Archive for March, 2008
March 31st, 2008 at 08:40pm
Under Air travel tickets+ Travel tips
It’s not news, it’s not unexpected, but Heathrow’s Terminal 5 is still best avoided, if you can possibly manage it, for at least a few weeks. In fact, I’ve twice heard someone who was on the VIP pre-opening tour say on Radio 4 that he was advised not to use it for the first month. I’m sorry, I’m not able to say who it was who said that - perils of having the radio on in the background while getting on with other work.
But anybody who read the press reports of how 96% of BA’s flights were to be transferred to the new terminal on Day 1 should not have been surprised at the total lash-up that has transpired. In my view, with a new system, you don’t start it off at full load - you start off with, say 10 or 20% of capacity and gradually ramp it up as the systems bed down. This is elementary, and whoever it was that decided to just go for it should be on the carpet - or out the door, if his/her contract isn’t written in stone.
Meanwhile, the backlog of bags is not really being dented, and the saga of canceled flights continues day by day. Let’s hope they can sort it out - but tomorrow is April Fool’s Day, so the signs ain’t great.
If your journey can avoid Heathrow T5, make it so. The easiest way to do this, is not to use British Airways flights into London, Heathrow, since they are the only airline using the new terminal.
Technorati Tags: heathrow airport, heathrow baggage problems, london airport, terminal 5
By frann
March 28th, 2008 at 01:52pm
Under Air travel tickets+ Travel tips
Heathrow’s new Terminal 5 was yesterday in chaos, as baggage got stuck in the system, leading to backlogs and long delays for travelers trying to collect their bags. The problem was caused by a malfunctioning security system which was supposed to allow baggage handlers into the airport - so there were way too few handlers actually available to deal with everything.
A spokeswoman said that they were now working on the backlog, but that teething problems were to be expected with an operation of this size. “We hope people won’t be waiting for bags longer than usual,” she said - a sentiment echoed by anyone using the terminal for their journey today, I’m sure.
A new requirement has been introduced at this terminal for passengers to pass through security checks at least 35 minutes before take-off. Anyone failing to meet this schedule - even if only by a few seconds, and for whatever reason - will be denied access. Since check-in desks have been replaced by computers, there’s no chance of talking someone into letting you through, either - no matter who you are.
The only airline using the new terminal is BA, so if you’re travelling with another carrier, you don’t need to worry about this new setup for now, though it’s only a metter of time before the system is rolled out across the whole airport.
Technorati Tags: heathrow airport, heathrow baggage problems, london airport, terminal 5
By frann
March 27th, 2008 at 06:03pm
Under Air travel tickets+ Travel tips
Travellers with celiac disease or other forms of gluten intolerance should be careful if they are planning a visit to New Zealand, particularly if they are going to be travelling from one island to the other by air. The main carrier in NZ, Air New Zealand has just announced that they will no longer be providing gluten free meals on flights, according to this post on Yahoo Answers.
Not only will gluten free meals not be available, but there will be no reduction in ticket price for those passengers who won’t therefore be able to eat the food. So if you are going to be travelling by Air New Zealand, and you can’t eat gluten, best take a packed lunch. Be extra nice to the staff - it isn’t their fault, and if their employer is like this with paying customers, it’s likely their work conditions are not the greatest in the world.
Technorati Tags: celiac travel, new zealand air travel, nz air
By frann
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