Airport drop off fees
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Not a lot of people know there is actually a completely free and legitimate pick up and drop off area right between T1 and T3.
It's a few steps to the Jet2 check in hall, then a few more steps into the lifts for the main T1 check in, and about 2 minutes to T3, so, it's a handy point too.
It doesn't state it has a time limit, but one would expect that after 10 minutes or so you will be moved on. Wardens patrol the area but as said, it's a valid drop off and pick up zone so they don't move anyone on generally.
It's a few steps to the Jet2 check in hall, then a few more steps into the lifts for the main T1 check in, and about 2 minutes to T3, so, it's a handy point too.
It doesn't state it has a time limit, but one would expect that after 10 minutes or so you will be moved on. Wardens patrol the area but as said, it's a valid drop off and pick up zone so they don't move anyone on generally.
ANPR amazingly exists everywhere for checking cars.
Car allowed in, as leaving registration checked and after 10 mins it charges £2, leave at 9 minutes and no return for 2 hrs otherwise its £2 per 15 mins.
Car allowed in, as leaving registration checked and after 10 mins it charges £2, leave at 9 minutes and no return for 2 hrs otherwise its £2 per 15 mins.
Good grief - get a grip.
This is the price you pay for the expectation that you can fly to Timbuktu for £9.99 - airports aren't charities and how do you expect them to make money?
The other issue that has been highlighted is those who think they have the right to park for free because they are "just dropping off" - give some people an inch and they'll take a mile.
This is the price you pay for the expectation that you can fly to Timbuktu for £9.99 - airports aren't charities and how do you expect them to make money?
The other issue that has been highlighted is those who think they have the right to park for free because they are "just dropping off" - give some people an inch and they'll take a mile.
Join Date: Jul 2011
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I am in two minds about it all. Having used EDI for years the charges there are now just second nature. That said, it was frustrating when they were introduced, but they are always changing the drop off procedure at EDI. Just recently they have added new parking bays just outside the terminal which say "Bag drop only". Never seen a single vehicle in there so Christ only knows what that's about. Possibly a "premium drop off area? Time will tell.
Having a 5 minutes free period, then charging for over that time with a no return within 2 hours rule attached would likely achieve the same level of control over the cars in the area and still ensure a smooth flow. People have a fair time to meet and greet or see someone off before then having to move on. If they need extra time, they pay for it.
For anyone that knows EDI, all the charges there do is cause people to loiter around the staff car parks by Almond House, clogging up the road as they either wait there for passengers and avoid the charge area altogether or they wait there until they are ready to actually collect someone. Thankfully the EDI Ops people regularly chase them on, but it's a pain sometimes when they are slow off the mark and people block the road and entrances to staff car parks. How they could change that without shoving the congestion further away I don't know though.
Why we can't adopt the "cell phone parking lot" idea like what's found a numerous American airports I don't know. It'd save a lot of hassle and congestion for people.
Having a 5 minutes free period, then charging for over that time with a no return within 2 hours rule attached would likely achieve the same level of control over the cars in the area and still ensure a smooth flow. People have a fair time to meet and greet or see someone off before then having to move on. If they need extra time, they pay for it.
For anyone that knows EDI, all the charges there do is cause people to loiter around the staff car parks by Almond House, clogging up the road as they either wait there for passengers and avoid the charge area altogether or they wait there until they are ready to actually collect someone. Thankfully the EDI Ops people regularly chase them on, but it's a pain sometimes when they are slow off the mark and people block the road and entrances to staff car parks. How they could change that without shoving the congestion further away I don't know though.
Why we can't adopt the "cell phone parking lot" idea like what's found a numerous American airports I don't know. It'd save a lot of hassle and congestion for people.
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At Orlando airport, Florida, they permit drop off and pick up at the terminal but with a strict no staying policy. Where pick-up is concerned, they achieve an efficient flow with an off-airport section of one of the Long Stay car parks (5 minutes drive away), appropriately named the Cell Phone Lot, which allows 2 hours free parking. As soon as the passenger is kerb side with their bags, they call for pick-up. Easy and CUSTOMER FRIENDLY! Going back to Birmingham, the roads all around the airport are littered with waiting cars. The fact remains that the entire process is totally disorganised (oh yes it is) and not planned with any other intention than making a quick buck.
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It's also their choice whether to fly or not to fly from an airport that makes a charge, whether to use public transport or use the free drop off facilities many airports have away from the actual terminal.
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I struggle to comprehend your analogies. I think that the choice and use of public transport is subject to many more constraints than that of eating or not eating a full English breakfast. I consider a taxi as public transport, which is what I use. I don't know about other airports but at BHX taxis are also forced to use the pay-for drop off. As for going by bus you must be kidding! It would take me half a day! Are you also suggesting that a couple with say two kids and 4 suitcases use a public bus instead of being dropped off by a friend or a taxi? The thing is, that I'm not forced to eat or drink at airport prices. Drop off charges only exist at airports. They are a rip-off. End of.
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Don't taxis pay an annual fee to use the airport?
There are two extremes of charging strategies. You charge a single fee covering all use of the airport, which could include parking - it could be itemised on your ticket as 'airport charge'. Just as the legacy airlines included meals and hold baggage in their ticket.
This is simpler administratively, but you are paying for services which you may not need.
Or you itemise everything, and pay only for the services you require. So if it's just you and your cabin bag, and you arrive by bus, you will not be paying for the facilities needed by a family travelling with hold baggage etc. Those who need the extra facilities will find this itemised system more expensive.
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
There are two extremes of charging strategies. You charge a single fee covering all use of the airport, which could include parking - it could be itemised on your ticket as 'airport charge'. Just as the legacy airlines included meals and hold baggage in their ticket.
This is simpler administratively, but you are paying for services which you may not need.
Or you itemise everything, and pay only for the services you require. So if it's just you and your cabin bag, and you arrive by bus, you will not be paying for the facilities needed by a family travelling with hold baggage etc. Those who need the extra facilities will find this itemised system more expensive.
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
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I consider a taxi as public transport, which is what I use. Are you also suggesting that a couple with say two kids and 4 suitcases use a public bus instead of being dropped off by a friend or a taxi? The thing is, that I'm not forced to eat or drink at airport prices. Drop off charges only exist at airports. They are a rip-off. End of.
What your objection seems to be is that this is an optional charge that is in your face while you would not object if it became a compulsory charge hidden in the price of the airline ticket.
Last edited by LTNman; 28th Apr 2017 at 07:29.
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The pick up / drop off charge at NCL is only £1 for the first 10 mins. However there is also a free drop off / pick up point in the medium stay car park which is only a 2 minute walk from the terminal.
Thread Starter
I think you will find the airport operators charge the bus companies to pick up and drop off within the airport which is why fares are significantly higher to and from airports.
Hardly a good way to promote public transport but all helps increase the income per passenger for the airport coffers.
Hardly a good way to promote public transport but all helps increase the income per passenger for the airport coffers.
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For a real rip off the award must go the the Luton Airport shuttle bus to the station. The journey is a mile maximum and the fare is a whopping £2.10 or £3.40 return.
It used to be free and run my the airport until bendy busses were brought in years ago so the fare was to cover the investment of 4 bendy buses which are operated by the rail company. 2 have since disappeared to be replaced by standard single deckers but the charge is still made.
It used to be free and run my the airport until bendy busses were brought in years ago so the fare was to cover the investment of 4 bendy buses which are operated by the rail company. 2 have since disappeared to be replaced by standard single deckers but the charge is still made.
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Drop off is free at every terminal at MAN. Pick up in arrivals is charged at T1/2 however as LAX says there is a pick up/drop off between T1 & 3 at check-in B however it always seems under used. The problem comes in T1 where cars collecting arriving pax go to departures as it is free and cause congestion problems there.
T3 at MAN does not have separate pick up/drop off areas and therefore becomes very congested at busy times - many people seem to think 'drop off' means park up for 15 minutes.
On another note, how many major UK airports are still publicly owned?
MAN (majority)
CWL
PIK
Any others?
T3 at MAN does not have separate pick up/drop off areas and therefore becomes very congested at busy times - many people seem to think 'drop off' means park up for 15 minutes.
On another note, how many major UK airports are still publicly owned?
MAN (majority)
CWL
PIK
Any others?
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Perhaps we are veering away from the original question by the OP:
For me this is not a question of cost but that of principle.
LTNman to me:
Let me be clear that in the scheme of things £1 is not going to make a large hole in my pocket. For me it's not about the cost, but the principle. Airports quite rightly never charged for drop-off/pick-up until the Glasgow incident. Even though by using alternative options I have never paid it, I quite simply find the principle of this particular charge abhorrent. Therefore, my answer to the OP is "yes" it's a rip off.
Do others agree with me that this is a blatant rip off by Glasgow airport charging drivers to come to the airport to drop off or collect the airport customers?
LTNman to me:
What your objection seems to be is that this is an optional charge that is in your face while you would not object if it became a compulsory charge hidden in the price of the airline ticket.
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So which airport started the ball rolling with charges? I have a suspicion it was actually Luton
With regards to bigger airports not charging I would imagine that has more to do with the difficulties of trying to collect the money from vast amounts of vehicles in a limited space without bring the road access to a standstill.
With regards to bigger airports not charging I would imagine that has more to do with the difficulties of trying to collect the money from vast amounts of vehicles in a limited space without bring the road access to a standstill.