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Heathrow Terminal 2 to Heathrow Terminal 2
"What's this" you say?
A flight from Heathrow to Heathrow? Well, kind of. I was a volunteer for a Heathrow Terminal 2 trial day. Here's a little photo montage of the day, and a sneak preview of the airport! I travelled to Heathrow on the tried and tested Piccadilly Line. I always prefer to change at Baron's Court as it's quieter. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5523/...b2efbaea25.jpg At Heathrow, I followed the signs to Heathrow Terminal 2. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5523/...a210472302.jpg Then joined the queue for registration. If only my name began with Q! (That's the big space in the middle!) https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5538/...79f8478487.jpg To get my passes that would give me the freedom of the airport! https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5234/...ba34c5d35e.jpg Next thing was a safety briefing and a chance to look around at the building itself. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5118/...bdc6286cb8.jpg Then up the escalators... https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3758/...3a513b647d.jpg https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2895/...24781a5556.jpg Then we collected our scripts, which was a bit disorganized to be honest as they were offering people 'destinations' - which for fake flights - was odd seeing people wanting exotic destinations! Some passengers would be business class customers but unfortunately their instructions were to go to the entrance of the lounge only, and no further! The scripts were basically - Your Name - Your Airline and Destination - How you were to check in - How much luggage you had - A 'passport' to scan I was Juliette White, a middle aged businesswoman from London. Recently divorced, but enjoying a sense of freedom she hasn't had in years since she dumped 'him'. Found a job she loves and enjoys the travelling. They then told me I didn't have to do a back story. Anyway, I had a suitcase to collect, and Heathrow had a huge selection of 'dummy' suitcases - from tiny to huge! Then it was through to start the experience, making mental notes of any snags and misinformation etc. for feedback later. There were over 3000 people going through the airport and there was a real buzz, helped by the incredibly friendly volunteers. So, having gone to the first free desk to get my script - where was I going to...? Singapore, Taipei, Washington...? Little Red to Manchester. I had to check in at one of the little machines - which was incredibly slow. It was strange using it as it let me select seats and spat out a boarding pass etc. Fully working except that the flight was non-existent! https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2913/...94022f8c92.jpg The kiosks were located at an odd angle and actually when you collected your boarding pass ended up standing at Upper Class check-in - I noted this on my feedback and wonder if that will annoy people? Through security - and it was treated like a real airport. Liquids over 100ml etc. were removed. This was rather slow and I am curious as to how security will cope as it was very slow moving today. No photographs permitted at this point. We then stopped to give feedback, via Samsung Tablets. Then it was through to the central concourse of the terminal where entertainment, tea, coffee, muffins etc. was provided. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3803/...7e4ffc57db.jpg This was not as naff as it looks - in fact it was great fun and where is where I heard the phrase 'sweating like Wayne Rooney in the Mastermind chair' for the first time! Finally met up with pals from V-Flyer.com y) Then to follow the signs for my flight. Very happy to see free charging points throughout the terminal. https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2932/...a72cd0dce5.jpg This isn't a free charging point. This is art. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5579/...4d47b733db.jpg https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2913/...7487c86930.jpg https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3794/...337e39957c.jpg The ghost of WHSmith https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5235/...0bfd3797f4.jpg https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3793/...c07a8d67be.jpg https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2905/...597a8d2f7e.jpg Yes - dot matrix printers are still alive and well in the worlds newest terminal! Then time to view the facilities. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5493/...e0173b408e.jpg I wonder if I was the first... no, let's not go there. Unless you need to and then you definitely should 'go' there. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5590/...764955759f.jpg https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2914/...d4c4ef4e9d.jpg https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2928/...e26b0e2b8d.jpg Then off to get my 'flight'! https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5519/...54c19f9920.jpg https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3834/...5631cec0c7.jpg This sign made one of the fake passengers very irate. Wasn't sure why. https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5574/...df0fc82c1b.jpg Followed the signs to the 'plane'. And waited for our instructions... https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2921/...4042313ec3.jpg Yes. That's a laminated sheet. |
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The boarding pass says the flight left from Terminal 1. Did you ask the way to Flight Connections? ;)
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Originally Posted by Alan in CBR
(Post 22963074)
The boarding pass says the flight left from Terminal 1. Did you ask the way to Flight Connections? ;)
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Nice report!
I for one liked the back-story.... |
If you were supposed to be a middle-aged female, what were you doing in the gentlemen's toilets? :p
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Thanks for the 'TR' and pics! Any venture out to the B satellite, or was that not allowed?
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Originally Posted by rabjoshu
(Post 22964070)
If you were supposed to be a middle-aged female, what were you doing in the gentlemen's toilets? :p
"enjoying a sense of freedom she hasn't had in years since she dumped 'him'" |
Originally Posted by Sealink
(Post 22958924)
I was Juliette White, a middle aged businesswoman from London. Recently divorced, but enjoying a sense of freedom she hasn't had in years since she dumped 'him'. Found a job she loves and enjoys the travelling. ^^^^ |
great report! thanks for the pix!
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I'm really looking forward to see the new Terminal 2 for the first time in a couple of weeks. Looks great !
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Originally Posted by crazy8534
(Post 22963762)
Nice report!
I for one liked the back-story.... |
Thanks for your little TR around T2, will certainly look forward to seeing it sometime, not that I ever go out of T2, but will be a little bit of a tour bus to LHR swan around T2, then into T3, then the train to T5, have a coffee, and then get the bus home, no TP on this trip though, have done enough to secure silver^:D
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Were you offered any compensation or was this just a fun day out with free?) food?
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Originally Posted by Skyborne Flyer
(Post 22973146)
Were you offered any compensation or was this just a fun day out with free?) food?
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