Originally Posted by
IFE Wizard
I would like to offer some ideas/suggestions as to the location. Feel free to shoot them down, I have a very thick skin.
We are all frequent fliers so the location for the wake should be at the Airport that most of us see as our office. Heathrow, T5.
My suggestion is to use the Sofitel Hotel which is connected directly to T5.
People arriving by car can use T5 Short haul car park or the carpark at the Sofitel. As most of us know, T5 has a train station with connections to London and beyond.
The next suggestions would need some checking. I think that the hotel has a large meeting / conference room. Also has a couple of large bars. So plenty of room.
From the hotel we could arrange an orderly procession with the Coffin at the head through the passageway from the hotel directly into T5. A slow march through the terminal to the First Wing where we lay down the coffin, say a few words and turn back to the hotel.
We would need to inform Heathrow security and BA staff of our plan and hope we get a good favourable reply.
If this went ahead, we should invite the press to attend.
That sounds lovely
Another suggestion (and I haven't researched this so it may not be feasible) is The Sussex Arms at Paddington, an aviation-themed bar where you can sit in original Concorde seats. The In-Flight Drinks menu includes Veuve Cliquot and Taittinger, which should keep most FT'ers happy or at least kick off a healthy debate on their merits. Volunteers will then be called for to carry the coffin onto the Heathrow Express. On arrival at T5, the coffin can be laid down at the First Wing, as IFE Wizard suggested. And then, would any lounges still be open for those who're willing and able?