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.
