LHR transport dilemma - need help thinking outside the box . . .
Apr 7th, 2014, 08:04 AM
#41
Original Poster
"I am no fan of cell phones, in fact I am an anti-fan, but isn't this precisely the kind of situation in which they are worth their price?"
That's fine -- but the problem really is -- we can't use the phones to track each other down until after we land. So if either plane is late we won't know til we're on the ground. The driver(s) will know since they monitor flight status. I'm thinking more and more to just do the two cars thing . . .
"If so, Janis may need a mental health referral."
Don't think I haven't considered that
That's fine -- but the problem really is -- we can't use the phones to track each other down until after we land. So if either plane is late we won't know til we're on the ground. The driver(s) will know since they monitor flight status. I'm thinking more and more to just do the two cars thing . . .
"If so, Janis may need a mental health referral."
Don't think I haven't considered that
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Apr 7th, 2014, 08:12 AM
#42
The cell phones would make it easy/easier to find each other after the planes land. Tell the ditzes to find a cafe in their terminal (whether or not they are late), then call them to find out which one it is. Or, if doing the two car thing, they can wait for you in a cafe/pub near the apt. and you can meet them there, again, calling to make sure which one.
Apr 7th, 2014, 08:18 AM
#43
Original Poster
"they can wait for you in a cafe/pub near the apt. and you can meet them there, again, calling to make sure which one."
No need to determine 'which one'. The Dickens Inn is about 40 feet from where the apartment's on-site representative comes out to meet new tenants to show them up to the flat.
One of the T-1 ladies has been to the Dickens Inn, and walked past it at least twice a day for the whole week we stayed there. So even she can't miss the Dickens Inn . . . Or at least I hope not
No need to determine 'which one'. The Dickens Inn is about 40 feet from where the apartment's on-site representative comes out to meet new tenants to show them up to the flat.
One of the T-1 ladies has been to the Dickens Inn, and walked past it at least twice a day for the whole week we stayed there. So even she can't miss the Dickens Inn . . . Or at least I hope not
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Apr 13th, 2014, 09:19 AM
#45
Original Poster
Thanks
Still don't know if any of us will have cell phones that work there (I plan on buying a cheap mobile after I'm in London) . . . But the drivers obviously will have phones so they can contact each other and the flat manager. So I'm feeling better about the two drivers set up.
Still don't know if any of us will have cell phones that work there (I plan on buying a cheap mobile after I'm in London) . . . But the drivers obviously will have phones so they can contact each other and the flat manager. So I'm feeling better about the two drivers set up.
May 1st, 2014, 07:58 PM
#47
Original Poster
Update: I had decided on the 2 drivers, but when I called justairports they recommended just one who will meet the T-1 ladies and track both of our flights. I wasn't concerned so much about the ££ but JA said the even if one flight is late - the extra waiting time would cost less than a 2nd driver. My other friend and I will walk over from T-3. If we are earlier we'll wait w/ the driver and if they are . . . they'll wait for us (they had <B>better</B> - there is a track record here so I'm not 100% confident 
)
But - there is more. One of the T-1 ladies doesn't have/has never used a debit card?!. She was going to buy $3000 worth of ££ from her bank . . . No (!) - she <i>didn't</i> say that?!!
So I gave her 'homework' to go to the bank Tuesday AM and get a card. She didn't believe when I said she could probably get one while waiting. So she called the bank . . and yes, they press the cards in the local branch. I asked her to call me if there was a snag - no call so (hopefully) both T-1 ladies are now squared away . . .
- there is a track record here so I'm not 100% confident )But - there is more. One of the T-1 ladies doesn't have/has never used a debit card?!. She was going to buy $3000 worth of ££ from her bank . . . No (!) - she <i>didn't</i> say that?!!
So I gave her 'homework' to go to the bank Tuesday AM and get a card. She didn't believe when I said she could probably get one while waiting. So she called the bank . . and yes, they press the cards in the local branch. I asked her to call me if there was a snag - no call so (hopefully) both T-1 ladies are now squared away . . .
May 2nd, 2014, 06:54 AM
#50
But - there is more. One of the T-1 ladies doesn't have/has never used a debit card?!. >>
what on earth does she do for cash at home? print it herself?
looks like you have a solution, JJ. Whether it's the right one, time, and you TR, will tell.
what on earth does she do for cash at home? print it herself?
looks like you have a solution, JJ. Whether it's the right one, time, and you TR, will tell.
May 2nd, 2014, 09:03 AM
#52
Probably uses credit cards. I use mine even for coffee now. I can't remember the last time I actually got cash from the bank - I may still be using left over emergency cash from my last trip, and that was over a year ago.
May 2nd, 2014, 10:16 AM
#53
Original Poster
"Probably uses credit cards."
No sure but I don't think so. Yes she does have a cc (only one that I know of) through her local bank but apparently she cashes checks at the grocery store etc.
From my travel talks . . . when I start explaining ccs/ATMs/DCC/VAT etc. . . . well let's just say you might be surprised how many people do not use plastic much. Mostly older folks but not exclusively. My last class, fully 20% had never used an ATM (but it was a talk at a local library w/ a strong senior connection)
No sure but I don't think so. Yes she does have a cc (only one that I know of) through her local bank but apparently she cashes checks at the grocery store etc.
From my travel talks . . . when I start explaining ccs/ATMs/DCC/VAT etc. . . . well let's just say you might be surprised how many people do not use plastic much. Mostly older folks but not exclusively. My last class, fully 20% had never used an ATM (but it was a talk at a local library w/ a strong senior connection)
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May 2nd, 2014, 10:43 AM
#54
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I just read your other TR. O.M.G! I think I would have smothered SCQ in her sleep. You are saint.
btw.. I am a great travel companion, I can drive stick and have a great sense of direction. I also have a chip and pin CC. Just in case you are looking for new travel partners
btw.. I am a great travel companion, I can drive stick and have a great sense of direction. I also have a chip and pin CC. Just in case you are looking for new travel partners
May 2nd, 2014, 12:13 PM
#55
Apparently cashes checks.>>
well, that won't get her far in the UK, where the banks have done their best to get rid of them. in fact there was a working party set up to find an alternative with the aim of abolishing the cheque by the end of this decade. After 3 years they gave up as what they came up with was as close to a cheque as made no difference.
thursdaysd - what do you use to pay the taxi driver or window cleaner? the man who comes to service the boiler, or the garage invoice? These are all people that I have paid with cash or a cheque in the last 7 days. but cashing a cheque at the supermarket? I can't remember the last time I did that, and I'm pretty certain they won't take them any more.
well, that won't get her far in the UK, where the banks have done their best to get rid of them. in fact there was a working party set up to find an alternative with the aim of abolishing the cheque by the end of this decade. After 3 years they gave up as what they came up with was as close to a cheque as made no difference.
thursdaysd - what do you use to pay the taxi driver or window cleaner? the man who comes to service the boiler, or the garage invoice? These are all people that I have paid with cash or a cheque in the last 7 days. but cashing a cheque at the supermarket? I can't remember the last time I did that, and I'm pretty certain they won't take them any more.
May 2nd, 2014, 12:46 PM
#57
I haven't used a taxi in the US in years (friends drive me to/from the airport). I write checks to my cleaning lady, my yard (lawn) service, my chiropractor (although my massage therapist and hairdresser take CCs) and the guy who cleans out my gutters. That's it. If I had the local plumbing company service my boiler (hot water heater?) they'd take a CC (they just took one to replace it, ouch!). By garage invoice do you mean the people who service my car? They take CCs.
I think that grocery stores in the US will not only take personal checks but will also cash travelers' checks.
I think that grocery stores in the US will not only take personal checks but will also cash travelers' checks.
May 2nd, 2014, 01:08 PM
#58
Annhig, she could go to the bank and write checks made out to CASH instead of using an ATM. My grandma is 74 and I don't know if she has ever used an ATM.>>
not in the UK without a banker's card [which is a debit card] except at your own branch. so no use to Jj's travelling companion here. My mum is 82 and she uses ATMs all the time.
I think that grocery stores in the US will not only take personal checks but will also cash travelers' checks.>>
not a chance in the UK. you haven't been able to pay be cheque for several years, and never by traveller's cheque apart from at places like Harrods.
the boiler heats our hot water and the central heating, thursdaysd. so far as I know they don't take c/cards. THe garage does, but they delivered the car back when I wasn't here so I wanted to pay their invoice by post so I needed a cheque for them too. but for the cab and the window cleaner, I still need cash.
not in the UK without a banker's card [which is a debit card] except at your own branch. so no use to Jj's travelling companion here. My mum is 82 and she uses ATMs all the time.
I think that grocery stores in the US will not only take personal checks but will also cash travelers' checks.>>
not a chance in the UK. you haven't been able to pay be cheque for several years, and never by traveller's cheque apart from at places like Harrods.
the boiler heats our hot water and the central heating, thursdaysd. so far as I know they don't take c/cards. THe garage does, but they delivered the car back when I wasn't here so I wanted to pay their invoice by post so I needed a cheque for them too. but for the cab and the window cleaner, I still need cash.
May 2nd, 2014, 01:33 PM
#59
For something like your garage delivery (no such thing where I live!) I would call them and give them my CC number over the phone.
So, the UK grocery store will take a credit card, right? I don't use a debit card, only credit and ATM cards. (Yes, the ATM card is also a debit card, but I never use it that way.)
So, the UK grocery store will take a credit card, right? I don't use a debit card, only credit and ATM cards. (Yes, the ATM card is also a debit card, but I never use it that way.)
