[stanleycamel]

Originally Posted by duchy

I’ve been pretty cautious with my social distancing but had to go up to Newcastle on a family matter at very short notice so flew up and got the train back .
Heathrow T5 looked pretty busy early morning but was mainly bag drop. Security took less than ten minutes.

Plane was an airbus I think ... some kind of retro branding going on with the paint job , blast from the past !

We were bussed to the plane but not as crammed as usual . Seating was 3x3 each party was given a row so great distancing. No hot drinks on board just water and a snack bag . We were told no queuing for the loo . Masks to be worn except when eating or drinking.

Newcastle airport was tumbleweed time , looked like we were the only flight in , desolate for August.
Brother usually works at the airport but is currently seconded elsewhere so no airport ID and he was highly unimpressed at £6 pick up charge !
In general people in Newcastle seem to handle distancing far better than those in Kent , even in the city centre I felt comfortable .

Coming back by train I booked first class to ensure distancing. May as well have saved my money as someone was already in my seat, no point in getting them to move as the point is they sanitise seats before each journey. Again parties were kept separate , I first moved to the only separate seat but as a single wasn’t distanced and eventually moved to a different carriage. Checking tickets , let alone reservations didn’t happen . Definitely good ideas but lost something in execution ! Equally uninspired snacks (free in First) but they did have coffee (yay)

Hopefully this will help someone thinking about travelling.


Overall though the whole travelling experience was less stressful than I feared !

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If your brother works at the airport I am really surprised he didn't know about the pick up charges - at £6 it sounds like he parked in the minibus/van parking area for up to 30 minutes - the Express car NCL posh name for drop off) is up to 10 mins for £3 and 10-30 mins £5. They announced the "necessary" increases in the middle of lockdown whilst making 34 full time members of staff redundant in a disgraceful manner.

Just for future reference there is a free pick up and drop off area in the Short stay 2 car park a couple of minutes walk from the terminal - up to 15 minutes free with no return.

The move to increase the parking wasn't at all popular with the locals needless to say.

Love the fact you travelled on the BEA retro livery - BA painted 3, sadly now retired, 747's in other retro liveries too and I loved spotting them on my travels (when I could travel that is).

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