Is Heathrow Still a Disaster?
Feb 8th, 2008, 11:55 AM
#21
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<<< Why there are no easy connections between the terminals >>>
Because the core of Heathrow is pre-WW2 and things like people going from one plane to another were unheard of.
Virtually every problem LHR has is due to that original configuration and it's location
Because the core of Heathrow is pre-WW2 and things like people going from one plane to another were unheard of.
Virtually every problem LHR has is due to that original configuration and it's location
Feb 8th, 2008, 12:16 PM
#23
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JFK was originally Idelwild Airport and ates I believe to 1948...they figured out a way to construct an internal light rail line to go between terminals easily...I doubt extremely that Heathrow can't figure out a way to do a similar thing.
Feb 8th, 2008, 12:30 PM
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Hopefully, with Terminal 5 opening soon, and the planned new Heathrow East terminal, things will improve. If you haven't heard of Heathrow East, see http://tinyurl.com/ys24mz.
Feb 8th, 2008, 01:58 PM
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My worst nightmare is TSA, Atlanta, both coming or going, with Philadelphia a close second.
I have an artificial hip. Each time whether a domestic or an international flight, I get the same inane treatment.
The bell rings as I go through, already half undressed.
Some loud voice bellows out MALE ASSIST as I am banished to the detention booth to await a review by a TSA expert.
Finally some bleary eyed joker who looks like he does not know a cranium from a fibula, shuffles over to check me out.
His first question: What's the problem.
My answer: I have a metal hip.
Second question: Yeah? Wherebouts?
Then we play spread the legs, lift the legs, spread the arms, roll down the pants at the waist, and get in various postures while the magic wand is applied. Even though the hip makes the gadget go wild, we still have to check heels, head, torso, thighs, etc.
I don't understand why the process is like it is and why TSA personnel has to do more loud shouting than I have experienced in any other country.
In Europe, particularly in Scotland, England, and Germany the checks are quick, professional and thorough. In Glasgow last summer I walked through security without a word being said. You know darn well that Glasgow was on high alert after some terorist drove a bomb right into the terminal building. I was so surprised, shocked even, when I did not draw a crowd of security officials, I asked: How come no alarm? The answer, ny hip looked like a beacon on the x-ray machine. No need to check further the blatantly obvious.
In Germany, same result. The security agent just laughed and waved me on. That piece of titanium shines bright and clear; in fact, it is dazzling on a high definition x-ray.
At Gatwick, three years ago, despite the terrorist threats and bombs, there was no academy award performance; the security check was quick, professional, and thorough.
A very well trained officer came over and politely asked me why I rang the alarm bell. I told him: Artificial hip. He asks if he could feel of my hip. I said sure.
He did a probing check with his fingers and said "Have a nice flight." No muss, no fuss, no theatrics.
Coming into the US, particularly in Atlanta, all passengers, even terminating ones, MUST be re-screened before we can exit the international arrivals hall. Groan. Not only can we not get out of the country, we have a hard time trying to get back in.
By the time Homeland Security finishes building a fence between the US and Canada, things really will be a circus.
Even now having a valid passport is not a good reason to be allowed in.
I have crossed into the US from Canada by car several times and even with a passport, I got to play Twenty Questions. They were very penetrating questions, too.
Like," What's your name?"
Brilliant question. An imposter who looks like he might not know the name on the passport he had stolen.
I cannot think of a more direct question to elicit true identity.
(Was he suspicious because I had a passport?)
The next question was even more penetrating: "Where do you live?"
Then the capstone question: "Why were you in Canada?"
This kind of tomfoolery makes me secure? Tell me how, if it does.
I have an artificial hip. Each time whether a domestic or an international flight, I get the same inane treatment.
The bell rings as I go through, already half undressed.
Some loud voice bellows out MALE ASSIST as I am banished to the detention booth to await a review by a TSA expert.
Finally some bleary eyed joker who looks like he does not know a cranium from a fibula, shuffles over to check me out.
His first question: What's the problem.
My answer: I have a metal hip.
Second question: Yeah? Wherebouts?
Then we play spread the legs, lift the legs, spread the arms, roll down the pants at the waist, and get in various postures while the magic wand is applied. Even though the hip makes the gadget go wild, we still have to check heels, head, torso, thighs, etc.
I don't understand why the process is like it is and why TSA personnel has to do more loud shouting than I have experienced in any other country.
In Europe, particularly in Scotland, England, and Germany the checks are quick, professional and thorough. In Glasgow last summer I walked through security without a word being said. You know darn well that Glasgow was on high alert after some terorist drove a bomb right into the terminal building. I was so surprised, shocked even, when I did not draw a crowd of security officials, I asked: How come no alarm? The answer, ny hip looked like a beacon on the x-ray machine. No need to check further the blatantly obvious.
In Germany, same result. The security agent just laughed and waved me on. That piece of titanium shines bright and clear; in fact, it is dazzling on a high definition x-ray.
At Gatwick, three years ago, despite the terrorist threats and bombs, there was no academy award performance; the security check was quick, professional, and thorough.
A very well trained officer came over and politely asked me why I rang the alarm bell. I told him: Artificial hip. He asks if he could feel of my hip. I said sure.
He did a probing check with his fingers and said "Have a nice flight." No muss, no fuss, no theatrics.
Coming into the US, particularly in Atlanta, all passengers, even terminating ones, MUST be re-screened before we can exit the international arrivals hall. Groan. Not only can we not get out of the country, we have a hard time trying to get back in.
By the time Homeland Security finishes building a fence between the US and Canada, things really will be a circus.
Even now having a valid passport is not a good reason to be allowed in.
I have crossed into the US from Canada by car several times and even with a passport, I got to play Twenty Questions. They were very penetrating questions, too.
Like," What's your name?"
Brilliant question. An imposter who looks like he might not know the name on the passport he had stolen.
I cannot think of a more direct question to elicit true identity.
(Was he suspicious because I had a passport?)
The next question was even more penetrating: "Where do you live?"
Then the capstone question: "Why were you in Canada?"
This kind of tomfoolery makes me secure? Tell me how, if it does.
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carylspall
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