WARNPASS: Disruption to airport links

Neil Williams wrote:

> It has been reputed in the past (including in here, I think) that BA
> will find another plane if they need one such that the
> Manchester-London route effectively does offer guaranteed travel. I
> don't know if they still do it, but I'm sure I heard a story (possibly
> apocryphal) of someone getting a 747 to themselves because of such a
> situation having arisen.

The Edinburgh - Heathrow Shuttle used to offer that guarantee, but
hasn't for quite a while. A colleague of mine has a commemorative
photograph of the crew of the 737 which flew him south, on his own.

I suspect the offer was removed because there are now so many flights
on these routes (BA and BMI are hourly, roughly) , and because the
expensive tickets are transferrable between BA and BMI anyway.

Ian

David Hansen wrote:
> The employee can also leave the UK by ship (of various sorts) or
> train. As I said, not for all destinations but entirely possible for
> some.
Not wanting to lose my laptop, I investigated this option for an
October trip to the US (despite the chance that the situation may have
normalised by then). As it happens I was able to book Euro* to Paris,
flights from CDG to SEA and a hotel at CDG for less than it would have
cost us to fly ex LON. So, we ended up saving money and getting a free
day in Paris as a side effect of the alert. Under normal conditions I'd
never have considered such a routing.
--
Rob

Alek wrote:
> Credit where it`s due I say.....would Mr Branson himself,God Bless Him,have
> had a say in this decision ?

Mmm, not really Mr Souter's style, that would involve selling
Megabus/Train tickets.

Tony Polson wrote:

> That's bollocks, and you know it. With Virgin Trains' expensive
> walk-on fares, anyone who can travel using another mode *will*.

Walk-on fares, yes. But if the passengers displaced from the airlines
talk to or overhear regular train passengers and the prices they have
paid for their Value tickets, they might well change their mind about
how to travel another time.

--
Stevie D
\\\\\ ///// Bringing dating agencies to the
\\\\\\\__X__/////// common hedgehog since 2001 - "HedgeHugs"
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In message <op.tebl6qwgado8ta@paul-nn189bzj1r>, at 11:31:28 on Tue, 15
Aug 2006, Paul Hutchinson <ukr@prhutchinson.co.uk> remarked:
>I can easily arrive in Manchester for a 9.00 meeting on the 6.40 BA
>flight from Gatwick.

But I bet this will become inconvenient if you routinely have to check
in (actually, not just in theory) two hours before.
--
Roland Perry

In message <op.tebqpov1ado8ta@paul-nn189bzj1r>, at 13:09:14 on Tue, 15
Aug 2006, Paul Hutchinson <ukr@prhutchinson.co.uk> remarked:
>>> I can easily arrive in Manchester for a 9.00 meeting on the 6.40 BA
>>>flight from Gatwick.
>>
>> But I bet this will become inconvenient if you routinely have to
>>check in (actually, not just in theory) two hours before.
>
>It would be less convenient yes but still wouldnt tip the balance in
>favour of rail.
>The first departure from Gatwick to Manchester at 5.20 by Rail (via
>London) still doesnt make it in time for a 9.00 meeting and that allows
>25 mins from Victoria to Euston if I was tied to a specific train from
>Euston I'd probably allow an hour.
>
>I understand that BA reinstated on line check in yesterday so 2 hours
>for a domestic flight first thing in the morning doesnt seem that
>likely.

My local airport is heaving at 6am, and most of those people will have
been there at least an hour (judging by the size and movement in their
checkin queues).

What's important in the new security regime is how long it takes to get
through security, which is independent of how long your checkin took.

It would be nice to think that an hour was sufficient, but I've seen
worse.
--
Roland Perry

In message <op.tebthlaeado8ta@paul-nn189bzj1r>, at 14:09:11 on Tue, 15
Aug 2006, Paul Hutchinson <ukr@prhutchinson.co.uk> remarked:
>> It would be nice to think that an hour was sufficient, but I've seen
>>worse.
>
>Although I havent travelled in the last week I fly quite a bit and only
>ever allow an hour at the airport for uk european destinations on
>scheduled flights. I cant ever remember a situation where its been that
>tight I've had to forgo my breakfast/coffee/pint in departures.

Heathrow in February, a week after they decided everyone had to remove
their laptops for screening - but that wasn't the main problem, I think
the review that prompted that change also got a lot of their staff taken
off the front line for retraining.
--
Roland Perry

In message <pan.2006.08.15.22.33.03.4009@yyy.zzz>, at 23:33:03 on Tue,
15 Aug 2006, Anonymouse <xxx@yyy.zzz> remarked:
>It's even worse when you consider that time driving is stressful and
>wasted, while at least on the train (and to a lesser extent on the
>plane) one can work, read, sleep, etc.

I thought we were talking about a trip like Gatwick-York? The first hour
and a half, by train will be anything but stress-free, wondering if you
are going to make your connection, and most likely standing up.

The car has more comfortable seats, is quiet and air conditioned. You
can't read, but it's possible to listen to the radio. Having a
Trafficmaster (I've never owned one myself, but so use a web based
version before long trips) can reduce the impact of unexpected traffic
jams.

If you want to eat or go to the toilet, some of the trains will provide
facilities, but there's always the worry of "do I take my laptop and
briefcase with me, or will it be safe amongst all these strangers". Not
a problem in a car - and motorway services have a wider range of shops
than a train.
--
Roland Perry

In message <pan.2006.08.16.08.58.51.458425@yyy.zzz>, at 09:58:51 on Wed,
16 Aug 2006, Anonymouse <xxx@yyy.zzz> remarked:
>And I strongly disagree about the car being comfortable - this is a point
>I have never understood. Maybe it's because I'm over 6 feet tall, but I
>have never been in a car I would call comfortable.

Ever driven a Range Rover? They have plenty of room inside. And very
easy to drive as well, not stressful at all.
--
Roland Perry

In message <f62241574e%rail@greywall.>, at 11:35:56 on Wed,
16 Aug 2006, Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.> remarked:
>> Ever driven a Range Rover? They have plenty of room inside. And very
>> easy to drive as well, not stressful at all.
>
>Apart from the major steering fault that doesn't exist but has killed a few
>people over the years.

Well, I never heard about that, so it doesn't stress me at all.
--
Roland Perry