Heathrow Terminal 5

A few weeks ago, I volunteered to take part in the trials of the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow. Well, today was the day. It was the twelth of some 70-odd trials that they're planning to make sure the systems all work. Why did I volunterr? Well, I fly a fair mount for my job, so it's quite probable thet I'll be going through there in the near future as a "customer", so a chance to get a walk through is nice. Also, I think it's a good idea to get the systems fully tested by "normal" people (me? normal?!?). Plus, I was interested to see what it was like without hordes of people around :)

So,what was the day like? Well, it ws interesting and fun... We all got to play at being passengers trying to check in, go through the transit system to the satellite gates, be a transfer passenger trying to find a connecting flight, and finally an arriving passenger trying to find our way out. Now, the terminal still has a fair bit of work to go, and there's still quite a few bugs in the system. For instance, a few people from our group got lost and went the wrong way when trying to find their connecting flight. Also, a number of signs should really be moved to make then easier to see or more useful. I hope they get these issues sorted out, otherwise people will complain. Generally, though, I think the departures is really nice. There's lots of glass, meaning you get natural light. This is a big improvement from the other terminals. Also, the fact that there's no specific check-in desks for partcular flights means the concourse should be a lot easier to navigate. I'm actually looking forward to using this terminal next year.:)

Still, time for dinner. It was a fun way of spending a day off. I may see if I can get on another trial day closer to the day. The only bad thing? They wouldn't allow us to take photos!

A day in London

Houses Of Parliament
Originally uploaded by Fearless Fred

I had to go down to London today for a meeting with a new potential customer. When I left home, it was raining, so I had no hopes for the day. But, after the meeting, I had a chance to wander back to the tube station, and it turned out to be a really nice day after all! It's not often I sight-see around London, so it was nice to get a few shots of landmarks (as you can see on my Flikr page). I think I may have to play the tourist again some time (as long as it's a nice day!)

Tallinn

Tallinn Town Hall
Originally uploaded by Fearless Fred

Well, I'm back after four nights in Tallinn. It's a lovely city, and everything is so close together. It seems a lot more "touristy" than the other Baltic states, but I guess that's because of the proximity of Helsinki, making it more accessible... Unfortunately the weather wasn't great the first couple of days. Still in a way it made the trip out to the Open Air Museum more "authentic". That's a place where they show all the sorts of villages, homesteads, etc... that were used in Tallinn right up to the late 19th century. Definitely worth a visit if you are ever in Tallinn. Being so far North also means that in the summer it's light 'til about 10:30pm. This means the Town Hall Square is always busy and lively. I guess it's the reverse in winter!

Had to fly from Stanstead this time, as the only other direct flights would've landed about midnight, and that's a little too late for me! Second time flying with Easyjet, and I have to say that I'm still rather impressed with them. They were efficient, did what they said, and no trouble with check-in, on-board, or booking. Not bad at all! *little rant* Why is it that Easyjet passengers don't listen to the gate announcements? As soon as the plane appears, everyone crowds round the gate. The gate staff are more than clear that it'll be boarding by groups, but as soon as they announce the first group (Speedy Boarding, the Elderly, & those with children under 10) everyone suddenly surges forward, blocking the gate. It's happened both times I've flown with them. I can't blame the staff, as it's not their fault. It's the idiocy of the passengers *little rant over*

Okay, following up from the recent trip to St Petersburg, I have to say that I loathe having connecting flights. To save the company money, I couldn't take the direct flights either to or from St P. Instead I flew out via Warsaw, and back via Vienna. Why is it that airlines reckon that a gap of 40 minutes between connecting flights is enough? Apart from maybe the first few flights of the day, every flight ends up with delays, either due to hold-ups on the ground, passengers dawdling in the shops instead of going to the gate when called, etc, or they have to stack over the airport waiting for a landing slot...

On the way back on Wednesday, our flight out of St Petersburg was delayed by about an hour. I had a connecting flight leaving Vienna 40 minutes after the first flight was scheduled to land. Great(!). The first flight managed to cut some time in flight, but we still landed 5 minutes before the Vienna London flight was due to leave, and the cabin crew advised us that the wouldn't make our connections. So, off I traipse to the transfer desk to see what alternatives I had, only to be told there that I could still get on the flight. Oh joy! So now I have to go downstairs again, through passport control, then run to the other end of the terminal to the gate. Of course I had to go through the metal detectors again, but I made it; only to find that this flight had been delayed too! I needn't have run after all. Argh!!!

St Petersburg, July...

Opposite The Winter Palace
Originally uploaded by Fearless Fred

This trip to Rusia has made me realise a few things:

1) With all the security issues in the UK at the moment, I now see what it is about "us Brits" that others sometimes comment on. We're not so worried about something happening, more we are "a bit miffed" that it means we have to queue for longer to go somewhere. I think this is wonderful! It hows that we're not bullied into submission be it by governments, terrorists, officious jobs-worth, etc. we just bear it. :)

2) Last time I came to Russia, it was to Mosow. I can't describe why, but I never felt "safe" while I was there, and I can't see myself going there for a holiday (the last trip was work related). This trip to St Petersburg, however, has been great. The people have all been welcoming, and as you can see from the photos, there's plenty to see. I think I will have to change my attitude towards coming here for myself... (it's still bl**dy difficult to get visa, though!)


3) New rule to self: Unless absolutely necessary, don't fly somewhere that needs connecting flights! This must be only the fourth time I've done it over the years, and it just gets worse and worse.

4) It is just weird to still have evening "dusk light" at 11pm!