billinghamn

Intro

Well I hope this generates some debate about where this thread should be held. I love being a rebel, and I write TRs for like minded readers. Those that think the way I do; those that have BA in their blood; and especially to the TP junkies out there. My last TR generated 674 replies for a 9 day trip, which I was amazed at. It took a lot of effort keeping it up to date, but I really appreciated people contributing positively to the discussion: offering suggestions to problems I faced, highlighting how much of a nutter I was, and generally wishing me well.

Before I stumbled upon FlyerTalk I would never have considered writing about my travels, so I thank FT for bringing that out in me. I'm not a great writer as such, but I say what I see, and what I feel, and I hope people can relate to that. I've got the wife in tow this time, so I'm going to be constrained to who I am allowed to talk to, and what I get up to, but I know that she will contribute to this thread and will offer a far more descriptive view of the world we intend on discovering.

To those who enjoy having a laugh at my expense then read on.

billinghamn

Next thing is packing. It's also the first photos of this TR and a subject I always forget to mention and that is we're going HAND LUGGAGE ONLY!!!! These are the bags I am taking:



The smaller Crumpler bag is a camera bag that carries my D600. I've got a 28-300mm zoom and a newly acquired 16-35mm wide angled lens. This bag took a lot of selecting, but that's another story. My camera bag fits into my bigger Crumpler laptop bag, so I can avoid too many questions about the number of bags I'm carrying on board.

And this is all the stuff that billinghamv has got to fit into that tiny little suitcase...



No chance! There will be tears tonight...

billinghamn

Quick update: I've managed to check us in now for the LHR-BRU segment - I had to wait until T-24 hours and all was fine. So just waiting for the big off which I believe will take place some time between 4pm and 4:30pm with our lift to the airport.

billinghamn

Currently in the lounge at MAN having actually started our trip. The escalator up from the taxi drop off area was closed again, and the lifts look like they should be out of order! Anyway, went through fast track security and there were some very dodgy looking foreign couples - blokes that weren't very friendly and were making a nuisance of themselves with the security staff. Not particularly nice to be honest.

Got into the lounge in T3 and it was empty. No one here at all. Got a nice seat next to the window looking out on a relatively nice, but humid day. My feet are hurting already for some reason. Looks like we are on time so all is well with the domestic connection down to LHR.

billinghamn

Just landed at LHR. Pretty uneventful. Will be heading off to the Hilton T5 next. Full review later on.

billinghamn

Arrived at an international gate so waiting for some steps at the rear of the aircraft and then a bus to domestic arrivals. A pilot who was on board said that it was probably due to the aircraft being required for an international flight first thing in the morning. Probably going to miss the 9:05 bus to the Hilton now, si maybe a taxi instead.

I need a beer...

billinghamn

Fri 08 Aug BA1407 - MAN-LHR

Equip: A321
Scheduled Depart: 19:40 Actual: 19:48
Scheduled Arrival: 20:40 Actual: 20:42
Takeoff: 20:00 Touchdown: 20:39

Last day of work - I'm lucky to be able to work from home. I always start the morning with a visit to Starbucks and today was no exception. After sitting in to have breakfast of luxury fruit toast, I took my Venti Caramel Mac home to help ease me through the early part of the morning.



I managed to check us in online for the MAN-LHR flight, but I had to wait until T-24hrs to check in for the LHR-BRU flight, and the same again for the BRU-LHR flight. I managed to complete OLCI for the last flight whilst waiting waiting for our taxi (which was later than expected ). This is billinghamv in suitable garb with luggage outside:



Traffic was pretty heavy getting to the airport, but our friendly taxi driver told us all about what she was planning to do on Sat which kept us entertained until we arrived at MAN T3 and we said our goodbyes.

The airport was fairly busy and there were a number of foreign couples with unfriendly blokes giving the security team a hard time. We chose fast track due to how busy security was, and it wasn't long before we were through and heading into the lounge.



The lounge was empty when we arrived which gave us a sense of it being prepared just for us. Not long after one or two people turned up, but at no time would you say it was being stretched.

From the MAN T3 lounge you can see the dish at Jodrell Bank – I can remember another trip report (TR) write with reference to the dish not so long ago, but I hadn't previously noticed it.



There was a decent selection of sandwiches and a very nice soup available. We hadn't had chance to get anything for dinner, so we had to at least try one or two, to keep the hunger pains at bay.



This is our A321 that took us on the short hop to LHR. I noticed that it was due to be in the air for only 29 mins, which is no time at all.



We were first on and were quickly seated in 2B and 2C. The plane was only 50% full with just 4 of us down at the front of the aircraft: the 2 of us, 1 guy in the front row in 1E and a pilot who was positioning down to LHR on the other side. We got a special welcome from the Customer Services Manager (CSM) who was a very pleasant chap.



Not a lot of leg room on this domestic hop! You've got to get in at least one legroom shot! Shows off my knees as well.



Of course we arrived at an International gate, which meant the dread steps at the rear of the aircraft and a bus to the domestic arrivals hall. Not the end of the world, but by the time we got down to London it was raining heavily, and I still had just my shorts and a t-shirt on.

We managed to catch the 21:05 Heathrow Hoppa bus to the Hilton T5. The bus was jam packed which was shared with customers heading for the Travelodge as well. Luckily it didn't take long to get us checked in, upgraded to an exec level room and settled in.



We were told about the opening hours of the executive lounge and that drinks would only be served between 6pm and 8pm. Poor showing I say, so that meant we needed to head downstairs for a nightcap.



It's a fabulous hotel - very well decorated and looks like there are some good restaurants and bars. We headed in to the River Bar:

LondonElite

Hmmm, I rather liked this TR where it was but oh well.....

Sounds like you're going to have a great time. Yellowstone does not disappoint. What will the gas man be doing in your absence?

billinghamn

Sorry guys. Not only has my thread been moved but it's been censored! I'm managing a blog if anyone is interested. Let me know by PM if you want to follow.

Shame...

LondonElite

I'll follow. Does that mean you'll no longer continue this one?

billinghamn

I know some people will react badly to my initial response. But most of the fun I get from running the live TR is the banter - including references to previous jokes that most people that have been following my previous TRs are aware of.

The fact that all of this was stripped from the content that was moved over is actually worse than just moving the thread in its entirety. Consultation would have been useful and ultimately more successful in encouraging me to continue.

I know the mods have a tough job to do but what we have got to remember is that the value of FT is entirely based on the content. If the contributors don't like the restrictions being placed on them then they won't contribute and FT loses some of its value.

I entirely appreciate that I contribute a miniscule amount of the content so perhaps it's fair to say that FT isn't going to be losing that much.

My blog won't provide the audience of FT nor the level of interaction so that's a big shame.

There's no point in anyone slagging me off about my view, since ultimately it is only my view and I am entitled to it.

Petrus

You are entitled to your view. However, you are not entitled to openly discuss FT moderation, decisions or policy as this not in good standing with the T and C's which all members accept when signing up on Flyertalk.

As the FT founder Randy Petersen said: Posting on FT is not a right, it is a privilege. @:-)

Edited to add; I'd love to see your report. This is why we are here, sharing travel experiences. My advice, as others have said, focus on the journey, not the TR. Unless the purpose of the trip is to write a TR (in which case seek help)

Blueboys999

I am anxious to avoid perpetuating the issue so will just comment that those of us who are able to make trips like these and see places a lot of those much less fortunate can't should put the truly unimportant things into perspective and just enjoy every minute.

I hope you both have a great time. After all, you are now on holiday!

Tobias-UK

If you put a link back to the original topic on the BA forum, the context will be there. It looks like the Mods have tried to accommodate you by copying the relevant posts of your trip and leaving the original topic in situ with all the posts intact.

In fairness, there were lots of posts contributing nothing to your report such as 'looking forward to reading this' or 'enjoy your trip'. You now have a greater audience and at least they can catch up rather quickly with your journey without all the unnecessary clutter.

Enjoy the trip, and carry on here ... your public needs you

billinghamn

Appreciate everyone's comments on this including respect to the mods.