Yesterday we left home at 3.00am to catch a plane from Stansted.
We arrived at 5.30am for the 8.05 flight.
On arrival we say the airport had been evacuated, the reason was a coffee machine was smoking and set of alarms, the smoke was dealt with by 3.50 am.
We waited outside in the cold until after 6.00 am, no announcements.
Everyone was allowed back in at once, we read later it was approximately 10,000 people.
The danger was so high due to the crowds, no staff, no announcements, check in desks empty, queues for self check in and security staff running at 50%.
One African lady sat on the floor in the middle of all of this with her child, I suggested gently she and her child may get trampled, she just shrugged her shoulders, people pushed, shoved and elbowed, one lady with a baby in a pushchair and a case was separated from her children, my husband and myself were the only ones to try and help her.
We battled our way through security and self check in this took 90 minutes plus with fast track.
In the airport young people were laid across up to five seats to sleep, their bags also taking up seats whilst the elderly stood.
Still no staff to manage the carnage and no announcements.
We got to our gate to find the plane had left on time apparently there were 3 passengers on board.
Now to reclaim our bags……we found someone, a miracle indeed and went to the conveyer.
Just as expected no bags, after 40 minutes my husband wandered off and found our bags unattended in a pile.
One poor guy was screaming that someone had taken his bag.
Off now to Ryan Air customer services, yes you’ve guessed empty!
We left the airport and set off for Le Shuttle, we are now in the Pas de Calais and after a good sleep about to start the very long drive to Nimes.
I don’t think I could ever fly again, we saw the worst of humanity and I am now so terrified of an airport terrorist attack as I realise these places are so badly managed, no systems are in place and staff just hide.
Rant over, just praying for a safe journey south.
Dreadful experience and the fact that there are no airport staff around to assist is shocking they are quick to take our money but provide no services.
Allira agree about Singapore.
I’ve never had a experience like Sago, it sounds awful
Travel used to be fairly pleasant, these days it’s an ordeal to get over with as painlessly as possible.
Musicgirl
We flew from Stansted to Singapore for a family wedding a couple of years ago. It was our first flight from Stansted and will be our last. It is the worst British airport I have ever had the misfortune to be in. Next time, we will fly from Birmingham, which is nearer for us anyway.
But Singapore must be the best airport in the world!
Not a fan of Stansted. Seems cold and indifferent. We try to use the really friendly Birmingham or East Midlands. Luton seems to have interminable building works which change everything around.
But I do not think that Ryanair are wholly to blame as each airport has its own emergency procedure and should have put controls and info into place.
I think my worst was landing in Faro - they herded us into a very small space and called all the EU nationals out and put them through and left us to wait nearly an hour standing there, before opening the manual gates. I shouted at the staff to let the small children out into a more breathable space, which they eventually did.
It sounds terrifying and, as many have commented, illegal. I'd research the contact address of the nearest fire station, not actually on the airport, and copy your letter to them. Someone in authority there would be horrified.
We flew to Marrakech in March. The while holiday was booked through a local travel agent, as I find the whole booking online system very stressful. As DH can't walk very far , they also arranged assistance, much easier!
We flew from Stansted to Singapore for a family wedding a couple of years ago. It was our first flight from Stansted and will be our last. It is the worst British airport I have ever had the misfortune to be in. Next time, we will fly from Birmingham, which is nearer for us anyway.
Overthemoongran I agree City Airport is nice to fly from, it is easy for us to get to which is an added bonus 👍
Allira
I hate motorways but we have to go on motorways to get to an airport!
Agree Allira same from here but only 15 minutes as the airport is only 10 miles away. I’m looking out now across to the Pennines and can see a plane coming in to land. Luckily we don’t live under any flight paths. I’m sorry for Knutsford!
I’d rather go on holiday by plane than by car to say Devon. I’m such a nervous passenger. I sit in the back …. 😂 and close my eyes occasionally or look left out of the window!
Give me a flight any day.
I’ve only flown once from Stanstead and it was several years ago. It was ok for us but I don’t like flying anyway. I always think something disatrous is going to happen!!!😯
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.
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
I hate motorways but we have to go on motorways to get to an 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!
Sounds awful, if you need to fly in future use a smaller airport.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
.
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.
.
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.
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.
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.
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