"CJB" wrote in message
oups.com...
Nightmare at Hayes and Harlington - 1

Over the last few weekends - and especially on this last Sunday
afternoon (1-7-2007), Heathrow Connect services have been dumping
passengers for Heathrow at the bay platform 5 at Hayes and Harlington
Station. Usually these are intending flight passengers with heavy
luggage.

Having paid the cheaper than HEX fare - but still exorbitant at #9 [snip]
---
Perhaps they started from Ealing or somewhere and thought they could avoid
the extra time and expense of going into Paddington. I suspect they were
largely local people setting off on their holiday as against foreign
tourists.

In a climate where tourism may already have taken a knock after the recent
averted incidents this kind of thoughtless/hostile treatment is not the kind
of story that wants to be taken back to the home country and related to
friends and neighbours who may be thinking about taking a similar holiday.

Have you related your story to the London Tourist Board for their reaction?

Roger R

On Jul 3, 10:29 am, "Roger R" wrote:
"CJB" wrote in message

oups.com...
Nightmare at Hayes and Harlington - 1

Over the last few weekends - and especially on this last Sunday
afternoon (1-7-2007), Heathrow Connect services have been dumping
passengers for Heathrow at the bay platform 5 at Hayes and Harlington
Station. Usually these are intending flight passengers with heavy
luggage.

Having paid the cheaper than HEX fare - but still exorbitant at #9 [snip]
---
Perhaps they started from Ealing or somewhere and thought they could avoid
the extra time and expense of going into Paddington. I suspect they were
largely local people setting off on their holiday as against foreign
tourists.

In a climate where tourism may already have taken a knock after the recent
averted incidents this kind of thoughtless/hostile treatment is not the kind
of story that wants to be taken back to the home country and related to
friends and neighbours who may be thinking about taking a similar holiday.

Have you related your story to the London Tourist Board for their reaction?

Roger R

Hadn't thought of raising this with the LTB. I have raised it with
John McDonnell the local MP though. He is pretty hot at chasing up T4L
and FGWL about performance issues - he travels the line most days!!
CJB.

On Jul 3, 10:29 am, "Roger R" wrote:
"CJB" wrote in message

oups.com...
Nightmare at Hayes and Harlington - 1

Over the last few weekends - and especially on this last Sunday
afternoon (1-7-2007), Heathrow Connect services have been dumping
passengers for Heathrow at the bay platform 5 at Hayes and Harlington
Station. Usually these are intending flight passengers with heavy
luggage.

Having paid the cheaper than HEX fare - but still exorbitant at #9 [snip]
---
Perhaps they started from Ealing or somewhere and thought they could avoid
the extra time and expense of going into Paddington. I suspect they were
largely local people setting off on their holiday as against foreign
tourists.

In a climate where tourism may already have taken a knock after the recent
averted incidents this kind of thoughtless/hostile treatment is not the kind
of story that wants to be taken back to the home country and related to
friends and neighbours who may be thinking about taking a similar holiday.

Have you related your story to the London Tourist Board for their reaction?

Roger R

Actually the tourists that I helped at Hayes Station on Sunday - just
after they had been dumped off Connect at bay platform 5 - were
elderly Americans - totally lost as to what to do - had HUGE suitcases
- no lift available - no porter to help - single temp. FGWL staff
hiding in the 'tea' room. They had paid a premium fare to be so
dumped - and were then were told to catch a 140 bus to continue their
journey. They would have had to have paid £2 each extra for that -
making £8 for the four. They were NOT happy. In fact it was due to
their experience that I have raised this matter here and with John
McDonnell. CJB.

CJB wrote:
On Jul 3, 10:29 am, "Roger R" wrote:
"CJB" wrote in message

oups.com...
Nightmare at Hayes and Harlington - 1

Over the last few weekends - and especially on this last Sunday
afternoon (1-7-2007), Heathrow Connect services have been dumping
passengers for Heathrow at the bay platform 5 at Hayes and Harlington
Station. Usually these are intending flight passengers with heavy
luggage.

Having paid the cheaper than HEX fare - but still exorbitant at #9 [snip]
---
Perhaps they started from Ealing or somewhere and thought they could avoid
the extra time and expense of going into Paddington. I suspect they were
largely local people setting off on their holiday as against foreign
tourists.

In a climate where tourism may already have taken a knock after the recent
averted incidents this kind of thoughtless/hostile treatment is not the kind
of story that wants to be taken back to the home country and related to
friends and neighbours who may be thinking about taking a similar holiday.

Have you related your story to the London Tourist Board for their reaction?

Roger R

Actually the tourists that I helped at Hayes Station on Sunday - just
after they had been dumped off Connect at bay platform 5 - were
elderly Americans - totally lost as to what to do - had HUGE suitcases
- no lift available - no porter to help - single temp. FGWL staff
hiding in the 'tea' room. They had paid a premium fare to be so
dumped - and were then were told to catch a 140 bus to continue their
journey. They would have had to have paid £2 each extra for that -
making £8 for the four. They were NOT happy. In fact it was due to
their experience that I have raised this matter here and with John
McDonnell. CJB.

Yet more reasons to avoid rail ravel like the plague.