Heathrow - a world class airport?

[AtW]

Ok, I can understand how cheapskates in every Govt don't want to invest relatively pityful amount of money to get ready for snow all around the country, however surely it should not cost that much to make sure major airport hubs are ready?

Like say today there is no falling snow, so WTF Heathrow can't operate to clear backlogs?

I am meant to fly out next week - I bet they'll cancel flight right before I arrive

[HairyArsedBloke]

Ok, I can understand how cheapskates in every Govt don't want to invest relatively pityful amount of money to get ready for snow all around the country, however surely it should not cost that much to make sure major airport hubs are ready?

Like say today there is no falling snow, so WTF Heathrow can't operate to clear backlogs?

I am meant to fly out next week - I bet they'll cancel flight right before I arrive

I was reading earlier that the main problem is getting aircraft de-iced before take off. That is a fault with the airline not the port.

Not that it helps much.

[AtW]

I was reading earlier that the main problem is getting aircraft de-iced before take off. That is a fault with the airline not the port.

"The Daily Mail website reports on "an angry telephone exchange" yesterday between BA chief executive Willie Walsh and Colin Matthews, chief executive of BAA.

"Mr Walsh was said to be furious about remarks made by a BAA spokesman earlier that the de-icing of aircraft was 'the responsibility of individual airlines'," the Mail reports."

Source: Britain's big freeze - live updates | News | guardian.co.uk

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I'd imagine that this should be service that airport provides to airlines - even though big ones like BA might have their own crews to gain competitive advantage.

The issue is not that anyway - today there was no falling snow but only 7 flights took off, and nobody arrived I think - why? Well, that's pretty likely because Heathrow has not got enough machines to ensure runways can be cleaned of ice/etc using hot air or whatever they use these days - such machines were available in my native city with fairly small airport: I am pretty sure it was legal requirements for any international airport.

[fckvwls]

My flight today, scheduled for 18:55 out of Heathrow was cancelled

What annoyed me though was being unable to speak to a human from BA all day. Not a fook could I cancel or re-book as if you have a hotel and a flight through them you have to call. When you do call, all you get is a few machine options and then a nice message saying they are very busy before they end the call.

Muppets!

[AtW]

Can't they reboot online? Last year my parents were flying out in January and flight got cancelled but I was able to reschedule online.

[TimberWolf]

If we regularly got this kind of severe autumn whether, we'd be better equipped to cope with it, although I gather airports in other countries were closed too.

[AtW]

I gather airports in other countries were closed too.

Indeed - Antarctica's landing strips are currently closed due to white bear problem - pilots can't see them from the top unless they look right up, so it's not safe to land

[VectraMan]

Where do they divert all the incoming planes to when somewhere major like Heathrow has to close suddenly? I guess they find enough capacity elsewhere (haven't heard of any ditching in the Atlantic), but it must get difficult when all of Northern Europe gets hit by snow.

[HairyArsedBloke]

Indeed - Antarctica's landing strips are currently closed due to white bear problem - pilots can't see them from the top unless they look right up, so it's not safe to land

Yeah, I bet.

[PRC1964]

Ok, I can understand how cheapskates in every Govt don't want to invest relatively pityful amount of money to get ready for snow all around the country, however surely it should not cost that much to make sure major airport hubs are ready?

Like say today there is no falling snow, so WTF Heathrow can't operate to clear backlogs?

I am meant to fly out next week - I bet they'll cancel flight right before I arrive

Hang on, I thought you'd said you were too scared to fly. Surely a frightened flier would prefer caution.