Bristol Airport - proposals for expansion and bus services - merged posts

[whole diary]

[TonyK]

The big difference is that Bristol Airport is being pushed by a private company with finance available and all of the detailed planning BCRs^▸ (Benefit Cost Ratio) etc were done behind closed doors.

With railways the funding comes from HMG and all the planning is done in public with far more opportunities for query and delay.  I suspect that in full GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) days Portishead would have been far faster.

I suppose a private project doesn't need to fiddle the BCRs like projects such as MetroBust had to do to get the money. If it flops, it flops, and in this case a lot of Canadian pensioners will not get quite the rise they were expecting next year. On the other hand, I am sure I am not alone in paying the closest possible attention when I am spending my own money rather than that belonging to a constituency that could vote me out of power next year. Any pension fund, home or abroad, would be just as careful.

[eXPassenger]

The big difference is that Bristol Airport is being pushed by a private company with finance available and all of the detailed planning BCRs^▸ (Benefit Cost Ratio) etc were done behind closed doors.

With railways the funding comes from HMG and all the planning is done in public with far more opportunities for query and delay.  I suspect that in full GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) days Portishead would have been far faster.

I suppose a private project doesn't need to fiddle the BCRs like projects such as MetroBust had to do to get the money. If it flops, it flops, and in this case a lot of Canadian pensioners will not get quite the rise they were expecting next year. On the other hand, I am sure I am not alone in paying the closest possible attention when I am spending my own money rather than that belonging to a constituency that could vote me out of power next year. Any pension fund, home or abroad, would be just as careful.

I agree that they will be as careful, but they will not publicise the BCR and will not show their plans until it has passed internal tests such as the BCR.

[TonyK]

I agree that they will be as careful, but they will not publicise the BCR^▸ (Benefit Cost Ratio) and will not show their plans until it has passed internal tests such as the BCR.

And if those BCR figures don't add up to a sound investment, they wouldn't go ahead with the scheme.

[eXPassenger]

I agree that they will be as careful, but they will not publicise the BCR^▸ (Benefit Cost Ratio) and will not show their plans until it has passed internal tests such as the BCR.

And if those BCR figures don't add up to a sound investment, they wouldn't go ahead with the scheme.

and we will never know that it was proposed.

[TonyK]

and we will never know that it was proposed.

Exactly.

[infoman]

from 3rd April 2022.

[infoman]

The journey from the City Bedminster was free, if you had a bus pass,first bus have now withdrawn this facility.

[TonyK]

The journey from the City Bedminster was free, if you had a bus pass,first bus have now withdrawn this facility.

Just as I got my bus pass, too. This means my next holiday is going to cost me £13 extra, and now I'm a pensioner, I am entitled to rant about it, once I've done the training course.

During the war...

[JayMac]

The journey from the City Bedminster was free, if you had a bus pass,first bus have now withdrawn this facility.

First Bus haven't withdrawn the facility. It was a temporary concession, during Covid, that Bristol Airport (who fund the Flyer buses) negotiated with Bristol City Council. Bus Passes haven't been valid on the Airport Flyer since July 2016 when Bristol City Council stopped funding them. The council took the view that the Flyer was a point to point shuttle specifically for airport travel, and not an intra-city service.

Residents in certain areas around the airport (BS40, BS41 8, BS48, BS49, BS29 or BS25) who hold bus passes can apply to Bristol Airport for a Local Resident Concession Card to use the Airport Flyer for free.

[TonyK]

I have been on holiday, and am still catching up. The long awaited application for Judicial Review is in. Details appear on the solicitor Leigh Day's website.

[JayMac]

Last night I had the joy of waiting for relatives arriving at BRS^▸ (Business Rates Supplement) on return from their holiday.

Their flight was a hour late but that wasn't a problem as I was able to track it. I knew long before I set off to the airport that they were going to be delayed leaving Marrakech as the plane allocated to their flight (G-TUMM TUI^▸ (Touristik Union International. Also known as TUI Group - ) B737 Max 8 for those who like to know such things) was delayed on it's inbound flight.

I also factored in additional waiting time for them to clear security after landing. Not wishing to be bankrupted I parked up in a layby on the A38 near the airport rather than be held to ransom by the extortionate car park charges. I tracked the plane using Flightradar so only had to wait for their call to say they'd cleared security.

So, their flight taxied to a stand at 0025. What time did they get out of Arrivals? 0215!!! Security was breezed through. They then waited over an HOUR AND A HALF for their luggage. That was 50% of they're flight time.

The fault lay entirely with Swissport, the baggage handlers for their flight. DHL handled flights were breezing through baggage reclaim.

I'm really glad I don't fly anywhere. I'll stick with trains thanks.

[IndustryInsider]

What sort of refund do you get under such circumstances?

[JayMac]

What sort of refund do you get under such circumstances?

In-airport delays? Likely nothing. Compensation for delayed baggage only usually kicks in if it fails to make it to the airport. It would probably need to be delayed on ground at the 'home' airport for over a day before an airline would consider compensation. For lost, damaged, severely delayed baggage it's probably best to claim on your travel insurance. Whilst the airline is liable, they are unlikely to be quick or generous with compensation. You'll be caught between your airline and them arguing the toss with the airport and its baggage handling contractor.

For a near two hour delay claiming baggage? Goodwill gesture at best if you complain to the airport/handling company. More likely just a mealy mouthed apology.

[TonyK]

Last night I had the joy of waiting for relatives arriving at BRS^▸ (Business Rates Supplement) on return from their holiday.

Their flight was a hour late but that wasn't a problem as I was able to track it. I knew long before I set off to the airport that they were going to be delayed leaving Marrakech as the plane allocated to their flight (G-TUMM TUI^▸ (Touristik Union International. Also known as TUI Group - ) B737 Max 8 for those who like to know such things) was delayed on it's inbound flight.

I also factored in additional waiting time for them to clear security after landing. Not wishing to be bankrupted I parked up in a layby on the A38 near the airport rather than be held to ransom by the extortionate car park charges. I tracked the plane using Flightradar so only had to wait for their call to say they'd cleared security.

So, their flight taxied to a stand at 0025. What time did they get out of Arrivals? 0215!!! Security was breezed through. They then waited over an HOUR AND A HALF for their luggage. That was 50% of they're flight time.

The fault lay entirely with Swissport, the baggage handlers for their flight. DHL handled flights were breezing through baggage reclaim.

I'm really glad I don't fly anywhere. I'll stick with trains thanks.

I'll bet half of the baggage crew had finished at midnight. One reason I avoid taking hold luggage, but that isn't always possible. I think you may be right about compensation - hanging about at the airport for luggage that is there but maddeningly out of reach seems to be the only contingency not mentioned in all the guidance I have read, but worth asking.

I flew home on a 737 MAX 8 (G-TUMS) in May. I know it had a chequered start to say the least, but I liked it. It seemed quick on the uptake, quiet, more leg room, and bigger windows than its older brother. Only an extra inch, but it was a remarkable view, letting me recognise places in Turkey and Italy I had been. Reminded me a bit of the 787 Dreamliner, especially with the funky nascelle chevrons.

[Timmer]

So, their flight taxied to a stand at 0025. What time did they get out of Arrivals? 0215!!! Security was breezed through. They then waited over an HOUR AND A HALF for their luggage. That was 50% of they're flight time.

Not an unusual for Bristol sadly and this sort of delay for luggage was happening at times even before covid. Friends who’ve flown via Bristol twice this year have had two hours plus waits for baggage on both occasions.

This, and problems at the other end i.e. getting through security, means we’re avoiding using Bristol airport until they sort themselves out. Been using Bournemouth instead these past couple of years. Great little airport.