Secret World of Airports on TLC
 

This show will be rebroadcast on The Learning Channel on Friday night. I saw the first run last Sunday.

It's basically a behind-the-scenes look at how an airport runs, covering topics like security, the control tower, and baggage handling. While there's probably not much new here for the frequent flyer to learn, I got a kick out of the segment on the preparation of airline food. For example, out of the multitude of special meals available, there's actually one called "refugee".

The segment had clips of comedienne Ellen (from the ABC sitcom) making fun of bad airline food and passengers anticipation of it. It was quite hilarious, and worth watching for that alone.

I'll try to make sure I watch it Friday night.

There also was a British 3-episode series titled "Airport", and depicts a lot of the behind-the-scenes action at London Heathrow (LHR). It was aired on PBS a few months ago.

BTW... I used to work in airline meal catering (well over 10 years ago!) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

AlphaSig--interesting that you saw that show on PBS--I saw one segment on BBC when I was in London in September. Very interesting--had a few vignettes about "life in the airport"--one about a guy from Australia trying to come to the UK and being turned down because he had all of 100 pounds on him, and the airport manager trying to find cleaning fluid for a man who sat down in some bubblegum. Kind of an interesting PBS type show.

Also was an interesting episode of Nova last night on discovering the cause of a crash on COPA airlines in 1992.

I loved the show on PBS!!!!!

I think quite often I am in a bad mood, having travelled in economy in the middle seat on a long flight from Asia, that I really do not appreciate my surroundings at airport.

I definately think that watching the show made me appreciate the staff, esp. gate agents a lot more.

I also enjoyed all the star gazing that can be done at airports!

I am looking forward to the TLC show.

Hey, I am jealous of all of you! I would love to watch ANY program in English expecially about airports/flying. Unfortunately that only happens about as often as the moon turns to cheese here in Japan :-)

That wouldn't be dorothy parvaz, would it, boysmap?

The BBC programme "Airport" has just finished it's 3rd (?) season.

On of the characters featured on it "Jeremy" the Aeroflot Station Manager at Heathrow, is now something of a celebrity. He has appeared on loads of other programmes (cookery, travel, science)!!

ITV also run a series (in it's second season) called "Airline" which features the working of EasyJet. It is very funny. Last week a plane bound for Amsterdam was diverted due to lack of fuel. The pilot had no agreement to buy fuel at the airport (they wanted him to pay on his credit card) so it just sat there full of passengers, but no fuel.
MF

I'm watching the BBC 3-part series - "Airport" on PBS right now and it's truly fascinating. I highly recommend that frequent fliers watch it.

The Queen flies on the STAR ALLIANCE !!!

(She had the *entire* First Class cabin on a Air New Zealand flight from London to Auckland)

I should be doing work right now but instead...

megamiles: I don't like to split hairs here, but when you mention Her Majesty I have no choice.

QEII has travelled on a scheduled flight once in her life, it was a couple of years ago when she flew to New Zealand. As the New Zealand government has to pick up the fair, it was decided she would fly Air New Zealand rather than an aircraft of the Queens Flight (the Air New Zealand option being about a tenth of the price).

Air New Zealand reportedly charged £ 42,000 ($67,000) for the ticket. Not F class, so no FF miles even if they had been in Star Alliance at that point. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

HM had the exclusive use of the First Class and Business Class cabin space. The upper deck was converted to a sleeping cabin and Dining Room and the downstairs into a day room. Both cabins had to have a complete re-fit.

HM has the Royal Suite at Heathrow for her use, so no need to use an airline lounge. No boarding card was issued. As customs in the UK are HM Customs, HM is exempt from customs inspections. As immigration is an executive agency of HM's Government, run by HM's Home Secretary, HM is exempt from that as well. So it is just roll-up, pop the Royal Standard out the hole in the roof and off you go (I bet we wish we could all do that).

As I have said previously the BBC series airport has had 3 series of 8 programmes and a couple of specials. Another series of 8 programmes is in the makeing.


Nick

Merry: Are you saying HM is in a class all by herself? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Rudi: Now that's one status that Merry can't get himself comped to!!!

We are all special in our own way whether we are NICK or the Queen. She may have to travel with special accomodations for security reasons.

I would like to see this "Airport" series but it all depends on how much money the P-B-S stations get... and what they put the money toward.

"Airport" has aired a few times but my local P-B-S station puts it on obscure hours with NO Publicity.

(So I'll add this programme to my "I want this" list... besides more recent episodes of the great "The Red Green SHOW!" http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Anyone heard of the story many years ago of a certain Thai Princesss on a THAI Airways flight where one revenue paying passenger (non-Thai) didn't agree with all the lights been turned off in the First Class section when the Princess wanted to sleep, and he protested loudly.

THAI Airways didn't turn the lights back on (not even the reading lights). But that certain individual was arrested upon arrival at Bangkok for 'critisizing' the Royal family. He was never heard of again.

[This message has been edited by Celestar340 (edited 04-18-99).]

kind of like the recent article in the Wall Street Journal on the preparations TWA made to take the Pope to/from St. Louis in February--custom fitted bedroom on the 767-300.

jl

OMNI: I wonder if we can get some special privilage for the PIP express to Hawaii in November?

After all: We are all like F-T "royality." And we have Sir Merry probably among us.