Airport drop off fees
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Airports seem to have become a microcosm of 'Rip-Off Britain'.
I live 3 miles from my local airport. To access it by public transport requires a 2 mile walk to the nearest bus-route. Alternatively, a 1 mile walk to the station, followed by a 22 mile train ride, which involves changing trains in the city centre.
Recently went on a day's business trip to Paris. £43 for a day's parking at the airport.
I live 3 miles from my local airport. To access it by public transport requires a 2 mile walk to the nearest bus-route. Alternatively, a 1 mile walk to the station, followed by a 22 mile train ride, which involves changing trains in the city centre.
Recently went on a day's business trip to Paris. £43 for a day's parking at the airport.
But as has been said, since the no-frills, lo-co, call them what you will, carriers have created an environment where they (the carriers) believe that they shouldn't pay for the services they "buy" from the airports, the passenger has to be the target for picking up the shortfall in revenue. And most of these charges are discretionary. Suitcases have handles, and often wheels so no need for trolleys; you can eat before you leave rather than buy food in restaurants, buy before you fly, rather than use the shopping malls, take public transport to the airport, and make sure you've bought your plastic bags for liquids from the supermarket before packing.
The stupid and the spendthrifts are the ones who really get hit by these charges.
On the rare occasions when I fly these days I rarely spend more than the bare minimum inside the airport company's facilities (no for that matter Eurotunnel's).
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Leeds, UK & Cork, Ireland
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I understand why the charge irritates - its does seem like a blatant rip-off, because the facilities provided in exchange for entry/exit from the drop-off are generally poor. Apart from MAN T1 I can't think of any that are particularly close to the check-in halls, are protected from the elements or have sheltered walkways to the terminal.
All airlines have pushed their costs down, not just the LCC's. Simultaneously airlines have massively increased volumes through the terminals (more flights, denser cabins, larger aircraft), security restrictions have meant people spending longer in the terminals before boarding, which requires investment in facilities.
Somehow airports have to balance the books, ultimately the passenger/user pays, either in one big lump (the old days) or piecemeal ("unbundling"). Pick your poison!
All airlines have pushed their costs down, not just the LCC's. Simultaneously airlines have massively increased volumes through the terminals (more flights, denser cabins, larger aircraft), security restrictions have meant people spending longer in the terminals before boarding, which requires investment in facilities.
Somehow airports have to balance the books, ultimately the passenger/user pays, either in one big lump (the old days) or piecemeal ("unbundling"). Pick your poison!
Paxing All Over The World
brian_dromey is correct. Over the last 25 years the British (and most other nations) have favoured unbundling of costs. This is known in the trade as Two Tier Pricing and was introduced, I understand, by the Gilette razor blade company when they made the basic razor cheap and the blades expensive!
Ryan Air has perfected this system and it works. I agree that it can be irritating to have multiple small payments when you are in a hurry but it is not going to change. The younger generations have grown up with this FR style of pricing and do not think it so unusual. It is older generations who experience the transition, that are irritated by it. But it will not change in the next 25 years.
Ryan Air has perfected this system and it works. I agree that it can be irritating to have multiple small payments when you are in a hurry but it is not going to change. The younger generations have grown up with this FR style of pricing and do not think it so unusual. It is older generations who experience the transition, that are irritated by it. But it will not change in the next 25 years.
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After all, though you've already paid for the printer ( per-passenger departure charge ) you could have bought ink ( flight ticket ) from a third-party ( airline ) and the poor printer manufacturer ( airport ) has to make money somehow...
Last edited by El Bunto; 28th Apr 2017 at 13:08.
Join Date: Aug 2016
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Airports seem to have become a microcosm of 'Rip-Off Britain'.
I live 3 miles from my local airport. To access it by public transport requires a 2 mile walk to the nearest bus-route. Alternatively, a 1 mile walk to the station, followed by a 22 mile train ride, which involves changing trains in the city centre.
Recently went on a day's business trip to Paris. £43 for a day's parking at the airport.
I live 3 miles from my local airport. To access it by public transport requires a 2 mile walk to the nearest bus-route. Alternatively, a 1 mile walk to the station, followed by a 22 mile train ride, which involves changing trains in the city centre.
Recently went on a day's business trip to Paris. £43 for a day's parking at the airport.
Do airports have bike storage?
Join Date: Jun 1999
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It is older generations who experience the transition, that are irritated by it. But it will not change in the next 25 years.
Join Date: Jan 2008
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In Oban,
Close, but no cigar.
I live 3nm from the ARP. It's about 5 Statute Miles by the local road system. I have walked it several times, (1 Hr 15), and used to cycle there often, in about 25 minutes.
Neither of these methods work well when I and my other-half are carrying 2 suitcases and hand-luggage, and have to at the airport at 0545 Local.
The public transport system is good from certain directions, from others, it's non existent.
Close, but no cigar.
I live 3nm from the ARP. It's about 5 Statute Miles by the local road system. I have walked it several times, (1 Hr 15), and used to cycle there often, in about 25 minutes.
Neither of these methods work well when I and my other-half are carrying 2 suitcases and hand-luggage, and have to at the airport at 0545 Local.
The public transport system is good from certain directions, from others, it's non existent.
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Aye, that was a different thing, driving to the airport from a different town.
A couple of years ago, I was conveyed the airport from home, by some some licenced bandit in a taxi.
In spite of the vehicle being fitted with an up to date sat-nav, I still had to give the driver directions.
A couple of years ago, I was conveyed the airport from home, by some some licenced bandit in a taxi.
In spite of the vehicle being fitted with an up to date sat-nav, I still had to give the driver directions.
Next time airport puts in a planning application object on grounds of charging for parking. Enough people doing it and it starts to cost them as every objection must be addressed.
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Liverpool charge £3 for 20 mins in express pick up/drop off but on the flip side you can wait 40 mins for free if you don't mind a 5 minute walk. Try stopping anywhere within range of the parking (road safety) van and it is £100 a few days later. All signposted so should not be a surprise but the look on people's faces when you warn them about it is something else.
Join Date: Mar 2008
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Liverpool charge £3 for 20 mins in express pick up/drop off but on the flip side you can wait 40 mins for free if you don't mind a 5 minute walk. Try stopping anywhere within range of the parking (road safety) van and it is £100 a few days later. All signposted so should not be a surprise but the look on people's faces when you warn them about it is something else.
I personally think these scheme's are ridiculous, and that as neighbours, airports should be brought into touch by the Local Authority. Just off the lay bye that is commonly used for people waiting for the phone call are some woods. I say woods - actually they are more like Pubic Toilets nowadays.
I do have a theory that if they had a costa coffee, and a greggs and free parking for an hour or two, they would make more money....
Peel and their camera van.... We have the same at Doncaster. Stop on the estate roads (even if you get a flat tyre), and that will be a £100 sir....
I personally think these scheme's are ridiculous, and that as neighbours, airports should be brought into touch by the Local Authority. Just off the lay bye that is commonly used for people waiting for the phone call are some woods. I say woods - actually they are more like Pubic Toilets nowadays.
I do have a theory that if they had a costa coffee, and a greggs and free parking for an hour or two, they would make more money....
I personally think these scheme's are ridiculous, and that as neighbours, airports should be brought into touch by the Local Authority. Just off the lay bye that is commonly used for people waiting for the phone call are some woods. I say woods - actually they are more like Pubic Toilets nowadays.
I do have a theory that if they had a costa coffee, and a greggs and free parking for an hour or two, they would make more money....
After dropping of some family to Stansted I went to Golden Arches beside Mid stay car park, bringing the laptop and knowing M11 traffic was garbage I asked to sign in, this ensures I have consent of McD's manager to overstay on the site beyond allocated time. 3 months later got the ticket through and claims I had transgressed.
Single phone call to McD's on sote got their agreement that yup had signed in, yup was overstaying with their consent and nope parking company had not requested details of people who had signed in that week.
The abusive parking company got called again and told who manager was in McD's, time I called and time signed in and out and requesting a call and letter from senior manager confirming supposed charge was withdrawn.
However I recognise that many people seem to assume that they can park for 60 minutes where ever it suits them to pick someone up................. ask anybody living close to an airport and they tell you the crap they get from people like this parked in their streets day after day.
