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Heathrow not expecting Xmas capacity cap
In a rather self-congratulatory press release about how they have managed to employ so many new staff (after sacking the old ones), Heathrow has confirmed that they now do not expect to have to impose passenger number caps over the Christmas period.
The statement says
We have been working with airlines and their ground handlers to prepare for the Christmas peak, and have a good plan, which will not require any capacity cap. We are aware of potential strike action at a number of organisations, including a national Border Force strike. We are supporting organisations on contingency plans to minimise any impact, and encourage all parties to put the interests of passengers first.
Heathrow are also proposing changes to their landing charges for 2023 which will support more connections to the UKโs regions and nations by reducing fees for domestic flights.
Personally, I’d like to see security sorted. There are still often long queues in T3. There also seem to be numerous incidents recently of scanners being set at the highest level. At Terminal 5 in the BA First Wing, I can’t remember the last time I got pulled over going through the scanner, and I tend to wear the same sort of things each time. In Terminal 3, except when going through the Virgin lane, I seem to get pulled over every time by very grumpy staff for additional checks, along with half the queue at the moment.
From this rather interesting article about how his iPad got stolen in that sort of scenario, we need to keep an eye on our belongings when these things happen.
Become a points millionaire with Virgin Red
Virgin Red is offering three lucky members the chance to become a points millionaire, in time for Christmas.
From today (10 November), Virgin Red members can login and answer a simple quiz question before 11 December 2022 to be entered into a prize draw to win one million points. And the best news is, because Virgin Points never expire, you can choose to spend them whenever you like.
Virgin Points can be used for flights with Virgin Atlantic Flying Club or many other redemptions with Virgin Red, such as cruises or their exclusive box at Manchester arena for a concert.
Richard X Moore, Director of Partnerships for Virgin Red, comments: โWe are very excited to be able to give three lucky members the chance to become Virgin Points millionaires โ there are hundreds of different ways to spend a million points that could even last until next Christmas! Virgin Red is free to join, and anyone can enter the competition – so thereโs really nothing to lose. We help Virgin Red members turn the everyday into the extraordinary and with a million points to spend, the possibilities of experiences, activities or supporting good causes are never ending.โ
Find out more here or download the Virgin Red app on your phone.
Leading Hotels of the World 35% off sale
There is now a Members-Only Sale at participating hotels for Leading Hotels of the World. It’s free to join the Leaders Club (used to be paid) and the offer is on for bookings until 21 December 2022 and complete your stay by 31 January 2023.
There’s a wide range of properties including the US, Europe, the Caribbean and Thailand. I liked the look of the Nai Harn in Phuket for a winter sun option.
Reserve by logging into your Leaders Club account on LHW.com, contacting a LHW Worldwide Reservations and Service Center, or through your travel agent using your Leaders Club number and mentioning the Members-Only Salesmartphone. You can book through our partners GTC here.
4 comments
Hi Michele, I think youโre right about T3 security, I was there about a week ago, and they were diverting about 50% of carry on bags for hand checking! Managed to spot my legal nail scissors in the process. But it created quite a delay as they didnโt have enough space to do the checking, meaning passengers waiting around to have their bags opened. In comparison I breezed through two US airports without having to take anything out of my bags, and without further checking.
Letโs hope it doesnโt become the next Manchester!
Very noticeable how slow the Virgin UC security line was at T3 on Thursday. Huge queue back out into the hallway, they had put up the queue management bollard/tape things so clearly wasnโt just a momentary spike. But only one of the two lanes open.
After queuing to get my stuff into a tray, all liquids and tech out, once through the scanner I saw my tray get pulled for inspection. This then jammed the machine as there were 8 peoples trays in front of it. With 8 people waiting inspection plus me, I watched as the man behind me get his tray successfully. So 90% pulled.
When I got to front of the queue, I asked what the issue was with my bag, he said no issue with contents of my bag, they just wanted to test the liquids. So 2 of my creams were individually tested. All the while there was this log jam the poor man was radioing for help, none came.
Took 1hr 5mins to get from the UC checkin desk to walking into duty free. Not best pleased that my clubhouse time had been gobbled up!
Iโm wondering if itโs to do with all the new employees whether they are training them to do things on the job or have yet to explain you simply canโt pull 9 out of 10 people or the airport grinds to a halt. Why the UK canโt have something like TSA Pre check I have no idea.
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