Hand baggage only on escalators at LGW

[amber 1]

Always find it infuriating and dangerous to be behind these mouth-breathers who, on arriving at the top of the escalator, stop to look around and block the passage of those behind. If they have a lot of baggage with them it makes matters even worse.
So perhaps the reason for this escalator/luggage ban is because LGW has a greater density of dense PAX than other airports in the world.

[Dairyground]

There has been a similar ban in Manchester T3 for some time, but I have never noticed anyone trying to enforce it.

Perhaps the idea is that you, rather than them, are liable if you drop your outsize, overweight suitcase on someone.

I have seen quite a few airports where loaded trolleys are allowed on escalators, but I get the impression that they may have some mechanism that locks the wheels once a certain degree of tilt is reached. The same idea seems to work on the moving ramps in my local Tesco. As airports move ever nearer to the BAA ideal of a shopping mall with nearby runways, we may get the same things installed in the places that BAA are still running.

[jetset lady]

Oh for God's sake, k3lvc, get a grip! The lifts at LGW's N/T are virtually next to the escalators. You actually have to walk past them. It's hardly a case of walking miles to find them.

I'm crew, so am well used to lugging suitcases about, yet I have fallen down those same escalators by stupidly struggling up them with a suitcase. I didn't realise the case wasn't on the step properly and it pulled me over backwards. If it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone. In my situation, I was damned lucky there was no one behind me as I would have taken them with me. As it was, I came away with a few bumps and bruises and a severly dented sense of dignity.

If you want to complain, then complain about the airports that don't have lifts. Just occasionally, (very occasionally, mind you..) the health and safety rules actually make sense!

[silverelise]

The North Terminal opened in 1988. Why are the escalators suddenly dangerous *now* ?

[k3lvc]

Originally Posted by jetset lady

Oh for God's sake, k3lvc, get a grip! The lifts at LGW's N/T are virtually next to the escalators. You actually have to walk past them.

Well you must have a very different view of the terminal to me - come off the shuttle and the escalators are right in front of you - i.e. the direct path to the check in area. The lifts are tucked away behind either M&S or WH Smith. Granted not more than 100m further but I certainly don't 'walk past them'

Just occasionally, (very occasionally, mind you..) the health and safety rules actually make sense!

No they don't at all - if they did then the same would apply on the escalators from the train platform to the South terminal and from Arrivals back up to the shuttle. The same would also presumably apply at all the other BAA airports and everywhere in the world where someone could carry a bag up/down an escalator. Instead we have to continue to put up with queues in security, poor maintenance and dirty facilities whereas BAA can continue to throw staff at (IMHO) meaningless but highly visible tasks.

I'm heading off to Gatwick again in the morning so will remember to leave my bags at home, wear all my protective clothing and advise my insurance company that I'm taking part in a high-risk activity

[silverelise]

Are we all so tired from sitting on the train, bus, or aircraft, that we cannot raise ourselves and carry our own bags up the stairs or over to the lift? In my opinion, the LGW rules are correct and admirable, and should be followed obediently.

Or are we all so tired from the aforementioned train/bus/aircraft that we cannot stop ourselves stepping on to the escalator behind someone who we fear might drop something on us? Just a thought.

[jetset lady]

Originally Posted by k3lvc

Well you must have a very different view of the terminal to me - come off the shuttle and the escalators are right in front of you - i.e. the direct path to the check in area. The lifts are tucked away behind either M&S or WH Smith. Granted not more than 100m further but I certainly don't 'walk past them'

Ok, fair point. If I do ever go into the terminal, I always go in from the domestic arrivals end, so you are right.

However, as much as I, too, hate this nanny state we seem to be living in, in this instance, I think it's a fair rule. If anything, it should apply to all escalators in transport hubs, where possible, or the escalators themselves should be made wider, shallower and with larger steps. But, we both know that isn't going to happen.

I hate to back BAA in this, as believe me, I have nothing but contempt for them, but maybe if idiots, (such as myself, unfortunately) didn't try to pile loads of bags on the escalators, then there would be no need for people standing at the bottom. And maybe, if I hadn't learnt the hard way, I would be agreeing with you.

Unfortunately, I would guess that this has come about due to the potential threat of lawsuits, like pretty much every seemingly silly health and safety law in this country. And at the end of the day, we only have ourselves to blame for that.

Jsl

P.S. Have a good trip tomorrow, (but not of the falling over kind! ) and don't forget to look both ways when you leave your house....

[jetset lady]

How much? I'm obviously in the wrong job!

Jsl

P.S. Anyone know if they offer irregular, part time employment...?