Stansted-3
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Age: 62
Posts: 173
Originally Posted by Stanstedeye
There is an arrival tomorrow at 05.32 from EWR by EI 1990 with a 767. Is this a Primera rescue flight ?
Monarch was different because they sold holidays, and had an ATOL bond - as does Jet2 Holidays for instance, who have just upped theirs by 30%. (flight onlys are not protected and if you buy hotel and flight from different suppliers you may not covered)
Most MON/OM pax were repatriated for about 2 weeks on CAA flights, but some flight only pax had to claim from their banks (if paid by cards) and/or their travel insurance and make their own way home.
Last edited by rog747; 7th Oct 2018 at 09:52.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: London
Posts: 262
Recently travelled through LGW, LTN and today STN. STN definitely the least pleasurable. Security still really badly designed and managed. Nobody putting empty trays away so everything getting held up. Followed by that repellent walk of shame through duty free.
My wife also came through yesterday. Massive queues at immigration.
It's actually my most convenient airport and i used to love it. But now I avoid it if possible because STN + FR = unpleasant
My wife also came through yesterday. Massive queues at immigration.
It's actually my most convenient airport and i used to love it. But now I avoid it if possible because STN + FR = unpleasant
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: East London
Age: 37
Posts: 996
I think the complaints about security are valid but I don’t get why people single out STN for the duty free walk, which is an experience replicated across the world. It’s not even the only one in London.
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Stansted Airport
Posts: 185
It can understand why people complain about the walk through ‘World Duty Free’ and then the other shops. But they make a lot of money for the retailers and the airport. Now I know a vast amount of the people who fly through Stansted dont even care about the shops they just take it as part of the shopping experience at our airport.
My opinion is if you know what Stansted is like after security with the shops and you dont like it then don’t fly through Stansted then.
As for queues at Stansted at security and the border Stansted offers fast track for the passengers who dont won’t to queue, but if you choose not to buy this then don’t complain about the queues.
My opinion is if you know what Stansted is like after security with the shops and you dont like it then don’t fly through Stansted then.
As for queues at Stansted at security and the border Stansted offers fast track for the passengers who dont won’t to queue, but if you choose not to buy this then don’t complain about the queues.
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Essex
Posts: 871
I think jdcg has courage to voice his or her opinion on this thread. I sense someone out there is about to vent their spleen.
And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I [am] the Southside, then I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
And I will execute great vengeance upon them with furious rebukes; and they shall know that I [am] the Southside, then I shall lay my vengeance upon them.
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK
Age: 60
Posts: 100
"but if you choose not to buy this then don’t complain about the queues "
Yes I can and I will. I've travelled through Heathrow, Gatwick and Glasgow recently - all those large airports manage to organise security to run smoothly and swiftly without the need to pay extra. The disorganisation at security at Stansted is far worse than other UK airports.
Yes I can and I will. I've travelled through Heathrow, Gatwick and Glasgow recently - all those large airports manage to organise security to run smoothly and swiftly without the need to pay extra. The disorganisation at security at Stansted is far worse than other UK airports.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: 35,000ft
Posts: 730
My last two trips through Stansted, one of which being in August we’re fine and speedy, I was genuinely surprised as I expected the worst.
I have experienced horrendous queues at Gatwick’s north terminal on arrival at passport control. Genuinely worse than Stansted. And let’s face it the once shinning was BA terminal is now just a shabby low cost bus station once you get airside. Try and fight your way into one of those restaurants prior to the first wave, it is hideous imho.
Dont get me started on my T5 arrival experience last time around. I stood for what felt like an hour or more waiting to use one of those automated gates after a long-haul is no fun.
I’m pretty certain all the above are just down to luck, bad luck and/or timing.
If you want a better experience go small... Try Southend. But get in quick before FR arrive next year because even Southend will succumb to the rank of hideousness soon.
I have experienced horrendous queues at Gatwick’s north terminal on arrival at passport control. Genuinely worse than Stansted. And let’s face it the once shinning was BA terminal is now just a shabby low cost bus station once you get airside. Try and fight your way into one of those restaurants prior to the first wave, it is hideous imho.
Dont get me started on my T5 arrival experience last time around. I stood for what felt like an hour or more waiting to use one of those automated gates after a long-haul is no fun.
I’m pretty certain all the above are just down to luck, bad luck and/or timing.
If you want a better experience go small... Try Southend. But get in quick before FR arrive next year because even Southend will succumb to the rank of hideousness soon.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: STANSTED & MANCHESTER
Posts: 1,740
Originally Posted by ELondonPax
"but if you choose not to buy this then don’t complain about the queues "
Yes I can and I will. I've travelled through Heathrow, Gatwick and Glasgow recently - all those large airports manage to organise security to run smoothly and swiftly without the need to pay extra. The disorganisation at security at Stansted is far worse than other UK airports.
Yes I can and I will. I've travelled through Heathrow, Gatwick and Glasgow recently - all those large airports manage to organise security to run smoothly and swiftly without the need to pay extra. The disorganisation at security at Stansted is far worse than other UK airports.
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: 35,000ft
Posts: 730
And am I not right in thinking that both Gatwick and Luton (I cant recall if or which terminals at LHR do if any?) dump you in the middle of duty free as soon as you exit security. In fact I think most of the major airports in the UK do. This isn’t unique to Stansted. It is the norm.
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: East London
Age: 37
Posts: 996
Originally Posted by pamann
My last two trips through Stansted, one of which being in August we’re fine and speedy, I was genuinely surprised as I expected the worst.
I’ve had good and bad at all London airports, though STN is particularly bad at security. LCY and SEN are particularly good, though I have experienced delays.
Originally Posted by pamann
If you want a better experience go small... Try Southend. But get in quick before FR arrive next year because even Southend will succumb to the rank of hideousness soon.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: STANSTED & MANCHESTER
Posts: 1,740
Originally Posted by AirportPlanner1
I’ve had good and bad at all London airports, though STN is particularly bad at security. LCY and SEN are particularly good, though I have experienced delays.
Even there you are at the mercy of U.K. Border force and that’s where a lot of these complaints and delays arise. Last time there were 3 officers who took forever to process our flight of 90-something pax with 4xAirbuses to arrive within the next hour or so. I’ve also had 5 desks processing 8 of us on a very empty ATR with only an A319 to come.
Take Southend for example, it’s daily aircraft movements are swamped by the first hour of operation at Stansted.
if we don’t stop complaining about delays at security, measures will be taken to speed things up and that’s when mistakes will be made, can we all just realise the world has changed as far as security is concerned and the amount of people flying has never been higher, put the two together, have a think and get to the airport an hour earlier than you planed, have a coffee and a chat with the person next to you in the queue, pass through security maybe buy something in duty free, board the plane land safe and be happy.
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: East London
Age: 37
Posts: 996
Originally Posted by daz211
if we don’t stop complaining about delays at security, measures will be taken to speed things up and that’s when mistakes will be made, can we all just realise the world has changed as far as security is concerned and the amount of people flying has never been higher, put the two together
For the 6-8am departure peak SEN has two lanes open for around 1100 seats. Using the same measure STN would need 18-19 lanes open. Are there that many ever in operation?
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Darkest Lincs
Posts: 465
I have no real problem with the meandering path through the shops at STN. As has been said, this is now the norm in the majority of airports these days. What irks me, the the lack of available seating once you get to the central concourse - a few less shops and more seating would almost make STN bearable. But then we come to the toilets, or rather lack of them at STN!
As an aside, I arrived at Gatwick (South) on Saturday. Flight touched down at 18:20. I exited the car park at 19:10, having collected hold luggage (mine was one of the last cases off the carousel, or the time would have been earlier). I have never got close to a 50 minute transit at STN. Normally closer to 90 minutes.
As an aside, I arrived at Gatwick (South) on Saturday. Flight touched down at 18:20. I exited the car park at 19:10, having collected hold luggage (mine was one of the last cases off the carousel, or the time would have been earlier). I have never got close to a 50 minute transit at STN. Normally closer to 90 minutes.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Blighty
Posts: 3,661
Originally Posted by daz211
Please, of course SEN and LCY have less issues.
Take Southend for example, it’s daily aircraft movements are swamped by the first hour of operation at Stansted.
if we don’t stop complaining about delays at security, measures will be taken to speed things up and that’s when mistakes will be made, can we all just realise the world has changed as far as security is concerned and the amount of people flying has never been higher, put the two together, have a think and get to the airport an hour earlier than you planed, have a coffee and a chat with the person next to you in the queue, pass through security maybe buy something in duty free, board the plane land safe and be happy.
I understand the need for security but arriving at an airport one hour before departure should be enough - screening a passenger who understands the security process well and who does not present any red flags should take no more than 5 or 10 mins from arriving in a queue to being able to entering a main departure lounge.
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: STANSTED & MANCHESTER
Posts: 1,740
I think it’s just how some people are I fly approx 5x a month from a few airports STN MAN and LBA to name a few
now if I had my way our airports would be more like LPA and ACE once checked in up on the roof for a fag.
but as we are talking about STN once through security I’m over to sat 1 and relax looking out at the world going by
whilst checking details on my meetings on the laptop.
I must say I never have the need to check in bags so it’s only hand baggage.
the main reason for the delay at security is people still insist on taking liquids gels and toy guns through security.
I think things will improve at Stansted when the new arrivals terminal is up and running and the departure terminal is redesigned. Only time will tell.
now if I had my way our airports would be more like LPA and ACE once checked in up on the roof for a fag.
but as we are talking about STN once through security I’m over to sat 1 and relax looking out at the world going by
whilst checking details on my meetings on the laptop.
I must say I never have the need to check in bags so it’s only hand baggage.
the main reason for the delay at security is people still insist on taking liquids gels and toy guns through security.
I think things will improve at Stansted when the new arrivals terminal is up and running and the departure terminal is redesigned. Only time will tell.
