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Who are all these people queuing at Heathrow?

90 replies

beckypv · 01/03/2021 18:23

Just that really. I’m not being funny, but who are all these people stuck in the queues at Heathrow? They just showed images of it on the 6 o clock news..... and it looked awful.... where are all these people coming from? I have no problem with people queuing for as long as it takes to do it properly ...... but I just can’t fathom the number of people there!

OP posts:
Comefromaway · 05/03/2021 14:12

Some will be international students returning to school, college and practical university courses this weekend.

lljkk · 05/03/2021 14:19

sounds like a way to get labeled a drug dealer & shot in Philipines... I hope I'm wrong.

EileenGC · 05/03/2021 20:20

@Eyjafjallajokulldottir I don't know what your incredibly essential, non-ridiculous job is, but I do feel sorry for you. Your life must be incredibly boring and plain for you to think all that.

I assume you haven't once watched TV, listened to Spotify or gone on Netflix during the last 12 months? Like a PP pointed out, those are the non-essential industries that have entertained you and everyone else during lockdowns, before Covid and will always continue doing that. I find it hard to believe you actually live in a world without media or the arts.

Not that it's any of your business, but I don't see how having PCRs every 48 hours, isolating when and as required, and complying with all other regulations, is Spreading germs around in an airport and then another country. I'm under more restrictions and I swab my throat and nose more often than a health professional working on a Covid ward. So no, I really don't think it's ridiculous that I get to go to work every day.

MazDazzle · 06/03/2021 00:04

My DH (oil and gas industry, regularly works abroad) usually travels via Heathrow every 3 weeks. However, he’s been told to stay at home (unpaid) because there are riots in the country he’s supposed to be travelling to,
so it’s been deemed a no go area for Brits.

Usually he gets danger money, as the country is deemed unsafe. However, it’s now a no go area.

I pray for the day he’s allowed to travel through Heathrow.

RoundedTum · 06/03/2021 00:27

I know 3 people who have flown recently

DD's classmate and his family flew to India last week to see their family- they are from India originally. Due back in a couple of weeks.

Colleague flew to Dubai for a holiday in January, just before the flights stopped.

Friends husband is some sort of telecoms engineer- flew to Far East for work.

So a mix of holiday and work reasons for travel!

bumblingbovine49 · 06/03/2021 18:46

You are allowed to travel internationally for ANY WORK WHATSOEVER. Essential workers sometimes don't have to quarantine but the international travel itself is not on!y for ' essential workers'

It really is difficult for some people to comprehend the basics isn't it?

Blue565 · 06/03/2021 18:51

@MaxNormal

Your job is essential to you obviously but not to the running of the country. Spreading germs around in an airport and then another country just so you can play a musical instrument is ridiculous. But I think you know that which is why you're so defensive

You'd not deem my husband's work reasons essential either then - he's working on a sporting event. And I'm not defensive, I don't give a fuck. Pay my mortgage or wind your neck in.

This with bells on, I prioritise keeping a roof over my family's head before I care what randoms think is classed as essential
Eyjafjallajokulldottir · 07/03/2021 08:30

So much defensiveness on this thread! I work for the NHS so yeah, much more essential than music and sporting events. But carry on bleating about how useful and important your jobs are. I think this pandemic has shown which jobs are actually essential to the running of the country and yours have been found wanting. Sorry.

EileenGC · 07/03/2021 09:41

@Eyjafjallajokulldottir

So much defensiveness on this thread! I work for the NHS so yeah, much more essential than music and sporting events. But carry on bleating about how useful and important your jobs are. I think this pandemic has shown which jobs are actually essential to the running of the country and yours have been found wanting. Sorry.
Fortunately, the country I now live in hasn’t left any industry wanting. Because it recognises every single job is important and vital to society. Perhaps if the UK had financially supported all of its population, regardless of occupation, people wouldn’t have to travel internationally in order to feed themselves and their families.

What really is a shame, is that the UK is known around the world for its rich culture and history. So it’s sad to see someone who thinks like this. I come from Spain and when we learnt about British culture at school, we learnt about Shakespeare and the Beatles, we learnt about prestigious universities, about the writers, actors, musicians and athletes that came from the UK. That is what the UK is known for globally. Its culture.

I didn’t know what the NHS was until I saw the blue logo on my GP registration form when I moved to England. Guess what, no one outside the UK cares about the NHS. We have exactly the same healthcare system in Spain (the difference is, it’s better funded) and there is none of this NHS-worshipping, thinking the whole world must be envious of our flagship national institution mentality. People appreciate healthcare workers and their importance, now more than ever. I’m for one eternally grateful to both the NHS, the Spanish, and my current country’s healthcare systems, for saving the lives of several family members and friends throughout the pandemic.

But like I said, most countries have managed to support all industries. No profession is better than another. No family deserves to go without, simply because of their occupation. It’s not defensiveness on this thread, it’s a lack of understanding as to how someone could be so narrow minded to think their job is superior than everyone else’s. We all play a part in society, and benefit from each other’s jobs. I just guess you’ve never in your life watched TV or let your kids play football, ever. Useless activities and all that...

notimagain · 07/03/2021 12:16

No family deserves to go without, simply because of their occupation. It’s not defensiveness on this thread, it’s a lack of understanding as to how someone could be so narrow minded to think their job is superior than everyone else’s. We all play a part in society, and benefit from each other’s jobs.

Well said Eileen

willibald · 07/03/2021 13:21

@Eyjafjallajokulldottir

So much defensiveness on this thread! I work for the NHS so yeah, much more essential than music and sporting events. But carry on bleating about how useful and important your jobs are. I think this pandemic has shown which jobs are actually essential to the running of the country and yours have been found wanting. Sorry.
What a disgusting thing to say. 'When I hear the word culture, I reach for my Browning.'
notimagain · 07/03/2021 16:29

I think many of these and posts on similar threads show that there's a massive, massive lack of understanding of how inter-connected many jobs/roles/industries are in the UK economy and beyond. TBH some people need to step outside their bubble.

If a lot of "non glam", seemingly "non-essential " jobs were brought to a halt then the likes of the NHS would end up PDQ out of the materials it needs to function.

If a lot of "non glam", seemingly "non-essential' jobs were brought to a halt then the tax take would reduce and the likes of the NHS would end up PDQ out of the funds it needs to buy the materials it needs to function.

Loopyloututu2 · 07/03/2021 16:31

I don’t know but I’m very, very jealous (especially if they’re off to a hot country!)

willibald · 07/03/2021 16:39

@notimagain

I think many of these and posts on similar threads show that there's a massive, massive lack of understanding of how inter-connected many jobs/roles/industries are in the UK economy and beyond. TBH some people need to step outside their bubble.

If a lot of "non glam", seemingly "non-essential " jobs were brought to a halt then the likes of the NHS would end up PDQ out of the materials it needs to function.

If a lot of "non glam", seemingly "non-essential' jobs were brought to a halt then the tax take would reduce and the likes of the NHS would end up PDQ out of the funds it needs to buy the materials it needs to function.

👏👏👏
notimagain · 07/03/2021 16:41

@Loopyloututu2

I don’t know but I’m very, very jealous (especially if they’re off to a hot country!)
Grin

Well wherever they are going, hot or not, from tomorrow onwards they'll need one of these:

www.gov.uk/government/news/mandatory-form-for-international-travel-launched-to-prevent-illegal-trips

If, as a result of the associated checking of those outbound, we see yet more images of queues no doubt we'll get a rash of threads entitled something like, oh, perhaps.."Who are all these people queuing at Heathrow"???...Confused

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