Heathrow pain - but pleasure in the end

Oddly this is the first time that I have departed from London Heathrow's relatively new and very handsome Terminal 5 which got terrible press when it opened on account of baggage handling problems.  Nobody wrote or spoke about anything else.  So I was unprepared for the considerable challenge facing a new user, in my case someone who travels a good deal and is thus conditioned to certain expectations. 

I got off to a bad start by choosing to take an escalator rather than an elevator from the Underground.  The escalators only go as far as arrivals.  You must take an elevator the rest of the way.  But the elevator is "automatic".  This means that you can not call it, it arrives by itself and when you get into it you can not tell it where to go.  It is programmed to go down to the subway again before climbing to the top of the building to Departures. 

Next no check-in desks - so there is an elaborate computer procedure to go through with the assistance of a smart BA person.  You then go to the baggage drop off where you go through the same elaborate process again manually, repeating all steps without exception.......why?

Next is security - put all your things in a tray but be careful not to touch it until it stops on the other side of the xray machine, otherwise you will be yelled at in a variety of English.  Take your things out - but beware - if you have something in the tray that is too light to register on the weight sensitive conveyor belt, like 10 one pound coins for example, the tray will take off, unless you quickly grab it before it disappers down the tunnel.

Next challenge is to find the BA lounge which I am entitled to use, even though I am flying economy, by virtue of my frequent flyer status with American Airlines.  The BA staff explained that the route is designed to ensure that you go shopping, therefore instead of being a simple process one has to take a snaking route around the terminal........I avoided the shops of which there are huge numbers of the greatest luxury doing very little business as far as I could see.  Very bad timing this new shopping center.

But when you get to the lounge unimaginable luxury is there, and its all FREE!!  For the time being only I imagine - this conspicuous consumption can not last with BA losing a record breaking sum measured in billions if not zillions.  But for now we have grands crus from Burgundy, smoked salmon and other wondrous delicacies ad lib.  Talk about a free lunch!  And the WiFi is free too.

Its not that I am complaining.  But I thought that we learned at last in 2009 that if something is too good to be true, well maybe its a problem.

Anyway I am now on the way to Munich where I arrive at around 6 this evening, not alas in time to go to the Dress rehearsal of the new Aida that opens on Monday at the Bavarian State Opera.  But I will get a good dinner instead.

Comments

[Jordan Friedman]

I agree, that level of food in the lounge is unsustainable. At least it's free while it lasts. Fantastic that they let you use it too, you must really be a good customer. ExPlat, i'm guessing? You missed a great Baroque Band concert tonight at Ravinia by the way. They've got a lot of great years ahead of them.