Climate Camp at Heathrow
 

Before any of you get too moist in the nether regions, this thread will be used SOLELY for updating crew and others who need to get to LHR, on any problems with congestion related to the protests.

Anyone else, and by that I mean those who have a point of view about the politics of the protest or the protesters themselves can find the related thread in the Jet Blast forum. You will NOT be allowed to use this forum to air your anger, disgust, apoplexy, support, agreement etc. etc. with the protests.

Anyone who does not have the intelligence to understand the meaning of this post will find that their diatribes will be removed thereby causing even greater global warming due to the fact that the offended poster will no doubt be generating even more heat. Don't waste you time spouting off on this thread if the protests get on your wick. Go to Jet Blast. :*

Just dropped off better half at terminal 2. No queues anywhere in central area or tunnels. Plenty of police around North side on A4.

18:53 Monday 13th August, Just got into work (south side, T4) in record time no visible signs or hold ups.

Perhaps it might not be too wise to report your travelling/reporting delays or otherwise on PPRuNe lest this provides useful information to the protesters?

If you all say that there has been 'no problem', then perhaps the protesters will redeploy accordingly? And then there might be a problem which perhaps there wouldn't have been if they had been kept in the dark about such things?

Just a thought. Anyway, good luck and I hope you're not inconvenienced by these people this week.

News reports today seemed to be trying to find disruption, delays, interference, problems etc. caused by the protestors but as hard as they looked, in their typically hysterical fashion, no evidence of anything turned up. I get the feeling that the press are bitterly dissapointed in the lack of action!
Now the press are talking up rumours of 'direct action' to come this weekend (18th-19th) The happy campers all say that nothing is planned.
I suspect that the camp will be there for some time> The very occaisional blip will upset the police now and then and come the winter, they will all go home.

Climate change action LHR
 

advised that Climate change demonstrators are cycling between LCY and LHR today (Tuesday) possible congestion in CTA. no time confirmed - currently raining.

i suspect they will all go home one way or another on monday ,as they are illegally occupying private land.
The plan for the week (allegedly) is for a week of waffle followed by direct action on sunday, so I would plan for delays on sunday.
Re the police response - seems a little OTT, but in the current security climate I think its reasonable, would be very easy for one of our home-grown terrorists to use the camp as cover, then the police would be villified for not responding to such an obvious eventuality. Also the previous climate camps have a history of significant illigality and disruptive behaviour, so given that I also think the response is merited.
Its worth also remembering that the police may be saving some of these guys from themselves. If they do breach the airport then they are likely to get shot in the current climate - far better to nip that in the bud and police the camp, rather than react to events.
Loose-loose for the boys in blue on this one really on the PR front.
Anyway my reading of the situation is that this week will be fairly placid with little or no disruption, as the camp has the real demonstrators and lobbyists in it. Sat and sun is when 'rent-a-mob' are likely to disrupt things.
On a personal note, when I am going on hols with my family, i always get an airport hotel the night before, events like this, and like the dalays caused at LGW by the M25 closure last week can be avoided by doing this.
Obviously when I'm going to the airport to work, I just have to take my chances!

I hope if they do try to penetrate security wearing uniforms that they get their lumps and serve some time.

Are militants plotting to infiltrate Heathrow dressed as air crews?
By RAY MASSEY and CHARLOTTE GILL - More by this author »

Last updated at 23:51pm on 14th August 2007

Protesters camped at Heathrow have revealed plans to dress as air stewardesses and officials.

It raised fears that radical elements may use the disguises to gain access to key areas of the airport and cause disruption at the height of the August getaway.

Activists at the Camp for Climate Action said there were "no guarantees" they would not enter a terminal to carry their protest against plans to expand the airport and the aviation industry to passengers.

An email sent to campaigners encouraged them to bring smart clothing and air stewardess uniforms.

Heathrow climate change protestors set up camp two days early
Heathrow: Bosses want to make proposed new runway even longer as hundreds of protesters arrive

Protesters camped at Heathrow have revealed plans to dress as air stewardesses and officials

Organiser John Jordan, 42, confirmed the email came from those behind the camp.

He said: "Yes, we will be wearing suits and ties."

He said protesters may target businesses around Heathrow and would use smart clothing to blend in with staff.

He said: "Our quarrel is with the aviation industry and the Government, it's not with the passengers."

Mr Jordan sought to make light of claims that stewardess uniforms could be used to breach airport security.

The protestors set up camp at Heathrow two days early

He said they were actually for song and dance entertainment at the camp and outside terminal buildings.

He added: "They are more like fancy dress than uniforms. We like to have fun as part of our protests.


"The outfits are cheaply made, and if BAA think they are real then they have some serious security concerns." "Under the camp's own guidelines, protesters must not cross the perimeter fence at Heathrow into places where planes are".

But protesters refused to be drawn on whether direct action will take place within one of the airport's terminals, possibly disrupting thousands of passengers.

Campaigner Isabelle Michel said: "We cannot guarantee that we will not enter a terminal."

How do these soap dodgers expect to be able to masquarade as aircrew / pax etc??

That's not a real question BTW: this is

Anyone know how long this is expected to last?

....of course, if the people I was working with at BAA replied to any of my emails in the last 6 months, they would have a radio station telling you all about these delays when they occur, before you get to the airport.

Hey ho

Of course, my stance on the Eco-bandwagon remains clear - it's the cool thing to talk about right now so everyone is doing it. I'm keeping as far away from it as I can!!

its officially lasting 'till sunday.

I expect some will try and stay on but as they are illegally squating on private land, and given the police and government response thus far, I would expect some robust action to move them on by monday.

Hillingdon Council dropped off some leaflets in the office yesterday with information for local residents and businesses.

Included in the information is expected "mass action" from mid-day on Sunday 19 to mid-day on monday 20 with up to 1500 people involved.

"This is likely to include protests and direct action and therefore it is possible that there may be some disruption to transport services and road routes around the airport during that time."

I have also heard rumours of them moving toward the perimeter fence during that time.

Northern Peri Road now closed
 

Folks, in the past few minutes, the NORTHERN PERMITER ROAD has just been closed due to the protesters, not sure exactly how but London Buses are now diverting buses away and using other roads into the airport.

Just walked past Hatton Cross station and was stopped by two officers as I was disguised as a BA Captain. Much checking of ID and flight bag followed by a disappointed "on your way" as they failed anything wrong.

Whole area saturated by police so expect a rise in burglaries - everywhere else :ugh:

Yes you ought to be able to spot them as in suits but unwashed and unshaven.

However this is so often the case for regular pax nowadays whose bags have been lost by BA and who couldn't bring any toiletries through as hand luggage either.

Groundstar, there was a radio station set up for LGW and LHR back in 1990 known as Airport Information Radio. It closed a year later. Guess the playlist was a bit dull.

Tim

not lhr but the news this morning are saying that they have chained themselves to the gates of biggin hill, just in case anyone if off there this morning

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6949056.stm

They also appear to be at Farnborough as well as Biggin.

Not that chaining oneself to the gate should cause disruption in its own right but sure we can all see a whole raft of new unnecessary security controls coming soon to GA fields - and cost to the operators.

** - Updated to note the above news link is now reporting the arrest of the protestors, who are claiming their prime objection to the Biz Jet users is because they are rich :rolleyes:

Any news or suspicions about where they may be at LHR? I'm commuting in to LHR this evening to operate out of T3.

Said swampies at Biggin, snapped as I drove past this morning.
http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/b...e_scum_sml.jpg
Won't they all be late for work?

Understand they have moved in to the Manor Royal area of Crawley (a lot of airline HQ's for those unaware) and there are also rumours of 200 protesters expected at Farnborough from midnight Sunday - midnight Monday.

have been advised my my employer (LGW based airline) to keep alert for disruption - especially in 'crew areas' - this weekend. Sounds like these a*holes are planning to target crew and airport workers.
They are entitled to protest peacefully, but certainly not to assault people. I hope they get dealt with swiftly and severely.

A disturbing report in the Telegraph this morning said protesters claimed to be able to disrupt ATC communications, which is a frightening departure from "peaceful protest".

If they were so bloody stupid, then OFCOM could send Plod in, to knock them about with copies of the Wireless Telegraphy Act.

I actually did think about that the other day, prompted by my getting some ATC freq disruption over the alps due to a rogue transmission.
If they do try that, or any other of the stuff they are threatening, such as attacking crews and groundstaff then I hope "Conspiracy to commit a terrosit act" or similar is thrown at these people and they go away for a long long long time. - what they are planning is a terrorist act, not a demo.
I just wish that the BBC et al would stop condoning their message. Every news item finishes with the (incorrect) statements about about how much damage aviation does to the environment. Its a discussion that probably should be had, but by tacking it on to all the news stories about these criminals, then it appears to condone their actions.
Out of interest, if say the tower frequency was disrupted: you're on final, cleared for the ILS, handed to tower, tower is disrupted and you can't get clearance to land. VMC, runway is clear (or you can see one departing, or one vacation) - what would you say was the safest option? Land anyway - vacate and get onto ground freq? or go back to 'director' or 'radar' and execute a standard missed approach? bother with Sqwawk 7600? or not?
I would suggest that I would probably continue to CAT1 minimum, keep trying to get the tower, get director on box 2 and ask what to do? I know that this is an unlikely scenario, but it pays to think this stuff through ahead of time.

Incase of communication failure in VMC: remain VMC and land at the nearest suitable aerodrome, which is the one you are approaching...
Safest option and the ICAO rule unless your approach plate has a "comm. failure procedure"

<<If they were so bloody stupid, then OFCOM could send Plod in>>

Extremely unlikely, in my experience... and with airband transceivers available off-the-shelf not far from Heathrow..............

Despegue - we all know the rules, but it's simply not that simple in a busy environment. I just hope to God that nothing untoward happens.

Big story in Toronto Star this morning about a group of Canadians protesting at Heathrow. I've sent a letter to the editor asking "how did they get there?" I don't expect it will be published in "Toronto Pravda" though.

These Canadian protesters got here like all of the others did from overseas-they walk on bloody water. I would have loved to been at the immigration when they were asked for the reason for their visit

Yes, I can confirm reports earlier that they were active protesting in Crawley and were seen at the offices of XL Airways where thankfully, Crawley's finest had a high profile presence.

I have it on good authority that Saturday morning's court at Uxbridge (which handles Heathrow matters) had precisely one person appearing on a climate-camp related matter.

Pilots to meet protesters
 

It is reported in many of the Saturdays / Sunday papers that pilots have asked to meet with the camp peoples. There has been so much hype read, seen and heard living as I do three miles from the camp, the worst thing about all this is the usual over reaction from the authorities in particular the MetPolice, and the amount of overtime ratched up particularly by their choppers, much good intelligence can be gained from 0200-0400 hrs daily as we all know.
What mandate do these pilots have and what company do they work for and what sanction will they bring to bare. Even the DFT have got in on the act with their goons at the airport waiting to assist in this crisis. When the time comes to need their help then aviation will have packed up. Finally it is as well the protesters are not from a religious or ethnic minority group, were they to be we would not have been permitted any comments.

HZ123

Ugh, suggest you rewrite the above as it makes no sense:confused:

On the move !
 

The great protest has begun to move, police have closed Sipson Road. I suspect the easiest way to the Northside staff car parks will be from the M25 taking the Terminal 5 Spur Road.

Destination may be BAA's offices North of the Bath Road or anywhere else on the Northside, time will tell but anywhere is possible.

:{

Great to see the post is now being used as intended.

Heading to T1 later this pm so presumably there's a backup plan if Smelly & his mates decide to sit across the Spur Road tunnel.

Looks like I'll be better suggesting to my traveller that they get the tube out of the area and collect them there.

T4 Option
 

k3lvc,

Suggest to your pax to get on the underground, change at Hatton X and then appear at T4, underground is free to there and T4 will hopefully be unaffected by the protestors due to its geographical location.

Prevents having to drive through the tunnel which may have potential for disruption and also the additional car park charges if you get stuck in the Central Terminal Area.

:ok:

Now towards Harmondsworth !
 

The great unwashed are now making their way along Holloway Lane, West Drayton towards Harmondsworth Village. If they continue then they will meet the A4 Bath Road at the junction with Hatch Lane which may cause serious problems for traffic on the A4.

Time for a diversion me thinks..............

:*

Finishing a days work on Wednesday last week, climbing into my car parked at the end of 27R, I hear this shouting coming from the road, I then realised it was aimed at me, a group of about 7 twentysomething layabout, scrounging, soapdodgers hurling abuse at me as I was dressed in uniform. All I could say was 'go and have a bath'!! If only I could have said something else a little more cutting!

Instead of protesting why don't these people put some effort into finding a solution. I drove past their ruddy camp too, I've never seen so much rubbish and plastic stroon around. The hypocrasy and plain ignorance of these numpties astounds me!!