Stansted-3
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 08:52.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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"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.
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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.
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"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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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.
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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.
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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.
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I can’t be the only one who likes airports with lots of good shops to browse round? I hate flying to the little tin pit eu airports where all they have is a tiny cafe that’s never open and a collection of hard seats.
bearing in mind I do tend to get to the airport 2 hours prior at least because I hate rushing I find all the shops a rather pleasant distraction. The only airport I haven’t enjoyed recently was Luton - but to be fair they were in the middle of seemingly taking the terminal apart so there wasn’t much of anything, but even then the lounge was pretty good.
i assume the detractors are the types who turn up to flights using the just in time Model and arrive at the gate sweaty and out of breath. I choose not to do that
bearing in mind I do tend to get to the airport 2 hours prior at least because I hate rushing I find all the shops a rather pleasant distraction. The only airport I haven’t enjoyed recently was Luton - but to be fair they were in the middle of seemingly taking the terminal apart so there wasn’t much of anything, but even then the lounge was pretty good.
i assume the detractors are the types who turn up to flights using the just in time Model and arrive at the gate sweaty and out of breath. I choose not to do that
Last edited by whitelighter; 12th Oct 2018 at 07:00.
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Daz - I understand what you mean, but if you fly regularly rather than once or twice per year, duty free and arriving 2 hours before a flight start to lose their appeal. To a frequent flyer, an airport is little more than a port facility. A train station has no security screening but I can arrive just a few mins before a teain departs and be ok - why does an aiport need 90 mins or even 2 hours with just hand luggage ?
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.
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.
Also worth considering is the frequency and reason for travel. Most Train passengers are commuters so there's the everyday element and the need to avoid delays where possible. Aviations is much less frequent aside from a few commuters, but even then they won't be twice daily
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Thinks there's a bit more to it than that, like for example when things go wrong as a result of passengers (i.eterrorists). On a Train, worst case scenario, the line(s) is blocked and a few trains are delayed or cancelled. Worst case for aviation? i only need to reference the two numbers either side of 10 to make my point there. If everyone can get peace of mind from a few extra checks, which inevitably take time then i believe its a price worth paying. It then depends on specific airports to determine how long you wait there, the likes of STN/MAN are some of the worst.
Also worth considering is the frequency and reason for travel. Most Train passengers are commuters so there's the everyday element and the need to avoid delays where possible. Aviations is much less frequent aside from a few commuters, but even then they won't be twice daily
Also worth considering is the frequency and reason for travel. Most Train passengers are commuters so there's the everyday element and the need to avoid delays where possible. Aviations is much less frequent aside from a few commuters, but even then they won't be twice daily
Because there are only a handful of airports compared to train stations it is possible to carry out both identity checks and screening of everything being taken on board. I'm perfectly happy with that, but it doesn't have to equate to long queues. That's simply a matter of adequately resourcing the requirement. Of course the airports are more than happy to fast track you through the process if you're prepared to pay for the privilege. Which proves that queues are not required to provide better security, in my opinion.
Last edited by DC3 Dave; 12th Oct 2018 at 09:14. Reason: Spelling