SOUTHEND 5
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London Southend Airport has been named the 'Best Airport in the UK' (with under three million passengers, per year) at the Airport Operators Association (AOA) Annual Awards 2015
London Southend Airport has been named the 'Best Airport in the UK' (with under three million passengers, per year) at the Airport Operators Association (AOA) Annual Awards 2015.
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Well I'm back after my first from SEN ...
First off having not flown from the airport before I must say the airport is not well sign posed until you almost get to Southend unless I missed it there was no sign on the A12 at the A130 junction also once at the tesco roundabout there is a sign that points in two direction poss an alternative route but very confusing to my partner when I was insisting on driving to where I thought we should be going but it might just be me but if I got confused others will also not all but some.
Outbound.
Parking.... very easy and close to terminal a total joy.
Check in... Very easy nice and clear total joy.
Cafe ... Very small and only one member of staff took 25 mins to order.
Security... Easy nice change from Stansted.
Shop in departures... to small to crammed again only one staff member.
Bar... lovely modern bright friendly staff.
Boarding ... Fast track confusing not enough definition in what line to stand in passengers formed a line for fast track by the window only to be told there is no line even though the arrow on the sign pointed to where people went.
Like the outside shelter though good idea in bad weather.
Return flight. ( sorry for the rant )
Arrived back on time border control loads of staff nice surprise.
Baggage hall from hell !!! 2 tiny baggage belts that can't cope with one Easyjet flight never mind two we landed 10 mins before anothe Easyjet flight people wanted to know where to stand belt 1 or belt 2 the only info on the belts were for trains not arriving flights so people stood in between both which blacked the exit from passport control staff came and moved everyone to the second belt bags started to come up the first belt about 25 mins after arriving which seemed a long time I could almost touch the aircraft anyway the bags arrived but they were for the second flight that had landed 10 mins after us the bags filled the belt with no one collecting them because the passengers were stuck behind us at passport control so the belt would not let more bags on staff moved us all away passengers started to collect bags.
45 mins after landing our bags slowly started to come up the same belt as the other flight it was a shambles the bags were dripping wet and the size of the belt and the amount of bags going round unclaimed ment no more bags could get on the belt people started to get mad as the same bags went round about 10 times then one more bag was allowed on the belt it was like a comedy sketch.
Overall arriving back at Southend was bad about the same time was taken as what I would expect at Stansted maybe a one off but very disappointed.
Before you southenders start with the .... I'm a Southend bashed .... I'm not this is just what I found and experienced nothing more nothing less.
First off having not flown from the airport before I must say the airport is not well sign posed until you almost get to Southend unless I missed it there was no sign on the A12 at the A130 junction also once at the tesco roundabout there is a sign that points in two direction poss an alternative route but very confusing to my partner when I was insisting on driving to where I thought we should be going but it might just be me but if I got confused others will also not all but some.
Outbound.
Parking.... very easy and close to terminal a total joy.
Check in... Very easy nice and clear total joy.
Cafe ... Very small and only one member of staff took 25 mins to order.
Security... Easy nice change from Stansted.
Shop in departures... to small to crammed again only one staff member.
Bar... lovely modern bright friendly staff.
Boarding ... Fast track confusing not enough definition in what line to stand in passengers formed a line for fast track by the window only to be told there is no line even though the arrow on the sign pointed to where people went.
Like the outside shelter though good idea in bad weather.
Return flight. ( sorry for the rant )
Arrived back on time border control loads of staff nice surprise.
Baggage hall from hell !!! 2 tiny baggage belts that can't cope with one Easyjet flight never mind two we landed 10 mins before anothe Easyjet flight people wanted to know where to stand belt 1 or belt 2 the only info on the belts were for trains not arriving flights so people stood in between both which blacked the exit from passport control staff came and moved everyone to the second belt bags started to come up the first belt about 25 mins after arriving which seemed a long time I could almost touch the aircraft anyway the bags arrived but they were for the second flight that had landed 10 mins after us the bags filled the belt with no one collecting them because the passengers were stuck behind us at passport control so the belt would not let more bags on staff moved us all away passengers started to collect bags.
45 mins after landing our bags slowly started to come up the same belt as the other flight it was a shambles the bags were dripping wet and the size of the belt and the amount of bags going round unclaimed ment no more bags could get on the belt people started to get mad as the same bags went round about 10 times then one more bag was allowed on the belt it was like a comedy sketch.
Overall arriving back at Southend was bad about the same time was taken as what I would expect at Stansted maybe a one off but very disappointed.
Before you southenders start with the .... I'm a Southend bashed .... I'm not this is just what I found and experienced nothing more nothing less.
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Don't want to be a party pooper but if Southend can't make a go of it to other domestic destinations like Edinburgh what chance has it to Carlisle with a population of just 70,000. If you look at a map of its surrounding area there is nothing there. How many people is there around Carlisle that want a day out in Southend? An hourly train service to London will still be the choice for most people.
Last edited by LTNman; 27th Nov 2015 at 17:54.
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I will use the SEN - CAX route for as long as it lasts but only with hand baggage lol, I have family in Cumbria it will be much easier for me than car or train
But price will need to be right the train has become very over priced
I think you will be surprised how many people will use the route from where my family live you have the choice of GLA NCL and MAN All a very long distance to what I'm use to down south.
But price will need to be right the train has become very over priced
I think you will be surprised how many people will use the route from where my family live you have the choice of GLA NCL and MAN All a very long distance to what I'm use to down south.
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everyone seems to be viewing SEN-CAX as a 'who would want to go to Carlise' route, but you forget, Cumbria (not just Carlisle) is so poorly served with air services that this route may well have legs, and a 48 seat aircraft is just right as you don't need that many people a day to turn a profit …
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Its been tried many times over the years but failed with flights to other London airports. Price will be key, if it comes in under the train fare including the link to London it might stand a chance I guess but does Carlisle even have an ILS?
No wish to be a party-pooper but I have yet to see anything from any airline saying Southend-Carlisle will definitely go ahead. Cannot see anything like a flight schedule, aircraft type, published fares or tickets on sale.
Yes, plenty of encouraging circumstantial noises, but everything from Stobart sounds quite cautious so far
Yes, plenty of encouraging circumstantial noises, but everything from Stobart sounds quite cautious so far
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daz211
This is just a test (have been having trouble with posting) before I respond to your road sign observations. Hopefully this message will get through and, if so will respond tomorrow evening.
This is just a test (have been having trouble with posting) before I respond to your road sign observations. Hopefully this message will get through and, if so will respond tomorrow evening.
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If I remember correctly I brought this to the airport's attention a few years back, and they said that they were working with the highways agency to improve signage from the M25. A long time later still no change. I don't understand how difficult it is to put a few signs up! Southend and Rochford Councils have done their part in improving signage to SEN, time for the other relevant authorities to do the same.
As for CAX-SEN, it is obviously not a route I would have picked as a potential gold mine, but good luck to them. I hope i'm pleasantly surprised, because SEN needs any route it can get its hands on at the moment.
My guess would be Stobart Air/Flybe as the operator as they would suit the domestic routes from CAX. As for DUB, they offered onward EI transatlantic connections from SEN before, so surely they could do the same from CAX. I can't see EIR wanting to operate UK domestic routes.
As for CAX-SEN, it is obviously not a route I would have picked as a potential gold mine, but good luck to them. I hope i'm pleasantly surprised, because SEN needs any route it can get its hands on at the moment.
My guess would be Stobart Air/Flybe as the operator as they would suit the domestic routes from CAX. As for DUB, they offered onward EI transatlantic connections from SEN before, so surely they could do the same from CAX. I can't see EIR wanting to operate UK domestic routes.
Last edited by tws123; 27th Nov 2015 at 22:28.
No wish to be a party-pooper but I have yet to see anything from any airline saying Southend-Carlisle will definitely go ahead. Cannot see anything like a flight schedule, aircraft type, published fares or tickets on sale.
My guess would be Stobart Air/Flybe as the operator as they would suit the domestic routes from CAX. As for DUB, they offered onward EI transatlantic connections from SEN before, so surely they could do the same from CAX. I can't see EIR wanting to operate UK domestic routes.
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Daz211
Thanks for the test confirmation yesterday.
It maybe that you are already aware of the short-cut, or to describe it more accurately, the traffic avoidance route from the A127 but, for what it’s worth --
When approaching along the A127, turn Left at the ‘Tesco’ roundabout onto the B1013, Nestuda Way. Then Right at the next roundabout onto the new St. Lawrence Way. Continue down the ‘cutting’ which is almost parallel with RW05 (good view along the runway). Having come up from the ‘cutting’ the road goes Left at the next roundabout. After a few metres there is a road painted roundabout at a T Junction where the route goes Right onto Eastwoodbury Lane. Continue along to the T Junction and turn Left onto Eastwoodbury Crescent. fter a very short distance you will see the Holiday Inn where you turn Left at the roundabout (McDonald's) and Voilà, you are there Mon Ami.
This ‘diversion’ can save a lot of time in peak periods and I cannot imagine that anybody aware of it would approach the airport by any other route when coming from the West. For some reason the powers that be appear unwilling to recognise it and it may suggest that they are still sensitive to the anti-brigade, a stalwart of whom lives along Eastwoodbury Lane. The route is through what may be described as a more residential area not best suited to heavy vehicles, although it is on a frequent bus route.
As for your observations regarding your return flight and the delays at bag collection etc., they are certainly worrying and I believe that I may have heard the occasional moan regarding this in recent times. What-ever the frequency of such happenings, I very much hope that the latest new management is addressing the matter.
Thanks for the test confirmation yesterday.
It maybe that you are already aware of the short-cut, or to describe it more accurately, the traffic avoidance route from the A127 but, for what it’s worth --
When approaching along the A127, turn Left at the ‘Tesco’ roundabout onto the B1013, Nestuda Way. Then Right at the next roundabout onto the new St. Lawrence Way. Continue down the ‘cutting’ which is almost parallel with RW05 (good view along the runway). Having come up from the ‘cutting’ the road goes Left at the next roundabout. After a few metres there is a road painted roundabout at a T Junction where the route goes Right onto Eastwoodbury Lane. Continue along to the T Junction and turn Left onto Eastwoodbury Crescent. fter a very short distance you will see the Holiday Inn where you turn Left at the roundabout (McDonald's) and Voilà, you are there Mon Ami.
This ‘diversion’ can save a lot of time in peak periods and I cannot imagine that anybody aware of it would approach the airport by any other route when coming from the West. For some reason the powers that be appear unwilling to recognise it and it may suggest that they are still sensitive to the anti-brigade, a stalwart of whom lives along Eastwoodbury Lane. The route is through what may be described as a more residential area not best suited to heavy vehicles, although it is on a frequent bus route.
As for your observations regarding your return flight and the delays at bag collection etc., they are certainly worrying and I believe that I may have heard the occasional moan regarding this in recent times. What-ever the frequency of such happenings, I very much hope that the latest new management is addressing the matter.
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Just to continue from my last post a month or so ago the 3 Amersterdam flights yesterday afternoon were all subject to slots into EHAM due to strong winds. This resulted in the last aircraft arriving without any problems or issues just after 1am this morning. Proof if proof were needed that Southend does not 'close', there is no 'curfew'. That is all. Thanks :-)
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The issue isn't with 1am arrivals the issue is with arrivals around 2am which don't get in. Luckily they are rare.
I wonder if the terminal still closed half hour are it arrived? With the flight due in at 20:55 I would imagine there would have been a few passengers stranded after missing the last train. I would like to think they had the option of remaining in the terminal if they wanted to.
I wonder if the terminal still closed half hour are it arrived? With the flight due in at 20:55 I would imagine there would have been a few passengers stranded after missing the last train. I would like to think they had the option of remaining in the terminal if they wanted to.
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At the risk of going over old ground there have been EZY arrivals at 2am and after, next time there is one I shall let you know! I was simply addressing the rather frequent accusation of commercial arrivals not being allowed to land due to a 11pm, midnight... (Insert made up time here) curfew. There is no curfew or closure, any decision by ezy to not operate is normally due to crew hours...rather than airport availability. This has not been the case in the past but certainly is now!
Trains: well I think that has been talked to death on here so let's not start that up again.
Terminal closure: while I agree it may be advantageous to have the terminal open H24 let's think about this from a business point of view. To my Knowledge bar the occasional cleaner the terminal is empty of staff overnight. To staff the terminal being open overnight there would need to be 2(?) staff on duty, so probably 4 1/2 people to cover the year and holiday cover, at a cost of day 70/80k. Where do the airport recover the revenue? While its a lovely thing to say to the passenger that the terminal is h24 while there is not a business case to do it, it will not happen. It's fun to play airport manager from an armchair however when there is real money being spent it's not quite so easy to justify costs which will not be of direct benefit to the balance sheet.
Trains: well I think that has been talked to death on here so let's not start that up again.
Terminal closure: while I agree it may be advantageous to have the terminal open H24 let's think about this from a business point of view. To my Knowledge bar the occasional cleaner the terminal is empty of staff overnight. To staff the terminal being open overnight there would need to be 2(?) staff on duty, so probably 4 1/2 people to cover the year and holiday cover, at a cost of day 70/80k. Where do the airport recover the revenue? While its a lovely thing to say to the passenger that the terminal is h24 while there is not a business case to do it, it will not happen. It's fun to play airport manager from an armchair however when there is real money being spent it's not quite so easy to justify costs which will not be of direct benefit to the balance sheet.
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Please do post again when easyjet brings in an aircraft past 2am because so far it has never happened.
Don't know if it is the airport that says no or easyjet saying no as they don't want to pick up a 2 or 3 hour overtime bill for airport staff who would have to work past midnight.
If the airport wants to save money on the terminal they could close it for part of the day in winter.
Don't know if it is the airport that says no or easyjet saying no as they don't want to pick up a 2 or 3 hour overtime bill for airport staff who would have to work past midnight.
If the airport wants to save money on the terminal they could close it for part of the day in winter.
Pain in the R's
The McDonalds next to the SEN Holiday Inn operates H24 so that would seem to be a reasonable place to wait, for whatever reason, during the terminal closure period of 00:00-04:00. If the last train to London has gone Andrews Airport Cars offer transport to Liverpool Street and other points for around £25 per head in their seven-seater vehicles (obviously more is charged if only a couple of people need the service).
I assume your comment about closing the terminal for part of the day in winter is tongue in cheek as that would obviously not be practical.
I will bow to your superior knowledge on the matter if no delayed arrivals have previously landed after 02:00 but I seem to recall it happening at least once. ATC is H24 and RFF cover is Cat 6 H24 also so it is only a matter of airfield operations providing sufficient staffing to cater for late arrivals. Whether or not easyJet prefer a diversion to STN rather than paying any additional handling costs at SEN is a matter for their commercial judgement but I would have thought the latter would be more sensible, if available.
The McDonalds next to the SEN Holiday Inn operates H24 so that would seem to be a reasonable place to wait, for whatever reason, during the terminal closure period of 00:00-04:00. If the last train to London has gone Andrews Airport Cars offer transport to Liverpool Street and other points for around £25 per head in their seven-seater vehicles (obviously more is charged if only a couple of people need the service).
I assume your comment about closing the terminal for part of the day in winter is tongue in cheek as that would obviously not be practical.
I will bow to your superior knowledge on the matter if no delayed arrivals have previously landed after 02:00 but I seem to recall it happening at least once. ATC is H24 and RFF cover is Cat 6 H24 also so it is only a matter of airfield operations providing sufficient staffing to cater for late arrivals. Whether or not easyJet prefer a diversion to STN rather than paying any additional handling costs at SEN is a matter for their commercial judgement but I would have thought the latter would be more sensible, if available.