My travel arrangements today were always tight.
I left central London at 2.05 to get the 3.55 to Glasgow from Heathrow and opted for the tube on the basis I was told 45 minutes to T5. On getting on tube at 2.10 at Piccadilly the tube inspector confirmed this.
However, it actually took an hour and 5 mins as it crawled through the overground section.
I had checked in online and so only had to pick up my check in slip in departures, which I attempted at 2.20 – 2.25.
I was refused a pass being told I’d been “taken off the flight”. After a 5 minute wait at customer services a surly faced lady informed me there was nothing I could do about it and would have to get the 6.05 flight instead (incidentally the business class ticket costs a preposterous £229).
There was NO, repeat NO, negotiation.
Anyway, I cleared security in 5 minutes and was at the gate at 3.45 (albeit with a boarding card for the wrong flight). The flight was still boarding.
“Is there anything you can do to get me on this flight?” I pleaded “As I am doing research groups in Glasgow at 6.30.”
“Computer says no!” was the response.
I realise I was between 0 and 5 minutes late for a check in that I was already checked into but I don’t understand why there was zero, and I mean zero, room for negotiation.
On taking up my case with customer services at the lounge I received smily sorrys “but that’s just the way it is.”
BA has always sucked. It still sucks.
Please do share this with your friends.
