EDITORS NOTE: Dear Readers – this week, I’ve been going through a very rough patch – and a lot of you have been understanding and wonderful.
Five people however decided this was the perfect time to show their spelling and grammar prowess and invade the comments section
It wasn’t appreciated at a point where my mind was looking and comforting others.
To my critics – Believe it or not: I have a life outside the blog, where some of us have had to deal with some unpleasant issues. And as such, my dyslexic focus maybe elsewhere.
If this harms your eyes… please bear in mind I am human.
Like you are. And make mistakes. Yes. I’ll learn from this (and try and get spelling checkers).
But picking a battle on spelling is hardly the best one in the world. Go and campaign on something that matters. Like reducing border entry queues at Heathrow.
We now return you to the post….
After Alex Cruz’s attack on the UK Border last week, Virgin Atlantic isn’t too happy too with the waiting times.
Unlike Alex Cruz and British Airways, Virgin Atlantic is trying to improve the experience by offering snacks and water.
Virgin Atlantic’s “Greet and Treat” at the UK Border – Image, Virgin Atlantic.
It seems Virgin Atlatic are just as annoyed as British Airways are, with immigration times of up to two hours 38 minutes to clear the border (for international visitors)
According to the airline
The UK Border Force has a Service Level Agreement (SLA) to process at least 95% of non-EEA passengers, such as those from the US or China, through immigration within 45 minutes. In July there was only one day when this target was met, and the longest queue time occurred on 6th July when non EEA visitors spent up to two hours 38 minutes waiting in immigration queues.
With numbers like that at London Heathrow Terminal 3, that’s bad news. Combined with other arrivals as well (as Virgin Atlantic has to share with other airlines), that’s a very poor state of affairs
Virgin Atlantic CEO Craig Kreeger states
“This summer significant queues at Border Control mean that thousands of visitors have faced two-hour queues to get their passports checked, leaving them frustrated before they’ve even started their trip. At Virgin Atlantic, we’re doing our bit to try and help our international customers –providing extra staff, as well as drinks and snacks for the queue – but only the Border Force can resolve these unacceptable queue times and they must take action.
We all agree that security and safety at our airports is vital and remains our top priority, but other countries are managing their borders more effectively. At a time when the UK needs to show the world it is open for business, the Government and Border Force need to provide a great first impression, for every visitor, every time.”
And alas, the UK Border Force seems to have its hands on its backside blaming a lack of staff and diligence of entry.
With two of Heathrow’s big tenants now moaning loudly and publicly about waiting times and the “Welcome to the United Kingdom”, hopefully, the UK Border Force might pull its finger out (if it ever gets the resources to do its job at the border).
At least Virgin Atlantic is trying to make the wait better and improve the passenger experience. But will drinks and snacks be enough to calm those stuck in the never ending waiting queues at Heathrow.
I don’t think so sadly.
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Oh yes. I’ve removed all the comments to the story that critisied the spelling.
Because as I was reminded this week – life is too sort.