End this chaos: renationalise the airports
Aug 7th 2007 | 9:40 pm
#1
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Posts: n/a
End this chaos: renationalise the airports
http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index.php?WT.mc_id0808daily&storyIDÂ16
End this chaos: renationalise the airports
If we want to make flying pleasant again, we must renationalise BAA, says neil
clark
Across the political spectrum there is widespread agreement that Britain's
airports, with their long queues, lack of seats and tacky, shopping mall
atmosphere, are a national disgrace. But the solution is not to break up BAA's
monopoly and introduce 'more competition' as some have suggested. The answer is
to simply take BAA back into public ownership.
Sir Terence Conran, who designed Terminal One at Heathrow and the North Terminal
in the 1960s, has contrasted the brief he received from the owners of the
airports back then - the British state - with the instructions Lord (Richard)
Rogers, the architect of Terminal 5, got from BAA.
Conran was told to put in as many seats as possible, with the priority being to
make passengers 'relax and feel at ease'. At Terminal One there were only three
shops.
The privatised BAA told Rodgers to put in as few seats as possible: there will
be only 700 seats for a terminal handling an average of 80,000 passengers a day
when it opens in March 2008. BAA wants people to pay to sit down at the
terminal's expensive cafes and restaurants - not sit down for free, eating their
own sandwiches.
The approach perfectly illustrates the difference in ethos between a
publicly-owned company, for whom profit is not the be all and end all, and a
privatised one.
We can't blame BAA for treating every square foot at Heathrow as a profit
centre: it's a private company which wants to maximise returns for its
shareholders. But we can blame the politicians foolish enough to sell off BAA in
the first place. Allowing other profit-hungry plcs to compete to run our
airports would only mean more of the same.
If we really want Heathrow and our other airports to be comfortable and
reasonably easy to negotiate, we need to change the whole philosophy under which
they operate. And that means returning them to their most appropriate owners:
the British public.
--
Martin
End this chaos: renationalise the airports
If we want to make flying pleasant again, we must renationalise BAA, says neil
clark
Across the political spectrum there is widespread agreement that Britain's
airports, with their long queues, lack of seats and tacky, shopping mall
atmosphere, are a national disgrace. But the solution is not to break up BAA's
monopoly and introduce 'more competition' as some have suggested. The answer is
to simply take BAA back into public ownership.
Sir Terence Conran, who designed Terminal One at Heathrow and the North Terminal
in the 1960s, has contrasted the brief he received from the owners of the
airports back then - the British state - with the instructions Lord (Richard)
Rogers, the architect of Terminal 5, got from BAA.
Conran was told to put in as many seats as possible, with the priority being to
make passengers 'relax and feel at ease'. At Terminal One there were only three
shops.
The privatised BAA told Rodgers to put in as few seats as possible: there will
be only 700 seats for a terminal handling an average of 80,000 passengers a day
when it opens in March 2008. BAA wants people to pay to sit down at the
terminal's expensive cafes and restaurants - not sit down for free, eating their
own sandwiches.
The approach perfectly illustrates the difference in ethos between a
publicly-owned company, for whom profit is not the be all and end all, and a
privatised one.
We can't blame BAA for treating every square foot at Heathrow as a profit
centre: it's a private company which wants to maximise returns for its
shareholders. But we can blame the politicians foolish enough to sell off BAA in
the first place. Allowing other profit-hungry plcs to compete to run our
airports would only mean more of the same.
If we really want Heathrow and our other airports to be comfortable and
reasonably easy to negotiate, we need to change the whole philosophy under which
they operate. And that means returning them to their most appropriate owners:
the British public.
--
Martin
Aug 7th 2007 | 9:48 pm
#2
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Posts: n/a
Re: End this chaos: renationalise the airports
Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
> http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index....&storyIDÂ16
[]
> We can't blame BAA for treating every square foot at Heathrow as a profit
> centre: it's a private company which wants to maximise returns for its
> shareholders. But we can blame the politicians foolish enough to sell off
> BAA in the first place. Allowing other profit-hungry plcs to compete to
> run our airports would only mean more of the same.
The funny thing on radio last night was having a conservative shadow
minister complaining about the way BAA is run as a private business!
--
(*) ... of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate
http://www.davidhorne.net - real address on website
"Abominable, loyal, blind, apparently subservient."
Pres. Carter on Ex-Pres. Blair- May, 2007
> http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index....&storyIDÂ16
[]
> We can't blame BAA for treating every square foot at Heathrow as a profit
> centre: it's a private company which wants to maximise returns for its
> shareholders. But we can blame the politicians foolish enough to sell off
> BAA in the first place. Allowing other profit-hungry plcs to compete to
> run our airports would only mean more of the same.
The funny thing on radio last night was having a conservative shadow
minister complaining about the way BAA is run as a private business!
--
(*) ... of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate
http://www.davidhorne.net - real address on website
"Abominable, loyal, blind, apparently subservient."
Pres. Carter on Ex-Pres. Blair- May, 2007
Aug 7th 2007 | 9:57 pm
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: End this chaos: renationalise the airports
On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 10:48:42 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne, _the_
chancellor (*)) wrote:
>Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index....&storyIDÂ16
>[]
>> We can't blame BAA for treating every square foot at Heathrow as a profit
>> centre: it's a private company which wants to maximise returns for its
>> shareholders. But we can blame the politicians foolish enough to sell off
>> BAA in the first place. Allowing other profit-hungry plcs to compete to
>> run our airports would only mean more of the same.
>
>The funny thing on radio last night was having a conservative shadow
>minister complaining about the way BAA is run as a private business!
An indication that the Conservatives are going to be the New Left at the next
election?
or
Something to do with BAA being Spanish owned?
--
Martin
chancellor (*)) wrote:
>Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index....&storyIDÂ16
>[]
>> We can't blame BAA for treating every square foot at Heathrow as a profit
>> centre: it's a private company which wants to maximise returns for its
>> shareholders. But we can blame the politicians foolish enough to sell off
>> BAA in the first place. Allowing other profit-hungry plcs to compete to
>> run our airports would only mean more of the same.
>
>The funny thing on radio last night was having a conservative shadow
>minister complaining about the way BAA is run as a private business!
An indication that the Conservatives are going to be the New Left at the next
election?
or
Something to do with BAA being Spanish owned?
--
Martin
Aug 7th 2007 | 9:59 pm
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: End this chaos: renationalise the airports
Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 10:48:42 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne, _the_
> chancellor (*)) wrote:
>
> >Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index....&storyIDÂ16
> >[]
> >> We can't blame BAA for treating every square foot at Heathrow as a profit
> >> centre: it's a private company which wants to maximise returns for its
> >> shareholders. But we can blame the politicians foolish enough to sell off
> >> BAA in the first place. Allowing other profit-hungry plcs to compete to
> >> run our airports would only mean more of the same.
> >
> >The funny thing on radio last night was having a conservative shadow
> >minister complaining about the way BAA is run as a private business!
>
> An indication that the Conservatives are going to be the New Left at the next
> election?
>
> or
>
> Something to do with BAA being Spanish owned?
Something to do with her not having a clue, I think. I noticed that a
nice bit of light space (big windows) at one of Manchester's terminals
has been replaced with a dark WH Smiths. The same terminal where a large
bar closes inexplicably at 8pm...
--
(*) ... of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate
http://www.davidhorne.net - real address on website
"Abominable, loyal, blind, apparently subservient."
Pres. Carter on Ex-Pres. Blair- May, 2007
> On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 10:48:42 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne, _the_
> chancellor (*)) wrote:
>
> >Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index....&storyIDÂ16
> >[]
> >> We can't blame BAA for treating every square foot at Heathrow as a profit
> >> centre: it's a private company which wants to maximise returns for its
> >> shareholders. But we can blame the politicians foolish enough to sell off
> >> BAA in the first place. Allowing other profit-hungry plcs to compete to
> >> run our airports would only mean more of the same.
> >
> >The funny thing on radio last night was having a conservative shadow
> >minister complaining about the way BAA is run as a private business!
>
> An indication that the Conservatives are going to be the New Left at the next
> election?
>
> or
>
> Something to do with BAA being Spanish owned?
Something to do with her not having a clue, I think. I noticed that a
nice bit of light space (big windows) at one of Manchester's terminals
has been replaced with a dark WH Smiths. The same terminal where a large
bar closes inexplicably at 8pm...
--
(*) ... of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate
http://www.davidhorne.net - real address on website
"Abominable, loyal, blind, apparently subservient."
Pres. Carter on Ex-Pres. Blair- May, 2007
Aug 7th 2007 | 10:01 pm
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: End this chaos: renationalise the airports
On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 10:59:43 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne, _the_
chancellor (*)) wrote:
>Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 10:48:42 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne, _the_
>> chancellor (*)) wrote:
>>
>> >Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >
>> >> http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index....&storyIDÂ16
>> >[]
>> >> We can't blame BAA for treating every square foot at Heathrow as a profit
>> >> centre: it's a private company which wants to maximise returns for its
>> >> shareholders. But we can blame the politicians foolish enough to sell off
>> >> BAA in the first place. Allowing other profit-hungry plcs to compete to
>> >> run our airports would only mean more of the same.
>> >
>> >The funny thing on radio last night was having a conservative shadow
>> >minister complaining about the way BAA is run as a private business!
>>
>> An indication that the Conservatives are going to be the New Left at the next
>> election?
>>
>> or
>>
>> Something to do with BAA being Spanish owned?
>
>Something to do with her not having a clue, I think. I noticed that a
>nice bit of light space (big windows) at one of Manchester's terminals
>has been replaced with a dark WH Smiths. The same terminal where a large
>bar closes inexplicably at 8pm...
International standardisation? 8pm was closing time at Linate too.
--
Martin
chancellor (*)) wrote:
>Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 10:48:42 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne, _the_
>> chancellor (*)) wrote:
>>
>> >Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
>> >
>> >> http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index....&storyIDÂ16
>> >[]
>> >> We can't blame BAA for treating every square foot at Heathrow as a profit
>> >> centre: it's a private company which wants to maximise returns for its
>> >> shareholders. But we can blame the politicians foolish enough to sell off
>> >> BAA in the first place. Allowing other profit-hungry plcs to compete to
>> >> run our airports would only mean more of the same.
>> >
>> >The funny thing on radio last night was having a conservative shadow
>> >minister complaining about the way BAA is run as a private business!
>>
>> An indication that the Conservatives are going to be the New Left at the next
>> election?
>>
>> or
>>
>> Something to do with BAA being Spanish owned?
>
>Something to do with her not having a clue, I think. I noticed that a
>nice bit of light space (big windows) at one of Manchester's terminals
>has been replaced with a dark WH Smiths. The same terminal where a large
>bar closes inexplicably at 8pm...
International standardisation? 8pm was closing time at Linate too.
--
Martin
Aug 7th 2007 | 10:05 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: End this chaos: renationalise the airports
Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 10:59:43 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne, _the_
> chancellor (*)) wrote:
> >I noticed that a
> >nice bit of light space (big windows) at one of Manchester's terminals
> >has been replaced with a dark WH Smiths. The same terminal where a large
> >bar closes inexplicably at 8pm...
>
> International standardisation? 8pm was closing time at Linate too.
The many passengers in the area were sitting on some of the bar/cafe's
nice seats, and being told to move!
--
(*) ... of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate
http://www.davidhorne.net - real address on website
"Abominable, loyal, blind, apparently subservient."
Pres. Carter on Ex-Pres. Blair- May, 2007
> On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 10:59:43 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne, _the_
> chancellor (*)) wrote:
> >I noticed that a
> >nice bit of light space (big windows) at one of Manchester's terminals
> >has been replaced with a dark WH Smiths. The same terminal where a large
> >bar closes inexplicably at 8pm...
>
> International standardisation? 8pm was closing time at Linate too.
The many passengers in the area were sitting on some of the bar/cafe's
nice seats, and being told to move!
--
(*) ... of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate
http://www.davidhorne.net - real address on website
"Abominable, loyal, blind, apparently subservient."
Pres. Carter on Ex-Pres. Blair- May, 2007
Aug 7th 2007 | 10:16 pm
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: End this chaos: renationalise the airports
On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 11:05:46 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne, _the_
chancellor (*)) wrote:
>Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 10:59:43 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne, _the_
>> chancellor (*)) wrote:
>> >I noticed that a
>> >nice bit of light space (big windows) at one of Manchester's terminals
>> >has been replaced with a dark WH Smiths. The same terminal where a large
>> >bar closes inexplicably at 8pm...
>>
>> International standardisation? 8pm was closing time at Linate too.
>
>The many passengers in the area were sitting on some of the bar/cafe's
>nice seats, and being told to move!
Somebody has been studying what the Italians got away with at Linate. At Linate
you were moved to the departure gates.
--
Martin
chancellor (*)) wrote:
>Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>> On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 10:59:43 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne, _the_
>> chancellor (*)) wrote:
>> >I noticed that a
>> >nice bit of light space (big windows) at one of Manchester's terminals
>> >has been replaced with a dark WH Smiths. The same terminal where a large
>> >bar closes inexplicably at 8pm...
>>
>> International standardisation? 8pm was closing time at Linate too.
>
>The many passengers in the area were sitting on some of the bar/cafe's
>nice seats, and being told to move!
Somebody has been studying what the Italians got away with at Linate. At Linate
you were moved to the departure gates.
--
Martin
Aug 7th 2007 | 10:17 pm
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: End this chaos: renationalise the airports
Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 11:05:46 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne, _the_
> chancellor (*)) wrote:
>
> >Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 10:59:43 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne, _the_
> >> chancellor (*)) wrote:
> >> >I noticed that a
> >> >nice bit of light space (big windows) at one of Manchester's terminals
> >> >has been replaced with a dark WH Smiths. The same terminal where a large
> >> >bar closes inexplicably at 8pm...
> >>
> >> International standardisation? 8pm was closing time at Linate too.
> >
> >The many passengers in the area were sitting on some of the bar/cafe's
> >nice seats, and being told to move!
>
> Somebody has been studying what the Italians got away with at Linate. At
> Linate you were moved to the departure gates.
They do this at Treviso for non-schengen departing passengers, which
isn't exactly their fault I suppose...
--
(*) ... of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate
http://www.davidhorne.net - real address on website
"Abominable, loyal, blind, apparently subservient."
Pres. Carter on Ex-Pres. Blair- May, 2007
> On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 11:05:46 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne, _the_
> chancellor (*)) wrote:
>
> >Martin <[email protected]> wrote:
> >
> >> On Wed, 8 Aug 2007 10:59:43 +0100, [email protected] (David Horne, _the_
> >> chancellor (*)) wrote:
> >> >I noticed that a
> >> >nice bit of light space (big windows) at one of Manchester's terminals
> >> >has been replaced with a dark WH Smiths. The same terminal where a large
> >> >bar closes inexplicably at 8pm...
> >>
> >> International standardisation? 8pm was closing time at Linate too.
> >
> >The many passengers in the area were sitting on some of the bar/cafe's
> >nice seats, and being told to move!
>
> Somebody has been studying what the Italians got away with at Linate. At
> Linate you were moved to the departure gates.
They do this at Treviso for non-schengen departing passengers, which
isn't exactly their fault I suppose...
--
(*) ... of the royal duchy of city south and deansgate
http://www.davidhorne.net - real address on website
"Abominable, loyal, blind, apparently subservient."
Pres. Carter on Ex-Pres. Blair- May, 2007
