Random Stuff!

[CL44]

I remember being driven around the QF747 when it was on stand in 1978 (if memory serves me right it came in to mark the opening of a sales office in Birmingham City Centre). I could not believe how big it was compared to everything else I had ever seen at BHX. Little did I know that the following year I would be travelling on one to SFO!

You have some very nice examples in your collection there Sir.

 

[CL44]

I remember being driven around the QF747 when it was on stand in 1978 (if memory serves me right it came in to mark the opening of a sales office in Birmingham City Centre). I could not believe how big it was compared to everything else I had ever seen at BHX. Little did I know that the following year I would be travelling on one to SFO!

You have some very nice examples in your collection there Sir.

 

[elmdon74]

From the Birmingham Mail today,

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/new...am-airport-apology-passengers-caught-13026767

Not the sort of publicity you need.On my visit last Wednesday the approach road to the terminal was down to one lane and was gridlocked at about 1pm.Took 25 mins by bus from the Elmdon side,usually 5 mins.
Regards,Simon.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Not good at all but sadly becoming an all too common occurrence.

I'm travelling this August Bank Holiday weekend and I'm not looking forward to it. Thankfully we have day before bag drop meaning we can get there extra early.

Something needs to be done for next summer, we don't want to end up with the reputation that Luton has

 

[paul]

Was at bhx today very crowded the staff were doing there best they could to keep people moving terminal just not fit for purpose anymore

 

[Ashley]

Heard Mr Kehoe on RadIo WM regarding the chaos earlier today.This morning's footfall was expected to peak at 4 thousand but exceeded that by another thousand. Sick absentees and technical faults were the few reasons stated.The real underlying problem is the dramatic growth. The last thing BHX needs is forcing passengers away due to lacklustre planning.Its ok apologising numerous times but this needs fixing now.

 

[wolfheze]

I remember being driven around the QF747 when it was on stand in 1978 (if memory serves me right it came in to mark the opening of a sales office in Birmingham City Centre). I could not believe how big it was compared to everything else I had ever seen at BHX. Little did I know that the following year I would be travelling on one to SFO!

You have some very nice examples in your collection there Sir.

Yes it was quite an exciting day and was the only time until very recently that I had been in the multi storey car park. We were even chauffeured there in my mates dad's XJ6! I'm guessing that the visit was also used to see how birmingham coped with a wide body as later that winter we were treated to BA 747s and L1011s that were diverted from Heathrow. That said I'm sure I have seen a photo of a Laker DC10 on the Elmdon apron.

 

[Ray Finkle]

Heard Mr Kehoe on RadIo WM regarding the chaos earlier today.This morning's footfall was expected to peak at 4 thousand but exceeded that by another thousand. Sick absentees and technical faults were the few reasons stated.The real underlying problem is the dramatic growth. The last thing BHX needs is forcing passengers away due to lacklustre planning.Its ok apologising numerous times but this needs fixing now.

Agree.

I also don't understand why the car park works are happening now as we're entering the peak season.

I guess the load factors being higher than the airlines predicted is the one positive.

 

[Ray Finkle]

 

[58terminus]

I can only imagine to relieve the terminal congestion in the short term is to extend the security area onto
the 2nd floor area where Burger king etc are.Leave just enough space to access the monorail.Its already looking a bit shabby up there.
Car park charges mean there is little need for public areas in airports anyway.
Downside is less places for people to wait if their flight hasn't opened and the loss of a few retail units.
Oh hang on.Loss of retail units.I havn't really thought this through.

 

[Brummiegem]

When I left work this morning the escalator from check-in(MON desks)to first floor was closed off.
All passengers from check-in were being guided to the escalator by the new Jet2 desk.However the duty managers staff were only allowing a certain number of people to use this escalator at any one time.
The queue into the security check area snaked all round the refreshment area and Frankie and Bennys.
People getting off the monorail going to check-in had the choice of downward escalators,but had to fight through the security queue in order to get down to the desks on the MON side.(if that makes sense).
I have seen this area get very busy before,but never this bad.
I did feel for the duty managers staff,but they were doing a sterling job in difficult circumstances.
I just hope confidence in the airport doesn't get too badly affected,as I can see things could possibly get worse before they start getting better.

 

[paul]

My daughter told me the same story as brummiegm said she has never seen it that bad since she as worked there

 

[Ray Finkle]

Changing track slightly, best of luck to Birmingham City Ladies for their trip to Wembley tomorrow

 

[Vile8er]

Too right. Would loved to have gone but work prevents me. KRO

 

[58terminus]

Heard Mr Kehoe on RadIo WM regarding the chaos earlier today.This morning's footfall was expected to peak at 4 thousand but exceeded that by another thousand

When did passengers become footfall?How many footfalls are we expecting this month?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Changing track slightly, best of luck to Birmingham City Ladies for their trip to Wembley tomorrow

I've noticed that some clubs style themselves as 'Ladies' (eg Birmingham City Ladies) and others as 'Women' (eg Manchester City Women). Does that mean that the Women get stuck in more and the Ladies play a more refined type of game?

 

[Ray Finkle]

If so hopefully BCFC Ladies more cultured style of football will be victorious tomorrow

Glad to see that Old 'Arry 'as signed a deal for next year, 'lavely clab is Birminum'.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

If so hopefully BCFC Ladies more cultured style of football will be victorious tomorrow

Glad to see the Old 'Arry 'as signed a deal for next year, 'lavely clab is Birminum'.

A couple of years ago my wife and I were in the EK lounge at LGW waiting to fly to Oz via Dubai and 'Arry was sitting at a nearby table with his wife, Sandra. They were on our flight to Dubai. I do hope she's fully recovered after that unfortunate incident with 'Arry's car a few months ago.

 

[Ray Finkle]

It was quite a few years ago (he was manager of Liverpool at the time) but whilst sat in Edinburgh Airport waiting for our flight back to Birmingham Mrs Finkle and I were sat at the table next to Rafael Benitez and his wife.

I did feel quite sorry for him as there was a constant stream of people asking for autographs, pictures etc. I didn't see him turn any request down but I remember thinking just how tiresome it must be when all he probably wants is a quiet drink with his wife.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

It was quite a few years ago (he was manager of Liverpool at the time) but whilst sat in Edinburgh Airport waiting for our flight back to Birmingham Mrs Finkle and I were sat at the table next to Rafael Benitez and his wife.

I did feel quite sorry for him as there was a constant stream of people asking for autographs, pictures etc. I didn't see him turn any request down but I remember thinking just how tiresome it must be when all he probably wants is a quiet drink with his wife.

I agree. Our English grandson (he's now 20) has been a Spurs fan since he could walk (don't ask why, it's a long story) and watches them when he's not playing himself. He's been a member of the club since that time and when a junior member used to receive Christmas cards signed by the Spurs manager and 'Arry was there for a while of course.

I felt like telling 'Arry how much a small gesture like that meant to a youngster but I don't like intruding when a 'celebrity' is clearly 'off duty' so I didn't.

I remember once standing with Leslie Crowther (does anyone remember him? - Crackerjack etc) who was a huge cricket fan and lived near Bath until his untimely death following a road accident. It was at the Weston-super-Mare cricket festival that Somerset CCC use to hold (I was a Somerset member for many years) and I started chatting to this bloke standing next to the sight screen about what we were watching. I quickly recognised Leslie Crowther but not once did I allude to his identity. It was just two blokes enjoying a cricket match.