Get me out of here!!!!!

[ufkacbln]

Dropped wife off at the Excel

So far so good,except I am stuck in the lobby

How do I get out?

Apparently I have to drive out... Explained that My wife needs the car for equipment

So apparently to get to the DLR I need to queue,register for the conference, pay the conference fee,and only then will I be allowed to pass through to the public transport system!

Otherwise it is a day in the entry lobby / car park!

Just asking "politely but firmly" to speak to a Security manager

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Tell them you feel ill, they will let you out then

 

[w00hoo_kent]

I thought Excel had the big public area in the middle (full of Costa's and the like) with the halls off to the sides and the carpark underneath leading in to the public area. It's been like that for all the Con's I've done anyway. Can't you just walk out the doors in the big glass wall at the end?

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Looks like a Security Conference is on - hence the tight security lol

 

[Profpointy]

you could just behave really outrageously then they'll have to throw you out.
(not so outrageously you get arrested obviously)

 

[Archie_tect]

Here's a map!
Map of Excel
Click on Interactive Map...

 

[I like Skol]

Dropped wife off at the Excel [with car]....

Unless I am missing something obvious (like your wife doesn't drive) why did you even go along. Surely the sensible option would be for her to drive the car, loaded with equipment she would need, to the venue and keep it there with her and the same in reverse at home time?

 

[yello]

If it's any consolation, we'll know where to send the rescue party

 

[Archie_tect]

Party!
[Is there cake?]

 

[I like Skol]

If it's any consolation, we'll know where to send the rescue party

This might be necessary, No activity from Cunobelin since he posted this morning......

 

[Profpointy]

Actually had a similar experience in Ikea - I know, my own fault for going there.
Managed to control the panic whilst focusing on my errand. Then tried to follow the exit signs, but led only to an alarmed fire escape, or an up-only escalator. Ended up barging down the up escalator muttering fairly loudly "got to get out, got to get out !"
Ended up at home white as a sheet. It's the only time I've ever suffered from claustrophobia and / or had a panic attack - and I've never suffered from claustrophobia in 35 years' caving.. The fact they deliberately engineer this environment makes it even more galling. Not fun at all. I try and avoid their stuff, and have paid £10 postage on a £2 item to avoid re-visiting their shop

 

[I like Skol]

Actually had a similar experience in Ikea - I know, my own fault for going there.
Managed to control the panic whilst focusing on my errand. Then tried to follow the exit signs, but led only to an alarmed fire escape, or an up-only escalator. Ended up barging down the up escalator muttering fairly loudly "got to get out, got to get out !"
Ended up at home white as a sheet. It's the only time I've ever suffered from claustrophobia and / or had a panic attack - and I've never suffered from claustrophobia in 35 years' caving.. The fact they deliberately engineer this environment makes it even more galling. Not fun at all. I try and avoid their stuff, and have paid £10 postage on a £2 item to avoid re-visiting their shop

I also don't like the way IKEA coral you into 'doing' the whole place without obvious escape routes but that is mainly because I am fast turning into a grumpy old man.....

Just asking "politely but firmly" to speak to a Security manager

Just as Cunobelin appears to be. I would never have dreamed of asking to speak to a manager when I was younger

 

[JoeyB]

Cunobelin is from Gosport....he'll find a way around the Security...

 

[yello]

It's the only time I've ever suffered from claustrophobia and / or had a panic attack - and I've never suffered from claustrophobia in 35 years' caving.. The fact they deliberately engineer this environment makes it even more galling. Not fun at all.

Not fun, no. I can empathise as I suffer in crowded places such as malls etc. I get warning signs before a panic attack and I begin to feel physically uncomfortable; my eyes can dry up (air conditioning triggering it maybe) and my breathing shallows and is shorter. I feel myself starting to get nervous, flighty, and I become irritable. The heart starts pounding. I've no idea why really, it's not a claustrophobia, it's more crowd related but then I'm okay-ish if the crowd is outdoors. Weird huh?

Just last week, my wife quite literally had to grab me by my shoulders and get me to breath slowly and deeply just to calm me down. We'd been in the store maybe 20 minutes. No, not fun for me nor for her. Not to mention embarrassing.

 

[annedonnelly]

I also don't like the way IKEA coral you into 'doing' the whole place without obvious escape routes but that is mainly because I am fast turning into a grumpy old man.....

I'm amazed that the punters will put up with it - surely most of them won't walk more than 10 yards from car to the shop - even if it means driving round the car park for an hour to find the perfect space.