Pet Hate No. 15

From http://curmudgeonlyramblings.blogspot.com/:

This one is borne out of recent experience - and frustration, having just returned from our annual trip to USA.

We used our BA/Avios Air Miles to book the flights - Business Class returns to Las Vegas. Going out was fine - all Terminal 5, but the return transatlantic flight went back in to Gatwick, which meant we had to get from Gatwick to Heathrow to get our flight back to Aberdeen.

Now, remember we are flying Business Class - whether we used Air Miles or not, it's supposed to be a premium service. So, when we check our bags in at Las Vegas on the way home, I politely ask if that's them checked all the way through to Aberdeen (as they usually are)?

• "No" was the reply - "you have to pick up your bags at Gatwick".
• "I see", says I - "is there some transportation laid on between airports?"
• "I believe you can catch a National Express coach"
• "Mmmm......"

When we arrived at Gatwick, it all came flooding back - how crappy our transport infrastructure is in this country. Apart from Terminal 5, Heathrow is a mess, and Gatwick is pretty awful now as well. Not a great first impression for visitors to our country.

What's worse, I queued for National Express tickets at Gatwick, and whilst I was waiting, I was reading all their sales adverts - "Central London - just £8" - not at all bad, I thought. When I get to the front of the queue and ask for 2 singles to Heathrow, the girl says "that'll be £50 please sir". What!!!!

What's the difference? Competition, that's what - there's a good fast train service in to Central London, but the only way to get from Gatwick to Heathrow is by National Express coach - or taxi, if you're a multi-millionaire who can afford such extravagances.

It's not even a decent coach service. The seats are too close together - no leg-room - and they slope downwards, so you can't even sit properly. There's not even any Wi-fi. Even the country bumpkin buses in darkest Aberdeenshire have all got free Wi-fi - and I don't have to pay anything to use those buses either.

I could go on - but I won't - at least not now.