I'll have a lot more to say about Terminal Five later, but now that I'm in it - I write this in the immigration queue - here's my first point.
I'll have a lot more to say about Terminal Five later, but now that I'm in it - I write this in the immigration queue - here's my first point.
The announcements are all made by a recording with a heavy foreign accent - Dutch, I think.
Why? Heathrow is a British airport and T5 is for BRITISH Airways.
Mind you, given the shocking state of things I've seen - nothing to do with baggage handling - I'm not surprised. More follows...
Blogs: Clive Davis | Melanie Phillips | Americano | Coffee House | Trading Floor
Actions: Print this article | Email to a friend | Permalink | Comments (8)
Post this entry to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit
Advertisement
Oliver Kamm
Politics, economics and culture from the master. Unmissable.
Daniel Finkelstein's Times Comment Central
A daily must-read.
Tim Worstall
Lots of interesting nibbles - and a ruthless swatter of economic gibberish.
Harry's Place
Must-read left of centre blog from writers who understand the threat to the West.
Thought Experiments
The peerless Bryan Appleyard's blog.
Opera Chic
An American in Milan, on opera.
Intermezzo
A London-based classical music enthusiast
Jessica Duchen's classical music blog
Does what it says on the tin
Samizdata
Libertarian blog, packed every day.
Norm's blog
The thoroughly sensible thoughts of renowned left-wing academic Norman Geras, Professor of Government at Manchester. And cricket, too.
Public Interest
Peter Briffa's inimitable take on The Yazzmonster and other assorted demons.
Reform
The public sector reform group; their website is an invaluable source of data and ideas.
Centre for the New Europe
The leading European public policy think tank.
UMBRIA, Niccone Valley.Farmhouse Rental. Newly renovated 400 year old farmhouse, high on the south facing slope of Niccone Valley, on
AMAZING CORNISH HOUSE previously featured in Vogue Living, available to let during the last 3 weeks of August either on a
PARIS and ROME: over 350 holiday rentals apartments listed: visit www.parisreference.com and www.romanreference.com or call +39 0648 903612.
Spectator Business | Apollo Magazine
Corporate | Advertising | Privacy | Terms
Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9HP
All Articles and Content Copyright ©2008 by The Spectator | All Rights Reserved
Kevyn Bodman
April 5th, 2008 6:22pmImmigration queue.
I guess you are British. Don't you resent standing in a queue to return to your own country?
I do.
I'm an expat.
When I fly into LHR in a few days time what should my reply be if the immigration officer asks me how long I'll be in Britain.(I've never been asked.)
About 20 years ago a colleague of mine was asked that question and answered 'As long as I damn well please.'
What do you think the reaction of officialdom would be to that answer nowadays?
Verity
April 5th, 2008 7:18pmIf it's a Dutch accent, it may be an Indonesian. In the eyes of the ranting left, anything's better than British.
Verity
April 5th, 2008 10:10pm"- I'm not surprised. More follows ...".
Yes, but when?
jameshigham
April 6th, 2008 11:55amI await the next instalment, Stephen.
Verity
April 6th, 2008 3:48pmWhoahhhh! I can't stand the pace!
Dhimmier
April 6th, 2008 5:19pm"The announcements are all made by a recording with a heavy foreign accent - Dutch, I think. Why? Heathrow is a British airport and T5 is for BRITISH Airways." Don't ask questions -- just celebrate the vibrancy! Or the thought police may come knocking.
Nick Biskinis
April 8th, 2008 12:54pmBig deal if the announcer was Dutch. From experience the Dutch speak English better than the natives. In fact let the Dutch take over Heathrow so it could be more like Amsterdam Schiphol.
Verity
April 8th, 2008 3:30pmI will bet you anything that if Stephen has correctly identified the accent as Dutch, the speaker will have been Indonesian. This is all part of BA's hatred of nationality and love of multiculturalism, as identified by the splashes of vomit on their tailfins a few years ago. BA hates Britain.
But not with anything like the intensity that I hate BA. The world's nastiest airline.