White Waltham for lunch - by road. (Thurs 8th Nov)

[TheKentishFledgling]

OK so I've only ever visited WW by air before, but on Thursday will be in the area with a few hours to kill around lunchtime - so it seems a good place to go.

I've read various threads on here about them not liking visitors to the caff / restuarant by road. What's the deal?

[Firefly]

You will be more than welcome if you pop into Waltham on Thursday. I will be there but may be a bit busy as I have my FIC test on Thursday. We have met before so I will keep an eye out for you.

We did have a whole lot of very strange visitors on Saturday who arrived by road... they all seemed to be driving MX5s except for one who was in an MG. That Morley chap was amongst them and they all seemed to be rather well known in these parts...

[Iceman]

We had a meeting of the SGSCCC there only last Saturday at which about 12 people (all non-members) enjoyed a fab lunch. I had soup of the day, pork loins & mushroom special, and treacle tart and cream to finish, all yummy ! I visit WW for lunch relatively often and am a non-member; I have been made most welcome on all occasions.

Iceman

[wessex boy]

There was a lady by the door with a list checking people as they came in, I just acted as if i owned the place and wasn't challenged...

[Iceman]

There was a lady by the door with a list checking people as they came in, I just acted as if i owned the place and wasn't challenged...

Ditto

Iceman

[Monocock]

Let me know how you get on Ed. I hope you have better luck than I've ever had. Mind you, if you are chaperoned by a member it sounds like you'll have a nice time.

There was a lady by the door with a list checking people as they came in, I just acted as if i owned the place and wasn't challenged...

That's quite a good approach. I like it, and might try that one.

Alternatively, try this approach (go to 00:59):

[Boxkite]

I have unknowingly walked straight in on a few occasions, but ,from the WW thread on this subject, the official line is you should present yourself at reception first.

[Iceman]

Mono, I was wondering where before I'd seen the lady on the door at WW

Iceman

[wessex boy]

Yes, Mono, that's her!

We did have a whole lot of very strange visitors on Saturday who arrived by road... they all seemed to be driving MX5s except for one who was in an MG. That Morley chap was amongst them and they all seemed to be rather well known in these parts...

I will have you know that there were only 3 Mazdas...

[Lefty]

As I've stated several times on this forum - visitors are always welcome at White Waltham. All you have to do is respect that you are "a visitor" - and behave accordingly.

You may choose to walk in and "act as if you own the place" and hope that you won't be challenged (you prob 90 won't be) - or alternatively, you could stroll into ops and tell them your particular variation of the tale about "being a pilot who often flies in - but today is visiting the area by car" (etc etc) - and ask if you can use the restaurant. You will never be refused (unless the restaurant is closed or something similar).

If however you stroll in with a bunch of drunken friends in tow - acting as if you own the place - then don't be surprised if someone questions your entitlement to be there.

Bone fide visitors - always welcome. People taking advantage - never welcome.

If you are in on Thursday look for Firefly. He is easily identifiable.

If you email - or pm me your real name - I will phone ops to let them know you will be visiting.

[welkyboy]

Well said lefty.

[MichaelP]

When I visit I'm always asked if I've paid my membership!
By the lady at the door...
I was a member for a while, but don't get to use the facilities these days.
'Still it's always my first port of call, usually straight from Heathrow!

[Monocock]

When I visit I'm always asked if I've paid my membership!
By the lady at the door...

Ditto. I'm beginning to wonder if there are two airfields called White Waltham....!!

I'm not having a dig. I've done that, and been shouted down for it. Incidentally, I didn't 'walk in as if I owned the place', Lefty! I didn't even get as far as being able to walk in in any style! I only wanted a sandwich and a glass of water.

Are there any days she's not there? If so I'll try again and sample some of the food I keep hearing about, from the members.

[Paul_Sengupta]

Well, you could say there are a few White Walthams, depending on the people you meet...but it's like that anywhere.

White Waltham has comfortable chairs, a nice atmosphere and pleasant company (in my experience). It also has quite nice food.

The "lady on the door" isn't always there...she seems to be not there more often than she's there, but is usually there on a Sunday?

There seem to be right and wrong answers to the question, "Are you a member?"

"No" is the wrong answer. I think you have to say some magic words...

1. "I've just flown in and I understand that makes me a temporary member?"
2. "I'm a visiting pilot and thought I'd come and have a look at the place. Is it ok if I try out the facilities?"
3. "I'm a guest of <insert (real) name of favourite Walthmite here>"

As for the club members, as I said, most are ordinary hard working people. Some, though, are airline pilots... You may encounter a Yak or a Nanchang pilot, but they're human too if you scratch beneath the surface...

[MichaelP]

I've always believed in being friendly to visitors until they prove to be of the unwelcome type.
It's good for business!
I was a member in good standing at WLAC and I have paid a lot in hangarage there. Almost always a friendly place except for the odd occasion I have visited since, and the negative has always been from one person and only one person.
I'm not in England very often these days, I'm sorry for that, but when I've arrived I have always made my way directly to WW.

In Tiger Club - Redhill days I always welcomed people, made them tea, offered them biscuits and sticky buns, and any assistance I could give them.
That was to the chagrin of some members one of whom wrote to me "...we want to keep the Tiger Club exclusive..." to which my reply was "Read the Tiger Club charter!".
So I am well aware of English snobbery, which is not one of our better traits.

Condor Club welcomed everyone, and yes I do feel my hospitality was taken advantage of at times, but on the other hand there are so many really decent aviator types in England.
I maintained my TC membership for the good people there and not for the minority of less hospitable people.

Same with WLAC.
If I was making loads of money I would keep up my Overseas Membership simply to support the club.
But, I am poor... I am not making a good living these days though I am doing a lot of flying and having some fun!

I'm a strong believer in being hospitable to everyone. The more friends we have in aviation the better it is for all of us.

Long live White Waltham, I really miss the place.