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-   -   No T5 satellite train this morning (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1997017-no-t5-satellite-train-morning.html)

Airprox Nov 26, 2019 3:56 am

No T5 satellite train this morning
 
As has been discussed on here in a few places, one half of the T5 satellite train system is being upgraded currently so they are only running one train.

Well this morning the entire thing has failed, so there are zero trains running, and everyone has to walk via the tunnel.

Leave extra time to get out to the B or particularly C gates.

sxc Nov 26, 2019 4:05 am

Or maybe you’ll get to the gates faster by walking...

LBA_flyer Nov 26, 2019 4:07 am

I always walk anyway, the relative solitude is quite refreshing in an airport environment. Appreciate people with limited mobility etc will be impacted by this though so hopefully it is rectified soon.

aidy Nov 26, 2019 4:18 am

thats sad i love the peace and quiet in the tunnels...

BOH Nov 26, 2019 4:22 am


Originally Posted by LBA_flyer (Post 31777951)
I always walk anyway, the relative solitude is quite refreshing in an airport environment. Appreciate people with limited mobility etc will be impacted by this though so hopefully it is rectified soon.

I tend to walk on the inbound to LHR but it seems there is often not enough time on departure? Generally it seems LHR gates are only announced 45-50 minutes prior to departure time which leaves little time to walk?

HighwayToHEL Nov 26, 2019 4:25 am

I walked A to C last week and yes, it's nice and refreshing, there was no-one else in the tunnel at all. Almost eerie.

ajeleonard Nov 26, 2019 4:29 am


Originally Posted by BOH (Post 31777978)
I tend to walk on the inbound to LHR but it seems there is often not enough time on departure? Generally it seems LHR gates are only announced 45-50 minutes prior to departure time which leaves little time to walk?

At "London speed" it's only 5 minutes to B and 10 minutes to C. I find the signposted times massively overstate it

ratypus Nov 26, 2019 4:33 am

but a bit of a problem for those with mobility issues (elderly, small children etc.) - wouldn't fancy a 'surprise' walk to the C Gates in those circumstances

LBA_flyer Nov 26, 2019 4:33 am


Originally Posted by BOH (Post 31777978)
I tend to walk on the inbound to LHR but it seems there is often not enough time on departure? Generally it seems LHR gates are only announced 45-50 minutes prior to departure time which leaves little time to walk?

I'm generally connecting to/from a long haul which, with a reasonable degree of certainty always depart from B or C gates so I normally head to the B lounge anyways whilst keeping a careful eye on the departure boards for any changes in the run up to departure.

JAXBA Nov 26, 2019 4:50 am


Originally Posted by ajeleonard (Post 31777993)
At "London speed" it's only 5 minutes to B and 10 minutes to C. I find the signposted times massively overstate it

While I walk at “Concorde” speed, my in-laws’ max speed is infuriatingly close to “stall!”

*sigh*

Tiffywren Nov 26, 2019 4:53 am

I quite like a walk through the tunnels, although it can feel a bit spooky when you're the only one down there...

SWISSBOBBY Nov 26, 2019 4:58 am

I am another person in favour of the walk... especially when I am going the be sitting for the next 7 8 9 10 ... hours.

vintagepilot Nov 26, 2019 5:03 am

I like to walk after being cooped up. Last weekend I ambled back from a SH B gate arrival, at a slow pace but using the travelators, and popped up with another walker ahead of anyone off the transit. Had the e-gates to ourselves.

Dambus Nov 26, 2019 5:04 am

Sounds like a IACGMOOH camp justifying why rice and beans was the better option all along!

:)

Oxon Flyer Nov 26, 2019 5:12 am

5 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by ajeleonard (Post 31777993)
At "London speed" it's only 5 minutes to B and 10 minutes to C. I find the signposted times massively overstate it

Well yes, but 10 minutes from A to C, including elevators/escalators at either end is a 'fair lick' and not at all representative of the time taken by your typical airport user, let alone those encumbered by luggage, children, high heels or indeed just an inability to go any faster than normal walking pace.

Todays useless bit of information is that it's 809m terminal to terminal, plus allowances for escalators.

KARFA Nov 26, 2019 5:30 am

From the passageway guide https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...assengers.html


Timings
I have done a number of timed tests on this (the wide variation on transit times reflects the potential gaps in service). I am 40 something, possibly in better health than many people my age. I also carry my life on my back, not on wheels, I don't do checked luggage; there again I didn't have the spousal and filial units in tow. I also know Terminal 5 very well. So bearing in mind these factors you may need to adjust these timings accordingly:

From T5A South Lounges Complex, by exit to Flounge, using the lifts.
- To T5B by transit - minimum = 6 minutes, maximum = 21 minutes, reasonable average = 11 minutes.
- To T5B by passageway = 7mins 30 seconds

From T5A South Lounges
- To T5C by transit - minimum = 8 minutes, maximum 24 minutes, reasonable average = 14 minutes.
- To T5C by passageway = 10 minutes 30 seconds.

From T5B to T5C or vice versa
- by passageway = 4 minutes 30 seconds.

ahmetdouas Nov 26, 2019 5:38 am


Originally Posted by Oxon Flyer (Post 31778064)
Well yes, but 10 minutes from A to C, including elevators/escalators at either end is a 'fair lick' and not at all representative of the time taken by your typical airport user, let alone those encumbered by luggage, children, high heels or indeed just an inability to go any faster than normal walking pace.

Todays useless bit of information is that it's 809m terminal to terminal, plus allowances for escalators.

My best time for 800 meters was 2 minutes and 41 seconds.
Joking aside, it must be hard for the less mobile, some people would take at least 20 minutes. I hope T5 has a good system with electric cars for the less mobile when the trains are not working.

Mind you T5 has it good, it is at T2 where the real mess is, either you walk or ask for mobility assistance, no trains there, and don't get me started with IST!

At least you don't need gym membership if you use IST a lot.

marshy11 Nov 26, 2019 5:39 am

We arrived on BA32 from Hong Kong this morning at about 5am into C. It was very quiet and the staff said it would be at least 9 minutes for the train so we walked. I know we got to immigration and baggage reclaim well before the rest of the pax (who opted to wait for the train). I would estimate it was less than 10 minutes at a brisk pace from C.

ahmetdouas Nov 26, 2019 5:43 am


Originally Posted by marshy11 (Post 31778126)
We arrived on BA32 from Hong Kong this morning at about 5am into C. It was very quiet and the staff said it would be at least 9 minutes for the train so we walked. I know we got to immigration and baggage reclaim well before the rest of the pax (who opted to wait for the train). I would estimate it was less than 10 minutes at a brisk pace from C.

T5 is actually lucky compared to T2, there it is either walk or ask for mobility assistance, no 'luxury' train over there! And even that is not bad compared to IST, which is crazy.

At least you don't need gym membership if you use IST a lot!

PAL62V Nov 26, 2019 5:45 am

Is it still down? Mrs PAL62V is heading out there in an hour.

CKBA Nov 26, 2019 5:53 am

Came into C gates early yesterday morning - must have been 15 deep waiting for the train, so took the escalator down to the walkway - which was supringly busy. Got to immigration before the crush since it was empty. 15 mins from outer C gate to arrivals lounge.

BarneyMcGrew Nov 26, 2019 5:56 am

Just out of curiosity, did they have extra buggies/wheelchairs (or even extra staff to assist) down there for those passengers who could use the transit quite easily but would have problems walking to/from the satellites?

warakorn Nov 26, 2019 6:42 am

With the trains not running -> How do you exit LHR T5 if you are located at T5 departures after security? It seems to be not possible anymore.
There are two tunnels between the concourses -> one for clean departure pax; another one for non-clean arriving pax; Without the trains -> how do you get from one tunnel to another one?

KARFA Nov 26, 2019 7:03 am


Originally Posted by warakorn (Post 31778291)
With the trains not running -> How do you exit LHR T5 if you are located at T5 departures after security? It seems to be not possible anymore.
There are two tunnels between the concourses -> one for clean departure pax; another one for non-clean arriving pax; Without the trains -> how do you get from one tunnel to another one?

You would have to used the hourly escorted service which goes from T5A. This has always been the official method of going from airside departures to landside.

MarkFlies Nov 26, 2019 7:20 am

Let's hope someone's being sensible and announcing gates earlier than normal.

chistery Nov 26, 2019 8:31 am

The new vehicles aren't due till 2021 apparently, which is then meant to improve wait times.

RobDBA Nov 26, 2019 9:43 am


Originally Posted by chistery (Post 31778647)
The new vehicles aren't due till 2021 apparently, which is then meant to improve wait times.

So it's longer trains that they are preparing for, or an upgraded track system to allow for more trains to leave more often?

chistery Nov 26, 2019 11:15 am


Originally Posted by RobDBA (Post 31778924)
So it's longer trains that they are preparing for, or an upgraded track system to allow for more trains to leave more often?

Not sure, tweet them and ask (@T5Transit)

Rob0895 Nov 26, 2019 11:23 am

I flew into T5B gates from DUS on Sunday evening and ended up walking as the wait for the train was too long for the wife!

20Rothmans Nov 26, 2019 11:55 am

I was walking behind a brace of pilots on Sunday morning and overtook them. As it turned out, they were my pilots and I was 20 minutes too early.

It's annoying that the notice that you get that it's out at a pier is so short. I'm lucky that the walk is an easy option - for others, less so.

riku2 Nov 26, 2019 12:42 pm


Originally Posted by RobDBA (Post 31778924)
So it's longer trains that they are preparing for, or an upgraded track system to allow for more trains to leave more often?

perhaps they will have separate coaches for arriving and departing passengers like MUC and FRA and so there is no need for the train to wait at the end of each run with a tape of "please wait, security checks" playing.

ISTFlyer Nov 26, 2019 1:29 pm


Originally Posted by ahmetdouas (Post 31778136)
At least you don't need gym membership if you use IST a lot!

:D

By the way, I generally walk to/from the satellite buildings in LHR so it's not a big deal for me.
And, if I'm not wrong, the FIDS would display "Go to B gates" or "Go to C gates" at least 1h30min before scheduled departure time.
Also, if you're a LHR expert, you would know how to learn your departure gate before the FIDS post it.

corporate-wage-slave Nov 26, 2019 2:01 pm


Originally Posted by ISTFlyer (Post 31779687)
And, if I'm not wrong, the FIDS would display "Go to B gates" or "Go to C gates" at least 1h30min before scheduled departure time.

FIDS at LHR shows the exact B and C gates at 70 minutes before travel, it can be a bit less on some shorthauls but that's usually due to a last minute change of plan. FIDS (or rather IDAHO) will show "will depart from B / C" as soon as the aircraft concerned is docked at the relevant terminal, which in the case of longhaul can be a few hours before departure, 2 - 3 hours is fairly typical.

testycal Nov 26, 2019 3:15 pm

Tunnels almost romantic
 
Used the tunnels to exercise from A to C for fun and back at a jogging clip...received an odd stare from the other person walking and no stare from the couple making out near the elevators at B gate.

GUWonder Nov 27, 2019 1:55 am


Originally Posted by sxc (Post 31777950)
Or maybe you’ll get to the gates faster by walking...

If only.

My empathy for all those BA passengers traveling with young kids who weren't allowed to travel with strollers for gate-delivery/airside-use at LHR.

PUCCI GALORE Nov 27, 2019 7:36 am

The train was packed yesterday. I thought that it was a very show. We arrived just a the thing arrived. I was even less impressed at Gate B42 where you walk all down a long jetway then downstairs into the rain and round the corner to get on a bus. The bus then literall went no more than 100 meters so that we could clamber up into the aircraft. Why can’t they move aircraft onto a jetway? There seemed to plenty available. So underwhelmed !

jwhite9185 Nov 27, 2019 10:39 am

I arrived at T5C at just after 6am yesterday. It was running, but seemed to be waiting a lot longer than usual. Didn't seem much busier though?

Gshumway Nov 27, 2019 6:03 pm

So my wife went today through T5 and they told her she needs a reservation for the train? ...?

msm2000uk Nov 27, 2019 11:31 pm

Lengthy waits from C gates this morning.

Walkway took me 6m12secs, and I'm no athlete!

M

itsmeitisss Nov 28, 2019 2:53 am


Originally Posted by corporate-wage-slave (Post 31779786)
FIDS at LHR shows the exact B and C gates at 70 minutes before travel, it can be a bit less on some shorthauls but that's usually due to a last minute change of plan. FIDS (or rather IDAHO) will show "will depart from B / C" as soon as the aircraft concerned is docked at the relevant terminal, which in the case of longhaul can be a few hours before departure, 2 - 3 hours is fairly typical.

FIDS?


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