Can They Fit Any More Reporters Into Terminal 5?

The BBC reports:

British Airways has cancelled 34 more flights from Heathrow’s Terminal 5 the day after it opened but says passengers will be able to check in hold luggage.

Hold luggage services were suspended as a result of a baggage backlog and 34 flights were cancelled at the £4.3bn T5 on its first day of operation.

Some stranded travellers spent the night on the floor of the new building.

BA, which has sole use of T5, said: “We sincerely apologise to those customers who have suffered disrupted journeys.”…

I know I’m glad I’m not flying today. Yet most of us adults also suspect the first day (and likely second day) problems at the terminal will undoubtedly be sorted out as staff adapt to what seems a very new routine. We are seeing that what goes on behind the scenes is extremely complicated, and we take it for granted. There is just no substitute for volume of passengers and their myriad of issues; all the practice runs in the world and theoretical understandings as to what goes where, etc., aren’t the same.  Which is why they probably opted to open it fully on a Thursday rather than a Friday: they have time to try to sort out troubles before a weekend crush.

What’s far more interesting is watching the media barrage: just how many reporters are currently in Terminal 5?

Especially, it’s fascinating seeing bunches of on air personalities with lit and communications degrees, who themselves daily produce nothing but a steady stream of “blah, blah, blah” while trying to sit up straight on a sofa and look good on camera, sneering at the troubles besetting people who, day in and day out, actually have to work hard for a living. I know I’m very impressed.

Next up, GMTV reports:

Hey, well, and whaddya know? Sometimes they can’t even themselves manage to get their own “blah, blah, blah” working properly. But, then again, Terminal 5 is actually important. In contrast, who cares really if the “GMTV Today” homepage is down at 6:50 AM, right?