Jul 5, 2017, 3:31 pm
Last edit by: Banana4321
Beergate: A Summary
Two males were observed removing free beer (estimated to be c.20 cans of an unknown brewer) from the First Lounge (South) at London Heathrow's Terminal 5 on Friday 30th June 2017 between the hours of noon and approximately 17:00. The two men are white and probably have in excess of 1600 Tier Points.
200 outraged posts on an airline-related online forum then wasted at least 1000 man-hours of British industry at a cost of over £100 due to middle-ranking executives having not much better to do than comment on this feat of potential drinking whilst being flown.
Anybody with any news on this treasonable crime should not bother calling CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111. A reward of 6 cans of beer is available should the original beer cans be recovered.
Police are uninterested in talking to anyone in the vicinity at the time.
Any BREAKING NEWS on this front-page story will be added to this wiki immediately it happens
Two males were observed removing free beer (estimated to be c.20 cans of an unknown brewer) from the First Lounge (South) at London Heathrow's Terminal 5 on Friday 30th June 2017 between the hours of noon and approximately 17:00. The two men are white and probably have in excess of 1600 Tier Points.
200 outraged posts on an airline-related online forum then wasted at least 1000 man-hours of British industry at a cost of over £100 due to middle-ranking executives having not much better to do than comment on this feat of potential drinking whilst being flown.
Anybody with any news on this treasonable crime should not bother calling CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111. A reward of 6 cans of beer is available should the original beer cans be recovered.
Police are uninterested in talking to anyone in the vicinity at the time.
Any BREAKING NEWS on this front-page story will be added to this wiki immediately it happens
Someone nicking 20+ cans of beer from the F-lounge (got it on video)
Jul 2, 2017, 7:19 pm
#47
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
Gosh! I hope you're getting a glow of righteousness spreading this around.
While I view the behaviour of the two as deeply tacky, I can't get as worked up about it as some have; and I am uneasy and uncomfortable about the role of the OP in filming the shebang and then running off to the lounge manager with it.
I'd have been mildly shocked to witness the audacity of the actions filmed, but I can't work up any moral outrage by that sort of tackiness. Nobody was hurt, no-one was in danger: I'd have got on with my own life.
While I view the behaviour of the two as deeply tacky, I can't get as worked up about it as some have; and I am uneasy and uncomfortable about the role of the OP in filming the shebang and then running off to the lounge manager with it.
I'd have been mildly shocked to witness the audacity of the actions filmed, but I can't work up any moral outrage by that sort of tackiness. Nobody was hurt, no-one was in danger: I'd have got on with my own life.
I'm sure in the fullness of time the cost cutters will get around to tackling lounges (again) with drinks on draft etc.
Jul 2, 2017, 7:59 pm
#49
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,252
Jul 2, 2017, 8:34 pm
#51
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: PHX, ICN
Programs: OZ Diamond Plus, Marriott Gold
Posts: 502
It never occurred to me that BA's cost of goods sold was the issue here. Two people who have probably been drinking in the lounge bringing another 10 beers each for consumption afterwards brings up some liability thoughts.
1. Handing out beer to underage (under 16?) youth in the airport.
2. Drunk and disorderly behavior in the airport or delaying a flight. I'd make a bet that a lot of people here would be somewhat less understanding if a boorish passenger chugging beers all flight started a fight/screamed like a banshee/kicked chairs for X number of hours. We can't all drink 8 bottles of Dom and remain coherent.
BA probably doesn't care about 20 cans of beer. They may only barely care about their reputation as an airline, given the apparent decline in service over the past years. But I'd bet they care about the chance of 2 heavily intoxicated passengers throwing off Ops for their flight. Or getting some kids puke-drunk on a plane.
(And yes, I'm totally fine with snagging a can and a bag of chips. There are differences in degree of behavior and potential outcome.)
1. Handing out beer to underage (under 16?) youth in the airport.
2. Drunk and disorderly behavior in the airport or delaying a flight. I'd make a bet that a lot of people here would be somewhat less understanding if a boorish passenger chugging beers all flight started a fight/screamed like a banshee/kicked chairs for X number of hours. We can't all drink 8 bottles of Dom and remain coherent.
BA probably doesn't care about 20 cans of beer. They may only barely care about their reputation as an airline, given the apparent decline in service over the past years. But I'd bet they care about the chance of 2 heavily intoxicated passengers throwing off Ops for their flight. Or getting some kids puke-drunk on a plane.
(And yes, I'm totally fine with snagging a can and a bag of chips. There are differences in degree of behavior and potential outcome.)
Jul 2, 2017, 10:04 pm
#53
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
It never occurred to me that BA's cost of goods sold was the issue here. Two people who have probably been drinking in the lounge bringing another 10 beers each for consumption afterwards brings up some liability thoughts.
1. Handing out beer to underage (under 16?) youth in the airport.
2. Drunk and disorderly behavior in the airport or delaying a flight. I'd make a bet that a lot of people here would be somewhat less understanding if a boorish passenger chugging beers all flight started a fight/screamed like a banshee/kicked chairs for X number of hours. We can't all drink 8 bottles of Dom and remain coherent.
BA probably doesn't care about 20 cans of beer. They may only barely care about their reputation as an airline, given the apparent decline in service over the past years. But I'd bet they care about the chance of 2 heavily intoxicated passengers throwing off Ops for their flight. Or getting some kids puke-drunk on a plane.
1. Handing out beer to underage (under 16?) youth in the airport.
2. Drunk and disorderly behavior in the airport or delaying a flight. I'd make a bet that a lot of people here would be somewhat less understanding if a boorish passenger chugging beers all flight started a fight/screamed like a banshee/kicked chairs for X number of hours. We can't all drink 8 bottles of Dom and remain coherent.
BA probably doesn't care about 20 cans of beer. They may only barely care about their reputation as an airline, given the apparent decline in service over the past years. But I'd bet they care about the chance of 2 heavily intoxicated passengers throwing off Ops for their flight. Or getting some kids puke-drunk on a plane.
I don't see much in the OP to suggest they had been drinking heavily, or were under age, or were likely to get drunk on a flight.
I could give you an alternative scenario - a couple of mid 30s cheapskates who arrived late and decided to pocket some beers to take away at their destination.
Jul 2, 2017, 10:41 pm
#54
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 114
Why does everyone assume its a BOB issue? Doubt anyone is looking to consume 10+ beers on a short haul flight. Isn't it more likely that they were travelling with a group of people and only one had status?
Jul 2, 2017, 11:04 pm
#56
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: PHX, ICN
Programs: OZ Diamond Plus, Marriott Gold
Posts: 502
All fair points, but in this case total guesswork.
I don't see much in the OP to suggest they had been drinking heavily, or were under age, or were likely to get drunk on a flight.
I could give you an alternative scenario - a couple of mid 30s cheapskates who arrived late and decided to pocket some beers to take away at their destination.
I don't see much in the OP to suggest they had been drinking heavily, or were under age, or were likely to get drunk on a flight.
I could give you an alternative scenario - a couple of mid 30s cheapskates who arrived late and decided to pocket some beers to take away at their destination.
Jul 3, 2017, 12:11 am
#57
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 5,380
Jul 3, 2017, 12:15 am
#58
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Manila
Programs: Qatar Gold
Posts: 205
Much agreed. The cheap cost of beer seems to be the only justification for condoning this behaviour.
If these persons had attempted to slip a bottle of wine or champagne into their bags (and been caught), dare I say the police may have been called.
If these persons had attempted to slip a bottle of wine or champagne into their bags (and been caught), dare I say the police may have been called.
Jul 3, 2017, 12:25 am
#60
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,619
And if you only spend 99£ on your ticket but getting lounge access thanks to being OWE, all you are allowed to drink would be a bottle of water?
Taking drinks and food from the lounge officially is VERBOTEN, but apparently 1-2 cans or a pack of crisps don't hurt anyone, especially in BOB-era. But people like them will make BA re-think the policy and make all food eventually offered in open containers/tap beer/coke/sprite only. Or make it a "served" area only.
Taking drinks and food from the lounge officially is VERBOTEN, but apparently 1-2 cans or a pack of crisps don't hurt anyone, especially in BOB-era. But people like them will make BA re-think the policy and make all food eventually offered in open containers/tap beer/coke/sprite only. Or make it a "served" area only.