[AnthonyDunn]

In reply to: New BA/Oneworld Baggage Rules

Hmm, I am wondering whether IAG/BA might be just about to run into a perfect storm. It is not out-with the bounds of possibility to think of the following circumstances arising in the aftermath of a suicidal Vote Leave.

1. A severe contraction in the UK economy – as is conceded by most Brexiter “experts” including Farridge (who has publicly stated that other people’s job losses to be “a price worth paying”) leading to a fall in traffic.
2. Losses of high-spending/earning corporate jobs as European headquarters are either closed down in London or are severely pared back, leading to a fall in premium traffic.
3. The progressive decamping of €-denominated financial business away from London – with the associated jobs, leading to a further fall in premium traffic.
4. The imposition of a full blown two-way visa regime arising from “take control of our borders”, leading to a substantial fall in traffic to and through hub London.
5. Substantial reductions in cargo revenues because of lower trade volumes after the UK’s expulsion from the Single European market because of (4) above and the associated ending of the free movement of people’s.

Just the time at which to impose these counter-productive and potentially costly changes.

I wonder whether there are any squeeky bums at the Waterside in contemplating such a prospect.

[AisleSeatTraveller]

In reply to: BA first flight to St Helena.

won’t happen in the brexit era

[HarryMonk]

In reply to: EU261, “extraordinary circumstances”, and new planes

As an aside, I wonder what the impact of “Brexit” ,should it happen, would have on EU261 with regards to flights arriving and departing the UK. Would the UK government subsequently introduce a similar “UK261” ruling?

[Carajillo2Sugar]

In reply to: Reward points flight delays

Recently, I’ve read a few comments about the UK cancelling flight delay compensation if the vote for BREXIT is successful – is there any hard evidence to support this?

[PeterCoultas]

In reply to: Reward points flight delays

Stop grumbling….get your compensation while you can….after Brexit “our” UK government will cancel all this compensation nonsense as they will do away with all useful EU legislation and only keep mad Theresa May’ s idiotic border controls….

[PeterCoultas]

In reply to: “Customer Service”

Customer service should involve on time departures, arrivals & connections….as someone leaning to Brexit I’m worried that if that were to happen how much hay would be made by airlines no longer subject to the EU compensation for their bad timings and careless abandonment of passengers during delays that “just happen to suit them”…

[PeterCoultas]

In reply to: Another poor Heathrow experience

alainboy has realised something that MrM seems to have missed “you get what you vote for” says MrM….I just wish it were true

As a “Europhile” having seen the mess made of this project, I’n now (almost) a “Europhobe”….it is now harder to travel to europe (courtesy the Mad Mrs May’s so called security) than it was back in the 50’s & 60’s when my explorations started…..and as for our airport functionality it is a total joke…

perhaps the best reply I can make on my next LHR entry to the question “where have you come from” will be “I’ve forgotten, as an oldie I’ve been in your silly queue far too long to remember”

Sadly there may be one reason to remain….called customer service….IF Brexit then the routine delays to flights into the UK will no longer (in most cases) qualify for compensation….think how sloppy the carriers can then become….

[BigDog.]

In reply to: Qatar Airways’ Growing stake in IAG

Edski777 – 21/05/2016 23:09 BST

Don’t forget IAG is a Spanish company. IMO Brexit makes no difference whatsoever – UK govt have made a habit of allowing self-offs to EU and non-EU companies regardless of the position of the EU. (Who incidentally conveniently ignore French Government significant holdings in a range of “Utilities”.)

Whether it is Qatar, Dubai (Ports), France (Rail and Power, India (Steel) – Bae next? – the UK govt appear quite sanguine in allowing its/our “strategic” assets to be purchased by other governments. Imo the Airline national flag carrier is the least important of “Strategic” Assets.

[alainboy56]

In reply to: Another poor Heathrow experience

Thank you to ‘edski777’ and ‘richardof Francepp’ – you grasp what I am griping about exactly.
“AnthonyDunn’ –
I don’t care about politics – i don’t even vote – whilst I lean toward BREXIT, I prefer a ‘middle way’ which is to ‘stay in’ and cut out/cancel all the bullshit rules/regs created by unelected eurocrat, but that is not on the table. (I have a home in Italy and am married to a Finn, so I am a true European).
Anyway, I still say, whoever is responsible for this debacle at LHR – get it sorted out!

[Edski777]

In reply to: Qatar Airways’ Growing stake in IAG

Transtraxman +1

In case of a Brexit and possibly losing the 49% limit rule in order to maintain attractiveness of UK stocks in the short term I’d be selling my IAG shares in no-time.

I am absolutely convinced that the UK can’t manage to keep a level playing field on its own against the US and wealthy Arab sovereign funds.

[MartynSinclair]

In reply to: Current TSA standards 2016

Hi Alan – the revised TSA checks at Philadelphia were NOT part of the “Pre Clear” scheme. The security line had a mix of locals joining to go airside as well as passengers coming directly out of the international arrival hall to go back airside.

I must say it was a very quick line and rather strange (but nice) to be yelled at by the TSA……”Keep your shoes on, Keep liquids in your bag, Keep belts on”.

Shows the USA now have the technology to speed up security…. I wonder when the UK will follow…. before or after Brexit!

[Anonymous]

Hi Alan – the revised TSA checks at Philadelphia were NOT part of the “Pre Clear” scheme. The security line had a mix of locals joining to go airside as well as passengers coming directly out of the international arrival hall to go back airside.

I must say it was a very quick line and rather strange (but nice) to be yelled at by the TSA……”Keep your shoes on, Keep liquids in your bag, Keep belts on”.

Shows the USA now have the technology to speed up security…. I wonder when the UK will follow…. before or after Brexit!

[christopheL]

In reply to: To fly to serve???

I did not know that Sainsbury are selling their cheap Stilton before displaying in their stores nor I was aware about the EU regulation according to which Sainsbury has to pay their customer a financial compensation when they are unable to deliver the pre sold pieces of stilton
Fortunately Brexit will clarify the situation.

[Anonymous]

I did not know that Sainsbury are selling their cheap Stilton before displaying in their stores nor I was aware about the EU regulation according to which Sainsbury has to pay their customer a financial compensation when they are unable to deliver the pre sold pieces of stilton
Fortunately Brexit will clarify the situation.

[MartynSinclair]

In reply to: Ex-Europe departures – A LESSON LEARNED & A WARNING…

I have benefited enormously by taking advantage of ex-Europe tickets over the years, but I have just been given a lesson. For the first time in all my years of travelling I was denied boarding, in front of the boarding gate and in ear shot of lots of passengers.

The lesson I learned, there is a serious difference between benefiting from a commercial/economic advantage (of getting cheap tickets… via ex-Europe departures) over trying to short cut the airport system (immigration and security) trying to rush through.

The airport I was using (for my ex-Europe departure) still mixes inbound and outbound passengers in the boarding area. When I disembarked, I mentioned to the crew I was returning with them, as I always do, just in case there was a problem or as in some cases they do manage to provide assistance (which on many occasions they have willingly done.. as a favour).

As I disembarked directly into the boarding area, I did not go through the system, but just waited by the boarding gate for the return, something I had done many many times before in several airports.

15 minutes before boarding, I was approached by a member of the airline team asking if I had been through security and immigration as the operating crew had a security concern about me reboarding and the ground crew had spoken to immigration who were equally concerned I had not cleared immigration, despite the fact I considered myself a transit passenger.

Despite all my protests, “I have been doing this for ** years”, “I am a gold card holder”, “you could have told me earlier.. I have been waiting for 30 minutes by the boarding gate”…….. I knew my flight was going to be changed because I knew I did not have the time to go through the system and get back to the gate in time.

Walking away from the boarding gate, I was already writing the Forum post… fuming, angry, extremely pi**ed off…. How dare they deny me boarding, I had done nothing wrong….

However, Paris, Brussels, Brexit, border controls and a host of other thoughts was going through my mind. However angry I was at having to take a later flight (which incidentally did not affect the London departure) I realised that that enjoying the benefits of ex-Europe flights should not be confused with “DYKWIA”, trying to beat the airport system.

Immigration gave me a very hard time, explaining there was NOT a transit area (pre immigration) and if I was caught trying to something similar in the future, they would ‘detain’ me.

By the time I got back to the boarding gate, I realised I was in the wrong. Security and border controls are not created to be beaten, they are there for a reason. I made a point of apologizing to the ground crew for giving them a hard time. Gaining a commercial advantage with any airline, is totally different from trying to beat the airport system – the lesson I learned is gain the commercial advantage (cheaper fares) but do not try to short cut the airport system (immigration and security).

I have purposely NOT disclosed the airport in question as it is irrelevant. My past posts about trying to beat the system by waiting by the boarding gate, where possible…. was very wrong.

So, whilst I remain a big supporter of ex-Europe tickets, I would also advise that trying to shortcut the airport system, could result in far more than a missed flight. I have learned my lesson and will be altering my ex-Europe travel system starting with my May/June BKK flights.