T5 A gates, it's a conspiracy.
Dec 10, 2018, 8:05 am
#16
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,732
I like to monitor the inbound a/c on FlightRadar24 to give an indication of which end of T5A or B/C to head to. One can then re-position to the north, south or B lounge and hope you’ve made the right call.
Dec 10, 2018, 8:06 am
#17
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
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I had a run where my monthly flights to HAM were from either B or, mostly, C.
In normal circumstances I would have welcomed it - I like the solitude of the tunnels and a leg stretch before I fly - but I was singularly less than impressed when the gate only appeared on the South lounge display boards between T-35 and T-40 on two occasions, particularly as I still had half a glass of wine to finish at the time and had convinced myself that at such a late stage an A gate was pretty much nailed on!
In true FT fashion, of course, I made sure I consumed the alcohol before even considering making a move for the gate ...
In normal circumstances I would have welcomed it - I like the solitude of the tunnels and a leg stretch before I fly - but I was singularly less than impressed when the gate only appeared on the South lounge display boards between T-35 and T-40 on two occasions, particularly as I still had half a glass of wine to finish at the time and had convinced myself that at such a late stage an A gate was pretty much nailed on!
In true FT fashion, of course, I made sure I consumed the alcohol before even considering making a move for the gate ...
M
Dec 10, 2018, 8:09 am
#18
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 386
I was certain that BA never use A gates for 747s and whilst chatting about this to the B gate lounge receptionist the other day, I glanced over her shoulder and noticed one parked there. Fortunately, whilst contemplating the walk back, she advised it was not the aircraft about to wiz me to DXB (apparently the NBO flight usually parks there. Amazed I had never noticed before).
Dec 10, 2018, 9:42 am
#19
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,683
Once you've done the tunnels you'll never do the train again. I like the solitude, especially compared to the hectic mayhem of the 5A. Then there's the benefit of the leg stretch, and of course the warm glow that you somehow have special knowledge of the airport. One other benefit for the petty like myself, is as someone else once mentioned, you press the lift button and no one else checks, the lift then arrives downstairs and there's this short moment of confusion as the herd leaves the lift and realises it's not what they expected.
Dec 10, 2018, 9:46 am
#20
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Belgium
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 146
Once you've done the tunnels you'll never do the train again. I like the solitude, especially compared to the hectic mayhem of the 5A. Then there's the benefit of the leg stretch, and of course the warm glow that you somehow have special knowledge of the airport. One other benefit for the petty like myself, is as someone else once mentioned, you press the lift button and no one else checks, the lift then arrives downstairs and there's this short moment of confusion as the herd leaves the lift and realises it's not what they expected.
. The solitude in the walkway is just the nice part, no need for fellow walkers at that moment.
Dec 10, 2018, 10:07 am
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Somerset
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott lifetime platinum
Posts: 40
Edit: must learn to use multi-quote
I was good and abstained from any alcohol in the lounge today, it was before mid-day and I was wary of the withering looks and lecture I'd get from my teenage daughter (who knows everything about everything and more) if she got wind of my 'festering' at that time of day.
Last edited by SomersetCyder; Dec 10, 2018 at 10:19 am
Dec 10, 2018, 10:21 am
#22
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 386
I've been first in the lift, pressed -4 and then giggled as everyone else looked bemused as I wandered down the tunnel towards B gate. Most followed me... a real Pied Piper moment
Dec 10, 2018, 11:09 am
#23
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 319
Dec 10, 2018, 12:04 pm
#24
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,476
What’s the train? 😉. I never get on it, preferring the certainty of the tunnels. Even leaving GF at T-40 I’m pretty sure I’d make the last boarding call given I walk at something approximating c-w-s pace. I’ve never bothered to ask the lounge to ring the gate - I’ve just made sure I got there sharpish, and usually ahead of stresed looking people arriving on the transit having taken the more obvious route.
Dec 10, 2018, 12:11 pm
#25
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,766
I must admit I would be horrified at the DYKWIA implications of asking the CCR desk to ring the gate (though admittedly it happens a lot, which may or may not be a circular argument). As I tend to say in these situations, the point about hefty status is never needing to invoke it, "they" know who you are. Given the various rules on when boarding is complete and when they can turf people off flights for no-show then there really should never be an issue here, except in the obscure case of the very occasional use of B and C as bus gates. I'm sure our valiant Qatari Mod has actually not really needed to be concerned, I'm sure he would have been fine.
And what is this train thing?
And what is this train thing?
Dec 10, 2018, 12:57 pm
#27
Moderator: Qatar Airways
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: LHR/NCE/MIA
Programs: BAEC GfL & GGL, SQ Gold, Amex Centurion, Mucci des Chevaliers des Bons Mots et Qui Savent Moucher
Posts: 8,947
I must admit I would be horrified at the DYKWIA implications of asking the CCR desk to ring the gate (though admittedly it happens a lot, which may or may not be a circular argument). As I tend to say in these situations, the point about hefty status is never needing to invoke it, "they" know who you are. Given the various rules on when boarding is complete and when they can turf people off flights for no-show then there really should never be an issue here, except in the obscure case of the very occasional use of B and C as bus gates. I'm sure our valiant Qatari Mod has actually not really needed to be concerned, I'm sure he would have been fine.
And what is this train thing?
And what is this train thing?
Thankfully I'm yet to miss a flight, but I have had my name called out over the tannoy as they're about to close the gate!
M
Dec 10, 2018, 1:06 pm
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Somerset
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott lifetime platinum
Posts: 40
Dec 10, 2018, 1:40 pm
#29
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,232
ha. well aside from being sent to T5B on advice thats where it would depart from when it was T5A--i seem to run into the issue lately of the boards in the lounge showing BOARDING...only after a quick stop at the loo and exit the boards suddenly change to FINAL CALL.
of course when i arrive there is a massive queue and it definitely is not FINAL CALL. but the stress gets the heart rate and sweat going!
of course when i arrive there is a massive queue and it definitely is not FINAL CALL. but the stress gets the heart rate and sweat going!
Dec 10, 2018, 1:55 pm
#30
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: UK
Programs: VS Gold and a few more.....
Posts: 95
I do this also - Best tool to maximise lounge time and also avoid the need for any last minute dashes.