YOU report on Heathrow's chief executive John Holland-Kaye's claims that a third runway would give Scotland access to the world's largest hub airport ("Heathrow plan would help Scots firms in global market", The Herald, November 13).
Based on the recent experiences of my wife and me, I suggest that not a single penny should be spent on, or any permissions granted, for Heathrow's runways until the multiple problems of their flight connections system are fully resolved. Until this happens Heathrow will remain a very unattractive place for any Scottish traveller to change flights.
Last month we travelled from Edinburgh to Delhi, via Heathrow, using Virgin Atlantic. On arrival from Edinburgh at Terminal 2 we were met, as promised, by a transfer coach close to the aircraft. It is perhaps relevant to note that only eight passengers out of more than 120 on the plane were transferring. The coach delivered us to a door at Terminal 3.
When we entered the building there were no staff of Heathrow or the airline to meet the coach, and we followed the signs for the central area of the terminal. This involved a walk of almost a mile along totally empty corridors, with no assistance provided. There were travelators, but they were unused and operating in the opposite direction. After a rest in the central shopping area, we set off on another long walk to the departure gate. The screens recommended 20 minutes for this walk, which equates to another mile. There were travelators for some small sections, which were at least going in the right direction.
On our return last week, the plane from Delhi was about 30 minutes late, so we had to hurry. From the arrival gate in Terminal 3 there were some travelators provided for arriving passengers, but these ceased once we were diverted to the flight connections route. Then followed 10 minutes standing in a bleak enclosed waiting area, with no staff, and limited information. In due course, we boarded a bus and were able to sit down for seven minutes until arrival at Terminal 2.
At Terminal 2 we entered long passageways which seemed to proceed round three sides of a square. Again there was no assistance in the form of staff, travelators, or hand carts. From arrival at Terminal 3 until the departure gate took 60 minutes of walking or standing, with the only rest being seven minutes on the bus.
I do appreciate that assistance with this process is available for disabled passengers, but neither my wife nor I is in that category. We observed many of our fellow able-bodied long-haul passengers were tired out and exasperated by the circuitous routes required for flight connections. It must be a nightmare to make such connections with small children.
Heathrow's chief executive should ask why hundreds of Scots every day choose to use the hub airports of Dubai, Newark and Amsterdam rather than suffer the ordeals of the very poor flight connections system at Heathrow. On this occasion we had no choice, but be assured we will endeavour not to travel this route again.
Donald S McLusky,
Ardoch Cottage,
Strathyre, Callander.
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