BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges

Subject: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 01:21 PM

Although the VIP lounge at Alicante airport is comfortable, air conditioned and quiet, the choice of food available has dwindled to medialunas and a few bags of crisps - compared with a full display of sandwiches, cakes, pies and sweets only 2 years ago. It's the same at London Gatwick.

Fortunately all the Rooney lookalikes are elsewhere!

How is it in VIP lounges in other airports around the world.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 02:02 PM

Absent at some of the most used international airports in U. S. and canada..

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Leadfingers
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 04:10 PM

Mutter Mutter Mutter - Never been invited to a VIP lounge - Mutter Mutter

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 06:21 PM

I don't think I even know anyone who's been in a VIP lounge.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: GUEST,marks (on the road)
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 06:53 PM

I've walked past a VIP lounge on my way to the gate with the rest of the peons ( oops, valued passengers.)

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: gnu
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 06:56 PM

I used to be well looked over in the VIP lounges. Work pants, work shirt, work boots, peaked cap with "Cat Deisel Power" or some such on it. Many would look down their noses at me. But, the VIPs who made their money the hard way would immediately engage me in conversation. Made a lot of contacts that way.... moreso than wearing a suit. And, I met a far better class of people.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Sep 10 - 06:59 PM

I think my sister got to go into a VIP lounge when she got bumped from a flight. I think I noticed that some airline was offering a day in the lounge for 10,000 frequent flyer miles. I didn't bite.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 05:31 AM

The airport coming back from Coco Cayo, Cuba for me was surprisingly not bad. I was expecting something much more uncomfortable and basic I don't know why but there you go, anyway it was clean comfortable, had a bar, snacks and non alcoholic drinks. Plus the option of buying last minute gifts. A few people were booked at extra cost to go into the VIP lounge including a couple we had got to know and got friendly with. It was the first time I had flown long-haul and I am not a well-seasoned traveller but I couldn't see the point of spending any extra than we had to on the trip really being tight and all! But the couple who we met up with again later wished they hadn't bothered and stayed with us for what they got out of it, I think they had shared it with a very noisy and boisterous family. If anyone who has been there can tell me what it was like I would be interested to know whether or not it is worth the bother.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Zen
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 06:23 AM

Not being a very important person I don't really know (or care).

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Emma B
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 06:39 AM

I believe Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are VIPs - personally I'd rather share a lounge with Zen anyday.

Actually, nothing personal Zen, but, on reflection, I'd rather share a lounge with almost anyone other than some so self styled VIPs :)

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Arnie
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 07:17 AM

I used to work in a VIP lounge at Heathrow Airport. This one was for heads of state and royalty. It amused me that Michael Jackson and his entourage had to go through the main terminal with the hoi polloi but minor Saudi princesses (hundreds of them) plus hangers-on were allowed to use the VIP suite clearance procedure on their London shopping expeditions. I recall standing outside the suite next to two of Clinton's security men as Air Force One was about to land. They were looking over to the west. One said to the other - 'Hey look - there's London over there!' Given the size of this pair, and the bulges under their armpits, I decided not to tell that they were in fact facing Slough.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 07:42 AM

We get access through Wexas, they call them VIP lounges but there is nothing VIP about them, simply a quiet area with free internet access

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Zen
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 07:57 AM

Would be happy to share a lounge with you anytime Emma!

Richard

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Ebbie
Date: 09 Sep 10 - 11:04 AM

I've never been in a VIP airport lounge but on the train system they are a boon. Good places to drink coffee or juice and sit and read, or catch up on email, and when your train comes they make sure that you know.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Charmion
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 09:48 AM

I agree with Ebbie. At the Ottawa train station, the VIP lounge (actually the First Class waiting room) is the one place with edible food and drinkable coffee, and staff who betray any interest in whether passengers actually get on the right train. I have been in an airport VIP lounge exactly once, and I found it just like the rest of the airport but smaller.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 11:08 AM

But the undesirables do fortunately keep away - especially in Alicante Airport!

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Stu
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 11:28 AM

"But the undesirables do fortunately keep away - especially in Alicante Airport!"

Thank fuck for that!

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: GUEST,Charmion's brother Andrew
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 11:49 AM

As a committee clerk at the House of Commons, I often have to shepherd M.P.s through airports and railway stations. Lounges are a great way to corral and contain them while they satisfy their communications fetishes and other more natural appetites. With the exception of rail (M.P.s travel for free on VIA Rail, a legacy of 19th c. concessions of the companies; we staff travel at regular rates) we're paying good money for service that carriers are trying to skimp on at every opportunity, admittedly for valid business reasons.

I have also dealt with important guests of Parliament when travel plans were going awry (this was shortly after 11 Sept 2001 and the wind was still well up). Having a quiet area in which to isolate them while colleagues were out on the concourse kicking arse and taking names was eminently useful.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 02:16 PM

My only experience was the May day holiday weekend I was flying from Heathrow home, because my daughter had died.

After waiting for hours weeping in the check in queue, I was standing (there were no vacant seats) and weeping in the middle of concourse crowded with happy laughing young women, on their way to holiday destination.

We were told to go up to the VIP desk and ask for a private room by Heathrow reps. They turned me away, unless I wanted to pay £45. Went back to the concourse and stood there still tears running down my face, another rep asked what was up. Then a manager marched us back to VIP desk and demanded a room for me.

On the flight, I was pretty much ignored by flight attendants once my husband explained why I was crying. I was at the back of economy near toilets. At least they found us seats together. Valium not really knocking the edge off of things.

Get to the US. My husband is English and I am American. So we have to go through different passport controls. Someone saw me weeping in the queue, found out what was up, rushed both of us through, sent someone one with us to help us collect luggage, rushed through customs, etc. Completely different treatment in the US than in UK. I suppose if I were rich and could afford 1st class, then things would have been different on the UK side. But I had a funeral to pay for, so no money for frivolities.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Emma B
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 03:51 PM

Treat yourself to a slice of the VIP lifestyle

for £22!

move on over Angelina Jolie :)

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 10 Sep 10 - 04:04 PM

The VIP lounges used to be good free watering holes, but I understand many have cut down to cheap wine and coffee.
They offered a quiet place away from the general mess of the airport. And I agree that they were a good place to meet interesting people.

Now large airports have shopping malls and bars. The bars charge, and they may have convinced the airlines to stop free liquor. At Denver, I impulsed on some Navajo jewelry at the Indian shop in the mall; found a good quality turquoise ring that fit.

I haven't been to more that a couple since I retired; the most recent being one in Minneapolis, where I was stuck for awhile when a flight was late or cancelled. This was after retirement and I had a cattle car ticket but a friend on the counter upgraded me to an empty in first class.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Donuel
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 01:44 PM

The ruling class doesn;t fly public anymore.Today a true VIP is measured by their private jet.

IF the rich don;t get their tax cut it wouod mean that the fuel for their private jet is no longer subsidized. What an outrage.
They deserve free fuel don;t you think?

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 02:46 PM

The ruling class doesn;t fly public anymore.Today a true VIP is measured by their private jet.

IF the rich don;t get their tax cut it wouod mean that the fuel for their private jet is no longer subsidized. What an outrage.
They deserve free fuel don;t you think?

What???

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 02:58 PM

Private planes have long been in use by companies; used as flying offices and as a means of getting personnel to conferences and to jobs when accessory equipment had to be transported.
I flew on them when I was employed, so did many other employees of companies large enough to use them.
The employees or executivess on these planes do not use public airport amenities such as malls, restaurants or airline supported VIP lounges, but go directly to where the plane is waiting for its time of takeoff.

Flying and maintenance of the planes is an allowable business expense- fuel, tires, repair, pilot, etc. etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 11 Sep 10 - 07:07 PM

Like Ebbie I have only used railway first class lounges.

The Virgin Trains lounge at Euston was superb, decent armchairs and unlimited free coffee, soft drinks and light snacks. You had to pay for drinks.

National Express East Anglia at Liverpool Street was pretty basic, armchairs instead of steel benches, a coffee machine but no cups. For sanitary relief you have to cross the concourse and use the main (pay) toilets. The plus side is that you can use it with a bargain first ticket unlike some.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Shanghaiceltic
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 03:03 AM

Because I travel one hell of a lot with Singapore Airlines I can get into their lounges and associated lounges at most airports. It is a very variable lot.

Perth: Small, good selection of wines
Singapore T2 & T3: both good, T2 better as it has showers
Delhi: Unmentionaable food.
Mumbai: Ditto but worse
Calcutta: Ditto but has free issue 'roaches. Must be the worst airport in India
Seoul: Get put off by having to get past the Hello Kiyyt shiop but good once inside
Taipei: Good
UK Heathrow T3: Good, about the best thing about T3 which is a horrible place
Shanghai: Need to ask the slumbering help desk staff to find it, not worth the visit, customer service not part of the Chinese identity.

Subject: RE: BS: Cuts affecting airport VIP lounges
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 15 Sep 10 - 04:16 PM

The best VIP lounge was in Quito, Ecuador where fresh well filled rolls were provided as soon as they were eaten!