March 29th, 2008 | 
Author: It’s should be technology in action, but that would require said technology to actually work.
I pick on the Americans too much. I know that. It’s partly a Canadian mind-set, it’s partly because there’s so much to point and stare at. The Brits have some amazing screw-ups that really need to be publicized as well.
Take Heathrow Terminal 5. Please. I’m sure the British Airports Authority wishes someone would. A brand-spanking new building, the epitomy of a 21st century airport terminal. It opened Thursday. It’s supremely b0rked*:
The much-ballyhooed opening of Heathrow’s £4 billion Terminal 5 has been a debacle. British Airways has cancelled 208 flights since Thursday, and has “stranded” between 15,000 and 20,000 bags. Area hotels are crammed with stuck BA passengers and are gouging on pricing, prompting BA to lift its stingy (and possibly illegal) £100 limit on hotels for stuck passengers.
And lest you think you might try to get there with a change of underwear by going hand-baggage only, think again. BA’s baggage-checkers are being serious rules-lawyers about hand-luggage limits, forcing passengers to check hand-bags that are less than an inch oversize, dooming the luggage to the nonfunctional baggage system at T5.
£4 billion. It’s supposed to have a state-of-the-art security and passenger tracking system where every passenger would be fingerprinted, as well as being photographed, on their way in to the building. The photographing is still going ahead, as it is in numerous other airports in Britain, but: the UK government Information Commissioner’s Office has raised concerns with BAA that the plan could breach the Data Protection Act. In fact, they have asked BAA to explain why fingerprinting is needed at all.
Oh, if you’re travelling through Terminal 5, don’t plan on using your laptop unless the battery is fully juiced. There are no power outlets available, either.
Articles from the BBC & The Register.
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Wow. Thanks a LOT, Gordo! Nice to know my co-workers think I’m not important. I’ll remember that the next time you’re bragging on those kids of yours! (I saw your comment on Meno’s Friday post.)
Just kidding. I just did that cuz you’re Canadian. (Just kidding about that, too!). I just popped over to have a look around….
Wow. No power outlets in the airport?? Can that really be true? I’d hate to be the guy/gal responsible for that one!
Half-Past Kissin’ Time’s last blog post..Gifts
Picking on Americans! We make such easy targets…..
gary’s last blog post..3 little______________
I really have nothing against individual Americans, Gary. It’s your government and much of your industry.
I was listening in awe to NPR reporting on that massive cluster-bang, wondering when the calm-voiced announcer was going to giggle and say “April Fools!” I cannot, CANNOT believe anyone could let such a massive series of errors get through, much less get to opening day. Makes me feel better about being an American. *lol* At least our airports work. Mostly.
Irrelephant’s last blog post..The Irrelephant Show!
We Americans have begun to make too much of ourselves – young adults typically do – so feel free to take as many shots as you’d like. We need to be taken down a few notches when it comes to our egos. But OMG to the fingerprinting! I can’t imagine.
Flea’s last blog post..Just One Last One, Okay?
Seems pretty typical as well to open something on the “published date” no matter what state the facility is in. And no matter what KIND of facility it is!… oh look, we’ll let the users try it out and see what really works and doesn’t!
MS OP for the masses!
Greg’s last blog post..Light Pollution
I can’t wait to see what happens in 2012 with the London Olympics .. snicker