Acceptable amount to steal from the Galleries Lounge
Jun 9, 2015, 12:03 am
#91
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,927
Before my flight last Friday, I was proactively given food to take on the flight with me. And not just for me, but also for my wife at the other end, since I made a comment that she would be jealous about my crisps (Canada being significantly lacking in the crisp department).
There are no signs in the lounges telling people not to take food. In the past they have actively encouraged it, and staff members are allowed to do so still - which suggests that lounge management, however it works, hasn't made an issue out of this at all.
Why, then, are FlyerTalk members so concerned with policing the consumption of other lounge users? I appreciate some people might see the behaviour of sticking 4 cans of Coca Cola in a carry on as tacky. For me, I find the sanctimonious, ultra vires judging of people - be it for the delayed consumption of a few pennies of crisps, or taking an ex-EU flight - to be far, far tackier and repulsive.
There are no signs in the lounges telling people not to take food. In the past they have actively encouraged it, and staff members are allowed to do so still - which suggests that lounge management, however it works, hasn't made an issue out of this at all.
Why, then, are FlyerTalk members so concerned with policing the consumption of other lounge users? I appreciate some people might see the behaviour of sticking 4 cans of Coca Cola in a carry on as tacky. For me, I find the sanctimonious, ultra vires judging of people - be it for the delayed consumption of a few pennies of crisps, or taking an ex-EU flight - to be far, far tackier and repulsive.
If it is intended that lounge F&B is available to be removed from lounges, why do so many do it in a clandestine manner? Only last week at the BA MAN lounge an agent told a gentleman stuffing several packets of crisps and cans in to his carry on that 'refreshments are for consumption in the lounge, sir'.
Jun 9, 2015, 12:16 am
#92
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
Jun 9, 2015, 12:23 am
#93
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,927
Although I don't see what's repulsive, this is just a harmless discussion topic that's not intended to be taken too seriously
Jun 9, 2015, 12:34 am
#94
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: BA Executive Club and OnBusiness
Posts: 720
Sorry to hear about the crisp situation in Canada.
Jun 9, 2015, 12:42 am
#95
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,927
Ha ha ha 
I've made several trips to Canada this year and I've had no problem finding a packet of crisps - although they call them potato chips (perhaps that's the confusion). Nevertheless there is still a large selection of flavours available.
I've made several trips to Canada this year and I've had no problem finding a packet of crisps - although they call them potato chips (perhaps that's the confusion
). Nevertheless there is still a large selection of flavours available.
Jun 9, 2015, 1:06 am
#96
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 5,380
I really think this matter hinges on what the airline's policy is on consumption of lounge food, and it does appear to be unclear.
But, if the official policy is that all food and drink is for lounge consumption only, then yes, taking items outside of the lounge is theft. If not, then it isn't.
But, if the official policy is that all food and drink is for lounge consumption only, then yes, taking items outside of the lounge is theft. If not, then it isn't.
Jun 9, 2015, 1:12 am
#97
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,286
I really think this matter hinges on what the airline's policy is on consumption of lounge food, and it does appear to be unclear.
But, if the official policy is that all food and drink is for lounge consumption only, then yes, taking items outside of the lounge is theft. If not, then it isn't.
But, if the official policy is that all food and drink is for lounge consumption only, then yes, taking items outside of the lounge is theft. If not, then it isn't.
Jun 9, 2015, 1:26 am
#99
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, several other less interesting cards...
Posts: 3,712
Pinching a few things from the lounge is fine. I usually take a pack of crisps to have with my onboard drink as I'm not keen on the nuts. Water is a different matter. I get it free with the Telegraph that I have to buy from WH Smith as the option to steal that from the lounge has been "enhanced"
Jun 9, 2015, 2:13 am
#100
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 140
Sorry, my point is coming from a fairly inexperienced point of view. This August will be my first CW trip on BA and therefore first foray into the Galleries lounge, however I have experienced other lounges inc Abu Dhabi (which was very nice).
I have to ask...how hungry does someone really have to be to take a surplus supply of food from the lounge...I mean I can understand a bottle of water etc, maybe a choccie bar... but these stories of filling ones boots?...You are going to be getting onto a flight where you will most likely be fed, watered etc and there will be snacks in effect. I just think its all a little unnecessary and that people take it because its free...if it wasn't, would you buy it? If not, then consider if it's needed it in the first place.
It's a psychological thing and perhaps I'm being a bit of a curmudgeon here, but does one constantly need to snack throughout the whole experience? In a slightly less annoying way it reminds me of the people you get in the cinema managing to consume their own bodyweight throughout the movie... popcorn, crisps, hotdog, minstrels, an endless stream of sugar and saturated fat being pushed into their faces ...what's that about...are they never going to eat again, what happened to breakfast? Or lunch?
I have to ask...how hungry does someone really have to be to take a surplus supply of food from the lounge...I mean I can understand a bottle of water etc, maybe a choccie bar... but these stories of filling ones boots?...You are going to be getting onto a flight where you will most likely be fed, watered etc and there will be snacks in effect. I just think its all a little unnecessary and that people take it because its free...if it wasn't, would you buy it? If not, then consider if it's needed it in the first place.
It's a psychological thing and perhaps I'm being a bit of a curmudgeon here, but does one constantly need to snack throughout the whole experience? In a slightly less annoying way it reminds me of the people you get in the cinema managing to consume their own bodyweight throughout the movie... popcorn, crisps, hotdog, minstrels, an endless stream of sugar and saturated fat being pushed into their faces ...what's that about...are they never going to eat again, what happened to breakfast? Or lunch?
Jun 9, 2015, 5:56 am
#101
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,248
Jun 9, 2015, 6:01 am
#102
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,286
Sorry, my point is coming from a fairly inexperienced point of view. This August will be my first CW trip on BA and therefore first foray into the Galleries lounge, however I have experienced other lounges inc Abu Dhabi (which was very nice).
I have to ask...how hungry does someone really have to be to take a surplus supply of food from the lounge...I mean I can understand a bottle of water etc, maybe a choccie bar... but these stories of filling ones boots?...You are going to be getting onto a flight where you will most likely be fed, watered etc and there will be snacks in effect. I just think its all a little unnecessary and that people take it because its free...if it wasn't, would you buy it? If not, then consider if it's needed it in the first place.
It's a psychological thing and perhaps I'm being a bit of a curmudgeon here, but does one constantly need to snack throughout the whole experience? In a slightly less annoying way it reminds me of the people you get in the cinema managing to consume their own bodyweight throughout the movie... popcorn, crisps, hotdog, minstrels, an endless stream of sugar and saturated fat being pushed into their faces ...what's that about...are they never going to eat again, what happened to breakfast? Or lunch?
I have to ask...how hungry does someone really have to be to take a surplus supply of food from the lounge...I mean I can understand a bottle of water etc, maybe a choccie bar... but these stories of filling ones boots?...You are going to be getting onto a flight where you will most likely be fed, watered etc and there will be snacks in effect. I just think its all a little unnecessary and that people take it because its free...if it wasn't, would you buy it? If not, then consider if it's needed it in the first place.
It's a psychological thing and perhaps I'm being a bit of a curmudgeon here, but does one constantly need to snack throughout the whole experience? In a slightly less annoying way it reminds me of the people you get in the cinema managing to consume their own bodyweight throughout the movie... popcorn, crisps, hotdog, minstrels, an endless stream of sugar and saturated fat being pushed into their faces ...what's that about...are they never going to eat again, what happened to breakfast? Or lunch?
Jun 9, 2015, 6:06 am
#103
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ipswich
Posts: 7,543
I have to ask...how hungry does someone really have to be to take a surplus supply of food from the lounge...I mean I can understand a bottle of water etc, maybe a choccie bar... but these stories of filling ones boots?...You are going to be getting onto a flight where you will most likely be fed, watered etc and there will be snacks in effect.
Jun 9, 2015, 6:24 am
#104
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: London
Posts: 1,503
Bits n pieces are fine.
Whether or not one agrees with taking anything at all, there's a general consensus on crossing the line between a bag of crisps and filling a cabin bag full of stuff.
If BA's stated policy was at least consistent in their lounges, especially in the UK, it would be helpful though.
Yet he (or she) who is without sin...
Whether or not one agrees with taking anything at all, there's a general consensus on crossing the line between a bag of crisps and filling a cabin bag full of stuff.
If BA's stated policy was at least consistent in their lounges, especially in the UK, it would be helpful though.
Yet he (or she) who is without sin...
Jun 9, 2015, 6:37 am
#105
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,477
Not quite the same, but I frequently travel to HKG or SIN with my colleagues. I am normally in CW/F and they are usually in WTP and don't all have status. So when passing through T5C I used to (until it was removed) use my £15 to buy them some sandwiches and snacks for the flight at Starbucks. It is a long way to fly and they don't have access to the club kitchen or on demand dining. I think it is a nice thing to do. Is it stealing because I don't intend to eat any of it myself and if I wasn't travelling with a colleague I wouldn't bother? Not in my mind. Now I really don't see any distinction between this and removing things from the lounge on the same grounds as long as I have checked with staff that it's ok.
.