Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions there are 
for driving into London Gatwick (North Terminal to be specific) to drop off 
or pick up passengers? BAA's web site is pretty hopeless, just talking about 
"restrictions" and urging to use public transport.

I am flying from LGW on Sunday, and am assuming these restrictions will 
still be in place (as we have to be seen to be doing something, no matter 
how futile). Getting there by public transport is easy if you're coming from 
London or Brighton, but to get there from nearby, e.g. East Grinstead, that 
just doesn't work.

They are talking about encouraging people to use the short stay car parks.
(a) Is this "encouraging" or "forcing"? From the incomplete news reports I 
hear, private cars are not allowed on the departures ramps, though I have no 
confirmation one way or the other.
(b) If you aren't allowed to do anything but go through the car park, even 
if you just drive through and drop someone off, will they still demand £2.40 
off you for 30 minutes "parking"? If so, that's surely exthortion.

As I said, I have just pieced this together from what I can find out from 
web sites and news bulletins. Does anyone out there have more than just 
speculation, i.e. actual facts about the situation. Has anyone been through 
in the last couple of days?

On Jul 3, 6:19 pm, "Graculus" 
wrote:
> Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions there are
> for driving into London Gatwick (North Terminal to be specific) to drop off
> or pick up passengers?

Yes, thousands. Dunno if anyone here does though :)

> I am flying from LGW on Sunday, and am assuming these restrictions will
> still be in place (as we have to be seen to be doing something, no matter
> how futile). Getting there by public transport is easy if you're coming from
> London or Brighton

And a suitcase-style bomb on a train passing thorugh the staiton would
be nice and disruptive (from the inevitable overraction if nothing
else)

> , but to get there from nearby, e.g. East Grinstead, that
> just doesn't work.

A change at east croydon doesn't appeal? There are busses I assume,
although I appreciate why you wouldn't want to share with the scummy
unwashed.

> They are talking about encouraging people to use the short stay car parks.
> (a) Is this "encouraging" or "forcing"? From the incomplete news reports I
> hear, private cars are not allowed on the departures ramps, though I have no
> confirmation one way or the other.

There will be lots of people driving there, so even if you just turn
up there will be signs telling you where to go. Worst case head for
the car hire place, I'm sure that Hertz etc. would be up in arms if
you weren't allowed to drive in there!

> (b) If you aren't allowed to do anything but go through the car park, even
> if you just drive through and drop someone off, will they still demand £2.40
> off you for 30 minutes "parking"? If so, that's surely exthortion.

I've driven through the car park before after taking a wrong turn, the
first terminal near the M23 (I forget which). Not sure when the "free"
time times out.

> As I said, I have just pieced this together from what I can find out from
> web sites and news bulletins. Does anyone out there have more than just
> speculation, i.e. actual facts about the situation. Has anyone been through
> in the last couple of days?

It could be worthwhile taking a taxi from East Grinstead, but might
have the same restriction.

Graculus (ReplaceWithMyMoniker@hotmail.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding
much like they were saying : 

> Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions
> there are for driving into London Gatwick (North Terminal to be
> specific) to drop off or pick up passengers?

> I am flying from LGW on Sunday, and am assuming these restrictions
> will still be in place

Whatever current restrictions are in place will almost certainly have 
changed one way or t'other by Sunday.

In message , at 18:19:01 on Tue, 3 
Jul 2007, Graculus  remarked:
>Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions there 
>are for driving into London Gatwick (North Terminal to be specific) to 
>drop off or pick up passengers?

It's not all that far from the second roundabout at the end of the link 
road to the M23, to the North Terminal. If your passengers are 
reasonably healthy, and it's not pouring with rain, you could perhaps 
drop them off there.
-- 
Roland Perry

On 3 Jul, 18:19, "Graculus" 
wrote:
> Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions there are
> for driving into LondonGatwick(North Terminal to be specific) to drop off
> or pick up passengers? BAA's web site is pretty hopeless, just talking about
> "restrictions" and urging to use public transport.

The main problem is -- or was -- that there is a huge back-up of
traffic entering the airport.  It was reported on Sunday to be 8 miles
long.  My wife had to take my daughter and her friends there on Monday
morning and I suggested she drop them at Horley station, 3 minutes and
a GBP 1.30 fare from Gatwick Airport station, and she said that worked
fine.

The station at Gatwick is next to the South Terminal, but there is a
free people mover to the North Terminal close to the station and it
only takes 5-10 minutes.

Hope that helps.

Peter CS

In message 
           pjcs00@googlemail.com wrote:

> On 3 Jul, 18:19, "Graculus" 
> wrote:
> > Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions there
> > are for driving into LondonGatwick(North Terminal to be specific) to drop
> > off or pick up passengers? BAA's web site is pretty hopeless, just
> > talking about "restrictions" and urging to use public transport.
> 
> The main problem is -- or was -- that there is a huge back-up of
> traffic entering the airport.  It was reported on Sunday to be 8 miles
> long.  My wife had to take my daughter and her friends there on Monday
> morning and I suggested she drop them at Horley station, 3 minutes and
> a GBP 1.30 fare from Gatwick Airport station, and she said that worked
> fine.

What's parking like at Horley?

Could be useful next time I have to collect someone from LGW.

-- 
Graeme Wall
This address is not read, substitute trains for rail.
Transport Miscellany at <http://www.greywall.demon.co.uk/rail/index.html>

Graculus  wrote:

> They are talking about encouraging people to use the short stay car parks.

The last time I used short stay at Gatwick, it was conveniently located
close to Departures, so it's not an inconvenience.

> (a) Is this "encouraging" or "forcing"? From the incomplete news reports I
> hear, private cars are not allowed on the departures ramps, though I have no
> confirmation one way or the other.

That sounds probable, because the same restriction is in place at other
car parks.

> (b) If you aren't allowed to do anything but go through the car park, even
> if you just drive through and drop someone off, will they still demand £2.40
> off you for 30 minutes "parking"? If so, that's surely exthortion.

Don't know. At other (some) other airports entering short stay and
leaving within 15 minutes is free. Check the Gatwick webshite?

"Steve Firth" <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message 
news:1i0pwv4.ye5crk1ghgz5sN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk...
> Graculus  wrote:
>
>> They are talking about encouraging people to use the short stay car 
>> parks.
>
> The last time I used short stay at Gatwick, it was conveniently located
> close to Departures, so it's not an inconvenience.
>
>> (a) Is this "encouraging" or "forcing"? From the incomplete news reports 
>> I
>> hear, private cars are not allowed on the departures ramps, though I have 
>> no
>> confirmation one way or the other.
>
> That sounds probable, because the same restriction is in place at other
> car parks.
>
>> (b) If you aren't allowed to do anything but go through the car park, 
>> even
>> if you just drive through and drop someone off, will they still demand 
>> £2.40
>> off you for 30 minutes "parking"? If so, that's surely exthortion.
>
> Don't know. At other (some) other airports entering short stay and
> leaving within 15 minutes is free. Check the Gatwick webshite?

Doesn't say - I've looked

wrote in message 
news:1183552126.556458.287990@57g2000hsv.googlegroups.com...
> On 3 Jul, 18:19, "Graculus" 
> wrote:
>> Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions there 
>> are
>> for driving into LondonGatwick(North Terminal to be specific) to drop off
>> or pick up passengers? BAA's web site is pretty hopeless, just talking 
>> about
>> "restrictions" and urging to use public transport.
>
> The main problem is -- or was -- that there is a huge back-up of
> traffic entering the airport.  It was reported on Sunday to be 8 miles
> long.  My wife had to take my daughter and her friends there on Monday
> morning and I suggested she drop them at Horley station, 3 minutes and
> a GBP 1.30 fare from Gatwick Airport station, and she said that worked
> fine.

I was considering the similar option from Three Bridges. 4 minutes and 
£1.80, but easier to get to and more frequent trains.

It may all be moot anyway. I've just hear that the threat level has been 
dropped, so there's a good chance these restrictions will be gone by the 
weekend.

"Roland Perry"  wrote in message 
news:nS3iqYu+VuiGFAGX@perry.co.uk...
> In message , at 18:19:01 on Tue, 3 Jul 
> 2007, Graculus  remarked:
>>Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions there 
>>are for driving into London Gatwick (North Terminal to be specific) to 
>>drop off or pick up passengers?
>
> It's not all that far from the second roundabout at the end of the link 
> road to the M23, to the North Terminal. If your passengers are reasonably 
> healthy, and it's not pouring with rain, you could perhaps drop them off 
> there.

Not sure there are pavements to the terminal, and there may even be "no 
pedestrian" restrictions (can't say that I've ever looked). And the 
authorities would probably want to discourage people dropping passegers off 
at all sorts of arbitrary points around the airport.

There are a few public footpaths running very close the airport, but again, 
not sure if they get close enough for access.

There also used to be a bus stop on the A23 northbound right as it goes 
under the south terminal. Again, don't know if it's still there or if you 
can't get to it any more because of the FastWay guided bus system.

"Paul Weaver"  wrote in message 
news:1183492194.386036.50730@k79g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
On Jul 3, 6:19 pm, "Graculus" 
wrote:

> A change at east croydon doesn't appeal?

A very out of the way route for a road journey of less than 10 miles.

> There are busses I assume,

I think you assume too much. Especially on a Sunday.

> Worst case head for
> the car hire place, I'm sure that Hertz etc. would be up in arms if
> you weren't allowed to drive in there!

But you can't walk from there to the terminal, and I doubt Hertz would be 
willing to let you use their buses.

"Adrian"  wrote in message 
news:Xns9962D84CF4784adrianachapmanfreeis@204.153.245.131...
> Graculus (ReplaceWithMyMoniker@hotmail.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding
> much like they were saying :
>
>> Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions
>> there are for driving into London Gatwick (North Terminal to be
>> specific) to drop off or pick up passengers?
>
>> I am flying from LGW on Sunday, and am assuming these restrictions
>> will still be in place
>
> Whatever current restrictions are in place will almost certainly have
> changed one way or t'other by Sunday.

They've just reduced the threat level, so I think you're right.

In message <1i0pwv4.ye5crk1ghgz5sN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, at 17:31:52 on 
Wed, 4 Jul 2007, Steve Firth <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> remarked:
>> They are talking about encouraging people to use the short stay car parks.
>
>The last time I used short stay at Gatwick, it was conveniently located
>close to Departures, so it's not an inconvenience.

It is when everyone dropping off at the airport joins you in the queues 
to get in and out of the car park.

>> (a) Is this "encouraging" or "forcing"? From the incomplete news reports I
>> hear, private cars are not allowed on the departures ramps, though I have no
>> confirmation one way or the other.
>
>That sounds probable, because the same restriction is in place at other
>car parks.

I'm not sure why they are doing anything at Gatwick south, because the 
drop-off zone is a hundred yards from the terminal building, the other 
side of the railway. Or maybe they aren't, in which case all it means is 
the Gatwick South dropoff and the transit become clogged with everyone 
going to the North terminal...
-- 
Roland Perry

In message , at 17:58:57 on Wed, 4 
Jul 2007, Graculus  remarked:
>>>Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions 
>>>there are for driving into London Gatwick (North Terminal to be 
>>>specific) to drop off or pick up passengers?
>>
>> It's not all that far from the second roundabout at the end of the 
>>link  road to the M23, to the North Terminal. If your passengers are 
>>reasonably  healthy, and it's not pouring with rain, you could perhaps 
>>drop them off  there.
>
>Not sure there are pavements to the terminal, and there may even be "no 
>pedestrian" restrictions (can't say that I've ever looked).

There's a hotel in the midst of all this - I'd be surprised if it wasn't 
possible to legally walk in the vicinity, with a through route of some 
kind to the terminal.

> And the authorities would probably want to discourage people dropping 
>passegers off at all sorts of arbitrary points around the airport.

It seemed to be what was happening at Glasgow airport on Sunday (as seen 
live on TV).

-- 
Roland Perry

On 4 Jul, 18:01, "Graculus" 
wrote:
> "Paul Weaver"  wrote in message
>
> news:1183492194.386036.50730@k79g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> On Jul 3, 6:19 pm, "Graculus" 
> wrote:
>
> > A change at east croydon doesn't appeal?
>
> A very out of the way route for a road journey of less than 10 miles.
>
> > There are busses I assume,
>
> I think you assume too much. Especially on a Sunday.
>
> > Worst case head for
> > the car hire place, I'm sure that Hertz etc. would be up in arms if
> > you weren't allowed to drive in there!
>
> But you can't walk from there to the terminal, and I doubt Hertz would be
> willing to let you use their buses.

They won't stop you, however last time I went to Gatwick car hire
area, (South terminal I think), the offices were within walking
distance.

On Jul 4, 6:01 pm, Roland Perry  wrote:
> In message <1i0pwv4.ye5crk1ghgz5sN%%ste...@malloc.co.uk>, at 17:31:52 on
> Wed, 4 Jul 2007, Steve Firth <%ste...@malloc.co.uk> remarked:
>
> >> They are talking about encouraging people to use the short stay car parks.
>
> >The last time I used short stay at Gatwick, it was conveniently located
> >close to Departures, so it's not an inconvenience.
>
> It is when everyone dropping off at the airport joins you in the queues
> to get in and out of the car park.
>
> >> (a) Is this "encouraging" or "forcing"? From the incomplete news reports I
> >> hear, private cars are not allowed on the departures ramps, though I have no
> >> confirmation one way or the other.
>
> >That sounds probable, because the same restriction is in place at other
> >car parks.
>
> I'm not sure why they are doing anything at Gatwick south, because the
> drop-off zone is a hundred yards from the terminal building, the other
> side of the railway. Or maybe they aren't, in which case all it means is
> the Gatwick South dropoff and the transit become clogged with everyone
> going to the North terminal...
> --
> Roland Perry

There were huge queues onto the M23 at 7.30 this morning when they
showed the CCTV on BBC London News. If I go to Gatwick I usually cadge
a lift from my father. (You got to keep the elderly active). We always
park in the shortstay and have a cup of tea after I've checked in
before going through security. The option of the Gatwick Express is
not on for me as I'd have to go all the way into London.I'm going ther
again in August for a mid-morning flight. I'm hoping the situation
will have eased by then.

Neill

In message , at 
05:07:56 on Thu, 5 Jul 2007, verbena  remarked:
>The option of the Gatwick Express is
>not on for me as I'd have to go all the way into London.

Regular trains stop there as well as the Gatwick Express. Pick anywhere 
on the Brighton line.
-- 
Roland Perry

In message <1i0pwv4.ye5crk1ghgz5sN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, Steve Firth 
<%steve%@malloc.co.uk> writes
>Don't know. At other (some) other airports entering short stay and
>leaving within 15 minutes is free. Check the Gatwick webshite?
You get 15 minutes free at the drop off in Newcastle.
-- 
Clive.

In message <R6MO$kYKnQjGFwbh@yewbank.demon.co.uk>, at 16:10:02 on Thu, 5 
Jul 2007, Clive.  remarked:
>In message <1i0pwv4.ye5crk1ghgz5sN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, Steve Firth 
><%steve%@malloc.co.uk> writes
>>Don't know. At other (some) other airports entering short stay and
>>leaving within 15 minutes is free. Check the Gatwick webshite?
>You get 15 minutes free at the drop off in Newcastle.

A measly 10 minutes at East Midlands. The issue at the moment, however, 
is how far you can get in 10/15 minutes if every single car that's 
dropping off is also competing to get in and out of the short-stay. 
People were talking about 45min at Glasgow, for example. I spent at 
least 10 minutes (I'd paid for an hour) getting out of the East Midlands 
short-stay the other week, simply because of the queues at the exit 
gates. On the other hand, the queues at Birmingham short stay (before 
this latest scare) were always negligible, but no free period from what 
I can recall.

-- 
Roland Perry

Graculus wrote:
> Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions there 
> are for driving into London Gatwick (North Terminal to be specific) to 
> drop off or pick up passengers? BAA's web site is pretty hopeless, just 
> talking about "restrictions" and urging to use public transport.
> 
> I am flying from LGW on Sunday, and am assuming these restrictions will 
> still be in place (as we have to be seen to be doing something, no 
> matter how futile). Getting there by public transport is easy if you're 
> coming from London or Brighton, but to get there from nearby, e.g. East 
> Grinstead, that just doesn't work.
> 
> They are talking about encouraging people to use the short stay car parks.
> (a) Is this "encouraging" or "forcing"? From the incomplete news reports 
> I hear, private cars are not allowed on the departures ramps, though I 
> have no confirmation one way or the other.
> (b) If you aren't allowed to do anything but go through the car park, 
> even if you just drive through and drop someone off, will they still 
> demand £2.40 off you for 30 minutes "parking"? If so, that's surely 
> exthortion.
> 
> As I said, I have just pieced this together from what I can find out 
> from web sites and news bulletins. Does anyone out there have more than 
> just speculation, i.e. actual facts about the situation. Has anyone been 
> through in the last couple of days?

I don't know whether this comes too late for you, but I returned via 
Gatwick last night.

Private cars can no longer drop off outside the terminals (ie, where 
the car-park courtesy buses stop). They have to be taken into one of 
the car-parks (the short-term ones being more convenient - just across 
the road). I suppose a fit passenger could be dropped at the side of 
the road some distance short of the terminal and walk the rest of the way.

The problem with the short-term car-parks is that unless there is a 
Stansted-style free first half-hour, there is always a charge - in 
effect a charge for dropping someone off.

We left last Tuesday. On our return last night I saw that there are 
now substantial blocks of concrete at the terminal kerbsides (and 
arranged so that they cannot be outflanked), presumably to prevent 
Glasgow-style ram-bombing.

In message , at 14:06:39 on 
Wed, 11 Jul 2007, JNugent  
remarked:
>I don't know whether this comes too late for you, but I returned via 
>Gatwick last night.
>
>Private cars can no longer drop off outside the terminals

At the south terminal the original drop-off is the far side of the 
railway line from the terminal proper. I suppose they've blocked that 
off as well, even though it's not the actual terminal.

>The problem with the short-term car-parks is that unless there is a 
>Stansted-style free first half-hour, there is always a charge - in 
>effect a charge for dropping someone off.

Is there still as much as half an hour free at Stansted? I thought it 
was down to about ten minutes since they rearranged the short stay 
parking area about a year ago.
-- 
Roland Perry

Roland Perry  wrote:

> Is there still as much as half an hour free at Stansted? I thought it
> was down to about ten minutes since they rearranged the short stay 
> parking area about a year ago.

There was in January, haven't been back there since then.

Steve Firth wrote:
> Roland Perry  wrote:
> 
> 
>>Is there still as much as half an hour free at Stansted? I thought it
>>was down to about ten minutes since they rearranged the short stay 
>>parking area about a year ago.
> 
> 
> There was in January, haven't been back there since then.

I haven't been to Stansted since Sept last year. The half-hour free 
still applied then. Don't know about these January changes.

JNugent  wrote:

> Steve Firth wrote:
> > Roland Perry  wrote:
> > 
> > 
> >>Is there still as much as half an hour free at Stansted? I thought it
> >>was down to about ten minutes since they rearranged the short stay 
> >>parking area about a year ago.
> > 
> > 
> > There was in January, haven't been back there since then.
> 
> I haven't been to Stansted since Sept last year. The half-hour free 
> still applied then. Don't know about these January changes.

Sorry, I meant that there was still half an hour free parking in
January, but I've had no reason to go there since January so I cannot
give more recent information. Not that there were changes in January.

In message <1i14zy3.vxozash1ll52N%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, at 12:06:15 on 
Thu, 12 Jul 2007, Steve Firth <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> remarked:
>> >>Is there still as much as half an hour free at Stansted? I thought it
>> >>was down to about ten minutes since they rearranged the short stay
>> >>parking area about a year ago.
>> >
>> >
>> > There was in January, haven't been back there since then.
>>
>> I haven't been to Stansted since Sept last year. The half-hour free
>> still applied then. Don't know about these January changes.
>
>Sorry, I meant that there was still half an hour free parking in
>January, but I've had no reason to go there since January so I cannot
>give more recent information. Not that there were changes in January.

The changes to the carpark geography were longer ago than January, I 
think. I just remember dropping someone off (probably just before Xmas) 
and thinking that the free time I was allowed wasn't enough to help them 
with their baggage to checkin, as well as just being a taxi driver.
-- 
Roland Perry

Roland Perry wrote:
> In message <1i14zy3.vxozash1ll52N%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, at 12:06:15 on 
> Thu, 12 Jul 2007, Steve Firth <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> remarked:
> 
>>> >>Is there still as much as half an hour free at Stansted? I thought it
>>> >>was down to about ten minutes since they rearranged the short stay
>>> >>parking area about a year ago.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > There was in January, haven't been back there since then.
>>>
>>> I haven't been to Stansted since Sept last year. The half-hour free
>>> still applied then. Don't know about these January changes.
>>
>>
>> Sorry, I meant that there was still half an hour free parking in
>> January, but I've had no reason to go there since January so I cannot
>> give more recent information. Not that there were changes in January.
> 
> 
> The changes to the carpark geography were longer ago than January, I 
> think. I just remember dropping someone off (probably just before Xmas) 
> and thinking that the free time I was allowed wasn't enough to help them 
> with their baggage to checkin, as well as just being a taxi driver.

My thoughts exactly (when dropping off some Italian friends there last 
year).

Glad to see that it is likely that the free half-hour still applies 
there (an hour - or even 45 minutes - would be more reasonable).

In message , at 14:20:36 on 
Thu, 12 Jul 2007, JNugent  
remarked:
>>I just remember dropping someone off (probably just before Xmas)

[at Stansted]

>> and thinking that the free time I was allowed wasn't enough to help 
>>them  with their baggage to checkin, as well as just being a taxi 
>>driver.
>
>My thoughts exactly (when dropping off some Italian friends there last 
>year).
>
>Glad to see that it is likely that the free half-hour still applies 
>there (an hour - or even 45 minutes - would be more reasonable).

East Midlands is as little as 10 minutes (which at some times of day is 
the time it will take to queue at the exit barriers!) I'm sure it was 
longer a year ago (half an hour, perhaps). Enough time to park the car 
and go inside and wait for someone whose flight just landed, while they 
clear immigration and customs - you just can't do that in 10 minutes. I 
have no idea how they expect people to do pickups.

I also have a bone to pick with them over mid-term parking (I often do 
day trips which involve parking for 13-14 hrs). Short term charges are:

up to 12 hours  £18.00
up to 24 hours  £25.00
up to 2 days    £50.00

While Mid-term is a minimum of £20 for two days.

There's no such thing as a one-day mid-term tariff at (say) £10, and £25 
for 14hrs obviously exceeds the 2-day charge in mid stay.
-- 
Roland Perry

On Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:41:22 +0100, Roland Perry
 mangled uncounted electrons thus:

>In message , at 14:20:36 on 
>Thu, 12 Jul 2007, JNugent  
>remarked:
>>>I just remember dropping someone off (probably just before Xmas)
>
>[at Stansted]
>
>>> and thinking that the free time I was allowed wasn't enough to help 
>>>them  with their baggage to checkin, as well as just being a taxi 
>>>driver.
>>
>>My thoughts exactly (when dropping off some Italian friends there last 
>>year).
>>
>>Glad to see that it is likely that the free half-hour still applies 
>>there (an hour - or even 45 minutes - would be more reasonable).
>
>East Midlands is as little as 10 minutes (which at some times of day is 
>the time it will take to queue at the exit barriers!) I'm sure it was 
>longer a year ago (half an hour, perhaps). Enough time to park the car 
>and go inside and wait for someone whose flight just landed, while they 
>clear immigration and customs - you just can't do that in 10 minutes. I 
>have no idea how they expect people to do pickups.

That *was* a rhetorical question, wasn't it? (But in case it
wasn't - they expect you to pay...)

Anything to raise a bit more cash from the hapless traveling
public...  :(

Martin D. Pay
Currently avoiding flying due to silly 'security' measures...

In message , at 20:32:19 on 
Thu, 12 Jul 2007, Martin D. Pay  
remarked:
>>Enough time to park the car and go inside and wait for someone whose 
>>flight just landed, while they clear immigration and customs - you 
>>just can't do that in 10 minutes. I have no idea how they expect 
>>people to do pickups.
>
>That *was* a rhetorical question, wasn't it? (But in case it
>wasn't - they expect you to pay...)

Heh :)
-- 
Roland Perry

Roland Perry wrote:
> In message , at 14:20:36 on 
> Thu, 12 Jul 2007, JNugent  remarked:
> 
>>> I just remember dropping someone off (probably just before Xmas)
> 
> 
> [at Stansted]
> 
>>> and thinking that the free time I was allowed wasn't enough to help 
>>> them  with their baggage to checkin, as well as just being a taxi 
>>> driver.
>>
>>
>> My thoughts exactly (when dropping off some Italian friends there last 
>> year).
>>
>> Glad to see that it is likely that the free half-hour still applies 
>> there (an hour - or even 45 minutes - would be more reasonable).
> 
> 
> East Midlands is as little as 10 minutes (which at some times of day is 
> the time it will take to queue at the exit barriers!) I'm sure it was 
> longer a year ago (half an hour, perhaps). Enough time to park the car 
> and go inside and wait for someone whose flight just landed, while they 
> clear immigration and customs - you just can't do that in 10 minutes. I 
> have no idea how they expect people to do pickups.
> 
> I also have a bone to pick with them over mid-term parking (I often do 
> day trips which involve parking for 13-14 hrs). Short term charges are:
> 
> up to 12 hours  £18.00
> up to 24 hours  £25.00
> up to 2 days    £50.00
> 
> While Mid-term is a minimum of £20 for two days.
> 
> There's no such thing as a one-day mid-term tariff at (say) £10, and £25 
> for 14hrs obviously exceeds the 2-day charge in mid stay.

Gatwick seems to be something of a bargain, then: £56 for eight days 
(or portion thereof).

The worst I've ever paid was Ashford International Station (for 
Eurostar): £9 a day or portion thereof. And that was a few years ago - 
it'll be more now.

JNugent  wrote:

> Gatwick seems to be something of a bargain, then: £56 for eight days 
> (or portion thereof).

It is, last time I used Stansted it cost me £85 for eight days. In fact
Gatwick was a real bargain last time I used it, because they let me park
in short stay for less than the cost of parking in long stay, which
meant I only had to walk a few hundred yards to departures.

In message <1i15vr3.1hmujw31r0z6baN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, at 23:28:03 
on Thu, 12 Jul 2007, Steve Firth <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> remarked:
>> Gatwick seems to be something of a bargain, then: £56 for eight days
>> (or portion thereof).
>
>It is, last time I used Stansted it cost me £85 for eight days. In fact
>Gatwick was a real bargain last time I used it, because they let me park
>in short stay for less than the cost of parking in long stay, which
>meant I only had to walk a few hundred yards to departures.

Birmingham's mid-stay is expensive, at £16 a day; and Luton' mid-stay is 
£15 a day but Luton Airport Parkway station car park is just under £5 a 
day for as long as you want.
-- 
Roland Perry

"Roland Perry"  wrote in message 
news:MsAIVZ58O1lGFApM@perry.co.uk...
> In message <1i15vr3.1hmujw31r0z6baN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, at 23:28:03 on 
> Thu, 12 Jul 2007, Steve Firth <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> remarked:
>>> Gatwick seems to be something of a bargain, then: £56 for eight days
>>> (or portion thereof).
>>
>>It is, last time I used Stansted it cost me £85 for eight days. In fact
>>Gatwick was a real bargain last time I used it, because they let me park
>>in short stay for less than the cost of parking in long stay, which
>>meant I only had to walk a few hundred yards to departures.
>
Even better - stay at the hotel at J10a (Balcombe Road/ M23) for one night, 
and get free parking for two weeks plus free transfers to/ from Gatwick.....

In message <I9bmi.29779$3j1.13664@newsfe6-gui.ntli.net>, at 21:23:52 on 
Sat, 14 Jul 2007, ian henden  remarked:
>>>> Gatwick seems to be something of a bargain, then: £56 for eight days
>>>> (or portion thereof).
>>>
>>>It is, last time I used Stansted it cost me £85 for eight days. In fact
>>>Gatwick was a real bargain last time I used it, because they let me park
>>>in short stay for less than the cost of parking in long stay, which
>>>meant I only had to walk a few hundred yards to departures.
>>
>Even better - stay at the hotel at J10a (Balcombe Road/ M23) for one night,
>and get free parking for two weeks plus free transfers to/ from Gatwick.....

I think one of the reasons why Gatwick's parking is cheaper is the 
existence of this market in alternative B&B+parking.
-- 
Roland Perry

Roland Perry  wrote:

> I think one of the reasons why Gatwick's parking is cheaper is the 
> existence of this market in alternative B&B+parking.

It exists elsewhere. I make use of hotel parking at Bristol and
Stansted. Both cheaper for room+parking than either airport's long stay.

Steve Firth wrote:
> Roland Perry  wrote:
>
>> I think one of the reasons why Gatwick's parking is cheaper is the
>> existence of this market in alternative B&B+parking.
>
> It exists elsewhere. I make use of hotel parking at Bristol and
> Stansted. Both cheaper for room+parking than either airport's long
> stay.

Where do you stay at Bristol?

In message <1i1ajrk.x0zm0jc3cv8N%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, at 12:19:16 on 
Sun, 15 Jul 2007, Steve Firth <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> remarked:
>> I think one of the reasons why Gatwick's parking is cheaper is the
>> existence of this market in alternative B&B+parking.
>
>It exists elsewhere. I make use of hotel parking at Bristol and
>Stansted. Both cheaper for room+parking than either airport's long stay.

But the price-reduction effect doesn't seem to percolate through to 
Stansted, perhaps because the hotels doing this don't market themselves 
as well, nor are so numerous. I don't know Bristol at all.
-- 
Roland Perry

cupra  wrote:

> Steve Firth wrote:
> > Roland Perry  wrote:
> >
> >> I think one of the reasons why Gatwick's parking is cheaper is the
> >> existence of this market in alternative B&B+parking.
> >
> > It exists elsewhere. I make use of hotel parking at Bristol and
> > Stansted. Both cheaper for room+parking than either airport's long
> > stay.
> 
> Where do you stay at Bristol? 

Hmm if I tell you, everyone will know where to go and I may not get a
room when I want one. First hit on Google for "hotel parking bristol
airport". Good points it's close, they have an efficient transfer
service. Bad points it's a standard poxy motel unlike the Radisson I use
at Stansted which is fairly decent, they have a "nightclub" which can be
a bit of a bastard if flying out Saturday or Sunday.
<thump><thump><thump> followed by lots of "YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MY BESHT
MATE YOU ARE" in the corridors up to about 3AM.

Still, mildly amusing to see them all nursing hangovers at the Easyjet
desk at 7AM.

Steve Firth wrote:
>  cupra  wrote:
>
>> Steve Firth wrote:
>>> Roland Perry  wrote:
>>>
>>>> I think one of the reasons why Gatwick's parking is cheaper is the
>>>> existence of this market in alternative B&B+parking.
>>>
>>> It exists elsewhere. I make use of hotel parking at Bristol and
>>> Stansted. Both cheaper for room+parking than either airport's long
>>> stay.
>>
>> Where do you stay at Bristol?
>
> Hmm if I tell you, everyone will know where to go and I may not get a
> room when I want one.
> First hit on Google for "hotel parking bristol
> airport".

Cheers - I normally use the long stay for company visits but it'll be useful 
for personal usage...

> Good points it's close, they have an efficient transfer
> service. Bad points it's a standard poxy motel unlike the Radisson I
> use at Stansted which is fairly decent, they have a "nightclub" which
> can be a bit of a bastard if flying out Saturday or Sunday.
> <thump><thump><thump> followed by lots of "YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE MY
> BESHT MATE YOU ARE" in the corridors up to about 3AM.
>

I'll make sure the outlaws take ear plugs if they decide to use it for their 
next trip!

> Still, mildly amusing to see them all nursing hangovers at the Easyjet
> desk at 7AM.

lol

"JNugent"  wrote in message 
news:dLKdnd0zafBTSAnbnZ2dnUVZ8qSnnZ2d@pipex.net...
> Graculus wrote:
>> Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions there 
>> are for driving into London Gatwick (North Terminal to be specific) to 
>> drop off or pick up passengers? BAA's web site is pretty hopeless, just 
>> talking about "restrictions" and urging to use public transport.
>>
>> I am flying from LGW on Sunday, and am assuming these restrictions will 
>> still be in place (as we have to be seen to be doing something, no matter 
>> how futile). Getting there by public transport is easy if you're coming 
>> from London or Brighton, but to get there from nearby, e.g. East 
>> Grinstead, that just doesn't work.
>>
>> They are talking about encouraging people to use the short stay car 
>> parks.
>> (a) Is this "encouraging" or "forcing"? From the incomplete news reports 
>> I hear, private cars are not allowed on the departures ramps, though I 
>> have no confirmation one way or the other.
>> (b) If you aren't allowed to do anything but go through the car park, 
>> even if you just drive through and drop someone off, will they still 
>> demand £2.40 off you for 30 minutes "parking"? If so, that's surely 
>> exthortion.
>>
>> As I said, I have just pieced this together from what I can find out from 
>> web sites and news bulletins. Does anyone out there have more than just 
>> speculation, i.e. actual facts about the situation. Has anyone been 
>> through in the last couple of days?
>
> I don't know whether this comes too late for you, but I returned via 
> Gatwick last night.

It is too late - I also returnned last night.
>
> Private cars can no longer drop off outside the terminals (ie, where the 
> car-park courtesy buses stop). They have to be taken into one of the 
> car-parks (the short-term ones being more convenient - just across the 
> road). I suppose a fit passenger could be dropped at the side of the road 
> some distance short of the terminal and walk the rest of the way.

Not may pavements!

I actually took the train from Three Bridges in the end. Total journey time 
not much different (10 min drive to 3 Bridges + 5 minutes on the train with 
zero waiting time due to fortuitous timing, plus another 5 mins to get the 
train to North Terminal, c.f. about 20-25 mins to drive (5 of those queueing 
to get into the terminal).

I did pop out to the drop-off area to have a look. There were people in 
private cars being dropped off, but it was generally very quiet, so they 
must have blagged their way in or something.

>
> The problem with the short-term car-parks is that unless there is a 
> Stansted-style free first half-hour, there is always a charge - in effect 
> a charge for dropping someone off.

£2.40 at Gatwick. Like the water tax (having to buy water once through 
security rather than taking your own), it's more easy money for BAA.

In message , at 18:19:01 on Tue, 3 
Jul 2007, Graculus  remarked:
>Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions there 
>are for driving into London Gatwick (North Terminal to be specific) to 
>drop off or pick up passengers?

It's not all that far from the second roundabout at the end of the link 
road to the M23, to the North Terminal. If your passengers are 
reasonably healthy, and it's not pouring with rain, you could perhaps 
drop them off there.
-- 
Roland Perry

On 3 Jul, 18:19, "Graculus" 
wrote:
> Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions there are
> for driving into LondonGatwick(North Terminal to be specific) to drop off
> or pick up passengers? BAA's web site is pretty hopeless, just talking about
> "restrictions" and urging to use public transport.

The main problem is -- or was -- that there is a huge back-up of
traffic entering the airport.  It was reported on Sunday to be 8 miles
long.  My wife had to take my daughter and her friends there on Monday
morning and I suggested she drop them at Horley station, 3 minutes and
a GBP 1.30 fare from Gatwick Airport station, and she said that worked
fine.

The station at Gatwick is next to the South Terminal, but there is a
free people mover to the North Terminal close to the station and it
only takes 5-10 minutes.

Hope that helps.

Peter CS

In message 
           pjcs00@googlemail.com wrote:

> On 3 Jul, 18:19, "Graculus" 
> wrote:
> > Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions there
> > are for driving into LondonGatwick(North Terminal to be specific) to drop
> > off or pick up passengers? BAA's web site is pretty hopeless, just
> > talking about "restrictions" and urging to use public transport.
> 
> The main problem is -- or was -- that there is a huge back-up of
> traffic entering the airport.  It was reported on Sunday to be 8 miles
> long.  My wife had to take my daughter and her friends there on Monday
> morning and I suggested she drop them at Horley station, 3 minutes and
> a GBP 1.30 fare from Gatwick Airport station, and she said that worked
> fine.

What's parking like at Horley?

Could be useful next time I have to collect someone from LGW.

-- 
Graeme Wall
This address is not read, substitute trains for rail.
Transport Miscellany at <http://www.greywall.demon.co.uk/rail/index.html>

Graculus  wrote:

> They are talking about encouraging people to use the short stay car parks.

The last time I used short stay at Gatwick, it was conveniently located
close to Departures, so it's not an inconvenience.

> (a) Is this "encouraging" or "forcing"? From the incomplete news reports I
> hear, private cars are not allowed on the departures ramps, though I have no
> confirmation one way or the other.

That sounds probable, because the same restriction is in place at other
car parks.

> (b) If you aren't allowed to do anything but go through the car park, even
> if you just drive through and drop someone off, will they still demand £2.40
> off you for 30 minutes "parking"? If so, that's surely exthortion.

Don't know. At other (some) other airports entering short stay and
leaving within 15 minutes is free. Check the Gatwick webshite?

"Steve Firth" <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> wrote in message 
news:1i0pwv4.ye5crk1ghgz5sN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk...
> Graculus  wrote:
>
>> They are talking about encouraging people to use the short stay car 
>> parks.
>
> The last time I used short stay at Gatwick, it was conveniently located
> close to Departures, so it's not an inconvenience.
>
>> (a) Is this "encouraging" or "forcing"? From the incomplete news reports 
>> I
>> hear, private cars are not allowed on the departures ramps, though I have 
>> no
>> confirmation one way or the other.
>
> That sounds probable, because the same restriction is in place at other
> car parks.
>
>> (b) If you aren't allowed to do anything but go through the car park, 
>> even
>> if you just drive through and drop someone off, will they still demand 
>> £2.40
>> off you for 30 minutes "parking"? If so, that's surely exthortion.
>
> Don't know. At other (some) other airports entering short stay and
> leaving within 15 minutes is free. Check the Gatwick webshite?

Doesn't say - I've looked

wrote in message 
news:1183552126.556458.287990@57g2000hsv.googlegroups.com...
> On 3 Jul, 18:19, "Graculus" 
> wrote:
>> Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions there 
>> are
>> for driving into LondonGatwick(North Terminal to be specific) to drop off
>> or pick up passengers? BAA's web site is pretty hopeless, just talking 
>> about
>> "restrictions" and urging to use public transport.
>
> The main problem is -- or was -- that there is a huge back-up of
> traffic entering the airport.  It was reported on Sunday to be 8 miles
> long.  My wife had to take my daughter and her friends there on Monday
> morning and I suggested she drop them at Horley station, 3 minutes and
> a GBP 1.30 fare from Gatwick Airport station, and she said that worked
> fine.

I was considering the similar option from Three Bridges. 4 minutes and 
£1.80, but easier to get to and more frequent trains.

It may all be moot anyway. I've just hear that the threat level has been 
dropped, so there's a good chance these restrictions will be gone by the 
weekend.

"Roland Perry"  wrote in message 
news:nS3iqYu+VuiGFAGX@perry.co.uk...
> In message , at 18:19:01 on Tue, 3 Jul 
> 2007, Graculus  remarked:
>>Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions there 
>>are for driving into London Gatwick (North Terminal to be specific) to 
>>drop off or pick up passengers?
>
> It's not all that far from the second roundabout at the end of the link 
> road to the M23, to the North Terminal. If your passengers are reasonably 
> healthy, and it's not pouring with rain, you could perhaps drop them off 
> there.

Not sure there are pavements to the terminal, and there may even be "no 
pedestrian" restrictions (can't say that I've ever looked). And the 
authorities would probably want to discourage people dropping passegers off 
at all sorts of arbitrary points around the airport.

There are a few public footpaths running very close the airport, but again, 
not sure if they get close enough for access.

There also used to be a bus stop on the A23 northbound right as it goes 
under the south terminal. Again, don't know if it's still there or if you 
can't get to it any more because of the FastWay guided bus system.

"Paul Weaver"  wrote in message 
news:1183492194.386036.50730@k79g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
On Jul 3, 6:19 pm, "Graculus" 
wrote:

> A change at east croydon doesn't appeal?

A very out of the way route for a road journey of less than 10 miles.

> There are busses I assume,

I think you assume too much. Especially on a Sunday.

> Worst case head for
> the car hire place, I'm sure that Hertz etc. would be up in arms if
> you weren't allowed to drive in there!

But you can't walk from there to the terminal, and I doubt Hertz would be 
willing to let you use their buses.

"Adrian"  wrote in message 
news:Xns9962D84CF4784adrianachapmanfreeis@204.153.245.131...
> Graculus (ReplaceWithMyMoniker@hotmail.co.uk) gurgled happily, sounding
> much like they were saying :
>
>> Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions
>> there are for driving into London Gatwick (North Terminal to be
>> specific) to drop off or pick up passengers?
>
>> I am flying from LGW on Sunday, and am assuming these restrictions
>> will still be in place
>
> Whatever current restrictions are in place will almost certainly have
> changed one way or t'other by Sunday.

They've just reduced the threat level, so I think you're right.

In message <1i0pwv4.ye5crk1ghgz5sN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, at 17:31:52 on 
Wed, 4 Jul 2007, Steve Firth <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> remarked:
>> They are talking about encouraging people to use the short stay car parks.
>
>The last time I used short stay at Gatwick, it was conveniently located
>close to Departures, so it's not an inconvenience.

It is when everyone dropping off at the airport joins you in the queues 
to get in and out of the car park.

>> (a) Is this "encouraging" or "forcing"? From the incomplete news reports I
>> hear, private cars are not allowed on the departures ramps, though I have no
>> confirmation one way or the other.
>
>That sounds probable, because the same restriction is in place at other
>car parks.

I'm not sure why they are doing anything at Gatwick south, because the 
drop-off zone is a hundred yards from the terminal building, the other 
side of the railway. Or maybe they aren't, in which case all it means is 
the Gatwick South dropoff and the transit become clogged with everyone 
going to the North terminal...
-- 
Roland Perry

In message , at 17:58:57 on Wed, 4 
Jul 2007, Graculus  remarked:
>>>Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions 
>>>there are for driving into London Gatwick (North Terminal to be 
>>>specific) to drop off or pick up passengers?
>>
>> It's not all that far from the second roundabout at the end of the 
>>link  road to the M23, to the North Terminal. If your passengers are 
>>reasonably  healthy, and it's not pouring with rain, you could perhaps 
>>drop them off  there.
>
>Not sure there are pavements to the terminal, and there may even be "no 
>pedestrian" restrictions (can't say that I've ever looked).

There's a hotel in the midst of all this - I'd be surprised if it wasn't 
possible to legally walk in the vicinity, with a through route of some 
kind to the terminal.

> And the authorities would probably want to discourage people dropping 
>passegers off at all sorts of arbitrary points around the airport.

It seemed to be what was happening at Glasgow airport on Sunday (as seen 
live on TV).

-- 
Roland Perry

On 4 Jul, 18:01, "Graculus" 
wrote:
> "Paul Weaver"  wrote in message
>
> news:1183492194.386036.50730@k79g2000hse.googlegroups.com...
> On Jul 3, 6:19 pm, "Graculus" 
> wrote:
>
> > A change at east croydon doesn't appeal?
>
> A very out of the way route for a road journey of less than 10 miles.
>
> > There are busses I assume,
>
> I think you assume too much. Especially on a Sunday.
>
> > Worst case head for
> > the car hire place, I'm sure that Hertz etc. would be up in arms if
> > you weren't allowed to drive in there!
>
> But you can't walk from there to the terminal, and I doubt Hertz would be
> willing to let you use their buses.

They won't stop you, however last time I went to Gatwick car hire
area, (South terminal I think), the offices were within walking
distance.

On Jul 4, 6:01 pm, Roland Perry  wrote:
> In message <1i0pwv4.ye5crk1ghgz5sN%%ste...@malloc.co.uk>, at 17:31:52 on
> Wed, 4 Jul 2007, Steve Firth <%ste...@malloc.co.uk> remarked:
>
> >> They are talking about encouraging people to use the short stay car parks.
>
> >The last time I used short stay at Gatwick, it was conveniently located
> >close to Departures, so it's not an inconvenience.
>
> It is when everyone dropping off at the airport joins you in the queues
> to get in and out of the car park.
>
> >> (a) Is this "encouraging" or "forcing"? From the incomplete news reports I
> >> hear, private cars are not allowed on the departures ramps, though I have no
> >> confirmation one way or the other.
>
> >That sounds probable, because the same restriction is in place at other
> >car parks.
>
> I'm not sure why they are doing anything at Gatwick south, because the
> drop-off zone is a hundred yards from the terminal building, the other
> side of the railway. Or maybe they aren't, in which case all it means is
> the Gatwick South dropoff and the transit become clogged with everyone
> going to the North terminal...
> --
> Roland Perry

There were huge queues onto the M23 at 7.30 this morning when they
showed the CCTV on BBC London News. If I go to Gatwick I usually cadge
a lift from my father. (You got to keep the elderly active). We always
park in the shortstay and have a cup of tea after I've checked in
before going through security. The option of the Gatwick Express is
not on for me as I'd have to go all the way into London.I'm going ther
again in August for a mid-morning flight. I'm hoping the situation
will have eased by then.

Neill

In message , at 
05:07:56 on Thu, 5 Jul 2007, verbena  remarked:
>The option of the Gatwick Express is
>not on for me as I'd have to go all the way into London.

Regular trains stop there as well as the Gatwick Express. Pick anywhere 
on the Brighton line.
-- 
Roland Perry

In message <1i0pwv4.ye5crk1ghgz5sN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, Steve Firth 
<%steve%@malloc.co.uk> writes
>Don't know. At other (some) other airports entering short stay and
>leaving within 15 minutes is free. Check the Gatwick webshite?
You get 15 minutes free at the drop off in Newcastle.
-- 
Clive.

In message <R6MO$kYKnQjGFwbh@yewbank.demon.co.uk>, at 16:10:02 on Thu, 5 
Jul 2007, Clive.  remarked:
>In message <1i0pwv4.ye5crk1ghgz5sN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, Steve Firth 
><%steve%@malloc.co.uk> writes
>>Don't know. At other (some) other airports entering short stay and
>>leaving within 15 minutes is free. Check the Gatwick webshite?
>You get 15 minutes free at the drop off in Newcastle.

A measly 10 minutes at East Midlands. The issue at the moment, however, 
is how far you can get in 10/15 minutes if every single car that's 
dropping off is also competing to get in and out of the short-stay. 
People were talking about 45min at Glasgow, for example. I spent at 
least 10 minutes (I'd paid for an hour) getting out of the East Midlands 
short-stay the other week, simply because of the queues at the exit 
gates. On the other hand, the queues at Birmingham short stay (before 
this latest scare) were always negligible, but no free period from what 
I can recall.

-- 
Roland Perry

Graculus wrote:
> Does anyone have the actual low-down on exactly what restrictions there 
> are for driving into London Gatwick (North Terminal to be specific) to 
> drop off or pick up passengers? BAA's web site is pretty hopeless, just 
> talking about "restrictions" and urging to use public transport.
> 
> I am flying from LGW on Sunday, and am assuming these restrictions will 
> still be in place (as we have to be seen to be doing something, no 
> matter how futile). Getting there by public transport is easy if you're 
> coming from London or Brighton, but to get there from nearby, e.g. East 
> Grinstead, that just doesn't work.
> 
> They are talking about encouraging people to use the short stay car parks.
> (a) Is this "encouraging" or "forcing"? From the incomplete news reports 
> I hear, private cars are not allowed on the departures ramps, though I 
> have no confirmation one way or the other.
> (b) If you aren't allowed to do anything but go through the car park, 
> even if you just drive through and drop someone off, will they still 
> demand £2.40 off you for 30 minutes "parking"? If so, that's surely 
> exthortion.
> 
> As I said, I have just pieced this together from what I can find out 
> from web sites and news bulletins. Does anyone out there have more than 
> just speculation, i.e. actual facts about the situation. Has anyone been 
> through in the last couple of days?

I don't know whether this comes too late for you, but I returned via 
Gatwick last night.

Private cars can no longer drop off outside the terminals (ie, where 
the car-park courtesy buses stop). They have to be taken into one of 
the car-parks (the short-term ones being more convenient - just across 
the road). I suppose a fit passenger could be dropped at the side of 
the road some distance short of the terminal and walk the rest of the way.

The problem with the short-term car-parks is that unless there is a 
Stansted-style free first half-hour, there is always a charge - in 
effect a charge for dropping someone off.

We left last Tuesday. On our return last night I saw that there are 
now substantial blocks of concrete at the terminal kerbsides (and 
arranged so that they cannot be outflanked), presumably to prevent 
Glasgow-style ram-bombing.

In message , at 14:06:39 on 
Wed, 11 Jul 2007, JNugent  
remarked:
>I don't know whether this comes too late for you, but I returned via 
>Gatwick last night.
>
>Private cars can no longer drop off outside the terminals

At the south terminal the original drop-off is the far side of the 
railway line from the terminal proper. I suppose they've blocked that 
off as well, even though it's not the actual terminal.

>The problem with the short-term car-parks is that unless there is a 
>Stansted-style free first half-hour, there is always a charge - in 
>effect a charge for dropping someone off.

Is there still as much as half an hour free at Stansted? I thought it 
was down to about ten minutes since they rearranged the short stay 
parking area about a year ago.
-- 
Roland Perry

Roland Perry  wrote:

> Is there still as much as half an hour free at Stansted? I thought it
> was down to about ten minutes since they rearranged the short stay 
> parking area about a year ago.

There was in January, haven't been back there since then.

Steve Firth wrote:
> Roland Perry  wrote:
> 
> 
>>Is there still as much as half an hour free at Stansted? I thought it
>>was down to about ten minutes since they rearranged the short stay 
>>parking area about a year ago.
> 
> 
> There was in January, haven't been back there since then.

I haven't been to Stansted since Sept last year. The half-hour free 
still applied then. Don't know about these January changes.

JNugent  wrote:

> Steve Firth wrote:
> > Roland Perry  wrote:
> > 
> > 
> >>Is there still as much as half an hour free at Stansted? I thought it
> >>was down to about ten minutes since they rearranged the short stay 
> >>parking area about a year ago.
> > 
> > 
> > There was in January, haven't been back there since then.
> 
> I haven't been to Stansted since Sept last year. The half-hour free 
> still applied then. Don't know about these January changes.

Sorry, I meant that there was still half an hour free parking in
January, but I've had no reason to go there since January so I cannot
give more recent information. Not that there were changes in January.

In message <1i14zy3.vxozash1ll52N%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, at 12:06:15 on 
Thu, 12 Jul 2007, Steve Firth <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> remarked:
>> >>Is there still as much as half an hour free at Stansted? I thought it
>> >>was down to about ten minutes since they rearranged the short stay
>> >>parking area about a year ago.
>> >
>> >
>> > There was in January, haven't been back there since then.
>>
>> I haven't been to Stansted since Sept last year. The half-hour free
>> still applied then. Don't know about these January changes.
>
>Sorry, I meant that there was still half an hour free parking in
>January, but I've had no reason to go there since January so I cannot
>give more recent information. Not that there were changes in January.

The changes to the carpark geography were longer ago than January, I 
think. I just remember dropping someone off (probably just before Xmas) 
and thinking that the free time I was allowed wasn't enough to help them 
with their baggage to checkin, as well as just being a taxi driver.
-- 
Roland Perry

Roland Perry wrote:
> In message <1i14zy3.vxozash1ll52N%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, at 12:06:15 on 
> Thu, 12 Jul 2007, Steve Firth <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> remarked:
> 
>>> >>Is there still as much as half an hour free at Stansted? I thought it
>>> >>was down to about ten minutes since they rearranged the short stay
>>> >>parking area about a year ago.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > There was in January, haven't been back there since then.
>>>
>>> I haven't been to Stansted since Sept last year. The half-hour free
>>> still applied then. Don't know about these January changes.
>>
>>
>> Sorry, I meant that there was still half an hour free parking in
>> January, but I've had no reason to go there since January so I cannot
>> give more recent information. Not that there were changes in January.
> 
> 
> The changes to the carpark geography were longer ago than January, I 
> think. I just remember dropping someone off (probably just before Xmas) 
> and thinking that the free time I was allowed wasn't enough to help them 
> with their baggage to checkin, as well as just being a taxi driver.

My thoughts exactly (when dropping off some Italian friends there last 
year).

Glad to see that it is likely that the free half-hour still applies 
there (an hour - or even 45 minutes - would be more reasonable).

In message , at 14:20:36 on 
Thu, 12 Jul 2007, JNugent  
remarked:
>>I just remember dropping someone off (probably just before Xmas)

[at Stansted]

>> and thinking that the free time I was allowed wasn't enough to help 
>>them  with their baggage to checkin, as well as just being a taxi 
>>driver.
>
>My thoughts exactly (when dropping off some Italian friends there last 
>year).
>
>Glad to see that it is likely that the free half-hour still applies 
>there (an hour - or even 45 minutes - would be more reasonable).

East Midlands is as little as 10 minutes (which at some times of day is 
the time it will take to queue at the exit barriers!) I'm sure it was 
longer a year ago (half an hour, perhaps). Enough time to park the car 
and go inside and wait for someone whose flight just landed, while they 
clear immigration and customs - you just can't do that in 10 minutes. I 
have no idea how they expect people to do pickups.

I also have a bone to pick with them over mid-term parking (I often do 
day trips which involve parking for 13-14 hrs). Short term charges are:

up to 12 hours  £18.00
up to 24 hours  £25.00
up to 2 days    £50.00

While Mid-term is a minimum of £20 for two days.

There's no such thing as a one-day mid-term tariff at (say) £10, and £25 
for 14hrs obviously exceeds the 2-day charge in mid stay.
-- 
Roland Perry

On Thu, 12 Jul 2007 14:41:22 +0100, Roland Perry
 mangled uncounted electrons thus:

>In message , at 14:20:36 on 
>Thu, 12 Jul 2007, JNugent  
>remarked:
>>>I just remember dropping someone off (probably just before Xmas)
>
>[at Stansted]
>
>>> and thinking that the free time I was allowed wasn't enough to help 
>>>them  with their baggage to checkin, as well as just being a taxi 
>>>driver.
>>
>>My thoughts exactly (when dropping off some Italian friends there last 
>>year).
>>
>>Glad to see that it is likely that the free half-hour still applies 
>>there (an hour - or even 45 minutes - would be more reasonable).
>
>East Midlands is as little as 10 minutes (which at some times of day is 
>the time it will take to queue at the exit barriers!) I'm sure it was 
>longer a year ago (half an hour, perhaps). Enough time to park the car 
>and go inside and wait for someone whose flight just landed, while they 
>clear immigration and customs - you just can't do that in 10 minutes. I 
>have no idea how they expect people to do pickups.

That *was* a rhetorical question, wasn't it? (But in case it
wasn't - they expect you to pay...)

Anything to raise a bit more cash from the hapless traveling
public...  :(

Martin D. Pay
Currently avoiding flying due to silly 'security' measures...

In message , at 20:32:19 on 
Thu, 12 Jul 2007, Martin D. Pay  
remarked:
>>Enough time to park the car and go inside and wait for someone whose 
>>flight just landed, while they clear immigration and customs - you 
>>just can't do that in 10 minutes. I have no idea how they expect 
>>people to do pickups.
>
>That *was* a rhetorical question, wasn't it? (But in case it
>wasn't - they expect you to pay...)

Heh :)
-- 
Roland Perry

Roland Perry wrote:
> In message , at 14:20:36 on 
> Thu, 12 Jul 2007, JNugent  remarked:
> 
>>> I just remember dropping someone off (probably just before Xmas)
> 
> 
> [at Stansted]
> 
>>> and thinking that the free time I was allowed wasn't enough to help 
>>> them  with their baggage to checkin, as well as just being a taxi 
>>> driver.
>>
>>
>> My thoughts exactly (when dropping off some Italian friends there last 
>> year).
>>
>> Glad to see that it is likely that the free half-hour still applies 
>> there (an hour - or even 45 minutes - would be more reasonable).
> 
> 
> East Midlands is as little as 10 minutes (which at some times of day is 
> the time it will take to queue at the exit barriers!) I'm sure it was 
> longer a year ago (half an hour, perhaps). Enough time to park the car 
> and go inside and wait for someone whose flight just landed, while they 
> clear immigration and customs - you just can't do that in 10 minutes. I 
> have no idea how they expect people to do pickups.
> 
> I also have a bone to pick with them over mid-term parking (I often do 
> day trips which involve parking for 13-14 hrs). Short term charges are:
> 
> up to 12 hours  £18.00
> up to 24 hours  £25.00
> up to 2 days    £50.00
> 
> While Mid-term is a minimum of £20 for two days.
> 
> There's no such thing as a one-day mid-term tariff at (say) £10, and £25 
> for 14hrs obviously exceeds the 2-day charge in mid stay.

Gatwick seems to be something of a bargain, then: £56 for eight days 
(or portion thereof).

The worst I've ever paid was Ashford International Station (for 
Eurostar): £9 a day or portion thereof. And that was a few years ago - 
it'll be more now.

JNugent  wrote:

> Gatwick seems to be something of a bargain, then: £56 for eight days 
> (or portion thereof).

It is, last time I used Stansted it cost me £85 for eight days. In fact
Gatwick was a real bargain last time I used it, because they let me park
in short stay for less than the cost of parking in long stay, which
meant I only had to walk a few hundred yards to departures.

In message <1i15vr3.1hmujw31r0z6baN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, at 23:28:03 
on Thu, 12 Jul 2007, Steve Firth <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> remarked:
>> Gatwick seems to be something of a bargain, then: £56 for eight days
>> (or portion thereof).
>
>It is, last time I used Stansted it cost me £85 for eight days. In fact
>Gatwick was a real bargain last time I used it, because they let me park
>in short stay for less than the cost of parking in long stay, which
>meant I only had to walk a few hundred yards to departures.

Birmingham's mid-stay is expensive, at £16 a day; and Luton' mid-stay is 
£15 a day but Luton Airport Parkway station car park is just under £5 a 
day for as long as you want.
-- 
Roland Perry

"Roland Perry"  wrote in message 
news:MsAIVZ58O1lGFApM@perry.co.uk...
> In message <1i15vr3.1hmujw31r0z6baN%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, at 23:28:03 on 
> Thu, 12 Jul 2007, Steve Firth <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> remarked:
>>> Gatwick seems to be something of a bargain, then: £56 for eight days
>>> (or portion thereof).
>>
>>It is, last time I used Stansted it cost me £85 for eight days. In fact
>>Gatwick was a real bargain last time I used it, because they let me park
>>in short stay for less than the cost of parking in long stay, which
>>meant I only had to walk a few hundred yards to departures.
>
Even better - stay at the hotel at J10a (Balcombe Road/ M23) for one night, 
and get free parking for two weeks plus free transfers to/ from Gatwick.....

In message <I9bmi.29779$3j1.13664@newsfe6-gui.ntli.net>, at 21:23:52 on 
Sat, 14 Jul 2007, ian henden  remarked:
>>>> Gatwick seems to be something of a bargain, then: £56 for eight days
>>>> (or portion thereof).
>>>
>>>It is, last time I used Stansted it cost me £85 for eight days. In fact
>>>Gatwick was a real bargain last time I used it, because they let me park
>>>in short stay for less than the cost of parking in long stay, which
>>>meant I only had to walk a few hundred yards to departures.
>>
>Even better - stay at the hotel at J10a (Balcombe Road/ M23) for one night,
>and get free parking for two weeks plus free transfers to/ from Gatwick.....

I think one of the reasons why Gatwick's parking is cheaper is the 
existence of this market in alternative B&B+parking.
-- 
Roland Perry

Roland Perry  wrote:

> I think one of the reasons why Gatwick's parking is cheaper is the 
> existence of this market in alternative B&B+parking.

It exists elsewhere. I make use of hotel parking at Bristol and
Stansted. Both cheaper for room+parking than either airport's long stay.

Steve Firth wrote:
> Roland Perry  wrote:
>
>> I think one of the reasons why Gatwick's parking is cheaper is the
>> existence of this market in alternative B&B+parking.
>
> It exists elsewhere. I make use of hotel parking at Bristol and
> Stansted. Both cheaper for room+parking than either airport's long
> stay.

Where do you stay at Bristol?

In message <1i1ajrk.x0zm0jc3cv8N%%steve%@malloc.co.uk>, at 12:19:16 on 
Sun, 15 Jul 2007, Steve Firth <%steve%@malloc.co.uk> remarked:
>> I think one of the reasons why Gatwick's parking is cheaper is the
>> existence of this market in alternative B&B+parking.
>
>It exists elsewhere. I make use of hotel parking at Bristol and
>Stansted. Both cheaper for room+parking than either airport's long stay.

But the price-reduction effect doesn't seem to percolate through to 
Stansted, perhaps because the hotels doing this don't market themselves 
as well, nor are so numerous. I don't know Bristol at all.
-- 
Roland Perry