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.
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!!!😯
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.
Overthemoongran I agree City Airport is nice to fly from, it is easy for us to get to which is an added bonus 👍
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
did they not learn from the crush at Hillsborough? in that situation people panic and sense goes out the window. They should not be allowed back without staff supervision
Sounds awful Sago I hate all the stress associated with airports etc. My husband loves being in the airport, watching the planes etc. Even worse now we have to have digital boarding passes, in my experience the queues are usually held up by people trying to access their documents on their phones. The people with paperwork have it at the ready.
Absolutely loath Stansted, but unfortunately it is our nearest airport. When it was first built it was beautiful, but now the whole place is so crammed with shops you frequently cant find anywhere to sit and wait. Last time we flew in June the shuttle was on the blink and we waited 35 minutes, nearly missing our flight. Inbound all the alarms went off as we were within sight of the arrivals lounge with our booked taxi waiting out front. Giant doors slammed shut and we were trapped for 45 minutes with no information. In the end we found out that a passenger had turned back after going through the 'nothing to declare' gateway which apparently is a security threat. She was throwing up in the loo and no one could be released until she was found and searched. And dont get me started on the charges for drop off and pick up.
I have in the past had some horrendous flights including one once when I was going to Ireland to weekend babysit while the parents had a break I was leaving teatime We sat on the plane for an hour then we were all herded off we were told to line up at the desk which everyone did we stood in the queue like true Brits until the lights went out for the night everyone sat down still in the queue then coats over them bags under their heads to try and get some sleep the lights went up early morning and everyone stood up with joy only to find they could only take the first three in the queue the rest had to try and find another flight I had to cancel the babysitting duties and catch the train home I was shaking with cold and tiredness
and cried from sheer frustration
We had an awful experience at Standstead too, when they cancelled the flight 30 minutes before take off due to the fog.No one can help the fog of course. But the queues were endless and they just kept telling people to go home and come back the next day, we had a 4 1/2 our drive either way, but decided to go home and try a couple of days later, when we eventually managed to get a flight. No-one to speak to, with just he endless announcement telling everyone to go home as no flights would be leaving Standstead that day. No help with booking flights for the next day at all, No food no hotel accommodation like you get with some airlines not a thing. My mother was with us and was 89 at the time, she was of course totally shattered. Thankfully both my husband and I drove so could take turns to drive back.
We were on a flight from Cyprus years ago - they must have over-booked because there was standing room only! They asked if anyone would like to get off the plane (before it took off, of course 😁) so that everyone could have a seat.
Obviously some people volunteered, but one man was so anxious he wouldn't sit down during take-off and paced around all the time. Quite unnerving.
PamelaJ1
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.
It is. We love it. It made the contrast with Stansted even more glaring.
Singapore really is an airport like no other.
It makes you think that travelling is pleasurable. Sadly, it's the only one I can think of.
My FIL designed Terminal 1 of Singapore airport. We are very proud of him.
Luckygirl3
I never fly. I hate every single thing about it, including the airport experience.
And as long as we all assume we can fly where we want when we want the planet will go down the pan. No amount of recycling, electric cars, ground source heat pumps can offset the carnage caused by flying.
I couldn’t agree more. I was about to post something like this when I read your post. I have done a lot of flying in my life but stopped years ago. Anyone who cares about their grandchildren should do the same.
I really like the sound of Singapore as a country.
They seem to have a very well ordered set up along with a zero tolerance of crime.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could say the same thing here?
FriedGreenTomatoes2
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 think motorway driving is quite fraught these days and I avoid motorways if possible.
Grandmabatty
That sounds like an absolute nightmare. Sago. I might just have gone home!
Air travel is now a torture. We avoid it as much as possible. Maybe people should vote with their feet?
GrannyGravy13
Ryanair’s statement was that anyone who missed their flight would be put on the next available flight ^free of charge^
yay, big of them...
I think motorway driving is quite fraught these days and I avoid motorways if possible.
The route finder on my phone's maps app is permanently set to "avoid motorways" 😁
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