Birmingham airport parking charge a rip-off

Don't drive to the Airport, drive to the nearby International Rail Station and drop off there, the air travellers can then use the FREE monorail over to the airport.

I totally agree with this gripe having dropped my daughter off yesterday. Some DROP AND GO! What upset me most was not understanding that I had to park, get out of my car, pay for the ticket before I could exit the car park. Maybe I just did not see the signs, but they were not (in my opinion) very obvious. I do wonder how many people get stung by not knowing the procedure, getting to the exit and then having to go all the way back to the enterance side to pay. By which time they have exceeded the 15 minute limit and are then charged an extortionate sum of money. RIP OFF BRITAIN. I would like to know who to officially complain to.

You said it yourself, you probably should not have commented at all.

"No McDonald's have drive-through only"

That is incorrect, try thinking in a wider context. I'm not discussing this with you any further.

Some McDonald's restaurants have drive-through facilities. No McDonald's have drive-through only. Therefore a "drive-through" would also have a restaurant, which could be accessed by ways other than by car, just like BHX in your example.

"McDonald's could do it at their drive-throughs."

The discussion referred to drive-throughs specifically where the expected primary method of access would be by car.

Who are you anyway? Anon ... I despise people who post without accountability.

"The analogy with, for example, MuckDonalds charging for use of the drive-through facility is facile, as that is an integral part of the offering, whereas there are other alternatives to arrive at an airport."

There are other ways of arriving at McDonald's too.

I am not familiar with the arrangement at BHX as I have not used it since that was put in place, so maybe I should not have commented. As a general principle though, I think it is appropriate that there is a charge for use of a facility, but it should be indicated correctly.

The analogy with, for example, MuckDonalds charging for use of the drive-through facility is facile, as that is an integral part of the offering, whereas there are other alternatives to arrive at an airport. If there were not a charge for dropoff, there would be a selfish minority of people who would abuse it by parking for lengthy periods and causing major inconvience for others. The solution to that would be a draconian measure such as fine of £500 - which would probably never be enforced - or removing offenders' cars and selling them by public auction where the owner had an opportunity to buy his car back. (Or crushing them if they had chav exhausts and loudspeakers!)

An airport I use frequently allows 5 minutes free parking in the drop/off pick up zone which is right outside the terminal, and thereafter there is a hefty fee. Sometimes it suits me to park there for half an hour or so and pay the hefty fee, if not, there are other more economical parking options. I am happy to have that choice and this may be a solution that BHX could adopt.

This is hilarious, and mind-bogglingly devious, and hopefully a shot in BHX's own foot. Imagine the same applied to other businesses. McDonald's could do it at their drive-throughs. Selfridges could charge their customers a handling fee, when they handle the doors on entering. How about Gap charging those who look at its window display? The underground could add a turnstyle/gate charge and perhaps I should charge all of you for reading this.

When companies are so petty, it's essential that everyone else matches them. So if a company delays/inconveniences you in the tiniest way while you are using their goods or services, send them a bill. That bill will be valid. You could contest it up to six years later if you are unpaid, and they will have to pay interest on the amount you charged if you are successful.

I agree it's a convenience, and a well maintained one, but customers should have a choice as to whether they wish to use it. Simply need signs earlier down the road stating there is no free drop off/pick up area. And with the state of the airline industry, BHX needs to encourage customers to choose Birmingham Airport over other local airports by being more customer friendly. Its all about the customer, without those they've got zip-di-doo.

East Midlands Airport rocks! As Mr Angry says, use the service station just off J23a and chill out there if you know flights are delayed and wait for a text or phone call and then just drive literally 2 mins down the road and pick em up for no charge if in and out in 10 mins. Avoid Birmingham Airport if you can. They rip you off and the airport sucks anyway....

I fail to understand why you people think that it is a 'ripoff' that you should have to pay to use a facility whch is maintained and provided at someone else's expense. If the facility did not exist you would be subject to inconvenience and delay. Think about it.