Airport Parking

Posts Tagged ‘Few Days’

I took a freind to Heathrow the other day, it was an early start and I had been working until quite late the night before so after I dropped him off I decided to take a break before heading back home.

I drove out of the Airport area and saw a McDonalds on the road that runs parallel to the north side of the Airport.

I sat in the car for about 10 minutes or so and then went in and purchased a meal and a drink.
The place was packed so I went back to my car and ate my food. I also did the cross word and then headed home.

I should add that whilst the inside of Mcdonalds had loads of people in it, the car park was only about 2 thirds full.

Anyway a few days later I have received a parking ticket for being there more than an hour. I don’t really recall how long I was there but it could have been a bit more than an hour. It is for £50 or £250 if I don’t pay it within 14 days.
I went to another McDonalds (local) yesterday and read the parking sign. It clearly says (In Red Letters) free parking for up to 1 hour. Then in Grey underneath it says Mcdonalds customers blah blah. So I am thinking that maybe whatever system recorded me in the London McDonalds, failed to notice that I had a meal.

What do you think on this one, is the 1 Hour limit for everyone, or should I have been ok because I purchased a meal at the time?
Tex K

Thanks for that, I get the point, and I certainly understand that Mcd would not want people using the car park as a cheap place to leave the car whilst they fly wherever, however whilst I did not read the signs at this Mcdonalds, I did read one in my local and it has the rules in both red and grey banners. The red states free parking for 1 hour, the grey starts by saying Mcdonalds customers, I think it reasonable to interpret this as being 2 sets of rules, I would have fallen into the latter and having read the rest of the sign nothing is mentioned as a time limit for a customer.
I accept your points, but whilst the nature of the busines is fast turnover, and an hour probably is enough for most to consume a meal I did not pick up my order for nearly 25 minutes after I went into the store and had been parked for 10 before I went in, so in this case I took longer than an hour. I will advise that I am contesting and see what happens, but thanks for a good answer.

Macdonalds has a huge problem with non patrons using their car parks so they have introduced this one hour time limit for customers to purchase a meal eat it and then leave,Which is not unreasonable .You I imagine have been caught by number recognition exit/ entry cameras and have exceeded the 1 hour limit .You only need to exceed this time by 1 second,though most have a five or ten minute leeway,for a ticket to be issued.Because profit margins are quite tight in fast food outlets they rely on quick turnover of customers and keeping the car park half empty entices people in .The second problem you may have is the parking control company are separate to MacDonalds so will probably only be paid a nominal fee and make their money from over stayers like yourself .You need to read the penalty notice but if you lodge an appeal I believe the 14 day period will be extended until the issue is resolved.The ticket is also a civil matter so you are not breaking the law by not paying but the company could take you to a civil court and you would then be forced to pay the fine plus their costs which would be far higher than the original fine.If these restrictions were not in place the macdonalds car park would be full of holidaymakers leaving their car for free for two weeks all for the price of a big mac .They may be unlikely to take the case to court or if they do will not turn up and you will win but you will have to attend so lose a days pay and time and you will be unlikely to be awarded costs .Parking is a contentious issue but without rules and restrictions it would be chaos, Next time you will know

Technorati Tags: Busines, Car Park, Cross Word, Few Days, Fly, Freind, London, Mcdonald, Mcdonalds, Parking Heathrow, Parking Ticket, Red Letters, Red States, Signs, Time Limit, Time Tex

I start work in Italy as soon as I have received my passport. Since I already have a job in Italy, and my new employer has proved to them that I do, it is going to be prioritised. I should have it in about 2 or 3 weeks, and shortly after that I will be getting on a plane and starting my new job.

However, I’m unsure about a few things.

I have to fly from London Stansted, as that is the cheapest airport where I can get to Brindisi in Italy. I will have to travel down the night before, as the flight leaves early in the morning and I can’t find any plane/bus/train that will get me there in time, not even an overnighter. Will I be allowed to sleep in the airport?

Also, I have applied for an EH1C card, but will I need travel insurance as well? I am going to be staying in Italy until the end of August, so I will be there for about 5 months. I can’t find any travel insurance that doesn’t cost a fortune. Even insurance with my bank would cost me £90, which I can’t afford as I have to save up for flights. I’m not even certain exactly how much a flight would cost me, as the prices seem to be changing daily. I can’t book a flight until I’ve received my passport. Does anyone know if flights would be cheaper to book a few days or a few weeks before travelling?

I have found a few things on the Internet about the town I am going to - Lecce - but not a lot. Can anyone give me some firsthand information? I am going to Italy to be an Au Pair, but I don’t even know simple things like where the nearest shops or parks are! I’m going to feel a bit useless having to get the parents or children to show me. I’d rather know a few things before I go.

I’ve been told that the weather has become hot and sunny recently. Do you think this will last, or am I better to bring some cold weather clothes as well?

Lastly, I’ve been told I’m not allowed to take fizzy juice or teabags on the plane with me! I am addicted to Irn Bru and Tetley tea, and I’m not sure how I’m going to be if I can’t drink either of them. Think I’ll end up being even more homesick! It was my parents that told me this, but I can’t find anything that says about it. Does anyone know?

Any other information or help at all would be much appreciated! Thank you in advance =)

i have currently been in Italy for a few months so this is what i know ! :

yes you can sleep in the airport although it wont be much fun. I used to travel to stansted using the national express bus to get there, have you checked them out ?

The EH1C card is for medical treatment in the country, travel insurance is more broad, for example it can cover stolen goods to drugs and medical bills to flying you back home in case of an emergency. Mine cost me about £50 however since you are there longer, unfortunately there is not much you can do about it.

Booking flights is usually cheaper the earlier you do it, for example a month before. It can also be cheap from 7 - 1 days before, as the company wants to fill the plane! however booking a few days before can be a risk.

Don’t worry about the town, why should you feel useless not knowing where the shops are if you have never been!? The people who know the most are the people you are going to stay with! you can look on google earth or maps, type the address in and get an idea of the area.

The weather is getting better slowly, but compared to england its summer right now! take a jacket and some jumpers for the rainy days and the odd cool night just incase, but it’s only going to get hotter and hotter, and since Lecce is in the south, expect it to get very hot!

No liquids are allowed in hand luggage on the plane, doesn’t matter what it is. They are allowed in the suitcase, however check stansted’s website, it should tell you all there.

ciao ciao

Technorati Tags: 5 Months, Au Pair, Book A Flight, Brindisi, Bus Train, Cold Weather Clothes, Few Days, Flights, Fly, Fortune, Job In Italy, London Stansted, New Job, Parents, Passport, Sleep, Teabags, Tetley Tea, Travel Insurance, Work In Italy

Arriving Gatwick airport by train 12 September. Normally I just walk up the steps and straight into departures, but this time I’ll have my bike as I have to ride to the station at Croydon (but can’t leave it there as I won’t be going back that way next week). Doesn’t need to be guarded, just a spot I can chain it up for a few days

You Could Get Off At Three Bridges and put your bike there as they have bike shelters, then get back on the train to gatwick as its only one stop away.

Technorati Tags: 12 September, Bicycle, Croydon, Departures, Few Days, Gatwick Airport, Three Bridges, Train

hi you can park in the hotel car park in stansted airport, I parked my bike there for 2 weeks with no problems.
Regards Jason Harley.

Technorati Tags: Few Days, Harley, Hotel Car Park, Motorbike, Park Hotel, Stansted Airport

I will be visiting Liverpool for a few days in September (07) and was wondering if there are any pretty green spaces in the area. Any nice parks, open spaces, lakes for scenic boat rides?? (yes, I know I may be asking too much with that last one!)

I really like the city, but would love to escape the concrete and crowds for an hour or two. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Formby point. It’s a red squirrel reserve(wooded area) with plenty of other wildlife(birds/rabbits). It’s got picnic areas and you can go over the sandhills onto the beach. I live in Liverpool and spend many days here with the kids, if you’re really lucky the squirrels eat out of your hand. Hope this helps and enjoy your stay in our city.

Technorati Tags: Boat Rides, Concrete, Crowds, Few Days, Formby Point, Liverpool, Open Spaces, Picnic Areas, Rabbits, Red Squirrel, Sandhills, Trees, Wildlife Birds, Wooded Area