Thistle London T5 - By POD for £5 PP
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,203
* even the Iberia flights are operated primarily under the BA code presumably that's to ensure ease of integration with BA systems (unlike in MAD, BA and Iberia don't use separate desks in T5, they act as one airline).
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,438
As the pods are based at T5 and every* flight that departs T5 is a BA flight then the BA forum makes sense for T5 related issues.
* even the Iberia flights are operated primarily under the BA code presumably that's to ensure ease of integration with BA systems (unlike in MAD, BA and Iberia don't use separate desks in T5, they act as one airline).
* even the Iberia flights are operated primarily under the BA code presumably that's to ensure ease of integration with BA systems (unlike in MAD, BA and Iberia don't use separate desks in T5, they act as one airline).
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,203
I like this aspect of the BA forum, makes it a lot more interesting. I can't imagine many people here reading a Thistle Hotels forum or similar but may be interested in the expansion of the pods and the potential in the future for it to be expanded.
Also due to them serving T5 it's only really of interest to BA passengers. Someone flying another airline would not see the advantage of the pods.
I honestly think the BA forum in general would be a lot less successful if we had to strictly stay on topic.
The mods do a good job in controlling things so they don't get too out of hand.
#20
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: UK
Programs: Virgin Flying Club Red, Emirates Skywards Blue, BA Executive Club Blue, Amex BA
Posts: 2,355
I'm confused, why do we need to pay as the Pod is free? Seems a rip off!
What happens if you refuse to pay, are you stuck there? What about people vising the hotel and not staying? To avoid the charge I could just walk out of the car park and round to the hotel?
What happens if you refuse to pay, are you stuck there? What about people vising the hotel and not staying? To avoid the charge I could just walk out of the car park and round to the hotel?
#21
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,706
Because Thistle say they charge the hotel guest since they are charged by HAL for use of the pods - Thistle have said that tehy don't make anything from the charge. The pods aren't free to run, and I guess HAL's reasoning is that if there was no charge Thistle would get a free ride off HAL assets.
#22
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
I have scouted out the possibility of evading the gate but it requires a massive circuitous detour thanks to the comprehensive fencing on-site. It's possible to do it but you would need to walk on roads without pavements; not safe.
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,438
You might think that
#24
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: UK
Programs: Virgin Flying Club Red, Emirates Skywards Blue, BA Executive Club Blue, Amex BA
Posts: 2,355
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,203
As there's big fences around the car park you can't really use it for much else, except for riding it for fun.
So Thistle comes up with the idea of the gate, now there's a second legitimate reason to use the pods and therefore HAL will want cash to support this operation.
Presumably the amount of people who use it just for fun are small enough to not worry BA too much. Putting in infrastructure to charge them would probably cost more than they earn.
#26
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: London, Strathaven
Programs: BA (Gold). Various other statuses
Posts: 1,465
Article about the pods: http://londonist.com/2014/09/a-ride-...iving-pods.php
#28
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: MAN/BHX
Programs: ABBA
Posts: 6,027
Booked the hotel in the taxi en-route to heathrow at 2355 this evening, seems fine for £60. Shame the pods are charged for though, every time I think about the "hoppa" I feel ill, and the pod charge seems to be to avoid cannibalising this immoral charge.
#29
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
The pod is quirky and pleasant though - and efficient.
#30
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Surrey, UK
Posts: 494
Because Thistle say they charge the hotel guest since they are charged by HAL for use of the pods - Thistle have said that tehy don't make anything from the charge. The pods aren't free to run, and I guess HAL's reasoning is that if there was no charge Thistle would get a free ride off HAL assets.
Seems odd that they pay for free busses, but then charge for something else that does the same job, and they own it
Last edited by JFX1764; Sep 25, 2014 at 6:47 pm