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London Gatwick has launched a robotic airport parking service

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Re: London Gatwick has launched a robotic airport parking service

#161

Post by nextos »

telesilla wrote: post #98
simonklee wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly, i think this product is solving an airport problem and not a user problem. Whenever i park at an airport i always look for the shortest distance to terminal / price, then chose an option that lands within an acceptable range. Unless i'm way for very long shuttle-bus isn't really on the table.

Sometimes airport parking is insanely expensive (cough Schipol), so I'll park further away anyway or park somewhere I can get the train. If this helped lower costs I'd be fine with this but probably they'd keep the high price anyway.

Gatwick long-term parking is not expensive if you book in advance. You need to take a slow bus shuttle to the terminal, but it's never more than 15-20 min including waiting time. I've used it a zillion times as I'd rather not give my keys to those meet & greet companies who drive your car 5 miles. It might void insurance and waiting times when you return tend to be over an hour.

Re: London Gatwick has launched a robotic airport parking service

#164

Post by close04 »

kkrkgbbsvjdlzn wrote: post #122
varispeed wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I look for most spacious parking place with wide approach lanes, then shortest distance. Some car parks at the airports are just ridiculous. So narrow you can't exit the car.

I you have an extreme size SUV, yes, it should be hard to park. It’s by design.

I have a small car (regular hatchback) and a lot of the parking spots in the very large airport in my city are just marginally wider than my car. If you can’t get the spot at the end of the row, the only way to park in some of the buildings is to offload all your passengers, hope you find a spot where you can park “right door to right door” next to someone else so you can leave just enough room on the left side to squeeze out.

The parking buildings were built when cars were smaller than small cars today, and as the passenger count increased, so did the need for more spots, in a 0 sum game. They just split the cake in smaller slices.

Re: London Gatwick has launched a robotic airport parking service

#165

Post by clort »

nfbdhdfbf wrote: post #121
myself248 wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In a garage?

You didn’t answer the question Is that a thing people do in the UK? I’ve never heard of anybody doing that. I’m not sure why you would do it.

Unlikely to be normal, but I have been doing it at a couple of places I park at this year, since I'm there for a while, have to park in the sun and the places are semi-enclosed (ie, it is fenced so random people not walking around but not secure compound level). Also, my car is 17yrs old, I got it for free and don't keep valuable items inside. I prefer leaving the window open to coming back to 38degC inside. No aircon.

Re: London Gatwick has launched a robotic airport parking service

#167

Post by clort »

lrae wrote: post #127

> Maximum weight: 2.6 tonnes Wonder what the actual limit is and what happens when you're above it (and the other max. dimensions)? Couple of EVs out there that are heavier than 2.6 tonnes now. (Volvo EX90, Mercedes EQS, BMW iX, Ioniq 9, Rivians (not yet in the UK), ... and many more right around that weight.) Is it getting measured in the cabin and declines you?

Since you have to book in advance, I guess you give them the number plate details. They can look it up online to see what kind of vehicle it is and can decline to book if too heavy. They can cross check the number plate when you arrive.

Re: London Gatwick has launched a robotic airport parking service

#168

Post by dymk »

fdsdffds wrote: post #140
pkulak wrote: post #72

I guess we can add this to the ever-growing list of extremely expensive, complicated, inefficient and convoluted solutions to problems that end with the final specification: "but it can't be a train".

Yes, let's depend on a train for my time-sensitive journey with lots of awkward luggage. Do you people even ride trains? Are you OK with the 50/50 odds of gettings home on time?

A train system is a much safer bet than praying traffic won't be bad

Re: London Gatwick has launched a robotic airport parking service

#169

Post by rsynnott »

fdsdffds wrote: post #140
pkulak wrote: post #72

I guess we can add this to the ever-growing list of extremely expensive, complicated, inefficient and convoluted solutions to problems that end with the final specification: "but it can't be a train".

Yes, let's depend on a train for my time-sensitive journey with lots of awkward luggage. Do you people even ride trains? Are you OK with the 50/50 odds of gettings home on time?

I mean, it probably depends on the train line? Only airport train I’ve ever had issues with was Manchester, and more due to an absolutely ridiculous ticketing situation than anything else.

Re: London Gatwick has launched a robotic airport parking service

#170

Post by jplrssn »

kioleanu wrote: post #166

Are these not the guys that ask like 7 pounds to drive up to kiss & fly? Good to see that money’s put to good use!

£7 is about the price of a pint. Surely that’s worth it given the convenience of driving right up to the front door of the terminal?
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