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LHR Clubhouse

PostPosted: 12 Sep 2006, 10:29
by radar
Hello from the LHR Clubhouse where I am waiting for VS005 to Miami. Any V-Flyers in the vicinity, would be good to meet you for a drink! Currently sitting near the bar, white shirt, black trousers, Mac laptop, but may float around!

Now for the rant [}:)]

I can't believe VS are still not providing free wi-fi! It has taken me an hour to get online by using a T-Mobile connection, which has flaky coverage at best in the business area. Come on VS - pull your socks up! You must be the only lounge not to have their own wi-fi! ISTR there was talk that the lounge would soon have free wi-fi, and that was a couple of months ago. Well, it still ain't here!

/rant

Time for a bacon roll!

PostPosted: 12 Sep 2006, 11:10
by Mavrick
Radar, relax have a drink and enjoy your flight. [y]

PostPosted: 12 Sep 2006, 11:29
by radar
I am doing my best - wi-fi keeps cutting out [:(]

Oh well, boarding soon.

PostPosted: 12 Sep 2006, 11:36
by radar
...and after having my matches confiscated, and being assured that I could get some more in the clubhouse to use, the waiter says they don't have any... Fortunately, you are all a decent bunch in the CH, and I was able to blag a light!

And, I believe this is my 100th post, which qualifies me for Silver VF? Will buy my kit! Woo hoo! Nice way to hit 100 - in the CH![y]

PostPosted: 12 Sep 2006, 12:15
by fozzyo
Congrats on 100 posts and thanks for buying a kit.

Am I right in thinking you can plug your laptop into the Internet using the connections in the small tables by the pond in front of the customer reception?

It is quite possible I made that up though.

PostPosted: 12 Sep 2006, 12:52
by RichardMannion
I think some of it comes down to our friends at BAA again, I know the chap that looks after the network at Heathrow, and the charges BAA impose on the airlines for things like this are insane.

For paid members of the site, watch this space as I may be able to assist with the T-Mobile payment thing soon...

Thanks,
Richard

PostPosted: 12 Sep 2006, 13:06
by Littlejohn
Indeed Richard. BA Also charge for wireless, although it is provided by BT. So it is not just a VS thing.

To be honest in very public areas I fail to see how a charge can be justified these days. Other countries don't do it. In the US for example, every airport I have been to recently had free wireless.

PostPosted: 12 Sep 2006, 13:42
by preiffer
It is possible to "get hold of" the Gulf Air (free) wifi connection from certain areas of the CH... [:w]

PostPosted: 13 Sep 2006, 01:33
by radar
Pah! When I got to the CH, I asked to borrow a cable. Didn't work for some reason. And the wi-fi drove me mad. Had to call T-Mobile twice to get it sorted. Richard - look forward to your news for wi-fi.

As for the Gulf air one, I did try and snoop, but I couldn't find any open networks.

TR to follow very shortly - probably by the time you are all up. Right now, I need a pizza....

PostPosted: 13 Sep 2006, 23:20
by Howard Long
Originally posted by radar
Had to call T-Mobile twice to get it sorted.


That's par for the course in the CH in my opinion. After the last time I tried I vowed to stick to GPRS: my laptop was never the same again, crashing all the time. I still don't know what it was. Still, we all have weeks and weeks to hand to enjoy rebuilding our computers. Not.

Cheers, Howard

PostPosted: 14 Sep 2006, 07:06
by radar
Originally posted by Howard Long
Originally posted by radar
Had to call T-Mobile twice to get it sorted.


That's par for the course in the CH in my opinion. After the last time I tried I vowed to stick to GPRS: my laptop was never the same again, crashing all the time. I still don't know what it was. Still, we all have weeks and weeks to hand to enjoy rebuilding our computers. Not.

Cheers, Howard


Ah, but therein lies the rub. When I had my PowerBook G4, I had a 3G data card, which was great. Unfortunately the new MacBook Pro has a new ExpressCard slot, which is much narrower than the PC card slot, and thus will not accept my 3G card. And of course, no-one does an ExpressCard data card [n]. At the time, I thought great, I can just use bluetooth to my phone, but as it happens I only have GPRS on my phone, and that is sooo slow.

PostPosted: 14 Sep 2006, 10:28
by jamie
Why did you have your matches confriscated? Thought you could take those through now but not lighters?

PostPosted: 15 Sep 2006, 03:04
by radar
Originally posted by jamie
Why did you have your matches confriscated? Thought you could take those through now but not lighters?


Apparently not anymore. When I was asked if I had a lighter, I said no, just matches. "Sorry, you are not allowed those now" I was told. Mind you, I always thought the 'no lighter, but matches ok' rule was a bit daft. Stick a lighted match in a full box of matches, is far more dangerous than a small lighter.

It won't be long before we all have to fly in suspended animation. That means no time out at the bar [n][:p].

PostPosted: 18 Sep 2006, 00:17
by mysteryflyer
I was going to suggest a TMO data card - I got one for GBP 17 a month for 2GB, but youre right it wont work in the new mac. Buy an old TiBook on ebay :-)

PostPosted: 18 Sep 2006, 13:29
by ChuckC
Originally posted by sailor99
Indeed Richard. BA Also charge for wireless, although it is provided by BT. So it is not just a VS thing.

To be honest in very public areas I fail to see how a charge can be justified these days. Other countries don't do it. In the US for example, every airport I have been to recently had free wireless.


Jeremy,
Regretably many in the US still charge.

Chuck-