you to you and all the amazing police I met in the last few days. You guys rock.

I found them on a compare site. They were called Heathrow Meet and Greet, and they gave the car to a sub contractor called White Line (don’t laugh). The police told me not to trust anyone but the official Heathrow parking or Purple Parking. There’s a huge amount of investigation going on regarding this.

[S.o.S.]

I've just had an advert stuck into my FB feed that shows the 'perfect' rollabout carry-on. Demonstrating it's power pack to charge your phone and how the handle acts to prop your phone (hopefully with headphones), The demonstrating person proudly shows the case standing upright and how, on the large side, there was a flip down Cup Holder. The Americans are wonderful people ...

[Asturias56]

I think its a Winnebago...................

[PAXboy]

FRA
Face-scanning technology will be implemented across all terminals and airlines at Frankfurt Airport, enabling a seamless travel experience from check-in to boarding. This solution will be rolled out and available to all interested airlines at the airport.The implementation will see additional biometric touchpoints installed by spring 2023. From enrollment at a kiosk or counter, to pre-security automated gates and self-boarding gates, passengers can use biometric technology to seamlessly pass through each stage of the journey by simply scanning their face.

Travel Tommorrow website (https://traveltomorrow.com/biometric-technology-to-replace-passports-at-frankfurt-airport/?fbclid=IwAR0Ftm6aMMflipLL1OcLw5kz44KIGux8d7zfgSC08A0fa12EfA dB0z4ZVMk)

[Asturias56]

"enabling a seamless travel experience "

Ahh something to brighten the mid week blues ;)

[FlightDetent]

PowerPack luggage is severely disapproved by some regulators IIRC.

I would not wish to fly a plane with a few of those loaded down below.

[PAXboy]

BBC
BA-owner and EasyJet hold millions of unclaimed travel vouchers (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64810681)

This must be no surprise.

[Hartington]

Anyone want a refund of a voucher from BA?

Non lawyer wins against BA (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-64788448)

[PAXboy]

London City start this ball rolling.
London City Airport has scrapped the 100ml liquid limits rule in hand luggage just in time for the Easter (https://metro.co.uk/tag/easter/?ico=auto_link_news_P1_LNK2) school holidays.

The east London airport will be the first in the UK to make the changes to the restrictions, which have been in place since 2006.

This is thanks to new high-tech CT machines, similar to ones used in hospitals, which will replace old scanners.

They’re able to produce a high-resolution 3D scan of passengers’ bags, meaning staff can easily inspect them from all angles.

Instead of 100ml, the liquid limit will now be two litres in hand luggage.

Passengers will also no longer have to place creams and cosmetic items in a plastic bag when going through security.

This also applies to laptops in the new scheme, which won’t need to be removed from flyers’ bags to be scanned separately.

[DaveReidUK]

I recall flying out of Gatwick a couple years ago and the security line I happened to be in was instructed not to take laptops, tablets, phones etc out of our hand baggage as a new machine was being trialled that didn't require it.

Was the trial successful?

As it happened, I was pulled up anyway when the x-ray machine revealed a suspicious object in my bag. I don't think they see many frittate at LGW. :O

[Asturias56]

Try going through Sheremetyevo with several rolls of fridge magnets................. :(

[PAXboy]

Nice one Asturias56. My best was a backpack that I used for work in my days in telecomms. I decided to use it for a long weekend around 2006. At LTN, I was pulled smartly and asked if there was anything dangerous in it?

The X-ray found a pair of small wire side-cutters that had got between the lining and I thought were lost. They were not happy that I was so pleased and thanked them for finding them! They wanted to confiscate but I went back out, bought a padded envelope and posted them home. Good side-cutters are expensive.

[aerobelly]

I used to travel with a screwdriver or two, small pliers/wire cutter and even a scalpel with its blades in a separate foil pack. Was never asked about any of it. My job was sorting out software problems but often minor hardware fixes were needed as well. Must have had an honest face -- but it was over forty years ago.

'a

[Expatrick]

Flew with a French waiter's style corkscrew (with small blade), unintentionally. Detected by scanner at Southampton, supervisor called over - passed it ok to go (in my hand baggage). On the return confiscated at Glasgow. Have a key ring, also with small, similar sized blade, usually passed ok, checked twice, once at Budapest airport and again at Auschwitz, again passed as ok.

[PAXboy]

From Bloomberg 8 March 2023
This is what we have discovered in the last six months.
Chris Bryant is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies in Europe. Previously, he was a reporter for the Financial Times. @chrismbryant

Deutsche Lufthansa AG boss Carsten Spohr said the quiet part out loud last week, telling analysts the German flag carrier wouldn’t rush to add more aircraft capacity despite surging passenger demand, because high yields — industry jargon for average fares — “are just too much fun.”

Lufthansa isn’t the only airline executive sounding exuberant about soaring ticket prices helping repair their Covid-hit balance sheets. Leisure travel demand is off the charts, and US and European airlines are either unwilling, or unable, to increase capacity sufficiently due to staffing and equipment shortages. These highly advantageous conditions (for them) look set to continue for years.

[PAXboy]

Heathrow Drop Off

We need to pay for a drop off t'row.
Her PC did not record the password for that.
Request 'forgot password'
Sent a verification code to email.
Website accepted code BUT ...
When you select 'Continue' it says it has to verify the account and you have to ask for another code.
LOOP through this until you decide that you will add her car to your account, which you can access.
Computer says No - that car already registered to an account I KNOW THAT ALREADY.
After more than 30 mins of futzing around, you accept the inevitable and ring customer services BUT ...
Discover that customer services closed at 13:00 and it is now 13:26 ... not open till Monday morning.
For good reasons, have to use her car for trip.
Faced with possibility of notice of fine whilst away then discover automated payment telephone number.
Fortunately, after many minutes of button pressing and SMS - that works
45 minutes wasted

LHR website for Drop off managed by APCOA and might just be down to the standards of a well known LHR airline ...

When she gets back and we gain access to that account - I'll set Auto-Pay. Eventhough I don't like giving that kind of authority to badly written websites!

Meanwhile, having left the Drop Off page open in the browser - the rolling adverts not invite 'Relax before your flight' :*

[Asturias56]

Drive to Southall - get train

[PAXboy]

Southall? From us that is far side of LHR. As I get older, the number of times that I am prepared to lift cases from one transport mode to another are limited!

[Asturias56]

well there's a good bus from Feltham Railway station :}

I tend to agree - but I get annoyed at the hassle they put you through - if it was just crumpling £ 20 into someone's outstretched paw its easy but all the app/log in/credit card routine is a PITA

[PAXboy]

Arriving SFO in (for us) middle of the night, we found a very long queue for imigration but the officer was cheerful and helpful. Perhas that's the West Coast influence/

[Asturias56]

Last few times we've been through teh USA it's been better - not brilliant but an improvement - more people using the electronic alternatives seems to help

[S.o.S.]

This reminded me of the last time that we were in the USA - every restaurant (and many bars) give a glass of iced water as a first offereing before the main order. I always wondered how many glasses of potable water are wasted...

[radar101]

... I always wondered how many glasses of potable water are wasted ...

Curious - that particular service is one of the things that always impresses us in North American eateries.

[redsnail]

Just had a nice mini break in Marrakech courtesy of easyJet holidays.
Having been there a few times for work I was expecting long delays at immigration. Nope, all good. Processed quite quickly and they didn't want to see the printed out form we were told to have.
However, don't put your passport away, an officer wanted to see the stamp before we were allowed to leave the terminal. Also, bags got screened as well before we could leave.
Leaving Marrakech? We were hand luggage only but we still needed our boarding pass validated at the check in desk. Oh and the usual screen bags before entering the main hall.
Long queue for security screening, long queue for immigration and another queue to make sure we had gotten another stamp. We had.
Finally, a pat down and explosives check whilst waiting at the gate.

We'd also had a great holiday in the Maldives. Super quick processing inbound which was great.
However, departure was a different matter. Enormous queues just to get in the Terminal, once again, bags were screened. Fortunately, biz class and BA Gold = shorter queues.
Significant delays in getting through immigration and security screening. Anything less than 90 minutes to departure, you'll miss your flight. After getting to the gate, another security check.
Fortunately, we had 2.5 hours so we were ok and didn't need to panic.
There's a new Terminal being built which will hopefully alleviate a lot of the choke points.

[S.o.S.]

Thanks for stopping into the cabin redsnail with an interesting contribution.

[PAXboy]

From California: Yes, still giving the glass of iced water with every meal.

Weather not so good but everyone very friendly and welcoming.

[PAXboy]

After several sectors on BA's A380, I have still not found the right headphone adapter. I've tried all of my collection and bought a couple but none connect to my own noice cancelling phones and the BA ones not so good. All suggestions welcome.

[togsdragracing]

I used to travel with a screwdriver or two, small pliers/wire cutter and even a scalpel with its blades in a separate foil pack. Was never asked about any of it. My job was sorting out software problems but often minor hardware fixes were needed as well. Must have had an honest face -- but it was over forty years ago.

The Swiss army knife, the inseparable companion of the mainframe computer operator back in the day :)

[Piper.Classique]

After several sectors on BA's A380, I have still not found the right headphone adapter. I've tried all of my collection and bought a couple but none connect to my own noice cancelling phones and the BA ones not so good. All suggestions welcome.

The ones that came with my Bose seem to work with everybody's IFE. Two pins side by side. But I don't know if BA have the same set up as other A380 that I have been in.

[PAXboy]

I took photos of the double pronged plug with one prong slightly shorter and narrower but could still not find the right one.

[DaveReidUK]

My understanding (which I haven't yet put to the test) is that on BA's A380s NC headphones only need to be plugged into into the 3.5 mm socket with a standard jack or adapter.

[PAXboy]

For some aircraft that works but I find my std 3.5mm plug of NC headphones dows not fit. It looks like a 3.5 but is slightly smaller.

[PAXboy]

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1080x836/security_5e06c5ae816786d729a14bd53c8ac6f406759fe1.jpg
A friend sent me this today. Very practical whilst sorting out shoes and belt.

[S.o.S.]

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.
Heathrow, airlines appeal regulator's landing fee cut (https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uks-heathrow-airport-appeal-regulators-cut-landing-fees-2023-04-19/?utm_campaign=trueAnthem%3A%20Trending%20Content&utm_medium=trueAnthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR3_TkCQgn8bd_HIn0ZsefYmdw9KJwy2pc29yQjH3528qEJVXRH UuD7ZKmg) Reuters

LONDON, April 19 (Reuters) - A cut to the fees Britain's Heathrow can charge airlines faces separate appeals from the airport and two of its biggest carriers, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

Britain's busiest airport says that investment will be undermined without a rise in fees, while the airlines argue that even with the cut, the fees are still excessive and Heathrow remains one of the world's most expensive hubs.

Heathrow was told by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in March that fees would need to fall during the 2024-26 period. Under the plan, Heathrow charges would drop to about 25.43 pounds per passenger in nominal terms over that period.

But in the latest chapter in a years-long battle between the airport and its customers, airlines say the CAA has not gone far enough. Both sides are appealing its decision.

[Asturias56]

AS the Times points out the Airport owners have taken out £ 4 Bn and haven't put a cent in in new funds - as bad as Manchester Utd

[Helol]

Can anyone advise on the photographic opportunities from the Concorde Lounge LHR?

Last year, I used the excellent Virgin Clubhouse, and they had a great little outside area where I could photograph departing ac. Next month, I am flying first one way with BA down to JNB on the A380 (wanted to try it and compare the lounge to Virgins excellent Clubhouse), and so wondered if similar photographic opportunities are available in that area?

Ta.

[S.o.S.]

I have not been in that Concorde lounge - only the previous one in T4. However, I found this photo on a web site that (to assign any copyright) I also link.
Do please report back and add any photos that you take.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1140x760/conc_room_e24f3779f06052b66aa71a9cc4b7d554a9ea701f.jpg
from Major Foodie com (https://major-foodie.com/british-airways-concorde-lounge-t5-heathrow/)

[Helol]

I have not been in that Concorde lounge - only the previous one in T4. However, I found this photo on a web site that (to assign any copyright) I also link.
Do please report back and add any photos that you take.

from Major Foodie com (https://major-foodie.com/british-airways-concorde-lounge-t5-heathrow/)

Ooh, thanks for that SOS. Fingers cross, they windows are kept clean. :) Will let you know.

[PAXboy]

This in the USA:
Alaska Airlines is getting rid of the self-serve airport kiosks that print boarding passes
Alaska Airlines has started removing kiosks to print boarding passes at airports, as part of a $2.5 billion investment in its passengers' "lobby experience."

The goal is to get passengers "through the lobby and to security in 5 minutes or less," according to a recent press release, and have them download their boarding passes on the app, or print them at home to save time.

"The reality is our lobbies are hugely congested," Andrew Harrison, Alaska Airlines executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said in an April call (https://seekingalpha.com/article/4595385-alaska-air-group-inc-alk-q1-2023-earnings-call-transcript)discussing earnings results. "And what we're finding is at least a 10-point increase in people coming prepared to the lobby, checked in already, even paid for their bag."

Business Insider (https://www.businessinsider.com/alaska-airlines-kiosks-lobby-overhaul-experience-passengers-boarding-pass-2023-4?utm_campaign=inventions-sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1xbIPMu1Mma-LQxG4XYMEJH5I1fW93h3ODctb8L-s4sa0CH7TYIG1siU8&r=US&IR=T)

Being cynical, I'm not sure how much of the investment in the 'lobby experience' is about saving money. However, if they make it work, we might see more of this on our side of the pond.

[Saintsman]

I've recently flown Emirates from LHR. I'd printed out my boarding passes before I travelled.

When I arrived, I then had to print out luggage labels before I went to drop the bags off. A new boarding pass was included.

Then I had to go to the drop off, where all my documents were checked.

I may as well have gone straight to the check-in desk in the first place. Like we used to do...

[Mr Mac]

Saintsmen
I do so agree with you.
Cheers
Mr Mac

[PAXboy]

Going through LTN last October on easyJet, I found that they had deployed more staff to hand-hold pax through the baggage machines. I wondered if they had found a balance point between relying on pax to check in and print their own tags etc. and the extra delays incurred by those who were not familiar/comfortable with the process. Also, perhaps, some pax deciding to ignore the online bit and do it all at the machine, thus taking longer.

We used Alaska at SAN last month and their agent was superb and made me wish all desk agents were that helpful. On the other hand, it was a quiet time of the afternoon.

[Peter47]

This in the USA:
Alaska Airlines is getting rid of the self-serve airport kiosks that print boarding passes

Business Insider (https://www.businessinsider.com/alaska-airlines-kiosks-lobby-overhaul-experience-passengers-boarding-pass-2023-4?utm_campaign=inventions-sf&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1xbIPMu1Mma-LQxG4XYMEJH5I1fW93h3ODctb8L-s4sa0CH7TYIG1siU8&r=US&IR=T)

Being cynical, I'm not sure how much of the investment in the 'lobby experience' is about saving money. However, if they make it work, we might see more of this on our side of the pond.

Its the same at Zurich. When I said that that I hadn't checked in online at Check in 3 by the railway station I was directed to Check in 1 - a bit of a hike. The trouble is that they assume that everyone has a smart phone (I don't) or that all hotels have internet terminals (mine didn't). This could hit the elderly.

[S.o.S.]

I agree that not much will stand between a corporate and cost savings.

[Asturias56]

"NOTIONAL" cost savings - change for the sake of change, technology just because it's there, no-one ever looks at the big picture. Mrs A spent years in a large UK company where "change" occurred on a 3 year cycle - but it took 32 months to roll it out everywhere so they'd just adopted a new change when the next one was announced by the Gods

[S.o.S.]

Yes, have seen that. Each new mgr - especially seniors - want to do what they did at their last company before they move on. They don't mind if they move on to another company or the golf course.

[PAXboy]

It is instructive to see corporates announce some big project, or merger - only for it to naever surface again. Or, the merger is unwound DaimlerBenz and Chrysler merged in 1998 and demerged in 2007. In the process, the lawyers, accountants and those with their nose in the trough made money. Pity about the workers ...

[Saintsman]

I've seen so many new changes during my time, that have all failed and the company has gone back to doing what they did in the first place.

But as has been mentioned, the instigators have moved on to bigger things and left the chaos behind...

[PAXboy]

Wheelchair user ‘humiliated’ after being ‘left to crawl off Ryanair flight’
This at a Swedish airport following an FR flight.
They just don't learn.

The Independent (https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/ryanair-wheelchair-passenger-crawl-flight-b2331444.html)

[Musket90]

I don't believe Ryanair or most other airlines provide the boarding/off loading service for passengers with reduced mobility. It would be a separate ground handler who would be contracted to provide it.

Not a good experience nonetheless.

[PAXboy]

Yes but the airline has to pass on the request. The airport may to blame this time - or not. we don't know.

[S.o.S.]

If genuine - someone has a sense of humour and an eye for publicity.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/584x203/6th_may_c694eda2343f0356241bfe3f39520bef0886cfa0.png

[redsnail]

I had had a day at work yesterday. Numerous technical niggles that could have grounded us over in the Middle East and left 2 passengers very disappointed. However, we worked out a strategy to persuade the aircraft to behave which it did and we got away nice and safely. Every one happy. It had been a very early start and I was airlining home with BA. All was looking good and I was feeling quite smug with my carry on luggage, especially when they said that there was a delay in the German airport because of a lack of staff to load the luggage. (see? It's not just the UK).

I was even happier when a cabin crew member walked down, and said "I see you've confused 4D with 6D, your seat is further forward". :D

[Expatrick]

Yes but the airline has to pass on the request. The airport may to blame this time - or not. we don't know.

The airport's comment implies that they knew about the requirement but had difficulty fulfilling it -

The airport said: “Dear Sir, we are sorry for your experience. Due to some delays last night, there were more planes landing around the same time as your flight. With several booked assistants requirements, including yours, and a medical emergency simultaneously, caused a pushed [sic] forward.”

[Asturias56]

Probably 2 guys and one van trying to cover half a dozen things at the same time

[Captivep]

Can anyone advise on the photographic opportunities from the Concorde Lounge LHR?

Last year, I used the excellent Virgin Clubhouse, and they had a great little outside area where I could photograph departing ac. Next month, I am flying first one way with BA down to JNB on the A380 (wanted to try it and compare the lounge to Virgins excellent Clubhouse), and so wondered if similar photographic opportunities are available in that area?

Ta.
The Concorde Room overlooks the apron in front of the main T5 building and is more towards the centre of the building compared to the other BA lounges so not much overview of the runways. There is also a fair amount of exposed structural steelwork (as you can see in the photo posted by SoS upthread).

If I were you do as I did on the few occasions I've been there; enjoy the choice of champagnes and then wobble off to the departure gate!

[PAXboy]

BA: They missed the credit of a flight with a partner airline. So I submitted scans of the boarding pass etc. How long do I give them before I ask again? It has been 21 days. What makes it particularly irritating is that they credited Mrs PAXboy for her sector of the same flight ...

[S.o.S.]

For those of us old enough to remember MAD magazine. I recently found a site collecting some of the many editions. These cartoons may jog your memory.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/720x845/mad_2__a6ae5d90f8240b7132e8e9cade4e7e787043c15e.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/720x852/mad_3__f0b4fcee6453f51649fc3803090c523615128159.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/720x830/mad_4__a21bb339f8690c0ae38b3c69e3100bc6c3e01dc9.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/720x834/mad_1__82d7dd807a6b7cb075f7608cc37e073ffbbd5190.jpg

[PAXboy]

Yes S.o.S. some of us are old enough to remember MAD.

Saw this today detailing the incredible quantities of baggage problems last year:
The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/18/mishandled-baggage-rate-almost-doubled-globally-in-2022-as-airlines-scrambled-after-covid)

Newly collated statistics show the extent of the disruption: the rate of mishandled baggage almost doubled globally in 2022, with 26m pieces of luggage delayed, lost or damaged.

That mishandled luggage rate soared to 7.6 bags per 1,000 passengers in 2022, up from 4.35 in 2021 and 5.6 in 2019, according to the aviation data company SITA’s annual insights report.

For international flights, the mishandling rate was 19.3 bags per 1,000 passengers, more than eight times higher than the rate of 2.4 for domestic flights.

This was largely because flight transfers were more likely on international journeys, SITA’s chief executive, David Lavorel, said. Errors during flight transfers were the largest contributor to mishandled baggage in 2022, accounting for 42% of affected luggage.

[PAXboy]

Reported today in The Independent
France bans short-haul flights in bid to cut carbon emissions. Air travel is off the table if a destination can be reached by railway in under two-and-a-half hours

[Alsacienne]

a destination can be reached by railway in under two-and-a-half hours
....... well that's all well and good in our current climate of industrial unrest and strikes!!!!

[S.o.S.]

BA cancels 40 flights due to IT. (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-65713903)

They never learn.

[PAXboy]

More of the same today. Outsourcing your most precious asset to save money, is not clever. It ends up costing you more. My grandfather, an electrical engineer, always said, "Cheap - is Dear."

[PAXboy]

Saw this today:
She is no ordinary KLM flight attendant. This is none other than the airline CEO herself, Marjan Rintel. Spotted serving passengers aboard a flight from Los Angeles to Amsterdam, this hands-on leader is in her inaugural year as the CEO. Passenger David Elliot chanced upon her during the flight and shared her picture in the Facebook Group "Flying Blue Platinum."

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/526x526/klm_ddfd0c36fb35f6d265c001085d518bc03cdd4333.jpg
I should like to see the CEOs of BA and their mates doing this. I would name the CEO of BA but I can't recall whose turn it is this week.

[ZFT]

Their 'mates' do do similar, just don't publicise it.
I also wonder whether the KLM CEO was correctly trained and licenced or was this just a convenient photo op!

[Asturias56]

well at least she's trying!

Almost certainly "additional" crew on the flight.

[Mr Mac]

Asturia56
I agree with you, it would be good to see more CEO,s spending some time at the coal face so to speak, rather than just observing as a gilded passenger if in an airline operation.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[Hartington]

I'm not totally convinced by the idea of CEOs working on flights. I'd be happier if they were crammed, incognito, in one of their economy seats.

[Asturias56]

if there's one thing worse than sitting in economy I'd say working there would be it................. you get to meet such wonderful people..............

[PAXboy]

I am all in favour of this kind of thing. I agree that thay are probably Supernumary as they need to spen time talkindg to the pax. Their allocated seat should certainly be in Y. Doing a long haul trip and staying in the same hotel as the CC and working the return sector should be a regular thing. One of the first things I learnt as an employee and then a manager, is to ask the folks at the 'Coal Face'. I still see this NOT happening in many fields.

[Asturias56]

IIRC the guy who founded IKEA used to book his own hotel rooms - last time he visited the UK they'd got him a place in a Premier Inn but he found a cheaper Travel Lodge a mile further away so booked that instead.

[PAXboy]

Yes, Ingvar Kamprad (1926-2018) was famed in this field. There was an interesting American TV series that was, I think, then also done in the UK - the CEO/MD wore a disguise and was presented to a branch as 'new recruit'. It was fascinating and, sometimes excrutiating. I should like to see every airline CEO do this - either undercover or as the KLM boss.

However, the question would be: What happens when they get back to the desk? do they just make small, local changes or do they instigate something bigger? Unfortunately, the bigger the company, the more difficult the changes become.

[pax britanica]

IKEA's founder and CEO was a legend in Sweden for his view modest spending. When IKEA took over Habitat they flew Y on SAS to LHR and got the tune and thena bus to the Habitat offices . He hails froma part of Sweden known for being careful with money. I worked there for three years and it was avery different experience to UK, CEO (VD Works Director ) in Swedish had 5 direct reports all labeled Chef/Chief and followed by the name of the divsion . Everyone in that divsion from the number 2 down (not the word they would use) to the team admin had the same title which just the name of the department so a very flat structure, our CEO also made a big point of asking questions about projects from the staff memebr dealing with ti not going up and down the org chart . Compare with UK or USA where there are numerous gradations and ever grander titles who often only speak with people of the same rank.
On a purely personal level I always felt there was a lot to be said for ',management by walking around' ie talking to people in their space not your office and getting feedback/ideas from experienced team members. I was interested to see this touted in a book by a well known succesful US CEO .

Whatever he did Kamprad was certainly hugely successful even though he remained very modest in his personal lifestyle although that isnt unique to him , flashing the cash is very un Swedish however much you have got

Going back to the KLM lady , kudos to her for doing it, I wonder if Willie Walsh ever did that at BA since he was a Airbus pilot for Aer Lingus before going into management

[PAXboy]

I stumbled across this ... the caption is Northwest Airlines 1959. Nan Bergin, Organist.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/640x529/northwest_31934c549f44d00627698782edf4cd4eb693b35d.jpg

[Mr Mac]

Pax Britanica
I do that when visiting companies supplying products onto projects that we are involved in, and talk to people on the shop floor, and you are correct it does cause a little consternation in some businesses in UK and some in Europe and US. However I find it quite enlightening and interesting to observe and talk to the people making the products. The big gripe I have with the the UK and indeed US, is the over hype of the sales function of any business, in that they are really cosseted. For example if a sales man leaves the business they are often escorted of the premises, or put on gardening leave for a month, if that is their notice period. In contrast a Project Manager say, would always be asked to work their full period of notice, and lets not get onto the discussion of sales man / women's bonuses.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[Asturias56]

I'd believe anything about NorthWest - the American Aeroflot..................... :(

[Asturias56]

Yes, Ingvar Kamprad (1926-2018) was famed in this field. There was an interesting American TV series that was, I think, then also done in the UK - the CEO/MD wore a disguise and was presented to a branch as 'new recruit'. It was fascinating and, sometimes excrutiating. I should like to see every airline CEO do this - either undercover or as the KLM boss.

However, the question would be: What happens when they get back to the desk? do they just make small, local changes or do they instigate something bigger? Unfortunately, the bigger the company, the more difficult the changes become.

I shared a flat with a guy who worked at Mars in Slough in the '70's

Mr Mars Senior used to turn up from the USA, unannounced, at any hour - normally wearing a baseball cap , a windcheater jacket and old slacks. Apparently Security had a set of instructions pinned up

1. He IS the owner whatever he looks like

2. let him in and refer to him as "Mr Mars" -

3. Make sure someone goes with him - he knows the place inside out and he will head for something in the plant that he wants to investigate

4. Call these numbers - starting with the UK MD at whatever hour it is

As management dribbled in it apparently started to look like N Korea - Mars talking to the people on the machines (and operating them himself), pointedly ignoring the herd of management all following and poised with pencil and paper tot record every utterance of the Boss. The workers loved him!

[togsdragracing]

Compare with UK or USA where there are numerous gradations and ever grander titles who often only speak with people of the same rank.


I once spent an afternoon at the Stockholm workplace of a friend and in the middle of the afternoon everything stopped and everyone from management to janitor sat together for coffee and cake and discussed work in the informal setting. I was assured that this was quite normal for Swedish companies. Returning to the UK I mentioned this to my senior management and asked whether we couldn't do the same and got that "Where did you park your spaceship?" look.

On the subject of cash-splashing I asked another Swedish friend, an interpreter by professsion, what was their equivalent of "millionaire" and he was at bit of a loss and finally told me that they didn't really look at things that way.

[pax britanica]

Mr Mac

I agreew ith you about sales, if you have good prodcut anyone can sell it if you dont no one will buy . That is an oversimplificaton but there is alot of truth in it
Asturius, FYI am not Pax Boy , there is one but not me. There were a few real old school CEOs like tht in the States , the turning up early being a common factor.

Togsgr..... What you experienced was Kaffe paus , sometimes called Fica .pretty common in Sweden and a very very useful management tool for building communication and taking the pulse . They also go home on time. people will stay f there is an special project in place that needs some extra hours but regualrly working late in Sweden is seen as not being on top of your job or even worse becoming tired and making bad decsions. Also as I said they dont flash the cash , have ovr the top houses, 6 ferraris or any of those trappings. Pretty much the same in all the Nordics which I suppose is why they often end up at the top of the happiest countries to live table despite high taxes and often miserable weather - .

[PAXboy]

Northwest Airline: What I like most about the picture is the bloke turned around with a look of "What is that ghastly noise and how do we get her to stop?"

I think the story of Mr Mars is brilliant, thanks for posting. As it happens, I was visiting the City of London yesterday and thus many memories of my time working there in an American bank. Not many managers led from the front. There was a fair amount of horse whipping from the back. Fortunately, my own manager, an American, was great and we got on very well.

In my present field - related to funerals - I see the same poor managers as in all the rest of working life. A few good ones.

[pax britanica]

Hi Pax Boy,

We obviously think alike , the guy in the glasses in the B&W photo looks distinctly unimpressed doesnt he
PBa

[25F]

"Couchsurfing" down under a couple of decades back I stayed with a chap who turned out to be the senior ambulance manager in the Queensland ambulance service. He said it was his habit to go and do a shift every now and then, incognito. One time he got a call which meant he needed to be somewhere in his official uniform. So he changed into it in the back of the ambulance and stepped out. The looks on the crew's faces as he came out... That's the gist of it at any rate. We'd shared a few beers by the time he told me that story.

[S.o.S.]

In my many decades of work experience I have found that - when a bloke gets his bum on a seat at the 'big table' he forgets everything that went before. The gripes about mgmt and the inefficient ways that the staff have to deal with, all go as he settles into the Trough.

[Mr Mac]

S.O.S.
Some of us try to be different, but I will grant you it is hard, especially if you are promoted into an established board which will invariably be full of little cliques within it.

Mrs Mac has far more experience than me in this, but if you ask her about one of her proudest moments as a senior manager / director of a listed company it was when she got a death in service clause through in a health business she was working in, so that not just the top tier got it, but the whole company.

She subsequently received a letter from a husband who had lost his wife to cancer, and was left with two young boys to care for. He said her efforts with her board to get this through would mean they got to keep their house. The Chairman of the business grumbled about his bonus all the time this was discussed at the board. Unsurprisingly she subsequently left the business after a board re shuffle, though unfortunately the VC House backed my wife, so it cost a lot of money to get her removed. The CEO subsequently also left under some what of a cloud, but he is still out there undoubtedly, and my wife career never really looked back, and she still goes high when others go low, an aspect of her of which I am extremally proud of.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[Asturias56]

I worked for a VERY paternalistic US Company in the Far East one time

They had some guys (plumbers, electricians, handy men) who wandered round fixing the office, houses, bits of kit. One day a young guy (?17?) fell through a roof and landed on his head - serious brain damage. The Company had him in the best local hospital, they flew in people from Singapore, sent copies of his xrays etc to the USA, they set up Satellite calls (and this was in early 80's) with the top brain surgeon in Dallas and the local surgeons. He was out in 3 months, pretty much 100% (but with a truly frightening scar and dint in his head) and back at work.

The important thing is not that the Company did it, but they did it without thinking, or discussing it. No-one EVER mentioned the cost He was as much one of "us" as the 10 gallon hat wearing CEO on $ millions a year. "We look after our people". As you can imagine it they had a great deal of local loyalty.

I have worked for other N American companies - including one where the CFO said, in the hearing of a whole office, " I don't care who leaves - we can pick replacements up of the street..."

One of these two companies is still in business - guess.....................

[Uplinker]

Asturia56
I agree with you, it would be good to see more CEO,s spending some time at the coal face so to speak, rather than just observing as a gilded passenger if in an airline operation.

Cheers
Mr Mac

One morning in a now defunct but well known and loved UK airline, there was a lot of unusual extra activity going on at 0 silly O'clock when I checked in and started generating the flight paperwork. When I asked, I was told that the CEO was joining us on a flight to Malaga - my duty that day. Cabin crew managers had come in to work in full uniform - on their days off - to make sure everything on that flight was perfect - newspapers, catering, cleaning, etc. etc. And I think a Cabin Crew instructor accompanied the flight too.

When we got back to Luton later that day, the CEO came to see us on the flight deck. I told him about all the extra activity and extra staffing that had been going on to prepare 'his' flight. There was a pause, then he said, "Ah.........Thank you for letting me know". I wasn't trying to get anybody into trouble, but I wanted him to understand that what he saw was not representative, because if he saw a perfect flight with everything just so; he would assume that his staffing policies and Ts & Cs were good. Or even too much.

I watched or read about a factory where a company employed someone to advise on improving productivity. They took the very simple step of moving the boss's car parking spaces from just outside the staircase/lift to their offices; to another location, which meant the bosses had to walk through the factory to get there. So the bosses saw the factory and the workers every day and could pick up a sense of how things were going. And on the way they could briefly chat to the workers, who might flag up problems they wouldn't otherwise get to hear about.
Productivity improved because the bosses could see the workers and the workers saw the bosses and felt that they cared, rather than being in their office, never seen.

I also remember a program about a big shipyard in Glasgow, where back in the day, the bosses had chauffeur driven cars and wooden panelled dining rooms with silver-service meals, etc, but there was not even a canteen for the actual welders and riveters, who had to bring sandwiches to work. Industrial relations there were very poor......

[Null Orifice]

Hi Pax Boy,

We obviously think alike , the guy in the glasses in the B&W photo looks distinctly unimpressed doesnt he
PBa

His own fault - should have checked the seating plan, thus avoiding the dreaded seat too near the band. :E

[PAXboy]

This is a design exercise, which they hope to get ready for production to sell. So it is sometime from service ...
Wheelchair adapting seat (https://edition.cnn.com/travel/delta-flight-products-wheelchair-airplane-seat-design/index.html?utm_content=2023-06-08T13%3A45%3A06&utm_source=fbCNN&utm_term=link&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR2yup5nvXgYd5UFZYk5p4I2KlAVJ1rRbD37scPxY2bweoGJx-FtKit20BI)

[S.o.S.]

New cabin safety video from BA. Discuss!!!
BA Safety Video 2023

[ZFT]

Not BA's finest

[PAXboy]

I did not like the sudden loud noises at the very start. Meant to catch your attention but I found it invasive. Otherwise? Very inclusive and shows the range of people involved in the work, which is good.

[Asturias56]

Not as good as Air New Zealand but you have to try and get people to watch them

Cartoon characters pointing at cartoon doors etc really are a bit.... 1980's?

[redsnail]

Yeah, gets the message across without being too flippant or silly.
My only criticism is the use of "do not inflate your life jacket". We've moved on from using negatives in safety critical messages. It should be "once outside, inflate your life jacket".
Also, so pleased to see that BA have finally ditched the loose bow tie life jackets to a clip and tighten type.

[Peter47]

Five minutes as far too long for a safety video - it will be ok the first time but imagine watching it for the sixth time! Will you be paying attention? Personally I prefer the old fashioned manual safety brief - gets all the info over in a minute, but them I'm old fashioned, and they are rarely needed now that we have small screens every third row in an airbus.

An interesting question not just related to the BA safety briefing but generally is how many passengers don't speak english? Is that a problem? Could you have videos in different languages where you have seat back videos?

[wiggy]

Yet another BA celeb heavy safety brief that goes on forever because there's much padding...

TBH I can see it being junked a lot of the time in favour of a manual demo when taxi time is short (e.g. for T5 departures > 09R)

[Asturias56]

the idea of a "short " taxi at LHR is new one onto me - sometimes I could be halfway through Lord of the Rings in the time it takes to line up

[Expatrick]

Yeah, gets the message across without being too flippant or silly.
My only criticism is the use of "do not inflate your life jacket". We've moved on from using negatives in safety critical messages. It should be "once outside, inflate your life jacket".
Also, so pleased to see that BA have finally ditched the loose bow tie life jackets to a clip and tighten type.

Please forgive my ignorance but why are negatives no longer used in safety critical messages?

[Uplinker]

.......how many passengers don't speak english? Is that a problem? Could you have videos in different languages where you have seat back videos?

They do; Some "foreign" carriers have the video safety brief in their own language and then English. Also videos showing safety procedures can be followed from the pictures only.

[Asturias56]

Please forgive my ignorance but why are negatives no longer used in safety critical messages?


I think the poster was saying that good practice these days is to really on POSITIVE messages only - DO this, DO that

-- people get confused with a mixture of Do's and Don'ts (known as the Boris Syndrome)

[Expatrick]

I think the poster was saying that good practice these days is to really on POSITIVE messages only - DO this, DO that

-- people get confused with a mixture of Do's and Don'ts (known as the Boris Syndrome)

Thank you, although I think you meant Dorries and Don'ts!

[Apron Artist]

Hi all. I wasn't really sure where to make my first post, this thread seemed sort of right. Ish. Long time at Gatters and I find myself with a bit more time on my hands these days so decided to create an account. Hope I can add to discussions and perhaps give a bit of insight into the murky world of ground handling (which these days pretty much covers everything until wheels up).

[alserire]

the idea of a "short " taxi at LHR is new one onto me - sometimes I could be halfway through Lord of the Rings in the time it takes to line up
EI flights from T2, especially in the evening if taking off in a westerly direction from the southern runway, can have very short taxis.

[Uplinker]

Asturias56 (https://www.pprune.org/members/483872-asturias56).....the idea of a "short " taxi at LHR is new one onto me - sometimes I could be halfway through Lord of the Rings in the time it takes to line up.

London Heathrow is a very large and very busy airport, and the runways are each over 2 miles long. So if you have to taxi from one end of the airport to the other before lining up, owing to the wind direction, it might take a while.......

[ZFT]

Yeah, gets the message across without being too flippant or silly.
My only criticism is the use of "do not inflate your life jacket". We've moved on from using negatives in safety critical messages. It should be "once outside, inflate your life jacket".
Also, so pleased to see that BA have finally ditched the loose bow tie life jackets to a clip and tighten type.

Seems a waste of 80000 or so life jackets across their fleet at some not insignificant cost.

[Asturias56]

London Heathrow is a very large and very busy airport, and the runways are each over 2 miles long. So if you have to taxi from one end of the airport to the other before lining up, owing to the wind direction, it might take a while.......

and on Flight radar you can see them all in a line, and others waiting to cross or join before you even push back. Not as bad as JFK but .............

[wiggy]

and on Flight radar you can see them all in a line, and others waiting to cross or join before you even push back. Not as bad as JFK but .............

Generally yes you are right, it's a 15 to 25 minute taxi out, plus minus, at LHR, regardless of runway in use.

However on some occasions T5 to 09R, especially outside of the peak periods, can present a challenge when it comes to cabin preparations and overly long cabin safety videos are not exactly helpful...

[S.o.S.]

I recall a JFK departure that, from Push to turning onto the Active was 45 minutes.

Also, Welcome to Apron Artist, I presume that your title means that you have been working on airport aprons? Alternatively, a Chef. But you have climbed the stairs and joined the quiet and sublime cabin of PPRuNe. I'm afraid that you have to start off in Y, as do we all. :}

[Musket90]

Gatwick can often take just as long, if not longer than Heathrow from push back to take-off during busy periods with single mixed mode runway.

[Apron Artist]

I recall a JFK departure that, from Push to turning onto the Active was 45 minutes.

Also, Welcome to Apron Artist, I presume that your title means that you have been working on airport aprons? Alternatively, a Chef. But you have climbed the stairs and joined the quiet and sublime cabin of PPRuNe. I'm afraid that you have to start off in Y, as do we all. :}

Thank you S.o.S. - yes, I prefer the term Apron Artist to Ramp Rat, which is where I started at Gatwick as a "temporary" job before hopefully returning to a financial services job - which is what I had done for the preceding 25 years. That was 2011. After a couple of months, despite the miserly wages and waking up in pain every day, I found that that I absolutely loved the buzz of it all.

[togsdragracing]

Please forgive my ignorance but why are negatives no longer used in safety critical messages?

It can backfire. I forget the year and the country but some years ago there was an anti-smoking campaign, aimed at children, whose tag line was "Never say yes to a cigarette". Research then discovered that the words which stuck in the kids' minds were those at the end of the tag line, i.e. "Yes to a cigarette". The tag was subsequently changed to "Always say no to a cigarette"

[PAXboy]

NORSE Atlantic. Am I correct in thinking that they do not interline with anyone? Genuinely Asking for a friend.

[S.o.S.]

Airport drop-off charges for drivers have increased by almost a third at UK airports over the past year, according to the RAC.
BBC web (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66174677)
Stansted airport remains the most expensive place to drop off at £7 for 15 minutes.

However, six of the busiest UK airports have frozen drop-off charges since last summer. Alongside Stansted:

London's Heathrow charges a flat £5 with no time limit
London's Gatwick charges £5 for 10 minutes
Manchester airport costs £5 for 5 minutes
London Luton charges £5 for 10 minutes
Edinburgh costs £4 for 10 minutes.

Three airports offer free-drop off outside the departure terminal. These are Cardiff, London City and Inverness.

[PAXboy]

Not to mention that hotels close to airports have racked up their charges! Also found that Premier Inn next to LPL now charges for their car park, even for those that have paid to stay there. The usual threats on the signboard if you don't pay as the ANPR sees all. We booked there when visiting my Niece in Liverpool as it was cheaper than staying closer into town, Whilst the car park charges did not swing the balance they were unwelcome.

[PAXboy]

I saw this and thought it interesting. An American Airlines Captain drawing a line. Scroll down to find the audio, although some excerpts are in the text:
An American Airlines Captain (https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/national-international/american-airlines-pilot-goes-viral-for-announcement-reminding-passengers-not-to-be-selfish-and-rude/3278380/?fbclid=IwAR2AEnq5x__QRlHy0kDZPNtbp0pAbs2WDrgN8-rKtUQ4idDOZ2dBDbwQx-A)

[S.o.S.]

British Airways to require photo ID for domestic flights in policy change

Airline falls into line with major competitors and requires one form of identification from 1st September.Independent (https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/british-airways-photo-id-identity-documents-policy-b2399428.html)

[Asturias56]

I have a grudging memory of having to show ID on some internal BA flights for years - Always carry my passport as you never know whee you might be diverted to...............

[PAXboy]

Princess Juliana International Airport - St. Maarten

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/523x720/sxm_da0ba1f2011852060b6503c2fdfd73011057bf02.jpg
SXM car park

[Helol]

Princess Juliana International Airport - St. Maarten
SXM car park

Luxembourg, my home for 11+ years has a 'kiss and fly' car park, whereby 15 minutes of free parking is provided directly in front of the terminal. For those of you familiar with Findel know it really is in front of the terminal, ideal for dropping off pax etc.

[PAXboy]

Here is a very misleading headline, even though the correct information is given in the article.

No passport required as departures from Singapore airport set for 'seamless' travel from 2024

Biometric data, taken from fingerprint scans and facial recognition technology, will replace travel documents and other physical items, such as passports.
Wednesday 20 September 2023 14:50, UK
Sky News article (https://news.sky.com/story/no-passport-required-as-departures-from-singapore-airport-set-for-seamless-travel-from-2024-12965593)

They key part is:-
The changes will allow people to depart the airport without needing to "repeatedly present their travel documents".

Which is 100% different but the modern media just can't seem to get even the basics right. I suspect they did not read the PR release before publishing.

[Helol]

Hubby paid the £5 when he dropped me off at the Virgin UC entrance, which is just prior to the slip road into T3 departures. I am not sure if the charge actually applied - can anyone confirm?

[PAXboy]

As far as I know, the ANPR cameras are on the 'set down' lanes only. This means that the fee will not have been deducted and your Hubby's account will be in credit. The credit is valid for 365 days but will then expire. If you check the account, I think that, if you booked for T3 then the credit is only valid at T3.

[PAXboy]

This is a Rumour network so ...
SAS Will Join SkyTeam Alliance in Ownership Shakeup (https://thriftytraveler.com/news/airlines/sas-will-join-skyteam-alliance/)

No time set for leaving ...
After filing for bankruptcy last year, the Copenhagen-based airline announced it found some new owners: A U.S. investment firm, the Danish government, and … Air France-KLM. In doing so, it'll pull SAS into the SkyTeam alliance along with Delta, Korean Air, Virgin Atlantic, and other carriers, the airline confirmed.

There's no clear timeline for SAS's exit from the massive Star Alliance, though it won't happen immediately – the airline's news release says only that it will “eventually join” SkyTeam. Plus, the entire deal is contingent on a slew of regulatory approvals to move ahead.

[PAXboy]

From Sky News website
Air fares are set to increase further as the UK aviation authority has upped the costs airline pay to fund air traffic control.

Each plane will have to pay an additional £17 a journey after the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) increased the contribution from £47 to £64 per aircraft.

It follows hundreds of flight cancellations and long delays in August as the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) reported a "technical issue" which affected its flight planning system. An independent review into the events is taking place.
Another chicken comes home to roost. If you consistently underfund a critical computer system, failing to take the plunge to upgrade to new software - it will fail and (usually) horribly.

What is irritating about this is - it appears - that the fee increase is just to pay off the airlines. At some ppoint they are going to have to fix the problem...

[S.o.S.]

We have had several discussions about Passports and automatic gates. This programme told me some things about passports and the process that I did not know. An enjoyable hour.
BBC 1
The Secret Genius of Modern Life
Series 2
Episode 1. Passport

[PAXboy]

I have received an email from Avis, giving the news that:
We’re writing to let you know about some important changes we’re making to Avis Preferred.
and
The good news is we’re making Avis Preferred more rewarding than it’s ever been.
Oh yes, I know what comes next! This is a well worn path for 'loyal' customers...

[Asturias56]

what comes next?

[PAXboy]

Ther benefits to loyal customers will be reduced. I have never seen a loyalty scheme where the benefits improve to the end user.

[Asturias56]

agreed but I never saw much from Avis anyway................

[PAXboy]

True. I have usually found excellent service and they respond well to a breakdown - but their reward vouchers usually arrive after the main holiday and expire before the next main holiday.

[Mr Mac]

Paxboy
Emirates used to have an excellent credit card backed by MBNA in UK which was good for FFM but alas no longer. I still get more than my fair share due to travel for work but it did make for good upgrades.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[S.o.S.]

Just heard from Miles & More ...
What began as a wish for transparency and simplicity, came into reality on 1 January 2024 with the new status programme.
Whoop Di Doo.

[PAXboy]

Asking here, rather than int he BA forum:

We had booked a straightforward round trip from LHR T5. As it was a voucher, I paid for the seats in C that I wanted - out and back.
We had to postpone the trip, which I did and there was no indication that the seat reservations would / would not be carried forward.
Trip approaching and no sign of reserved seats - i am invited to select and pay.

Any suggestions for when we get to checkin agent?

[Tocsin]

BA regard their part fulfilled, you paid for a seat reservation on the original flight and that was provided. They don't refund the reservation fee on a cancellation, either. The options are find a friendly customer agent, or take them to MCOL.

[PAXboy]

Wow. Thank you for letting me know about the IAG scam! When we had to postpone the flight (it's the same Locator) was there something I should have done to move the seat reservations? When I had to postpone a flight in VS some while back, the seat reservation went with it.

[rog747]

Wow. Thank you for letting me know about the IAG scam! When we had to postpone the flight (it's the same Locator) was there something I should have done to move the seat reservations? When I had to postpone a flight in VS some while back, the seat reservation went with it.

IIRC ''paid''seats on BA are not refundable - nor do they get transferred over, however when you changed the booking (online I assume) you should have called BA Exec Club and got your seats moved over to the new flights - suggest you call them today and try that....usually they are pretty helpful on the phone.

[PAXboy]

Thanks for info rog747 and confirming the worst. I have just checked in online and had been allocated seats three rows behind where I had paid. Not ideal but at least still slightly forward of the wing. I am going to ask at the counter t'row about the return leg as the system won't tell me what it has done. Seat Guru did not know what aircraft it is, so could not show me any warnings.

The checkin page did not offer to send me the boarding cards by email. Said I could print them online but no option. Half an hour later, I checked my App to see that the boarding pass was there. It invited me to checkin. It also invited me to add my FF number. Given that it haws been there since before the App I was surprised but checked it was correct - it then said, 'FF number already entered for this flight! After another 10 minutes it agreed that I was checked in and had the boarding pass. Their IT systems are down to their usual standard. Which match their mgmt.

[PAXboy]

The flights worked out OK and we had resonable seats. The BA T5 South Lounge was good and both flights on time. On the return, the Saga lounge in KEF that (I think) most C class pax go, was one of the all time best I have ever been in. Space, comfortable, food and drink all good.

Overall, KEF is good, much expansion going on as their tourism continues to expand.

I won't bore you with the numerous glitches in the IT systems of BA. Sometimes, on their App - they cannot even log you in ...

[TimGriff6]

Paid for seats are refundable when BA cancel your flight and that happened automatically to me last September. Fortunately the credit card used to pay for them was still valid because they didn't ask or tell me what was done.
Putting me in economy seats for a two leg replacement journey instead of the business seats on the cancelled direct flight did not generate a refund of the difference between business and economy. Apparently it is not BA policy to refund in this situation because 'we got you there, didn't we?'
I'm glad I didn't pay for first class seats!

[PAXboy]

Self Screening USA
An American airport has begun testing a security system that could change the way we fly forever, and wave goodbye to being patted down.

Security officials unveiled passenger self-screening lanes on Wednesday at busy Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.

There are now plans to test it for use in other cities around the country.

The Transportation Security Administration checkpoint — initially only in Las Vegas, only for TSA PreCheck customers and only using the English language — incorporates a screen with do-it-yourself instructions telling people how to smoothly pass themselves and their carry-on luggage through pre-flight screening with little or no help from uniformed TSA officers.

The Independent (https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/security-harry-reid-las-veegas-airport-b2510566.html)

[Asturias56]

" with little or no help from uniformed TSA officers."

no change there then ...................... :(

[Xray4277]

Nice one Asturias56. My best was a backpack that I used for work in my days in telecomms. I decided to use it for a long weekend around 2006. At LTN, I was pulled smartly and asked if there was anything dangerous in it?

The X-ray found a pair of small wire side-cutters that had got between the lining and I thought were lost. They were not happy that I was so pleased and thanked them for finding them! They wanted to confiscate but I went back out, bought a padded envelope and posted them home. Good side-cutters are expensive.

First ever time I flew was back in the early 80s, BA from MAN to ABZ with a colleague. When they x-rayed his carry-on bag they found a very bent and battered kitchen knife...explanation (true) - he'd had it in his bag for a court appearance in his ongoing and messy divorce, apparently his soon-to-be ex had tried to attack him with said knife but only succeeded in stabbing the wall. Needless to say the security guys told him they'd have to confiscate the knife, to which his cheerful reply was 'no problem, I don't need it any longer'. I imagine they laughed their socks off later and added the knife to their 'black museum'

[Mr Mac]

I came up from Kenya to LHR and when changing planes for the shuttle and going through X Ray machine a group of school kids from a private school who had been doing some charity work in Kenya were in front of me . One of the group were pulled as they had knife with 6in blade in their carry on by accident. This was around 2012 and they would have been X Rayed 3 times in Nairobi !

I am currently in Lagos having flown down to Luanda with EK then up to Kinshasa after a few days, a day in Kinshasa, back to Luanda and then up to Lagos, all with Angolan carrier on Props and 737 and I have to say the Angolan carrier and Luanda were fine .

I have not been there before or used the carrier but ok. Kinshasa needs nothing more to be said and Lagos is Lagos. I haven’t been to either place in a number of years and nothing seems to change especially in Kinshasa apart from the skyline ! .

I fly to Morocco tomorrow at 05.00 with Moroccan Airways on another 737 which is another new carrier for me. Can’t say I am looking forward to Lagos airport at that time of night though 🙄🙄

Cheers
Mr Mac

[Asturias56]

Ye Gods!!

What terrible crime did you commit to be sentenced to that journey????

[Mr Mac]

Asturias
No crime but South African client doing work in Luanda and she is a very good client and pays her bills promptly and in full. Earlier this year I was in Cape Town and she mentioned Luanda and possible other jobs in Lagos and Kinchasa and asked if I could look at those as well.

In the meantime we have another client who is going to near shore some factories to Morocco from China and again asked me to kick the tyres so to speak.

I brought my replacement down from Munich as her French is excellent so we have been here a few days then she flies to Dubai from Casablanca and my wife arrives for some winter sun for Easter so I do get a break and staying in a very nice hotel but unfortunately the weather is not so good unfortunately for her.

I have never been here surprisingly but would recommend it. As for Lagos and Kinchasa not ones for us !

Cheers
Mr Mac

[Asturias56]

"very good client and pays her bills promptly and in full."

now that is NOT common

I'd agree tho' Luanda isn't too bad (apart from the traffic) whereas Lagos & Kinshasa are... an aquired taste - tho' I have a mate who spent years in the later quite happliy

[Mr Mac]

Asturias 56
I agree Luanda was ok, and yes there is a traffic issue. Also slightly more expensive than Kinshasa and Lagos I think, or it maybe just the hotels I was in down there.

Lagos is Lagos with the usual Nigerian issues of graft amongst other things. It maybe improving I was told but it’s from a very low base. As for Kinchasa I think they are still trying to find who stole the base !

Morocco is very different and almost European, and you can even use Euros rather than local currency which is surprisingly a closed currency.

Anyway I have a young French female PM who needs to spread her wings a little , who is coming off a project in the Netherlands who speaks French / English/ Arabic as she was brought up in Provence with Arab mother a French Father and this set of projects in Morocco would ideal to start her long haul career.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[Asturias56]

Morocco is rapidly becoming the Mexico of the EU - reasonable education system, good people, and you can cut your costs without hitting quality. A cousin of mine was involved in relocating some rag trade production from the UK & Germany to there and he raved about the place

[PAXboy]

Checking in for a BA flight, I see that they have still not updated this information. Comair has been gone three years? Sun-Air? The South African version must be more than 15? Not April 1st as I've seen this many times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/762x292/babaggage_1938352eb7953d8f5582698881aca7a910d28504.png

[Mr Mac]

Asturias56
We built a large factory complex in Istanbul for a German clothing manufacturer doing the same thing. As for Morocco there does seem to be quite a bit of near shoring going on. The sites I looked at in Tangiers were in Exportation Free Zone which is a special area close to the port 45 km East of Tangiers and there are a large number of companies coming out of China and moving there. It’s only 15km from Spain as the Crow flies.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[Asturias56]

Yeah - my cousin also finished up opening factories in Turkey - and Romania and Israel.................. Egypt & Tunisia he thought was too disorganised

[MAC 40612]

Checking in for a BA flight, I see that they have still not updated this information. Comair has been gone three years? Sun-Air? The South African version must be more than 15? Not April 1st as I've seen this many times.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/762x292/babaggage_1938352eb7953d8f5582698881aca7a910d28504.png
The Sun-Air Franchise they are referring to is Sun-Air of Denmark, so still current. No idea why they haven't removed the mention of Comair though.

[PAXboy]

Thanks MAC 40612

Watching the ghastly scenes from the Taiwan earthquake, you can see people running for their life - and right next to them people stopping to look and behaving in ways we would not imagine. There are similarities to aircraft evacuations, when the brain does not react as instructed/trained.

[S.o.S.]

Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester airports not ready to lift liquids limit
Major airports will be allowed by the government to miss the latest roll-out date for installing scanners to end the 100ml liquid limit.

London Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester airports are not expected to have the technology in place in time for 1 June. The delay could last for up to a year. Airports had to apply individually for extensions, which could mean passengers may have to continue removing liquids and laptops from hand luggage until June 2025.

Smaller airports such as Teesside, London City and Birmingham have new security screening technology in place and expect to go live on time. A Department for Transport source said the delays were for "genuine" reasons. The Civil Aviation Authority will impose financial penalties on airports that keep missing deadlines, the DfT said.


BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68723697)

[redsnail]

Even if you could take more than 100ml liquid, for it to be really liberating, your destination and soon to be departure airport would need to have the same equipment to permit your liquids.
So far, there's not too many.

[PAXboy]

Interesting. At LHR T5 this week, I had taken off my boots (they always alarm the metal hoop) and my belt. I was still sent through the fancy wave machine and STILL said that I had to have a pat down AND the metal wand.

The interesting remark from the person was this: "The system shows your lower right leg." So he made careful inspect by hand and wand. Finding nothing, he concluded, "Your trousers were hanging down and sometimes the folds of the meterial on your foot can do it."

As I had to take my belt off, it is not surprising that my trousers were drooping! On my way back from EDI, after taking the belt off - I made sure to yank my trousers up. Went through just fine.

[DaveReidUK]

Even if you could take more than 100ml liquid, for it to be really liberating, your destination and soon to be departure airport would need to have the same equipment to permit your liquids.
So far, there's not too many.

Depending on what the liquid was, and how much of it you planned to consume while on holiday. :O

[PAXboy]

This sounds like a new kind of misery being inflicted by the staff of the new scanners.
Dublin Airport: Woman asked to remove breast prosthesis at security
BBC Web News (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-68770727)
A woman who had a mastectomy has said she was "stunned" when she was asked to remove her breast prosthesis after setting off a new security scanner alarm at Dublin Airport.

Realtán Ní Leannáin, who is from Belfast but lives outside Dublin, was travelling to Donegal. She said she was "like a rabbit caught in the headlights" during the incident.

Dublin Airport has apologised and said the situation should have been handled better. Ms Ní Leannáin told BBC NI's Evening Extra programme: "The security officer didn't even offer to pat me down. She stood and waited for me to remove the prosthesis.

... should have been handled better ...
Fabulous corporate speak.

[Mr Mac]

PacBoy
I tend to do ok with scanners as a rule, however the belt rule does vary. Always off at Manchester and varied in Munich, always in Dubai for instance. Same with shoes, Deck Shoes waved through but if more formal take off. I do think there is a % stop rate.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[PAXboy]

For 25 years my mother lived on the Isle of Man in her retirment. It was my contention that, because they were a known pathway from Ireland (both sides) they were particularly vigilent. Leaving LHR or LTN, my boots never sounded the old style metalic hoop. Leaving IOM - went off every time. They swore blind that their system was set to the same tolerance as the mainland.

I've not been since 2017 when my brother and I took mother's ashes back to place in the top of the grave of her second husband.

[Asturias56]

For 25 years my mother lived on the Isle of Man in her retirment. It was my contention that, because they were a known pathway from Ireland (both sides) they were particularly vigilent. Leaving LHR or LTN, my boots never sounded the old style metalic hoop. Leaving IOM - went off every time. They swore blind that their system was set to the same tolerance as the mainland.

I've not been since 2017 when my brother and I took mother's ashes back to place in the top of the grave of her second husband.


more likely they didn't have much to do so they cranked up the sensitivity - used to be like that at Aberdeen - you'd sail though LHR/Bristol etc and in exactly the same clothes and the same briefcase you'd set off every alarm in the place in ABZ

[PAXboy]

Ah, interesting point, had not thought of that. They do need to be seen to do their job.

[SLF3]

Just for fun: who has turned down an upgrade, and why.

Early morning in Abu Dhabi, business class to London. Wise old owl in the queue said ‘if they offer an upgrade, say ‘no’: it will be full of kids running around all night’. I took his advice, colleague didn’t. Guess what?

[PAXboy]

Nice story SLF3. That part of the world can often afford front cabin for the whole family. The times I've had an upgrade are horribly few, best was a VS JNB-LHR. I was in PE and then bumped to UC.

Which reminds me of another trip in VS. I was in the A of the second row PE and the first row A/C was two children around 10 or 12, boy and girl. Their parents were in the last row of UC in A/C. very sensible. After the meal, the children were playing the (at time) enhanced ICE games in UC and parents were sleeping in PE. To be fair the children were well behaved.

[Mr Mac]

SLF3
I have only been upgraded a handful of times in my whole life so doubtful I would turn it down.

It’s odd to have kids coming out of the Middle East at this time, as I thought schools had already gone back following Easter Break in UK, and it’s way too early for the summer fleeing to Europe etc to avoid summer heat ? Also don’t ETIHAD have suites in Business Class so you would be insulated from Rug Rats ? I have never flown with them or if I have it’s along time ago so I maybe wrong on that point.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[Helol]

Nice story SLF3. That part of the world can often afford front cabin for the whole family. The times I've had an upgrade are horribly few, best was a VS JNB-LHR. I was in PE and then bumped to UC..

I really like UC, but more so, their Clubhouse at LHR, I think it beats BA's Concorde room hands down.

Trouble is, (and apologies I know I keep banging on about it), but I just can't use Virgin anymore down to JNB because of that damn 787 they operate with their centrally controlled dimming of windows. It annoys the hell out of me that airlines can even consider this as an option. At least BA is now operating the 777 for BA55 for summer (I think), and so hopefully lessening the chance of delays/canx that seem to happen on a regular basis with the A380!

[PAXboy]

Indeed Helol, as we have agreed in the past. Normally, we ride the wonderful A380 out and back. But, this year, we had run down our stock of Avios and accrued so many VS points that we had no choice.I agree that the UC lounge is breathtaking. We are doing a circular this time, with the daylight back from CPT, so will see what their UC lounge is like.

[S.o.S.]

Mystery travel is having a moment – here’s how to do it, and what to expect

This rising travel trend aims to put the fun and adventure back into travel, but is it worth the hype?

Time Out London (https://www.timeout.com/travel/what-is-mystery-travel)
It’s 7am in Copenhagen airport. The departures board lists the destination for my 9.25am flight as ‘unknown Schengen’ while my boarding card, when I get it, lists the destination as ‘fictitious’. I have a suitcase full of probably the wrong clothes, and a few concerns, but I’m still excited for a trip into the unknown.

I’ve joined SAS’s inaugural ‘Destination Unknown’ trip, a voyage where the final destination is a closely guarded secret and the 180 passengers boarding the flight have no idea where we’re going. All we’ve been told is it’ll be 20C and we should pack swimwear.

[DaveReidUK]

where the final destination is a closely guarded secret and the 180 passengers boarding the flight have no idea where we’re going

​​​​​​​Ryanair passengers will be able to identify with that.

[Asturias56]

"It’s 7am in Copenhagen airport. The departures board lists the destination for my 9.25am flight as ‘unknown Schengen’ while my boarding card, when I get it, lists the destination as ‘fictitious’."

Its always fun on the (very) early flight out of Santiago Chile on a Saturday. The CC announce "welcome etc etc to your LAN Chile flight to Punta Arenas, Rio Gallegos & Mt Pleasant"

There's always at least one passenger who asks "where the hell is Mt Pleasant" - and throws a complete wobbly when they realise it's in the Falklands/Malvinas..................... even itf they're getting off in PA.