No Mikkie they aren't but it takes around an hour from Southend to London by train having just flown over it. Add that to at least an hour check in, transit times, waiting times, flight times and I could have got on the train with a choice of departures every 20 minutes or so.
My main reason for catching the flight to LGW has been to connect to other flights especially long haul and that isn't an option from Southend now is it?