Airport trauma, I may never fly again.

What a truly horrendous experience for you Sago. I agree that flying can be an absolute nightmare. I do hope you have a good journey to your destination and are able to relax and enjoy the wedding. 💐

I used to enjoy flying. Now, the experience of actually getting through check in and customs is such an unpleasant experience, along with needing to be there hours before takeoff, that it has convinced me that I will never fly again unless I desperately have to. The whole procedure has become nightmarish.

How awful for you, Sago. I can imagine what it was like. Last time we flew from Stansted we arrived about the same time as you and the crowds were horrendous then and I vowed to never fly from there again. It would have been horrendous in that sort of situation.

Please do not let one horrid experience stop you from flying/travelling.

I have to encounter the dreaded M25 or A12 to get to most places, awful roads, traffic jams and appalling drivers, just have to crack on.

I have not flown for about 8 years and never intend to do so again. I hate the entire airport experience. Followed up by having to sit too close to random people I do not know or wish to know. My travelling days are over.

Allira

nanna8

I hate airports,too but the ones here are not as you describe. I can’t stand Manchester and Heathrow is not much better. I will never, ever go to either of them again. I believe Glasgow is better ? Not risking it,though. Most people here are pretty well mannered thank goodness. The worst I have come across in Australia is Darwin, mainly because the staff are aloof and curt,though, not because of the passengers.

I always get pulled to one side in Australian airports and searched.
I must look suspicious 😀

I got put inot a room once. With people with guns[Country a long way away].
I had answered a question on their computer monitor about where I had visited. Which the authorities were alarmed by.

Another relative, very recently, had their plane camcelled until the next evening.
She went towards a desk to ask a question.
She is pregnant but doesnt look it yet.
She got shoved by a big crowd[some of them very annoyed], behind her.

We all know that problems do happen at busy airports but the frustration experienced by passengers can be alleviated so much if only staff on duty explain what’s happening.
Sago found staff were very thin on the ground which is not acceptable.
Obviously safety is of paramount importance which everyone understands but proper communication is essential.

That sounds horrible Sago. I flew from Stansted years ago, really poor customer service. Won’t fly from Manchester again either, just a money-grabbing cattle market with shops. I was pretty impressed though with information and staffing levels at Luton airport recently. The worst was Nice, every passenger including families with little children - felt so sorry for them - going through one 2 hours-long queue for customs. Couldn’t leave for any basic needs without going to the back again and staff were surly and uncommunicative. Complaining is perhaps the only way to go.

I’m sorry it sounds a horrendous experience you had Sago. We used Stansted two weeks ago having not flown from there for many years and I must say we prefer Luton airport they offer a much more efficient experience. However Stansted is our closest airport. Hope you can enjoy your holiday now and return trip is uneventful

We use The Isle Of Man ferry boat often in summer time. The crew members are gracious friendly and very welcoming.
I couldn’t help but compare them to airport staff who are sometimes unhelpful and bossy especially going through the security. My daughter says they mustn’t be trained on how to treat people who are under stress about their flight. A little consideration goes a long way to reduce stress.
The ferry crew are mostly from the Philippines or Tyland.

We departed Heathros last Saturday during the cyber attack with no problems at all except for a 15 minute take-off delay. I think this was because BA wisely had a back up system at Terminal 5.

Stansted is one of the worst airports in the world and Ryanair is the worst airline. Put the two together and the experience is always bad as you know if something goes wrong neither of them will make any attempt to help you.
I try to avoid them but sometimes there is no alternative and I am flying Ryanair out of Stansted next week. Wish me luck.

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agnurse

YourCostco hypermarkets are obviously entirely different to ours in the U.K.

We don't have large tins of ketchup just two large bottles (plastic) sold together. Exactly the same size as in all our High Street supermarkets but at half the price. Not two-gallon tubs of peanut butter either but 500g tubs.

You're in Canada so might just have caught the American disease known as 'Hyperbole'. I hear it's very contagious and has possibly/probably crossed the border!

But anyway, what does Costco have to do with Stansted Airport? Can't see how the goods they sell have anything to do with an airport.
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Definitely very stressful but think you’re shooing yourself in the foot by staying you’ll never fly again?
Unfortunate things can happen whether you’re a Ryanair or scheduled passenger; I’m sure everyone at Stansted was equally affected?
99.9% of airport experiences are not like this. I’ve had 6 flights this year (including one from Stansted and several in Central Asia) and whilst there’s occasionally glitches I won’t be rushing to give up travelling by air any time soon. And yes, I also travel by train and have had few long journeys this year, train travel can be equally frustrating.

That is the most awful story and I salute you for rescuing the situation, no doubt at considerable expense.
Even when all is running to schedule, the airport experience is so awful these days that I'm only prepared to fly from the small local airport.

One of the very worst airports we have flown into and out of is JFK in NYC, we did fly there some years ago now so perhaps it has improved but when we used that airport on arriving the security/border guards were really rude to the point of being offensive.
Our relative who met us said they are well known for it.

I hate the whole airport experience.
The whole "do I remove my shoes, belt etc" fiasco is ridiculous. Last time we flew I was told different things by different staff and was thoroughly cheesed off with being barked at.
For some reason I must look like an aged bomb maker. I am always pulled over to have my hands tested for whatever it is they test for. I have never asked why, just in case it makes me appear even guiltier than I already seem to look.

Babs03

One of the very worst airports we have flown into and out of is JFK in NYC, we did fly there some years ago now so perhaps it has improved but when we used that airport on arriving the security/border guards were really rude to the point of being offensive.
Our relative who met us said they are well known for it.

We’ve flown many times in to Boston, since I have a sister not far away - the immigration staff used to be notorious for rudeness and aggressive attitudes, but after many complaints, they did improve a lot.

However we flew in less than a week ago - staff were pleasant enough, but we had to queue for over an hour at immigration! Of around 40 desks, only about 3 were open. Whether that was down to Trump/Musk cuts to govt. staff, I don’t know.

Well I’m certainly carrying on flying. Think of all the amazing places we would never see without flying! It would take weeks.
I’ll fly along with my coach trips etc.
My worst journey recently was a U.K.train journey absolutely awful.

Sounds awful, if you need to fly in future use a smaller airport.

I love flying and even using Manchester International airport. I love the buzz. I’m a patient person so long queues never bother me.

Maybe it’s because I hate motorways!

I hate motorways but we have to go on motorways to get to an airport!

Yes, my daughter and family live in USA so, although I hate flying, I will put up with all the hassle just to spend time with them

Sounds like a terrible experience, so sorry.
Earlier this year we took our first flight from London City Airport, what a pleasure it was. Admittedly you can’t go long haul from there, but you could go to a European hub and get a flight from there? If you only need short haul then I really recommend this airport, I think it’s probably a bit more expensive but worth every penny. We could park just 5 mins walk from the departure lounge or there are lots of nearby public transport links. Their system seems to be efficient and every member of staff we dealt with were helpful and treated us as human beings. I loved the whole experience and will certainly be using it again.