Gatwick; standing-room only departure lounges?
With SOU as a local airport I’ve got used to almost walk-in walk-on departures, notwithstanding 4 and 6 hour Flybe delays.
I’ve just had an email from LGW advising of an average security clearance time of 1min. 47sec., so there was considerable irony when the same email advised me of a recommended 4 hour check-in for a transatlantic flight. (3 hours EU & 2 hours domestic).
As many check-in counter won’t even be open this far in advance the primary objective of these wildly excessive times must be to ensure I maximise my “retail experience”. However, surely the actual result will be upwards of 30% more people crammed into the departure lounges?
What’s the point of quick, self-service, check-ins and other innovations if the only net result for passengers is just more time hanging around airside?
(Personally I’d suggest at least fast-tracking nice o.a.p’s like me, but that would only benefit a few of us).
(Mods, Transfer to AA&R, Gatwick, if appropriate).