PRESTWICK
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Paman
Everytime a post of this nature comes up people get shirty and uptight and defend the airport to the hilt. Human nature requires a basic concern for sanitation and order, and Prestwick does not display any of this. Don't hit me with the Infratril are being screwed by FR p!$h, they are making fortunes from everyone else.I tried to open a unit in there and they wanted to charge me £100,000 rent plus a %age of my takings and basically told me I couldn't afford it, they seem more interested in chasing people away than attracting business.
I posted on this earlier in the thread and people told me to "vote with my feet" and "I'm quite happy with it" comments. I always thought Prestwick was quite a posh town, didn't realise it was inhabited by pikey's, jeeb's and neds who like wallowing in other peoples $h!t and urine!
Everytime a post of this nature comes up people get shirty and uptight and defend the airport to the hilt. Human nature requires a basic concern for sanitation and order, and Prestwick does not display any of this. Don't hit me with the Infratril are being screwed by FR p!$h, they are making fortunes from everyone else.I tried to open a unit in there and they wanted to charge me £100,000 rent plus a %age of my takings and basically told me I couldn't afford it, they seem more interested in chasing people away than attracting business.
I posted on this earlier in the thread and people told me to "vote with my feet" and "I'm quite happy with it" comments. I always thought Prestwick was quite a posh town, didn't realise it was inhabited by pikey's, jeeb's and neds who like wallowing in other peoples $h!t and urine!
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Prestwick
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I have heard about this arrrogant attitude from the airport owners from several different sources now and it is worrrying.
Yes, we are in a recession, and not many carrierrs are going to expand at this juncture in time, however their record since taking over at Prestwick has been shocking in my opinion.
This year alone we have lost Evergreen, Global Supplies, Atlas and Polar.
There is a certain gentleman who runs a handling company at the airport, who aggresively gets out there and attempts to get traffic through the airport.
Perhaps the owners could take a leaf out of his book and get their finger out in the new year.
Yes, we are in a recession, and not many carrierrs are going to expand at this juncture in time, however their record since taking over at Prestwick has been shocking in my opinion.
This year alone we have lost Evergreen, Global Supplies, Atlas and Polar.
There is a certain gentleman who runs a handling company at the airport, who aggresively gets out there and attempts to get traffic through the airport.
Perhaps the owners could take a leaf out of his book and get their finger out in the new year.
Join Date: Dec 2004
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"Everytime a post of this nature comes up people get shirty and uptight and defend the airport to the hilt"
Think you'll find smith that all ceratin people are doing (and I include myself in this) are trying to give a balanced view of the airport's pros and cons. Yes, there are defects and things that need sorted urgently but there are also some good aspects to the airport. We need to keep the pressure on Infratil to move things forward and get the basics right. Vitriolic comments which in some cases smack of over-exaggeration don't help.
Happy new Year.
Think you'll find smith that all ceratin people are doing (and I include myself in this) are trying to give a balanced view of the airport's pros and cons. Yes, there are defects and things that need sorted urgently but there are also some good aspects to the airport. We need to keep the pressure on Infratil to move things forward and get the basics right. Vitriolic comments which in some cases smack of over-exaggeration don't help.
Happy new Year.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Prestwick, Scotland
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Well it may have been stunning and palatial 40 or 30 years ago, but that was in the era of Air Canada, BOAC/BA, Northwest etc, all of whom are out of Scotland, at the time giving a norm of half a million pax a year at PIK.
Now we have predominately Ryanair, nearing 3 million pax a year, and an airport and services of much more use to many more travellers. You can check-in online, get through security within minutes, try not to topple any bottles in 'duty free', and wait briefly in a not too appealing departure hall which is about to be revamped. The standing waiting in corridors is not too pleasant, but probably deliberate, probably Ryanair, policy. ie have the pax boarding the same minute the crew gives the OK. And with the maligned open seating the Ryanair cabin can be settled in 15 minutes, and some flights leave up to 15 minutes early.
See the theme, cheap and maybe not too cheerful, but efficient, and with service to around 30 destinations. eg Stockholm this year for two on business was £80 total and 2 working days each out of the office. Five years ago it was £800 and 3 days out with the legacy airlines.
So like it or lump it, even in its present form, PIK and its airlines can easily be a first choice if you accept you only get what you pay for, an efficient bus service. The people intent on posting the more colourful exaggerated descriptions of the place should perhaps wind themselves back to a little realism and acceptance , or go fly from GLA on a legacy airline. That's easy, efficient and cost effective to places like Paris, Brussels, Stockholm, and many others in Europe isn't it ?
Now we have predominately Ryanair, nearing 3 million pax a year, and an airport and services of much more use to many more travellers. You can check-in online, get through security within minutes, try not to topple any bottles in 'duty free', and wait briefly in a not too appealing departure hall which is about to be revamped. The standing waiting in corridors is not too pleasant, but probably deliberate, probably Ryanair, policy. ie have the pax boarding the same minute the crew gives the OK. And with the maligned open seating the Ryanair cabin can be settled in 15 minutes, and some flights leave up to 15 minutes early.
See the theme, cheap and maybe not too cheerful, but efficient, and with service to around 30 destinations. eg Stockholm this year for two on business was £80 total and 2 working days each out of the office. Five years ago it was £800 and 3 days out with the legacy airlines.
So like it or lump it, even in its present form, PIK and its airlines can easily be a first choice if you accept you only get what you pay for, an efficient bus service. The people intent on posting the more colourful exaggerated descriptions of the place should perhaps wind themselves back to a little realism and acceptance , or go fly from GLA on a legacy airline. That's easy, efficient and cost effective to places like Paris, Brussels, Stockholm, and many others in Europe isn't it ?
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Prestwick has one of the lowest demographics of passengers in the UK. Price is all it has, not service, choice or ease of use. Also remember that a lot of it's passenger business is immigrants coming to the UK and that has dried up of late with Ryanair now flying to more traditional, ie Ned destinations in Spain.....
The airport has never had more passengers or been a more depressing God awful place to use alas.
The airport has never had more passengers or been a more depressing God awful place to use alas.
Join Date: Oct 2007
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The worst thing about Prestwick is the scramble and confusion of the boarding/gate process. When/if they sort this are out I wouldn't really mind the rest of the mess.
I cant cope with the scrum of 'desperate to board first' passengers hovering and being called for multiple FR flights at the same time, only to end up wating around in those dank corridors that they describe as gates. Its auful and I'm surprised there arnt pax who miss flights/try to board the wrong flight.
For that reason only I am happy to use EI to DUB or BD/U2 to LON.
I cant cope with the scrum of 'desperate to board first' passengers hovering and being called for multiple FR flights at the same time, only to end up wating around in those dank corridors that they describe as gates. Its auful and I'm surprised there arnt pax who miss flights/try to board the wrong flight.
For that reason only I am happy to use EI to DUB or BD/U2 to LON.
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or go fly from GLA on a legacy airline.
I think Prestwick is going to become a victim of FR's success actually.
FR are so big now that they can be regarded as a mainline carrier here in Europe. FR have been threatening PIK management of a pullout for years to keep their charges low, and with the breakup of BAA its only a matter of time before they start flying from GLA. I think you'll find FR are so big now they will have a change of policy and start flying from more mainline airports in the near future. The days of regional airports such as PIK, BVA etc are numbered.
There is now no need to upgrade the facilities at PIK, but clean toilets would be nice though.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Prestwick, Scotland
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I don't think you're keeping yourself too well informed, re:-
PIK and Ryanair
The BAA and GLA / EDI
Current economic situation.
...and will you still be moaning after the current 1.5 million refurbishment ? !
PIK and Ryanair
The BAA and GLA / EDI
Current economic situation.
...and will you still be moaning after the current 1.5 million refurbishment ? !
Join Date: Nov 2004
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and will you still be moaning after the current 1.5 million refurbishment ?
Ha Ha Ha, reminds me of Dr Evil in Austin Powers movie when he threatens to hold the world to ransom fo "One Million Pounds" ha ha ha I love that movie.
Its really funny when you read of Glasgow getting a £100m upgrade and T5 costing over a billion and people get all upitty when PIK gets a £1.5m upgrade ,woopie bloomin dooo!!!! Really it doesn't cost £1.5m for a mop and some bleach!
We probably won't even notice the difference.
I am actually a great supporter of PIK as I live in Ayrshire and its so convenient, the only problem I really have is its cleanliness, I suppose they must be doing something right as the local council would close the place down, I'm just petrified of catching MRSA or something (exagerated for effect) every time I take a leak.
Oh and also wouldn't it be nicer if a UK airline flew from PIK, it always makes me baulk at paying the Irish to fly me about!!!
Last edited by smith; 7th Jan 2009 at 21:50.
Not an option for me, I'm afraid. My destination is Beauvais, and please will some other operator look at flying there, from Edinburgh if you don't mind.
Flying into CDG is not an option as it would add at least ninety minutes to my onward journey and because it is......well......CDG!
Flying into CDG is not an option as it would add at least ninety minutes to my onward journey and because it is......well......CDG!
Join Date: Nov 2004
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Been away for a while. Using PIK btw.
Yes I use fragrant language to emphasise a point. I don't know who it was that said "evil flourishes when good men do nothing", but it is very true in this case. If we don't say anything about the situation the status quo will continue. I tell you something I try to shock so that people will notice.
"Inforrmed, structured discussion" is just so damned bland. You gotta make things colourful to be seen and heard.
Yes I use fragrant language to emphasise a point. I don't know who it was that said "evil flourishes when good men do nothing", but it is very true in this case. If we don't say anything about the situation the status quo will continue. I tell you something I try to shock so that people will notice.
"Inforrmed, structured discussion" is just so damned bland. You gotta make things colourful to be seen and heard.
Join Date: Dec 2004
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"You gotta make things colourful to be seen and heard"
Agreed ,as long as it is done, say, the Barack Obama way, not the so called 'colourful' way of rants, raves and foul language. That impresses no-one and certainly won't influence them to action. You can make your point forcefully and assertively without losing the rag.
I think we all agree that PIK needs an upgrade in many aspects and we need to keep the pressure up in a constructive, structured and assertive way.
Just a point about your comment Smith, "I always thought Prestwick was quite a posh town, didn't realise it was inhabited by pikey's, jeeb's and neds who like wallowing in other peoples $h!t and urine!"
Prestwick is a fairly standard west coast town with a fair mix of people in terms of income. The airport itself employs people from all over Ayrshire and is not limited to those residing in the local town. Like most airports I agree you will find people working who make you wonder how on earth they got a job but you will also find people who care and who give great customer service. Try looking out for them next time you pass through any airport - they are there (including at PIK) and perhaps try recognising that not everyone is a 'pikey', 'jeeb' or 'ned'.
PS. Flying from PIK on Wednesday so will look closely at what upgrades have started (if any) and I'll take care not to catch the eye of any pikey, jeeb or ned.
Agreed ,as long as it is done, say, the Barack Obama way, not the so called 'colourful' way of rants, raves and foul language. That impresses no-one and certainly won't influence them to action. You can make your point forcefully and assertively without losing the rag.
I think we all agree that PIK needs an upgrade in many aspects and we need to keep the pressure up in a constructive, structured and assertive way.
Just a point about your comment Smith, "I always thought Prestwick was quite a posh town, didn't realise it was inhabited by pikey's, jeeb's and neds who like wallowing in other peoples $h!t and urine!"
Prestwick is a fairly standard west coast town with a fair mix of people in terms of income. The airport itself employs people from all over Ayrshire and is not limited to those residing in the local town. Like most airports I agree you will find people working who make you wonder how on earth they got a job but you will also find people who care and who give great customer service. Try looking out for them next time you pass through any airport - they are there (including at PIK) and perhaps try recognising that not everyone is a 'pikey', 'jeeb' or 'ned'.
PS. Flying from PIK on Wednesday so will look closely at what upgrades have started (if any) and I'll take care not to catch the eye of any pikey, jeeb or ned.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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BBC: Prestwick Airport 'losing money'
You may have heard this on Radio Scotland this morning... it seems PIK is, as suggested, a victim of Ryanair's success (i.e. success in negotiating terms).
Source: BBC NEWS | Scotland | Glasgow, Lanarkshire and West | Prestwick Airport 'losing money'
Source: BBC NEWS | Scotland | Glasgow, Lanarkshire and West | Prestwick Airport 'losing money'
Page last updated at 09:18 GMT, Thursday, 22 January 2009
Prestwick Airport 'losing money' One of Scotland's largest airports has been running at a loss for the past two months, it has emerged.
Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire has been hit by the economic downturn and management have refused to rule out job cuts as part of a business review.
The company has started a 90-day process to look at reducing costs and boosting revenue.
Airport chief executive Mark Rodwell said: "We are running at a loss at the moment."
Workers at Prestwick have been informed about the review, which has just begun.
However, management said long-term prospects remained "optimistic" and job cuts were not "a foregone conclusion".
..continues
Prestwick Airport 'losing money' One of Scotland's largest airports has been running at a loss for the past two months, it has emerged.
Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire has been hit by the economic downturn and management have refused to rule out job cuts as part of a business review.
The company has started a 90-day process to look at reducing costs and boosting revenue.
Airport chief executive Mark Rodwell said: "We are running at a loss at the moment."
Workers at Prestwick have been informed about the review, which has just begun.
However, management said long-term prospects remained "optimistic" and job cuts were not "a foregone conclusion".
..continues
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You can't blame Ryanair for the airport loosing money. over the last 12 months PIK has lost almost all of it's major work except for the ryanair flights.
Ryanair are therefore keeping the airport alive. It is up to the airport management to find other means of increasing their revenue rather than expect their one remaining customer to pay all of the bills for them
Ryanair are therefore keeping the airport alive. It is up to the airport management to find other means of increasing their revenue rather than expect their one remaining customer to pay all of the bills for them
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Well you can blame Ryanair as the airport will have to charge it's new customers real money to subsidise Ryanair flying for nought. I guess with Polar and Atlas Air gone, it's just Cargolux, Air France and Ryanair on the schedules.
Under those circumstance I wonder if the business is sustainable. I worried when the spokesman denied the airport was facing closure as clearly it's crossed the minds of management as it hadn't been mentioned thus far!!
All those passengers and not a lot to show for it. That IS the Ryanair business model! Any news on the Polar hangar? Still branded as such which is sad but I guess still standing empty.
Under those circumstance I wonder if the business is sustainable. I worried when the spokesman denied the airport was facing closure as clearly it's crossed the minds of management as it hadn't been mentioned thus far!!
All those passengers and not a lot to show for it. That IS the Ryanair business model! Any news on the Polar hangar? Still branded as such which is sad but I guess still standing empty.
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pik3141
I don't think you're keeping yourself too well informed, re:-
PIK and Ryanair
PIK and Ryanair
EDI is a far more important base for FR than PIK don't be fooled, its only a matter of time before FR skip up the M77 to GLA.
Serves them right, I offered them good money for a unit in there and they basically gave me a PFO, the unit still lies empty. Too many people above their stations at GPIA they need a shock like this to realise they can't turn down business.
If they come back cap in hand offering me the unit, they will get the PFO treatment, whats the point in opening a unit that will only be there a matter of months?
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Forgive me if I am wrong but are Polar and Atlas still not running their scheduled freight services? I know the tech stops have gone. As regards possible redundancies I gather that this has been on the cards for a while and even before the loss of Seguro. And as for FR heading up the M77 - no chance of that for a while and yes, I think we all knew that FR wanted EDI and it is no surprise that it will become the No1 base in Scotland but they will always want a strong presence in the west so they will be staying put at PIK for the foreseeable future.
And have we not heard enough about smith's bitter fued with PIK?
And have we not heard enough about smith's bitter fued with PIK?