Yet Another RIAT F**k Up!
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Yet Another RIAT F**k Up!
Ladies and Gents,
Just to give all of you who were going to RIAT this saturday a 'heads up' - the organisers have announced today that the event will now be a TICKET ONLY event. Yes, the day before Europes biggest Military airshow, the organisers have decided that anyone NOT in possession of a ticket when they arrive at RIAT, will NOT be allowed in and will be directed away.
Yet another PR disaster for RIAT
There's going to be a hell of a lot of very unhappy and very angry punters come saturday morning, not to mention all the punters from abroad who will be unable to get in on saturday also.
Well done RIAT, just a brilliant, brilliant decision, utterly brilliant!
Just to give all of you who were going to RIAT this saturday a 'heads up' - the organisers have announced today that the event will now be a TICKET ONLY event. Yes, the day before Europes biggest Military airshow, the organisers have decided that anyone NOT in possession of a ticket when they arrive at RIAT, will NOT be allowed in and will be directed away.
Yet another PR disaster for RIAT
There's going to be a hell of a lot of very unhappy and very angry punters come saturday morning, not to mention all the punters from abroad who will be unable to get in on saturday also.
Well done RIAT, just a brilliant, brilliant decision, utterly brilliant!
Yes, Him
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TSM, you sure?
I thought that Friday was invite/ticket only for the Queen's Colours Parade then Sat/Sun as normal.
Dunno why I'm bothered, wouldn't go if they paid me.
I thought that Friday was invite/ticket only for the Queen's Colours Parade then Sat/Sun as normal.
Dunno why I'm bothered, wouldn't go if they paid me.
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Granite, A fair comment, but you think that they might have mentioned it earlier, given the popularity of the event? They must have expected a good turnout and known that problems would arise if more pitched than they could legally cope with. I'm with Swinging on this one; did they give an exact reasson for the ticket only??
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From their website:
NO ON THE DAY SATURDAY TICKETS
Anyone planning to attend the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Saturday, July 12, must buy their tickets in advance.
Organisers announced today that tickets will not be on sale at the Fairford gates on Saturday, July 12.
However, tickets are still available for both Saturday and Sunday from Ticketmaster as well as from selected branches of Barclays Bank, Robert Dyas and a number of Tourist Information Centres.
Air Tattoo spokesman Richard Arquati said buoyant ticket sales prompted the decision.
“We want to make sure that everyone who plans to come on Saturday has the chance to buy a ticket, but it is important to make sure we are ready and able to cope with the traffic.
We introduced day-specific tickets this year for the first time in order that we could monitor ticket sales. It is as a result of this monitoring that the decision not to sell on-the-day tickets on Saturday has been taken.”
“Our advice is: if you want to come to the Air Tattoo, buy now or come on Sunday when tickets should also be on sale at the gate.”
NO ON THE DAY SATURDAY TICKETS
Anyone planning to attend the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire on Saturday, July 12, must buy their tickets in advance.
Organisers announced today that tickets will not be on sale at the Fairford gates on Saturday, July 12.
However, tickets are still available for both Saturday and Sunday from Ticketmaster as well as from selected branches of Barclays Bank, Robert Dyas and a number of Tourist Information Centres.
Air Tattoo spokesman Richard Arquati said buoyant ticket sales prompted the decision.
“We want to make sure that everyone who plans to come on Saturday has the chance to buy a ticket, but it is important to make sure we are ready and able to cope with the traffic.
We introduced day-specific tickets this year for the first time in order that we could monitor ticket sales. It is as a result of this monitoring that the decision not to sell on-the-day tickets on Saturday has been taken.”
“Our advice is: if you want to come to the Air Tattoo, buy now or come on Sunday when tickets should also be on sale at the gate.”
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Well they can always hot foot it over to Duxford for FLYING LEGENDS.
Better Aircraft, better show and a better day out............ Tickets are still available for both days and ONLY AT THE GATE........... additionally they will get to see 3 flying B17's together, one having flown over from the USA for the show.......... Now that's what I call an Airshow....
What's On at IWM Duxford? Full listing of air shows and events : Flying Legends Air Show
None of this climb in through the window and set fire to the arse end to get it off the ground rubbish
........
Real aircraft with real engines and whirly bits on the front
Says it all really
List of Participating Aircraft (subject to change)
North American P-51 Mustangs
P-51D-20 Mustang 44-72216 – The Aerial Museum
P-51D-25 Mustang 44-72917 – Rob Davies
P-51D-25 Mustang 44-73149 – Old Flying Machine Company
P-51D-25 Mustang 44-73877 – Scandinavian Historic Flight
P-51D-30 Mustang 44-74427 – Christian Amara
TF-51D-25 Mustang 44-84847 – The Fighter Collection
Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires
Spitfire IA AR213 – Sheringham Aviation
Spitfire F VB BM597 – Historic Aircraft Collection
Spitfire F VB EP120 – The Fighter Collection
Spitfire F VIII MV154 – The Aerial Museum
Spitfire F IX MH434 – The Old Flying Machine Company
Spitfire F IXE PL344 – Historic Flying Ltd
Spitfire FR XIVE MV293 – The Fighter Collection
Spitfire F XIVE SM832 – Christophe Jacquard
Spitfire LF XVIE TD248 – Spitfire Ltd
Spitfire FR XVIII SM845 – Historic Flying Ltd
Spitfire F XVIII SM969 – The Fighter Collection
Seafire F XVII SX336 – Kennet Aviation
Hawker Hurricanes
Hurricane XII RCAF 5711 – Historic Aircraft Collection
Sea Hurricane IB Z7105 – The Shuttleworth Trust
Gloster Gladiators
Gladiator I L8032 – The Shuttleworth Trust
Gladiator II N5903 – The Fighter Collection
Grumman Cats
FM 2 Wildcat BuNo 86711 – The Fighter Collection
F6F-5K Hellcat BuNo 80141 – The Fighter Collection
F8F-2P Bearcat BuNo 121714 – The Fighter Collection
Curtiss Hawks
Hawk 75 No 82 – The Fighter Collection
P-40B Warhawk 41-13297 – The Fighter Collection
P-40N Warhawk 42-105915 – Christian Amara
Yak Fighters
Yak-3UA 0470107 – Chris Vogelgesang
Yak-9UM 0470406 – R Boschung
Hawker Nimrods
Nimrod I S1581 – The Fighter Collection
Nimrod II K3661 – Historic Aircraft Collection
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses
B-17G-85 Flying Fortress 44-8846 – Association Fortresse Toujours Volant en France
B-17G-105 Flying Fortress 44-85734 – The Liberty Foundation
B-17G-105 Flying Fortress 44-85784 – B-17 Preservation
Piper L-4 Grasshopper/Cub
L-4A Grasshopper 42-36375 – Frazerblades
J-3C-65 Cub G-RRSR – R Roberts
Douglas C-47/C-53 Skytrain/Dakota
C-53D 42-68823 (11750/LN-WND) – Foundation Dakota Norway
C-47A Dakota ZA947 – Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Other Participants
DH 84 Dragon I G-ECAN – Norman Aeroplane Trust
DH 89A Dragon Rapide G-AJGS – de Havilland Support
DH 90A Dragonfly G-AEDU – Norman Aeroplane Trust
Ju 52/3mg2e Wk-Nr 5489 – Lufthansa Traditionsflug
Bf 108 D-EBEI – Lufthansa Traditionsflug
FG-1D Corsair BuNo 88297 – The Fighter Collection
P-39Q Airacobra 42-19993 – The Fighter Collection
UC-43 Traveller BuNo 23689 – The Fighter Collection
B-25J-20 Mitchell 44-29507 – Duke of Brabant Air Force
Hind ‘K5414’ – The Shuttleworth Trust
Swordfish I W5856 – Royal Navy Historic Flight
A-26B Invader 44-34602 – Scandinavian Historic Flight
HA-1112-M1L Buchón C.4K-102 – Spitfire Ltd
FW 190 (static) – Spitfire Ltd
AD-4NA Skyraider BuNo 126933 – Kennet Aviation
Stearman Kaydet x 5 – Team Guinot
1-131E Jungman G-BSAJ – Pete Kynsey
Lockheed 12A Electra Junior 1287/F-AZLL – Bernard Chabbert
Thulin A/Blériot XI – Mikael Carlson
Better Aircraft, better show and a better day out............ Tickets are still available for both days and ONLY AT THE GATE........... additionally they will get to see 3 flying B17's together, one having flown over from the USA for the show.......... Now that's what I call an Airshow....
What's On at IWM Duxford? Full listing of air shows and events : Flying Legends Air Show
None of this climb in through the window and set fire to the arse end to get it off the ground rubbish
........Real aircraft with real engines and whirly bits on the front
Says it all really
List of Participating Aircraft (subject to change)
North American P-51 Mustangs
P-51D-20 Mustang 44-72216 – The Aerial Museum
P-51D-25 Mustang 44-72917 – Rob Davies
P-51D-25 Mustang 44-73149 – Old Flying Machine Company
P-51D-25 Mustang 44-73877 – Scandinavian Historic Flight
P-51D-30 Mustang 44-74427 – Christian Amara
TF-51D-25 Mustang 44-84847 – The Fighter Collection
Vickers-Supermarine Spitfires
Spitfire IA AR213 – Sheringham Aviation
Spitfire F VB BM597 – Historic Aircraft Collection
Spitfire F VB EP120 – The Fighter Collection
Spitfire F VIII MV154 – The Aerial Museum
Spitfire F IX MH434 – The Old Flying Machine Company
Spitfire F IXE PL344 – Historic Flying Ltd
Spitfire FR XIVE MV293 – The Fighter Collection
Spitfire F XIVE SM832 – Christophe Jacquard
Spitfire LF XVIE TD248 – Spitfire Ltd
Spitfire FR XVIII SM845 – Historic Flying Ltd
Spitfire F XVIII SM969 – The Fighter Collection
Seafire F XVII SX336 – Kennet Aviation
Hawker Hurricanes
Hurricane XII RCAF 5711 – Historic Aircraft Collection
Sea Hurricane IB Z7105 – The Shuttleworth Trust
Gloster Gladiators
Gladiator I L8032 – The Shuttleworth Trust
Gladiator II N5903 – The Fighter Collection
Grumman Cats
FM 2 Wildcat BuNo 86711 – The Fighter Collection
F6F-5K Hellcat BuNo 80141 – The Fighter Collection
F8F-2P Bearcat BuNo 121714 – The Fighter Collection
Curtiss Hawks
Hawk 75 No 82 – The Fighter Collection
P-40B Warhawk 41-13297 – The Fighter Collection
P-40N Warhawk 42-105915 – Christian Amara
Yak Fighters
Yak-3UA 0470107 – Chris Vogelgesang
Yak-9UM 0470406 – R Boschung
Hawker Nimrods
Nimrod I S1581 – The Fighter Collection
Nimrod II K3661 – Historic Aircraft Collection
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses
B-17G-85 Flying Fortress 44-8846 – Association Fortresse Toujours Volant en France
B-17G-105 Flying Fortress 44-85734 – The Liberty Foundation
B-17G-105 Flying Fortress 44-85784 – B-17 Preservation
Piper L-4 Grasshopper/Cub
L-4A Grasshopper 42-36375 – Frazerblades
J-3C-65 Cub G-RRSR – R Roberts
Douglas C-47/C-53 Skytrain/Dakota
C-53D 42-68823 (11750/LN-WND) – Foundation Dakota Norway
C-47A Dakota ZA947 – Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
Other Participants
DH 84 Dragon I G-ECAN – Norman Aeroplane Trust
DH 89A Dragon Rapide G-AJGS – de Havilland Support
DH 90A Dragonfly G-AEDU – Norman Aeroplane Trust
Ju 52/3mg2e Wk-Nr 5489 – Lufthansa Traditionsflug
Bf 108 D-EBEI – Lufthansa Traditionsflug
FG-1D Corsair BuNo 88297 – The Fighter Collection
P-39Q Airacobra 42-19993 – The Fighter Collection
UC-43 Traveller BuNo 23689 – The Fighter Collection
B-25J-20 Mitchell 44-29507 – Duke of Brabant Air Force
Hind ‘K5414’ – The Shuttleworth Trust
Swordfish I W5856 – Royal Navy Historic Flight
A-26B Invader 44-34602 – Scandinavian Historic Flight
HA-1112-M1L Buchón C.4K-102 – Spitfire Ltd
FW 190 (static) – Spitfire Ltd
AD-4NA Skyraider BuNo 126933 – Kennet Aviation
Stearman Kaydet x 5 – Team Guinot
1-131E Jungman G-BSAJ – Pete Kynsey
Lockheed 12A Electra Junior 1287/F-AZLL – Bernard Chabbert
Thulin A/Blériot XI – Mikael Carlson
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The crazy thing is this.....you can still buy tickets now! today, tonight, so it's NOT because they are full at all. They have just taken the decision to make the Saturday event Ticket Only for no good reason at all, as fare as I can see. Its an absolute bl$$dy farce.
How on earth can they possibly justify that?
On Saturday, there will be tens of thousands of people, who will have driven for hours who are going to pitch up for the show, unaware that they cannot purchase a ticket on the gate, and they are going to be turned away. Bizarre? Shamefull or what?
Come on RIAT - tell us why you have done this, the day before the show??
How on earth can they possibly justify that?
On Saturday, there will be tens of thousands of people, who will have driven for hours who are going to pitch up for the show, unaware that they cannot purchase a ticket on the gate, and they are going to be turned away. Bizarre? Shamefull or what?
Come on RIAT - tell us why you have done this, the day before the show??
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Seems perfectly sensible to me. If they hadn't done this and 10,000 extra people and thier cars turned up, what would you have then posted on here on Monday? How inept the organisation was or something........
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It would have been sensible to plan this from the start, not withdraw 'on the day sales' at the 11th hour - I agree with other posters that this is a poorly thought out decision, irrespective of the rationale behind it.
Avoid imitations
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If they are concerned about road chaos, won't scores of cars having to drive away again, against the flow, make this into more of a problem? Especially as these cars will be driven by very disgruntled and pre-occupied would-have-been punters? 
This is purely and simply a revenue management issue. This follows the same principles that lo cost airlines follow.
Ever tried to pick up a £19 Ryan Air seat on the day? It would be £300 or so(if possible at all).
Online booking costs the organisers nothing and even using a call centre is far cheaper than having large numbers of staff selling tickets on the day. Lower overheads, greater revenue.
To them, it is just a revenue stream with some planes.
Ever tried to pick up a £19 Ryan Air seat on the day? It would be £300 or so(if possible at all).
Online booking costs the organisers nothing and even using a call centre is far cheaper than having large numbers of staff selling tickets on the day. Lower overheads, greater revenue.
To them, it is just a revenue stream with some planes.
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Tickets
Picked up my tickets at lunchtime today.
Although It seems sensible to not have unknown numbers on the day (to avoid me sitting in my car for ages in the approach roads, unable to see the display, whilst stuck in a traffic jam) It also strikes me that there may be a last minute surge to get a chance to see the Vulcan fly. Thus there will be DOUBLE the jams, with folks turning up, and then unable to get in, thus blocking the roads further trying to leave again!
Barnstormer1968
PS. It seems unlikely it's down to security, especially after my visit to Yeovilton air day last weekend, where there was none at all
Mine and ShyTorques posts seem to have crossed in the ether
Although It seems sensible to not have unknown numbers on the day (to avoid me sitting in my car for ages in the approach roads, unable to see the display, whilst stuck in a traffic jam) It also strikes me that there may be a last minute surge to get a chance to see the Vulcan fly. Thus there will be DOUBLE the jams, with folks turning up, and then unable to get in, thus blocking the roads further trying to leave again!
Barnstormer1968
PS. It seems unlikely it's down to security, especially after my visit to Yeovilton air day last weekend, where there was none at all
Mine and ShyTorques posts seem to have crossed in the ether
Last edited by barnstormer1968; 10th Jul 2008 at 17:20. Reason: similar posting above
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ChickenLeg
The thing I don't get is that you can still go to the show on Saturday, all you have to do is purchase a ticket in advance! I wouldn't have a problem if they said no more attendees at all, but they aren't. They are just saying 'advance tickets only' What about those who do not have access to the internet? What about all those folk who will drive for hours to get to the show, only to be turned away? And as ShyTorque points out, what chaos is going to be caused when the police/organisers try to turn them away? Especially as they turn all of the local roads into a giant 'one-way' system.
It's going to be a disaster frankly.
The thing I don't get is that you can still go to the show on Saturday, all you have to do is purchase a ticket in advance! I wouldn't have a problem if they said no more attendees at all, but they aren't. They are just saying 'advance tickets only' What about those who do not have access to the internet? What about all those folk who will drive for hours to get to the show, only to be turned away? And as ShyTorque points out, what chaos is going to be caused when the police/organisers try to turn them away? Especially as they turn all of the local roads into a giant 'one-way' system.
It's going to be a disaster frankly.
For what it's worth, the Notice states that tickets are available from TicketMaster, SELECTED branches of Barclays Bank (No clues as to which branches) and Robert Dyas.
The Store Locator for Robert Dyas shows they hav branches as below:-
NameStreetTownPostcodeTelephoneDistance1More details for SWINDON 34 Regent StreetSwindonSN1 1JL017-9349-503610.19 miles2More details for WITNEY 21-27 Market SquareWitneyOX28 6AD019-9377-813813.51 miles3More details for CHELTENHAM Unit 2 206 High StreetCheltenhamGL50 3HF012-4257-025418.65 miles4More details for OXFORD St. Michael's Hall Shoe LaneOxfordOX1 2DP018-6524-324322.31 miles5More details for CHIPPENHAM 30 Borough Parade Shopping CentreChippenhamSN15 3WL012-4944-637622.63 miles
Now, there is no guarantee that these branches will have tickets, but perhaps there is a chance that people turning up on the day might be able to get to these stores (hopefully en route) or after arrival they may not need to drive all the way home....
Just a thought, it might save some kids day being ruined....
The Store Locator for Robert Dyas shows they hav branches as below:-
NameStreetTownPostcodeTelephoneDistance1More details for SWINDON 34 Regent StreetSwindonSN1 1JL017-9349-503610.19 miles2More details for WITNEY 21-27 Market SquareWitneyOX28 6AD019-9377-813813.51 miles3More details for CHELTENHAM Unit 2 206 High StreetCheltenhamGL50 3HF012-4257-025418.65 miles4More details for OXFORD St. Michael's Hall Shoe LaneOxfordOX1 2DP018-6524-324322.31 miles5More details for CHIPPENHAM 30 Borough Parade Shopping CentreChippenhamSN15 3WL012-4944-637622.63 miles
Now, there is no guarantee that these branches will have tickets, but perhaps there is a chance that people turning up on the day might be able to get to these stores (hopefully en route) or after arrival they may not need to drive all the way home....
Just a thought, it might save some kids day being ruined....
It will cause havoc. I feel especially sorry for those families travelling hundreds of miles thinking that they can buy a ticket on the day. Really sad.
They usually have those large electronic road signs on the approaches to Fairford. Hopefully they will use some common sense and put up a running message ref the ticket situation?!
TJ
They usually have those large electronic road signs on the approaches to Fairford. Hopefully they will use some common sense and put up a running message ref the ticket situation?!
TJ
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Heard from a mate the airfield is one huge mud bath anyway with big areas of surface water still standing 24 hours after the rain stopped, and some areas getting worse by the minute as people walk or drive over them. Doesn't sound like a fun day out any more, will try Flying Legends at Duxford instead I think.
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Nothing sensible about this at all, irrespective of the reasons (whatever they really are). Its too late now to start saying on a website that its now a ticket only event - not every prospective punter is going to be looking on the website this late in the day. Maybe 2 or 3 weeks ago may have allowed them to inform their audience!
So as has been said, those 10000 people who would have bought a ticket on the gate will probably still make an attempt at turning up, not knowing that they won't get in. Its not going to reduce any of the traffic, and will just alienate a whole group of people for any future air shows, who are probably already seriously disgruntled at the price of tickets.
Cock up of "Spirit of Adventure" proportions I'd suggest.
So as has been said, those 10000 people who would have bought a ticket on the gate will probably still make an attempt at turning up, not knowing that they won't get in. Its not going to reduce any of the traffic, and will just alienate a whole group of people for any future air shows, who are probably already seriously disgruntled at the price of tickets.
Cock up of "Spirit of Adventure" proportions I'd suggest.
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Hang on a minute, hang on a minute!
I've been thinking about this, and maybe there is another way to look at the situation
The air show can only hold a given amount of visitors.
So If 10,000 will be turned away, and if (as it now seems) many of you fellow Ppruner's will not attend through disgust, then I get to go to a fairly empty air show, with few traffic queues. The traders will be desperate to sell their food and goods cheap, as I will be the only one there.
Also, many of the aircraft will be open to visitors, so I will plonk myself in one of the Seakings and the raising flood waters won't be a problem either
All in all a good day out.
PS I have to see it like this as I already have the tickets, and they are non transferable.
Barnstormer1968
The air show can only hold a given amount of visitors.
So If 10,000 will be turned away, and if (as it now seems) many of you fellow Ppruner's will not attend through disgust, then I get to go to a fairly empty air show, with few traffic queues. The traders will be desperate to sell their food and goods cheap, as I will be the only one there.
Also, many of the aircraft will be open to visitors, so I will plonk myself in one of the Seakings and the raising flood waters won't be a problem either
All in all a good day out.
PS I have to see it like this as I already have the tickets, and they are non transferable.
Barnstormer1968
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They may turn away people without tickets, but I believe that all the parking is off base now, and with one way traffic plans in operation, not only will you not get in, but you will most likely spend the best part of the day in an off base carpark (muddy field), until they reverse the traffic flow. Stopped going to Riat after the two shows at Cottesmore, I know it generates income for the RAFBF, but to me it seems like it is now a great big money grabbing exercise.