Heathrow currently closed

[Sprucegoose]

I was hoping to fly over in W+ and then back in J - then I would have travelled in all 4 cabins on the A380 . The extra points required to upgrade to J over W+ was 36000 (= 96000 - 60000) No plans to use those points but always nice to have them in the bank

Flying to Europe I'm less concerned about seating than when coming back. For me jet leg going to Europe lasts for maybe 1.5 days but coming back it takes a week to recover.

Now I see Chris! You can still buy the T Shirt though!! I am two classes behind you on the A380!

Travel well

 

[Flashback]

It's been reported in this mornings City A.M. newspaper that BAA's chief Colin Matthews will be giving up his 2010 bonus due to the issues at Heathrow.

 

[anat0l]

It's been reported in this mornings City A.M. newspaper that BAA's chief Colin Matthews will be giving up his 2010 bonus due to the issues at Heathrow.

A Willie Walsh like move, but like the WW move it doesn't signify that anything better will be done.

 

[ab156]

A Willie Walsh like move, but like the WW move it doesn't signify that anything better will be done.

What do you want them to do? Spend $100's of millions on upgrading facilities to deal with a once every 7-10 year event? You will just end up paying for it in access fees and then commenting on the increase in travel costs!

Should we invest in a big net over Iceland in case the volcano pops again?

All part of travel roulette IMHO.

 

[anat0l]

What do you want them to do? Spend $100's of millions on upgrading facilities to deal with a once every 7-10 year event? You will just end up paying for it in access fees and then commenting on the increase in travel costs!

Should we invest in a big net over Iceland in case the volcano pops again?

All part of travel roulette IMHO.

How do you know it's a one in 7-10 year event? Are you a climate scientist?

Travel costs are going to go up anyway. The APD is being raised anywhere between 50 - 150% every 6 - 18 months. What the hell is all that money doing good for?

I guess my hope is that if the CEO of BAA is giving up his bonus, that is somewhat an admission that something will be done about this (or rather it's an admission that something should have been done about this). If this is simply a publicity masterstroke then Colin Matthews should be dragged out into the street and shot.

Maybe you're right - we should do nothing as it's not worth the money and we all need a "double zero" in the roulette of life to keep things interesting...

 

[VHOEJ]

It's been reported in this mornings City A.M. newspaper that BAA's chief Colin Matthews will be giving up his 2010 bonus due to the issues at Heathrow.

I admire the gesture but is the bonus going to be used to prevent the same thing happening in the future? If it is going to buy equipment etc to fix the problem, I am fully supportive. If the money stays in the BAA's coffers, it seems pointless.

 

[serfty]

I dare say that since compensating passengers falls to the airlines, why would the airport give a rats?

Actually, I'm sure there would be some avenue for BAC to provide "Airlines" compensation if the airlines can show the Airport administration did not allow for weather that occurs often, maybe not yearly but certainly not unheard of.

(Of course if an airline pursues this, then, "ipso facto" the weather conditions could not be considered "extraordinary".)

 

[Sprucegoose]

Actually, I'm sure there would be some avenue for BAC to provide "Airlines" compensation if the airlines can show the Airport administration did not allow for weather that occurs often, maybe not yearly but certainly not unheard of.

(Of course if an airline pursues this, then, "ipso facto" the weather conditions could not be considered "extraordinary".)

Weather is generally not 'force majuere' you can foresee a 1 in whatever by definition.

 

[Flashback]

Well I made it out of STN OK, however getting to PAD wasn't so easy. Our flight ended up diverting to FMO, then had to wait 1 hour for the bus (although most of that time was spent waiting for my luggage to come out) then a 2 hour bus ride to get to PAD. Was supposed to arrive 6.45pm, ended up getting in just after midnight

 

[serfty]

Weather is generally not 'force majuere' you can foresee a 1 in whatever by definition.

Try telling that to those airlines who, while they are fulfilling their Duty-of-care requirements under EU 261/2004, may be claiming that this weather represents "Extraordinary Circumstances" and that the legislated compensation (of up to €600) is not payable.

 

[Flashback]

Try telling that to those airlines who, while they are fulfilling their Duty-of-care requirements under EU 261/2004, may be claiming that this weather represents "Extraordinary Circumstances" and that the legislated compensation (of up to €600) is not payable.

Given I arrived at my destination some 5.5 hours after the scheduled time, am I entitled to anything under EU regulations? FWIW the flight left STN about 1.5 hours late (so didn't hit the 3 hour threshold).

 

[serfty]

Given I arrived at my destination some 5.5 hours after the scheduled time, am I entitled to anything under EU regulations? FWIW the flight left STN about 1.5 hours late (so didn't hit the 3 hour threshold).

It's really up to negotiation between you and the airline.

Here's the regulation:

EUR-Lex - 32004R0261 - EN

Here's some comment:

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/air_portal/passenger_rights/doc/2008/q_and_a_en.pdf

(15) Extraordinary circumstances should be deemed to exist where the impact of an air traffic management decision in relation to a particular aircraft on a particular day gives rise to a long delay, an overnight delay, or the cancellation of one or more flights by that aircraft, even though all reasonable measures had been taken by the air carrier concerned to avoid the delays or cancellations.

 

[ab156]

How do you know it's a one in 7-10 year event? Are you a climate scientist?

Nope, I just did a little research before assuming the guy running the airport was an idiot. if you are genuinely interested there are some interesting stats available. Snow at Heathrow is not uncommon (13 days a year on average), the amount and duration of the snowfalls this year are extreme and uncommon. Snow clearing at Heathrow can cope with the average falls but not the kind of events this year....

Travel costs are going to go up anyway. The APD is being raised anywhere between 50 - 150% every 6 - 18 months. What the hell is all that money doing good for?

Don't know.... i guess many airports have made significant investment in facilities to cope with increased travel and new aircraft?

I guess my hope is that if the CEO of BAA is giving up his bonus, that is somewhat an admission that something will be done about this (or rather it's an admission that something should have been done about this). If this is simply a publicity masterstroke then Colin Matthews should be dragged out into the street and shot.

No, this seems to be society today ... someone has to be accountable for everything to make people feel "better". Whether it is the right action doesn't matter, as long as there is a scapegoat everyone feels better.

Maybe you're right - we should do nothing as it's not worth the money and we all need a "double zero" in the roulette of life to keep things interesting...

Glad we agree Seriously, it is risk management not science.

 

[rory breaker]

Mrs Rory Breaker and I made it in on xmas day on QF1 with no fuss at all, hardly any snow at Heathrow either.

Not a mention once during the trip of any potential delays- very happy

 

[Sprucegoose]

Try telling that to those airlines who, while they are fulfilling their Duty-of-care requirements under EU 261/2004, may be claiming that this weather represents "Extraordinary Circumstances" and that the legislated compensation (of up to €600) is not payable.

I don't think this is extraordinary at all!! Certainly not with the stats available.

A class action will sort them out.

 

[flychrisfly]

Now I see Chris! You can still buy the T Shirt though!! I am two classes behind you on the A380!

Travel well

Thanks SG. FYI, flew in J both ways but still need to try out W+ for the set