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 Ł100 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 Ł100 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 3, 2017, 3:55 am
#91
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,403
Taking one bottle of water or one can of drink is something the lounge has factored in as part of normal consumption... I could either down it in 20 seconds, or I can take it with me. Taking 20, that's not for immediate consumption as part of my journey, the 19 were for other passengers. The lounge has to replace those and incur a cost which is over and above the normal consumption allocated in the lounge.
I've taken a bottle of water out of the lounge before, my diabetic mother has taken a cheese roll. I don't consider that theft, although it might contravene the lounge rules.
I've taken a bottle of water out of the lounge before, my diabetic mother has taken a cheese roll. I don't consider that theft, although it might contravene the lounge rules.
Jul 3, 2017, 4:49 am
#93
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 114
Pret recently decreased the size of my iced coffee but charge me the same price. By your logic, I can justify stealing a food item every few days to recoup the 'theft'?
Jul 3, 2017, 5:21 am
#95
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Switzerland/West Coast
Programs: BAEC Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 215
On a similar note, I just witnessed someone emptying what must have been a quarter of a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue into his glass and then adding Coke. No video, sadly.
Jul 3, 2017, 5:40 am
#96
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,222
I would make a fine executioner in cases of abuse of fine whisky.
Jul 3, 2017, 5:48 am
#97
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
Very true. But I was pointing out exactly why BA would want to "discourage" such behavior and go after those two. It's not the cost of 20 cans of beer. It's the potential risk of having their future activities traced back to "negligent" lounge management allowing them to take enough beer to get drunk and do something damaging.
^
Jul 3, 2017, 7:10 am
#100
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,222
"Beggars can't be choosers".
I wouldn't steal anything....my consumption of the champagne would be sufficient to satisfy.
Jul 3, 2017, 7:25 am
#101
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Tyrone,EU
Programs: Avios Hunter
Posts: 2,811
This thread reminds me of Crispgate some years ago, which AFAIR resulted in the demise of an FTer, although this is on a grander scale.
I've been known to take a packet of biccys or a bottle of water. I'm reasonably confident that although it's against the T&C that level is entirely tolerated and expected.
How many boiled sweets is theft ?
Next time I might look for case of wine
I've been known to take a packet of biccys or a bottle of water. I'm reasonably confident that although it's against the T&C that level is entirely tolerated and expected.
How many boiled sweets is theft ?
Next time I might look for case of wine
Jul 3, 2017, 8:01 am
#102
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 1
Jul 3, 2017, 8:07 am
#103
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA GfL & GGL, LH Sen, EK & VS Gold, Amex Cent
Posts: 1,719
I wouldn't call it theft per se. It is poor form, totally cheapskate and abusing the system. There are likely rules that say BA can take action if you take the pi$$. If you are feeding outsiders that's against the rules, if you're smashing them on the flight, that's also against the rules. People like this are what result in even more rules being made and life becoming more difficult for the rest of us. Sadly in this life we have to abide by rules that were designed for those 1%. I couldn't care less (and I doubt neither could BA) if someone takes a roadie/snack/paper for the flight but to load up like that is just pathetic.
Jul 3, 2017, 8:15 am
#104
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,730
The issue for me with the 20 cans versus one isn't even about theft. It would probably be the same issue if the 2 guys were grabbing them and drinking them in the lounge.
If you are the next person to walk up wanting one of those beers, if somebody's just taken the last one (and solely the last one) while you might be disappointed you'd understand, but if you are standing there watching one person take 20 solely for himself, including the last one, that's a lot more frustrating.
If you are the next person to walk up wanting one of those beers, if somebody's just taken the last one (and solely the last one) while you might be disappointed you'd understand, but if you are standing there watching one person take 20 solely for himself, including the last one, that's a lot more frustrating.
Jul 3, 2017, 8:30 am
#105
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: BA Gold/Marriott Gold/HH Diamond/IC Plat Amba
Posts: 5,988
It is pretty pathetic behaviour no matter whether it was beer,crisps etc. Bad news for them is they were nicking Heineken so they will get the hangover they deserve from drinking that garbage.