Programs: BA Gold, VS Silver, CAMRA Youth (yes, I'm under 35!)
Posts: 108
Hello
Am in Galleries Club at the moment, all very serene and calm... no newspapers in yet although lightening fast pcs and plenty of space... breakfast buffet basically the same although serving area and presentation far more classy (cereal dispensers and warm plates for the mini-pastries)... staff all smiles, security felt a little clunky with a manager doing her best to close queues... bus from T5 biz parking took 3mins although BAA are scribbling down registration plates and contact details as their ticketing system isn't working yet
First sight on walking into terminal were two "desk closed" signs.
There's lots of people around with blue "can I help you?" t-shirts on too with the back up of a phalanx of managers trying to look serious.
I came off the first BA flight to leave T5 (nothing special - a message card with the breakfast, a T5 choc and WW greeting pax on boarding). Will upload some pics when I check into my hotel shortly.
Quote:
Originally Posted by astralclouds
There is also a mysterious 'Cambridge Room' on the floor beneath the F/CCR lounges - nobody seems to know what it is for.
There's also an Exeter Room (near the F check-in) and the Durham Room (down the corridor with the landside lounge and the multi-faith room).
Lounges nice and spacious - the pictures so far do not do them justice. However, the F&B offerings are poor (same as usual).
I imagine these are the equivalents of the 'suites' (e.g. the Sussex Suite at LGW) for the really important pax...and celebs...so they don't have to deal with people 'spotting' them in the CR
My CEO was on the BA1473 from GLA this morning and they had a 35 minute wait on the A/C at stand as apparently the key for the airbridge controls was broken. He also described getting to T4 as....well, i wont repeat the exact phrase as there are ladies such as Jenbel and PUCCI present), but needless to say it wasnt described in smooth and glowing terms - i think they must be ironing out some wrinkles.
Still, as with the opening of ANY major building - no matter how much you've tested and practised, you're going to get teething problems, so i'm still really excited about passing through on my way to T4 on the 4th, and getting to experience the T5 Club Galleries on the way back on the 9th (i can only dream of the F Lounge and CR room). I'm sure they will have all these issues sorted out by then
uh-oh. in seat 1A onboard BA306, and captain has just announced "we will be delayed a further 25 mins due to 'baggage teething problems'". does not bode well for later in the day...
Morning all. Am clutching a glass of Jacquart Rose and Concorde cufflinks in Galleries First. Hex to lounge in 12 minutes. A very smooth experience with oodles of staff and few pax. There are a few delays on the boards (now working) but they seem to be working out of the system now - some initial issues with checking people in and the baggage system. Security was flawless and very fast.
I've been involved in lots of openings around the world, and from a customer facing perspective I'd put this in the top 10%.
I think they are definately having some problems this morning.
Looking at the BAA website departures information, I don't think a single flight has left less than 1 hour late, and lots of flights seem to have incurred delays of up to 2 hours earlier
To be expected I guess, but I bet the press arn't going to be kind.
Location: LGW, LHR, SYD and a variety of 1W lounges in between.
Programs: BA Mucci (Seigneur et Ingenieur des Appareils Volants (Gold)), QF (WP and LTG at last)
Posts: 3,742
'baggage teething problems' Perhaps somebody could enlighten me as to what age baggage starts to sprout teeth? Can anybody recommend a Calpol equivalent for this? BonGELa in a see through bag of less than 100ml? I think that I shall avoid sharkskin luggage over 3 years old as it might have nasty consequences.
I wonder if the "kinks" in the system is a personal comment about the staff or reference to "on-going service delivery expectation failures to achieve targets?"
Programs: BA Gold...Aah how nice! HHonors Gold, Hyatt Diamond,AA Yellow + Tesco
Posts: 1,807
Shame on you, why were you not checkong in at 7am at the latest!
Quote:
Originally Posted by BahrainLad
Well, I've just woken up to a beautiful blue sky. The weather Gods are smiling on BA today for sure.
In about 3 hours I'll be leaving for Paddington and then T5. I'm taking the laptop, so expect updates from Galleries Club, Galleries First and Galleries North soon after that.
The flight isn't until 1605, so there should be plenty of time!
and the multi-faith room).
. BBC World are reporting that pax are having to wait 1hr+ for bags.
