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SomeTorontoGirl
I need an update on Kahoosier’s bag!
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johnnythunders
Tonight our neighbours got an email from BA cancelling their flight to Sardinia 5 minutes before the cab arrived to take them to Heathrow...
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daspyknows
Not BA related but Heathrow in general. I was flying AMS->LHR->SFO. I was most worried about Schipol but it was a breeze. I have sky priority access through Delta and Delta/Virgin/KLM/Air France are aligned. Check in took 15 minutes because I picked the wrong line and the person in front had a ticket issue. Security took 10 minutes since we had a seperate line and passport control was 2 minutes. After walking I was in my assigned KLM lounge in under an hour. Only issue was our gate was a bus gate so we boarded a bus on time but were kept in the bus 15 minutes until some woman in a black burqa, her servant and security were driven in a private car to board first. People on the bus were ready to revolt.
We land at Heathrow after waiting almost as long as our flight for ground crews to allow us to disembark. Doors open and we walk to the transfers lane and first there is one person checking passports. Line takes 15 minutes. Then we have to go through bag inspection again. Luckily I had hours to connect but most did not. The line is very long (500 people) and 2 lanes are open out of 10. The security people were all in a foul mood yelling at people and barking orders that would be extreme even for US TSA staff. There was a couple right in front of me that had a tight connection and it was the last flight of the day. They wouldn't let them cut the line until it was obvious they would miss their flight and then they were allowed to move up. I had a bottle of water bought inside security at Schipol but that wasn't allowed so I chugged it since I was pouring sweat. Between computers, recording gear, backpack and carry on with souvenirs I needed 4 bins. The line took 45 minutes and the secondary screening bags were backing up into the scanner with one person checking. The woman 2 people in front was rushing to catch a flight and wanted to leave toiletries that were flagged behind to run to catch her flight but he wouldn't let her. After her the inspector went on break and got a cup of water. He then said someone else would take over. We watched the new guy spend 5 minutes putting his gloves on. By now our lane has come to a complete stop. This guy had some gifts for his wife from Victoria Secret including a small bottle of wrapped perfume and lingerie. It was all unwrapped and inspected. He was also lectured on not following rules. I was next. The electronics was barely looked at but all the food items were scrutinized. Each ball of gouda was checked for explosives. Each gift box of Belgian Chocolate was opened and a small jar of nut butter that I had with me and carried out of SFO and AMS caught his eye. It was right at the allowable size. I asked why he was taking it and he said because it was spreadable. All the other disallowed stuff was thrown away but this was put aside. I think the motherf^cker wanted to take it for himself. All in all it took 1 hr 45 mins from touchdown until I got past security. Luckily the staff at Virgin are amazing. I checked in and asked about an upgrade and was able to go from economy to business for $475. Considering I was on miles this was an easy call. Got to the Virgin lounge and talked with a woman who said the bag inspection was only done if there was a security threat or someone had an agenda. When it was time to board we were delayed another hour as there was a connecting flight that had 50 passengers. After 30 minutes they said because of security we were leaving them behind but needed to wait until ground crew could remove their bags. What a complete mess. If things don't improve next years trip is to Schipol and trains to UK.
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johnnythunders
Tonight our neighbours got an email from BA cancelling their flight to Sardinia 5 minutes before the cab arrived to take them to Heathrow...
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Hairball
From the Independent:
British Airways passengers get email mid-flight cancelling next leg
‘Please call to book new flight’ passengers told while over the Atlantic
British Airways passengers have complained that the airline cancelled the second leg of their journey while they were already on the first flight travelling to catch it.
Three customers say that they received a cancellation email while still in mid-air, but only received it when back online after landing - just two hours before they were due to take the cancelled flight.
To make matters worse, the airline then lost their luggage, leaving them to travel on to their destination without essential belongings.
Full story: BA