View Full Version : Blair Force One
theguardian
6th Mar 2002, 18:48
Anybody at Heathrow around 6am when the Prime Minister's chartered flight was held in a queue for 45 minutes, much to the annoyance of those on board?? Rumours that it was a NATS protest. Any information gratefully received, especially from anybody also stuck in the queue...
jongar
6th Mar 2002, 19:25
Why does Blair have to fly from LHR. Why not fly from one of the secondary airports ??
barcode
6th Mar 2002, 20:58
Yet again ---------Journo Alert !!!--------------
He is quite open about it barcode and asking for info. Hardly underhand.
hapzim
6th Mar 2002, 21:18
Just like the rest of us . Take your turn when it arrives . Go with the slot to ease the flow or first come first served . Just be at the gate with plenty of time to spare <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="cool.gif" />
Send Clowns
6th Mar 2002, 21:47
Don't complain about journalists openly asking questions here (can't be more open than calling yourself "theguardian"). Good to see a journalist looking for informed opinion, rather than publishing misinterpretation as usual. Unfortunately I know nothing of the incident, though it sounds very much like the aircraft was treated like every other, rather than deliberately obstructed as a protest. This would however annoy many members of the current government, who feel themselves to be exceptions to all the rules and their own advice.
scroggs
6th Mar 2002, 21:49
Don't know anything about your specific question about NATS, but both arrivals and departures are often delayed at that time of day. As hapzim implied, each aircraft has to take its turn in the queue, howver long it might be.
Capt PPRuNe
6th Mar 2002, 22:16
Was this during one of Tony Blairs recent visits to the UK?
silverknapper
6th Mar 2002, 22:19
No doubt thay will deny it happened, someone else will admit it then re nationalise NATS to teach them a lesson!
spitfire747
6th Mar 2002, 22:53
who is Tony Blair ?
allthatglitters
6th Mar 2002, 23:58
What is a Tony Blur?
Trinity 09L
7th Mar 2002, 01:21
Needed time for make up, dress sense? and ensure all ground cameras were present for photo opportunity!
It's time for a change of Tone.. .Sorry, couldn't resist it.
Polar_stereographic
7th Mar 2002, 14:24
I think he's the foreign secretary.
greatorex
7th Mar 2002, 15:53
His frequent flyer statements must be longer than the AIP! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" />
I suppose he goes on holiday with the airmiles <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .Worse than an Accenture consultant
poetpilot
7th Mar 2002, 16:26
He'd wait a lot longer if he tried to take a train.. .. .Though on reflection he's probably forgotten what a train is...