Does the CH need a 'VIP' area

On sunday I noticed that the kids area was sectioned off, and some champagne and magazines laid out, on leaving I passed a 'proper' celeb who I assume was being escorted there.

Not very fair if I had Jimbob Jnr with me (I didn't)...

[Darren Wheeler]

No way to a V(Un)IP area. What it need is for the CH staff not to pander to Z-list demands for special treatment. My (and everyone elses) money is just as good as theirs.

If they want an area set aside, may I suggest one of the toilet cubicles! Failing that, speak to BAA and book a hospitality room.

Well this one was A list, but I agree, certainly dont restrict it for others...

[honey lamb]

In my book EVERYONE flying in Upper Class or who has Clubhouse availability should be treated by VS as a VIP and not because they happen to be someone who is 'famous'

In my book EVERYONE flying in Upper Class or who has Clubhouse availability should be treated by VS as a VIP and not because they happen to be someone who is 'famous'

Well said HL.

[mcmbenjamin]

Good question. Well if a celeb stays at a hotel or flies an airline, that business gets a free plug in the tabloids. ie 'David Beckham arrived off a British Airways flight in LAX' 'Volatile supermodel Naomi Campbell won't have any more problems with British Airways. The airline has banned her from flying on its planes'.....

While all people that bought the same product should be treated equally, the airline does benefit by the press, be it positive, neutral or negative.

It always amazes me on the odd occasion when I get to meet celebs, more often than not the really talented people are incredibly nice and happy to wait their turn but the Z listers arrive making all the noise and demands.

What is the big problem in the CH, they are going to be confined with everyone on the plane eventually anyway?

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
No way to a V(Un)IP area. What it need is for the CH staff not to pander to Z-list demands for special treatment. My (and everyone elses) money is just as good as theirs.

If they want an area set aside, may I suggest one of the toilet cubicles! Failing that, speak to BAA and book a hospitality room.

My sentiments exactly.Time for all this nonsense to stop.I'm fed up to the back teeth with the fawning in the CH (and onboard) and areas being cordoned off.

[fozzyo]

To me seems the designers of the CH were briefed not to include a VIP area, just that the ground staff disagree. Using the kids area really isn't very helpful for those travelling with children is it.

VS ground staff have a great habit of ignoring groups of Gold pax flying together in favour of Zelebs. Personally I don't understand the need for any VIP area, as said you are all stuck on the plane together.

As ever, I refer to our time when five golds and one silver were all sitting together and we were ignored only to have the staff fawn over some Z listers with too much fake tan and bad skin.

BAA have a VIP terminal, if they're important enough to use that then you won't see them in the Clubhouse, if not, well then they're not that important.

Oh god this really gets my back up. So if I turn up with my two boys and find the childrens area being used by a VIP and closed to the likes of me (who have paid over £7000 for my flights) would I have a cause to complain?

Originally posted by Gill Smith
Oh god this really gets my back up. So if I turn up with my two boys and find the childrens area being used by a VIP and closed to the likes of me (who have paid over £7000 for my flights) would I have a cause to complain?

Yes, without doubt.
Ideally whilst in the Clubhouse.

If they were real A-Listers then surely they would be able to arrange it with SRB publicity office to turn up 30 mins before the flight is due and waltz straight on to the plane.

IIRC, that's what happen on an episode of Airport with the Queen and ANZ flight. (Or is it just royalty and politicians)

If they're fenced off from Joe Public, then surely they're not getting the publicity they crave for and also it would look good for VS.

As other people have posted, what's the point of fencing them off only to be locked in a tin can for 7 hrs plus with Joe Public.

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by Gill Smith
Oh god this really gets my back up. So if I turn up with my two boys and find the childrens area being used by a VIP and closed to the likes of me (who have paid over £7000 for my flights) would I have a cause to complain?

Absolutely, and as Wolves said, while you are in the CH

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by Wolves27
As ever, I refer to our time when five golds and one silver were all sitting together and we were ignored only to have the staff fawn over some Z listers with too much fake tan and bad skin.

You mean SIX golds, and one Silver?

As the others have said, no to a VIP area. It's the CH FFS. If you are that important then BAA have suites available.

Ok to say who it was?

[Darren Wheeler]

Never stopped anyone else.... No expectation of privacy and as long as it's not libellous [:)]

Then the judgement will be to see if the 'Celeb' is an A-Lister or a Z-Lister. [:D]

Isn't it also possible that this A-list-apparent paid an additional sum of money for the special section? Would then they be entitled to the extra special treatment? Also if they are A-list, wouldn't they be hounded by tasteless fans wanting to talk to them. Although I agree they should be flying privately if they want privacy. Having said that, the trend nowadays is for celebs to take commercial flights as it's seemingly more green.

Can't wait to find out who it was.

Originally posted by mcnaugha
Isn't it also possible that this A-list-apparent paid an additional sum of money for the special section? Would then they be entitled to the extra special treatment? Also if they are A-list, wouldn't they be hounded by tasteless fans wanting to talk to them. Although I agree they should be flying privately if they want privacy. Having said that, the trend nowadays is for celebs to take commercial flights as it's seemingly more green.

Can't wait to find out who it was.

Maybe they didn't want to share their toys in their specially cornered off Kids section! [:o)]

Do think it's unfair, that if you have kids with in the CH and an 'Celeb' comes in and has the Kids area roped off and is not available for your kids to use.

It doesn't really matter if the 'Celeb' has paid or not, VS are depriving the Kids of their entertainment and if they wanted privacy as another poster has mentioned they could hire a room from BAA.

Out of matter of interest from the CH regulars, when they are in the CH, how often does the kids area get used by kids and how often is it roped off?

[Darren Wheeler]

This is the second time I've heard of the children's area being roped off. Last time was for that fearful harridan, Heather (loads-of-money-but-no-dignity) Mills.

Originally posted by McMaddog
BAA have a VIP terminal, if they're important enough to use that then you won't see them in the Clubhouse, if not, well then they're not that important.

Sorry I think you may be slightly wrong there.

BAA have a Royal Suite which is for the use of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and when heads of state are visiting on official visits.

The only time the Royal Suite is used for anything else is when a full on photo call is needed. For example the Olympic Torch arrived at the Suite, the IOC evaluation committee arrived at the Royal Suite and so on.

If they are real VIP's they will have their own airplane and fly into Luton just like Roman does.

Failing that they can always arrange for a car to whisk them straight to the plane steps a la Michael Jackson style. It strikes me those who wish to be seen in the CH are only doing so in order to get into the next issue of Heat magazine.

Originally posted by willd

BAA have a Royal Suite which is for the use of the Royal Family, the Prime Minister and when heads of state are visiting on official visits.

Thanks for the clarification [y]

Originally posted by willd
It strikes me those who wish to be seen in the CH are only doing so in order to get into the next issue of Heat magazine.

Maybe the zelebs are secret V-Flyers and they've heard about the Clubhouse Burger? [}:)]

Originally posted by willd
Failing that they can always arrange for a car to whisk them straight to the plane steps a la Michael Jackson style. It strikes me those who wish to be seen in the CH are only doing so in order to get into the next issue of Heat magazine.

Ah, if it's for the next issue of Heat, the 'celeb' in question must be a 'Z-lister'.[:D]