Get Public Servants out of CL now!

[Rugby]

Someone told me PM’s son has a job in the CL picking up glasses, does that mean he’s a public servant

 

[Princess Fiona]

I have never been in a CL, but I did travel with senior politicians in the UK. Airport lounges are an excellent space for networking and having conversations between people who would never seek out time for a formal meeting. This included conversations between political opponents. These informal conversations can be immeasurably useful in making the system work. It would be an epic own goal to take away the opportunity for these kind of chance encounters.

Plus, I never saw any of these politicians particularly revelling in the supposed luxury. At most they would pour one drink, most of which would be left in the glass when the plane was ready for boarding.

BA doesn’t have a CL / Beyond equivalent. They don’t give Premier to pollies and BA Premiers don’t have separate lounges above the CCR.

I think CL and Beyond are quite different to the UK airport experience for VIPs .

 

[justinbrett]

BA doesn’t have a CL / Beyond equivalent. They don’t give Premier to pollies and BA Premiers don’t have separate lounges above the CCR.

I think CL and Beyond are quite different to the UK airport experience for VIPs .

Doesn't LHR run a VIP program directly? I mean actual VIPs (A list celebs + world leaders).

 

[jrfsp]

Doesn't LHR run a VIP program directly? I mean actual VIPs (A list celebs + world leaders).

Heads of state for sure, doesn’t include MPs, celebrities or CEOs etc.

A list celebs get whisked through a bit faster but same public areas as the rest of the plebs.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Doesn't LHR run a VIP program directly? I mean actual VIPs (A list celebs + world leaders).

Yes but they pay £3000 a visit I believe. Well, Harry does.

 

[andye]

Unless you're the PM or foreign secretary, flying isn't nearly as frequent in the UK for pollies as it would be in Australia

 

[justinbrett]

Heads of state for sure, doesn’t include MPs, celebrities or CEOs etc.

A list celebs get whisked through a bit faster but same public areas as the rest of the plebs.

Nope.

Found the reference:

The secret Heathrow VIP terminal only The Queen and celebs can use

The exclusive service is back on

www.getreading.co.uk

(Never suggested MPs use it but celebs do. I'm sure CEOs who want to pay do as well).

 

[jrfsp]

Unless you're the PM or foreign secretary, flying isn't nearly as frequent in the UK for pollies as it would be in Australia

Very true but I’m unaware of any airline outside Australia having invitation only lounges. Ie where entry cannot be bought.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Doesn't LHR run a VIP program directly? I mean actual VIPs (A list celebs + world leaders).

Yes but it’s not an airline FF thing at all which is why I said it’s nothing like CL or Beyond and it’s definitely not frequented by pollies.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Nope.

Found the reference:

The secret Heathrow VIP terminal only The Queen and celebs can use

The exclusive service is back on

www.getreading.co.uk

(Never suggested MPs use it but celebs do. I'm sure CEOs who want to pay do as well).

The Times
Receht article from them (might be paywalled) gives a more up to date review of LHR .

It’s very far from CL

 

[clifford]

But does anyone actually care? I don't. And I've been in the SYD CL courtesy of my boss.

 

[DC3]

But does anyone actually care?

Exactly. Some of our AFFers seem to have a lot of time on their hands

 

[TheRealTMA]

Yes but it’s not an airline FF thing at all which is why I said it’s nothing like CL or Beyond and it’s definitely not frequented by pollies.

Yes, it’s a LHR thing, not related to any airline. Anyone can buy if the want to burn money. Although a number of Australian politicians have used it over the years, presumably not at their own expense.

 

[Jean Prouvaire]

The Times - Private airport lounges: how the other half check in

The linked URL was malformed, so have corrected it.

 

[Mr H]

BA doesn’t have a CL / Beyond equivalent. They don’t give Premier to pollies and BA Premiers don’t have separate lounges above the CCR.

I think CL and Beyond are quite different to the UK airport experience for VIPs .

I'm thinking back to the days of Diamond Clubs - which you could get into with enough status points but which also gave entry to politicians and other VIP guests. Apart from LHR, the Diamond Clubs were private enough for networking.

 

[justinbrett]

Yes, it’s a LHR thing, not related to any airline. Anyone can buy if the want to burn money. Although a number of Australian politicians have used it over the years, presumably not at their own expense.

The article implies BA has some connection with it.

Then my phone rang. “Good evening, Miss Grainger,” said the soothing voice on the line. “This is Lizzie from the Concorde Team of BA. We know your flight has been cancelled but wanted to let you know that, because you’re using our Heathrow VIP service, we will get you on to the next BA flight out tonight, two hours later. We’re sorry about the inconvenience, but please be assured you’re being taken care of.”

I'm not suggesting BA runs or broadly funds it; but I'd also be flabbergasted if BA don't routinely sponsor certain people to use the service.

 

[TomVexille]

And politicians. It's a form of corruption, and that fact that it's out in the open does not make it any more acceptable.

Corruption, the answer to the question, What's classy if you're rich, but trashy if you're poor...

 

[henrus]

Righto, since you're all proposing to remove public servants, I'll put my hand up to take their spot (someones got to right )