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Are there any statistics available yet (x travel agents etc )which would indicate any swing away from transiting pax using UK airports or just conjecture ?
This is exactly what I've seen as well, strictness to the point of absurdity. One item per person, period - no exceptions.
I think if you have rules, typically they need to be followed. I don't agree with the rule but when I travel I ensure I fit within them. The rules SHOULD be written to ensure a reasonable level of flexibility in terms of medical/professional equipment but a woman having a handbag is no reason to be changing the rules.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Karen2
The LRHgoon is just voicing what his countrymen think, I suspect. I never did feel warm and cozy in Britain. As far as I can see, the Brits have disdain for everyone but themselves.
I don't agree with that. What "Brits" (and I'd argue most of the world shares this) have disdain for is people complaining about things that they could have found out about BEFORE they come to the UK but arrive here and then try to insist it's not their fault that they didn't know. Avoid the UK because of the rules at airports by all means but don't try to make yourself feel better about the fact you don't like the UK by blaming all the inhabitants.
Before my recent trip to Europe via LHR, I read the comments here and smiled: not go through Heathrow? Come on, all airports can be bad. But as a result of that trip, completed just the other day, I am a born again member of the LHR No Way club.
Heathrow's multiplying number of longer and longer lines, meaning that you need to get to the airport incredibly early and even then you often risk missing your flight, the lack or poor quality of amenities, the incredibly long walk to the gates through corridors where most of the moving walkways seem always to be out of order, the security staff who ought to be issued big buttons reading "We got our own problems, pal," the astonishing expense of even the mediocre airport hotels, which must be reached by slow confusing unreliable and expensive (US eight bucks a ticket!) buses or an even more expensive taxi, and the extreme ugliness of the airport inside and out, which may be a cosmetic factor but psychologically aggravates the misery -- all of this means that from the point of view of the average passenger LHR has now become one of the very worst major international airports.
So I say Never again! From now on, no connections through Heathrow, and if I have to go to the UK, even if I'm going to London, I'll go to one of the smaller alternate airports or if I can't do that then to Manchester or Birmingham and take the train. Or maybe to Paris and take the express train to London. CDG is also a dismal facility, but it's not as bad as Hideous Heathrow.
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Before my recent trip to Europe via LHR, I read the comments here and smiled: not go through Heathrow? Come on, all airports can be bad. But as a result of that trip, completed just the other day, I am a born again member of the LHR No Way club.
I'm leaning towards that myself. Although, I wouldn't choose CDG either as that can be a nightmare as well. Flying from NYC I'd probably go EWR-AMS and then go wherever I needed on KLM.
After this summer I think I'll have had enough with OneWorld insanity. BA itself doesn't help with the craziness that is LHR.
Waiting for the person to come along to say "See! We're not crazy"
... even the mediocre airport hotels, which must be reached by slow confusing unreliable and expensive (US eight bucks a ticket!) buses or an even more expensive taxi, ...
Sorry you didn't know, but the local (LT) buses are pretty much all free between Heathrow and the hotels. Unless you have a lot of luggage there is little need to take "the Hoppa Hotel Shuttle" or a taxi. It seems the hotels conspire to not tell you this, probably because they are getting kickbacks from the taxis and and the shuttle bus. It is all pretty sad.
I did not anticipate that a woman's handbag would count as a bag.
Karen2, I don't know if you're still following this thread, but if you are, I'd like to know why you didn't check the United website before you flew to find out about carry-on and luggage restrictions. This is what it says about flying from or connecting through a UK airport:
"On flights from the U.K.
The limitation of one carry-on item per person is strictly enforced. Customers departing from or connecting through London (LHR) are allowed a maximum of ONE piece of carry-on baggage. Other bags, such as handbags, may be carried WITHIN the single item of cabin baggage, not in addition."
While security might not open until 6am, the line will probably start before then (this is summer travel season, after all). When I got in line for my 8am flight in Dublin last year, it was not early enough at 5:30. I should have been there at 5.
While security might not open until 6am, the line will probably start before then (this is summer travel season, after all). When I got in line for my 8am flight in Dublin last year, it was not early enough at 5:30. I should have been there at 5.
So to confirm, you were in line @ 5:30am and still missed an 8am flight?
Nearly so, yes - it took us two hours to get through the checkin line for our flight to LHR, and had to run to get our flight. Then when we got to Heathrow, had to run again (had 1.5 hours time, but we had to get luggage!)
I don't agree with that. What "Brits" (and I'd argue most of the world shares this) have disdain for is people complaining about things that they could have found out about BEFORE they come to the UK but arrive here and then try to insist it's not their fault that they didn't know. Avoid the UK because of the rules at airports by all means but don't try to make yourself feel better about the fact you don't like the UK by blaming all the inhabitants.
I have no plans to visit the UK until this idiocy ends. South America will be getting my travel dollars for the next two years. We'll have to see what effect, if any, the new PM will have.
I also encourage anyone who can to avoid travel to the USA.
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TSA - The primary cause of death in air travel.
Amazing that someone with your mental elegance continues to give your rights over to the TSA at ALL, despite whether it be toward South America or Britain or anywhere else.
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"Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig."
Amazing that someone with your mental elegance continues to give your rights over to the TSA at ALL, despite whether it be toward South America or Britain or anywhere else.
The boycott is a time-honored form of protest. Financial revenue is the lifeblood of the TSA and the corrupt and/or ignorant politicians who support their comedy security theater. Threaten that revenue stream and things will change post-haste
As far as my personal travel, I use an assumed ID and am ushered to the front of the queue
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TSA - The primary cause of death in air travel.
