FRIAT 2024

[iainpeden]

On Friday the aircraft in red and blue areas are in place so you can walk to FRIAT from the car parks. Green zone is still live so to get from the green car park you use the internal shuttle bus. On Monday FRIAT run a walking bus across from blue gate only to get into the stand. Morning is ok because they usually move aircraft to red or green end. However, last year I was an hour in the queue to get back to the car park because the USAF -15s and -35s parked at show centre were running and we were not allowed past; so while a taxi would be okay on Monday to get in you couldn’t guarantee being back at the blue car park at a set time.

[Stagger2]

Daring to ask, this edition I am doing 6 days for the first time, I am planning to travel per taxi to the P&V days, the only issue is that I am not entirely sure if that would work, nor how to get to the FRIAT enclosure seeing it is situated in the middle of the crowdline and with all the taxiing aircraft I do not expect you can just walk there, anyone who has tips, advice etc? Appreciate it in advance!

I note you are staying in Swindon. If you feel able to clarify if you are travelling solo & which Hotel/Accommodation you're staying at, I'm sure there will be many of your Countrymen passing there along with numerous other persons either staying at the same premises or nearby. Gotta be a lift available for the cost of a Beer afterwards? Following-on from the previous post there must also be somebody at least leaving when you do who's going that way!

[ThatDutchDude]

Daring to ask, this edition I am doing 6 days for the first time, I am planning to travel per taxi to the P&V days, the only issue is that I am not entirely sure if that would work, nor how to get to the FRIAT enclosure seeing it is situated in the middle of the crowdline and with all the taxiing aircraft I do not expect you can just walk there, anyone who has tips, advice etc? Appreciate it in advance!

I note you are staying in Swindon. If you feel able to clarify if you are travelling solo & which Hotel/Accommodation you're staying at, I'm sure there will be many of your Countrymen passing there along with numerous other persons either staying at the same premises or nearby. Gotta be a lift available for the cost of a Beer afterwards? Following-on from the previous post there must also be somebody at least leaving when you do who's going that way!

Still 5 months left to get everything pinned out, currently have already been talking with a couple people from the Netherlands and Belgium, appreciate all the help!

[rockfordstone]

On Friday the aircraft in red and blue areas are in place so you can walk to FRIAT from the car parks. Green zone is still live so to get from the green car park you use the internal shuttle bus. On Monday FRIAT run a walking bus across from blue gate only to get into the stand. Morning is ok because they usually move aircraft to red or green end. However, last year I was an hour in the queue to get back to the car park because the USAF -15s and -35s parked at show centre were running and we were not allowed past; so while a taxi would be okay on Monday to get in you couldn’t guarantee being back at the blue car park at a set time.

i think they operate the same walking bus on thursday if you go to the enclosure. i've not used it though because normally i'm in P&V East on Thursday

[Wrexham Mackem]

On Friday the aircraft in red and blue areas are in place so you can walk to FRIAT from the car parks. Green zone is still live so to get from the green car park you use the internal shuttle bus. On Monday FRIAT run a walking bus across from blue gate only to get into the stand. Morning is ok because they usually move aircraft to red or green end. However, last year I was an hour in the queue to get back to the car park because the USAF -15s and -35s parked at show centre were running and we were not allowed past; so while a taxi would be okay on Monday to get in you couldn’t guarantee being back at the blue car park at a set time.

i think they operate the same walking bus on thursday if you go to the enclosure. i've not used it though because normally i'm in P&V East on Thursday

They do indeed. Its a walking bus on Thursday.

[iainpeden]

The feedback from the FRIAT forum has just dropped into my inbox; as ever some very useful information and a very nice addition to the static.
My one worry is the potential lack of fast track entrance at blue gate; one hopes that the police objection can be overcome as the reality is it's not a security bypass as we all still have to go through security anyway.

[Dom.]

What’s the addition?

I can only see the Alize which had been announced since the forum

[boff180]

Nice to see the CONUS US static restrictions info

[bishbashbosh]

Agree that I don’t understand the logic with regards to the FRIAT queue so perhaps someone who was there can fill in the gaps. All the queue does is put FRIAT members at the front of the general public queue when the gates open. They still go through the same security.

[iainpeden]

What’s the addition?

I can only see the Alize which had been announced since the forum

I’d missed the announcement of the Alize.
(Still addicted to the good old days when part of the excitement was turning up the first morning to see what had arrived!)

[G-CVIX]

I cannot fathom why it makes a difference to security to have the FRIAT fast track lane. As mentioned above, all it does is bypass the public queue and you go through the same security. If we lose the fast track access there's no way I can continue to justify attending the show through FRIAT & I don't think I'm the only one.

[Tommy]

It says we “may” lose access, not “will”, but I agree.

I’m not sure how that makes a difference from a security point of view at all. Everyone passes through the same gate/checks. It’s just that FRIATers get to go through that entrance up to those security gates 30 mins early, and then the punters join on the back.

I’m not sure how the 100% bag search makes a difference to that.

[Degsy]

+ Two hear @C-CVIX and its looking like the catering is not what we want as well it was the only place to get a bacon butty last year. Whats next to cut.. the stand?

[Albion143]

Even though I’m a FRIAT member I don’t seem to have got this email. Would anyone be so kind to send it over to me if I DM you my address please?

[Hammerhead]

Even though I’m a FRIAT member I don’t seem to have got this email. Would anyone be so kind to send it over to me if I DM you my address please?

First check your junk email folder as some people have had their FRIAT emails end up there, if you still don't have it contact Wendy and she will send it on to you...

[frank]

I cannot fathom why it makes a difference to security to have the FRIAT fast track lane. As mentioned above, all it does is bypass the public queue and you go through the same security. If we lose the fast track access there's no way I can continue to justify attending the show through FRIAT & I don't think I'm the only one.

I totally and utterly agree with your comment. What on earth are FRIAT thinking, this is one of the two biggest attractions to being a member. I would seriously consider not renewing my FRIAT membership - no strike that, I would almost certainly not renew it. I would probably just do P&V.
We still go through the same security tent etc the only addition we create is the manning of the gate - from memory there is usually two squaddies there - is that really a concern to security esp as RIAT have our names, addresses, bank account details etc etc.
With falling numbers at FRIAT due to the MACH 3 decision there will IMHO be a significant drop with this piece of nonsense.

[frank]

Just another thought, FRIAT stated that they are removing the fast track entry benefit from the website. If it is confirmed in due course as not available then they should offer cancellation with a complete refund to anyone who bought tickets and no longer wish to attend.

[bishbashbosh]

Perhaps it might be to do with not wanting people to queue along the fence, but there are surely other areas for the queue (hence they are looking into options).

I agree this is one of the biggest selling points of FRIAT along with Monday departures.

[rockfordstone]

It says we “may” lose access, not “will”, but I agree.

I’m not sure how that makes a difference from a security point of view at all. Everyone passes through the same gate/checks. It’s just that FRIATers get to go through that entrance up to those security gates 30 mins early, and then the punters join on the back.

I’m not sure how the 100% bag search makes a difference to that.

knowing the police, they probably haven't grasped that's its not a fast lane that skips security and probably needs a bit more clearer discussion.
when i've dealt with the police around planning, they normally just respond with pre selected wording and it needs to be spelt out to them.

[wdg]

I don't think it even needs to be a separate gate - they were trying to get people queueing in the car park last year rather than on the road, so just keep that, have a separate queue in the car park for FRIAT and release that queue before the main one.

Anyone who arrives after the initial FRIAT queue has gone in could be treated like a queue-jump at a nightclub - you go up to the gate, show the bouncer your pass and he lets you through the rope. Anyone without a pass is politely directed to the back of the line.

[capercaillie]

Well for a lot more money year on year the package is decidedly getting poorer value for money.

Less aircraft to photograph on Monday departures (sign of the times)
Worse food
Since Friday has become a public day no clear walk around the static on the day before
No escorted static walk around on the Thurday evening after the above came into force
A ruddy great building and its associated distractions put up in front of the stand killing many low level departures
Now a simple thing of a queue ahead of a queue on public days is apparently too much for anyone to handle

[Wrexham Mackem]

That's the thing, the diversion of the FRIAT part of the queue seems such a minor thing; as is clear to us all the queue is before any contact with security checks. The explanation doesn't make sense to me. I find it very hard to believe it can't be managed.

[boff180]

We still go through the same security tent etc the only addition we create is the manning of the gate - from memory there is usually two squaddies there - is that really a concern to security esp as RIAT have our names, addresses, bank account details etc etc.

Not defending nor am I representing the correct/official answer, this post is purely my opinion. But I would suggest that this isn't about the security risk posed by genuine FRIAT members outside of the security check in their own queue but a potential risk identified by the Police (and I say the Police - not DBH) of someone "else" joining/taking advantage of the secondary queue. A risk that then has to be managed/mitigated in addition to the main crowd/queue - increasing complexity of the situation and the resources required from their perspective - something they perhaps haven't got the appetite to do much to everyones annoyance.

As the note says though, this is a "may happen" wait and see.

[ThatDutchDude]

Well for a lot more money year on year the package is decidedly getting poorer value for money.

Less aircraft to photograph on Monday departures (sign of the times)
Worse food
Since Friday has become a public day no clear walk around the static on the day before
No escorted static walk around on the Thurday evening after the above came into force
A ruddy great building and its associated distractions put up in front of the stand killing many low level departures
Now a simple thing of a queue ahead of a queue on public days is apparently too much for anyone to handle

What do you specifically mean with less aircraft during monday departures? Does it have to do with the opening times of the FRIAT enclosure?

[capercaillie]

Well for a lot more money year on year the package is decidedly getting poorer value for money.

Less aircraft to photograph on Monday departures (sign of the times)
Worse food
Since Friday has become a public day no clear walk around the static on the day before
No escorted static walk around on the Thurday evening after the above came into force
A ruddy great building and its associated distractions put up in front of the stand killing many low level departures
Now a simple thing of a queue ahead of a queue on public days is apparently too much for anyone to handle

What do you specifically mean with less aircraft during monday departures? Does it have to do with the opening times of the FRIAT enclosure?

I specifically mean we have less aircraft than we used to. Monday is why the majority of us (on here) splash out for FRIAT, so we can get the money shot departures. From the 350+ aircraft peak of the 90s, we're lucky to see 200 go home on Monday these days. From £50 quid back then to £300 now is a big increase for less return.