Red Route - Early arrivals (Sat)

[hfc1904]

Havent been to showday for a number of years, but this year treating the wife to a day out ! Could anyone help me, do they still open up a field for parking for those that get there a silly-o-clock, leaving home around midnight, so will be in Fairford area at 3am, was hoping to get parked up for a few hours kip before moving on to the airfield parking

TIA

[mark.alan.barnes]

I took that route last year for the first time and arrived at about 0700hrs and was one of the first cars there which came as a bit of a shock having been caught in traffic numerous times coming from Stroud. I was parked up literally 50metres from the entrance!

Interestingly I was home (near Rugby) in an hour and a half too!

I don't expect to be that lucky twice.

[mark.alan.barnes]

I don't think I saw another car until I had drove by a very attractive looking bit of river (fishing wise) about 8m out then took an R into almost a single track road by a garage.

I must have got there just after the gates opened.

I spent about half an hour waiting for the ticket clearing to open while two armed police patrolled the queue looking for something out of the ordinary. To be honest I didn't think any of us fitted a 'profile!'

[mark.alan.barnes]

[quote="andrew b"

its nice to know though that the armed police are there keeping us safe from nasty things[/quote]

Too right!

I had to laugh a few years ago when my brother was not allowed to bring a multi tool sort of thing into the airfield. At £200 he decided to take it back to my car that was parked a long way back in a field rather like The Bocage with a massive hedge surrounding it that meant there was only one way 'in' and that was the long way! lol

He's not fitted with the best head for navigation and must have been 'gone' for an hour during which light rain had become persistent and heavy rain. On returning back to 'security' they were initially refusing to let him in as he was now resplendent in a dayglo waterproof (he cycles). They said that allowing him in would compromise security as they were wearing similar coats.

After much negotiation, they let him in. I spent the rest of the day trying to convince him to do a 'Father's for Justice' style 'pitch invasion!'

At least they had thwarted his plans to dismantle a jet

[POL]

They sound more like moronic jobsworths than anyone helping to ensure security.

[Jaymer15]

He's not fitted with the best head for navigation and must have been 'gone' for an hour during which light rain had become persistent and heavy rain. On returning back to 'security' they were initially refusing to let him in as he was now resplendent in a dayglo waterproof (he cycles). They said that allowing him in would compromise security as they were wearing similar coats.

I've heard that one before. At a football match a chap I know of was refused entry because he had a dayglo jacket on. They said he could be confused as a steward. They said he would have to take it off on a cold November night. He said no and was not let in.

Like EGVP said jobsworths.

[The Cat]

It's the same every year in my personal experience. I'm always in the first group to go through ticket barrier and I'm searched
and patted down then 5 minutes later most are just waved thorough with an occasional search !
I really don't understand the "we open at 0730 and not a second before" attitude. Yes it's the rule so no argument but European air shows seem far more
relaxed and friendly.
Paris Air show trade days open at 0830 yet as people are queing they let you in '10 minutes' before ditto Berlin Air show etc

[bizfreeq]

Yeah because that extra 10 minutes wait for the gate to open really makes a big difference on a 10 hour day doesn't it

[peasus911]

Well said Andrew, as previously mentioned, I will be unable to attend the show due to being immobile after an op but have been able to get a spot on the Farm camp site. three days of noise is the result of very hard work by dozens if not hundreds of people. Yes there is always problems but I feel the mile static line and ten hour display usually makes up for any hardships. Personally, I can't wait for my "RIAT" weekend.

[mark.alan.barnes]

Absolutely no grumbling from my end!

It is one of the things I look forward to seeing and I've only missed two in the last 20 years and one of them was cancelled.

To be fair, the volunteers do a sterling job.

This year looks like the best for years