Northern lights lounge Aberdeen serious lapse in security today [CS issue]
Sep 19, 2017, 8:51 am
#31
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Surrey, UK
Programs: BA Gold....er now Silver...er now Bronze....er now Blue
Posts: 3,507
I've often left my luggage in lounges whilst going to the shops. I agree people need to be vigilant - but the luggage had been through security and the lounge person lady agreed to accept it. No different from leaving a bag by a seat in the lounge as many do whilst nipping out.
Sep 19, 2017, 9:01 am
#33
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GfL, Marriott PlatfL/Ambassador, TP Gold, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,656
For better or for worse, your husband must have come across as a bit of a nutcase to the lounge receptionist.
The bag had been screened, it was not his place to intervene as this had nothing to do with him. Probably the receptionist didn't want to keep the baggage not due to security but more due to liability if something went missing.
I would have agreed with the receptionist if that's what he or she thought.
The bag had been screened, it was not his place to intervene as this had nothing to do with him. Probably the receptionist didn't want to keep the baggage not due to security but more due to liability if something went missing.
I would have agreed with the receptionist if that's what he or she thought.
Sep 19, 2017, 9:04 am
#34
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,882
Security lapse ? Probably not. Against company policy ? Most likely. It sounds like the lounge staff member knew she had bended the rules and became defensive trying to shut the OP up and not getting into trouble.
If the OP is not aware of security procedures and airside etc.. then I would not blame them for highlighting this. In the current threat level it is the duty of the public to be alert and speak out if they notice something they believe is not allowed or suspicious.
If the OP is not aware of security procedures and airside etc.. then I would not blame them for highlighting this. In the current threat level it is the duty of the public to be alert and speak out if they notice something they believe is not allowed or suspicious.
Sep 19, 2017, 9:15 am
#35
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 597
"Serious lapse in security?"
Surely not. The bag had been screened. Had the owner been up to something, he/she could have simply left it by a chair and headed to the WC, or left it alongside the coats in the cloakroom.
It is completely understandable, given recent events in London, that you folks are being hyper-vigilant. That's all to the good.
Simply telling the lounge attendant that you are concerned about security given those recent events and asking if she felt comfortable with the stranger leaving his carry-on would suffice.
Again, thanks for the "see something, say something." But again, remember, the item had been through screening.
Surely not. The bag had been screened. Had the owner been up to something, he/she could have simply left it by a chair and headed to the WC, or left it alongside the coats in the cloakroom.
It is completely understandable, given recent events in London, that you folks are being hyper-vigilant. That's all to the good.
Simply telling the lounge attendant that you are concerned about security given those recent events and asking if she felt comfortable with the stranger leaving his carry-on would suffice.
Again, thanks for the "see something, say something." But again, remember, the item had been through screening.
Sep 19, 2017, 9:21 am
#36
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
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Posts: 15,913
Erm, care to re-phrase that?
Thank you for bringing that to my attention -
Do accept my apologies, @Feran .Of course I meant to say I hope your experience has not spoiled your trip!
Sep 19, 2017, 9:39 am
#37
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver, HH Diamond, Avis President's Club
Posts: 1,219
I hope you're proud of yourself for trying to get an employee reprimanded for being kind and helpful to their customers 
As you've already been told repeatedly, it's common for lounges to have left-luggage areas, so she wasn't doing anything unreasonable.
Also, a bag purposefully left by a named passenger is not the same as an 'unattended bag' is it...
As you've already been told repeatedly, it's common for lounges to have left-luggage areas, so she wasn't doing anything unreasonable.
Also, a bag purposefully left by a named passenger is not the same as an 'unattended bag' is it...
Sep 19, 2017, 9:41 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Despite all this and fair's fair, I don't think that the OP's fears are totally unfounded, because bags left alone are generally a no no. With current events everybody is a bit edgy, which is understandable.
Sep 19, 2017, 9:52 am
#39
Join Date: May 2014
Location: BRU
Programs: BA GGL, TK E (*G), ITA exec
Posts: 4,072
As many other, I find difficult to consider this a serious security lapse.
I think what happened it's a sort of misunderstanding that got out of hand.
I think what happened it's a sort of misunderstanding that got out of hand.
Sep 19, 2017, 10:03 am
#40
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: BA, SW, IAG
Posts: 143
This. Exactly.
And I never got a welcome lol
Do let us knwo what happens re your complaint
Sep 19, 2017, 10:04 am
#41
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,226
While I share the general opinion that this wasn't a security lapse I really don't think name-calling and use of derogatory terms such as "nutcase" does anyone any credit here.
If I was the OP and this was my welcome I doubt I'd be back for seconds.
If I was the OP and this was my welcome I doubt I'd be back for seconds.
Sep 19, 2017, 10:08 am
#42
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 258
Given the OP joined FT in 2013 and this was their first post, I'd be surprised if they returned no matter what the response - the post reads as a vent rather than a request for opinions.
Sep 19, 2017, 10:09 am
#43
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: A3*G, UA Gold EY Silver
Posts: 8,949
Whilst waiting for BA1307 Club Europe flight to London today we had the opportunity to visit this lounge.
At one point a gentleman asked the attendant at reception desk if it would be OK for him to leave his cabin suitcase there whilst he went to the shops. The attendant said he wasn't really supposed to do that but she agreed to allow him to leave it anyway.
As he left my husband approached her and said he was not happy that the suitcase was being left in a public area unattended to which she replied she didn't like his tone and he was being abusive! He reiterated that the luggage should not be left and she continued to say she shouldn't be spoken to like that. I and many others witnessed this exchange and I said he wasn't abusive. We decided we would leave as we felt uncomfortable sitting near an unattended case. On leaving I said to her I was sorry if she thought my husband was abusive but he wasn't and the case shouldn't be there. I advised her in my opinion she was not doing her job properly and as I left she shouted after me that we wouldn't be allowed back!
...
We filed an official complaint and hope she is dealt with severely as she had no idea what dangers that case could have contained.
At one point a gentleman asked the attendant at reception desk if it would be OK for him to leave his cabin suitcase there whilst he went to the shops. The attendant said he wasn't really supposed to do that but she agreed to allow him to leave it anyway.
As he left my husband approached her and said he was not happy that the suitcase was being left in a public area unattended to which she replied she didn't like his tone and he was being abusive! He reiterated that the luggage should not be left and she continued to say she shouldn't be spoken to like that. I and many others witnessed this exchange and I said he wasn't abusive. We decided we would leave as we felt uncomfortable sitting near an unattended case. On leaving I said to her I was sorry if she thought my husband was abusive but he wasn't and the case shouldn't be there. I advised her in my opinion she was not doing her job properly and as I left she shouted after me that we wouldn't be allowed back!
...
We filed an official complaint and hope she is dealt with severely as she had no idea what dangers that case could have contained.
The piece of luggage has been screened. Definitely not a security issue as the agent knows who the case belongs to (as he's checked into the lounge)
Last edited by NWIFlyer; Sep 19, 2017 at 10:26 am Reason: Fix quote
Sep 19, 2017, 10:13 am
#44
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: BA, SW, IAG
Posts: 143
I hope you're proud of yourself for trying to get an employee reprimanded for being kind and helpful to their customers
As you've already been told repeatedly, it's common for lounges to have left-luggage areas, so she wasn't doing anything unreasonable.
Also, a bag purposefully left by a named passenger is not the same as an 'unattended bag' is it...
As you've already been told repeatedly, it's common for lounges to have left-luggage areas, so she wasn't doing anything unreasonable.
Also, a bag purposefully left by a named passenger is not the same as an 'unattended bag' is it...
Sep 19, 2017, 10:32 am
#45
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,576
In summary, a member of ground staff helped someone out by bending the rules at negligible risk, and is now at risk of disciplinary action and possible job loss because someone else got their nose out of joint.
I know where my sympathies lie here. If ground staff sticking their neck out just a little to help passengers discover it gets them chucked into vats of hot oil, there goes any kind of discretionary assistance.
Hopefully expressing my view here won't get me fired from the group
I know where my sympathies lie here. If ground staff sticking their neck out just a little to help passengers discover it gets them chucked into vats of hot oil, there goes any kind of discretionary assistance.
Hopefully expressing my view here won't get me fired from the group