PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Big Up for Monarch
View Single Post
Old 14th Nov 2003, 08:05
  #18 (permalink)  
FLYMATE
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: UK
Posts: 98
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I also fly the GIB route, and must say, punctuality is spot on. The meals are satisfactory, slightly downgraded now since I think 2000. More plastic throways on the tray than before. The in-flight entertainment is aimed at the lowest common denominator, but all in all an excellent service.

2 out of 3 flights (winter time) have been diverted to Tangier, and then to Malaga due to the strong winds at GIB, but adds to the fun of trying the approach into GIB if you're in no hurry to arrive at the ultimate destination. The arrangements for the diversion are spot on with speedy despatch to our ultimate destination.

What is strange is there are 4 buses at Malaga for the passengers marked, GIB only, GIB, Estepona only, GIB, Marbella and Fuengirola only, so you can choose which one to get on and get dropped at the closest place you're ultimately going to. However if you choose the GIB only bus (with the intention of going to La Linea or Algeciras), you are made to cross from Spain into GIB, then clear customs (on board the bus), drive past the airport to your left, go along the main road, across the runway, up to the roundabout near the city centre, then back across the runway, veer to the right on the apron towards the terminal building, and disembark the bus and go into the arrivals queue, where GIB immigration ask you if you're staying in GIB or crossing into Spain!

Then your bags are put on the carousel for reclaiming! How bizarre, as most other passengers have esconsed into Spain without having cleared customs! At least the beauty of clearing GIB customs is that you get to buy the cheapest ciggies in the world (£7.80). Fun, fun, fun!
FLYMATE is offline