Ten Most Annoying Things About Airports [Archive]

onetrack

3rd Sep 2013, 13:07

1. The pricing of anything you have to purchase, once inside. An airline gives you a lunch voucher for $10 when your flight is excessively delayed - and you're struggling to buy a snack with $10, let alone lunch.

2. Airport food that barely passes muster as edible food.

3. When things go wrong, and there's a serious delay - having to go back through security just to get a bite to eat. Then having to go through security again, because you went to the snack bar, and you're now almost certainly carrying liquid explosives.

4. There's never enough seats - particularly when thoughtless people have placed all their luggage on the seats - or they're lying down and stretched out over 3 seats and snoozing because their flight has been delayed for 6 hrs.

5. Finding a seat and then realising that someone has wet themselves on it.

6. Having a flight delay of one hour announced. Then after that hour, having another hour flight delay announced. Then after that hours wait, hearing about another 2 hour delay. It's called drip-feed, I believe.

7. Airport signage warning you about every infringement and penalty they can think up - but a lack of signage giving you directions on exactly where to go to find your gate, your luggage, or the way out.

8. People touting in airports - even though touting is banned (yes, I'm thinking of a number of European airports, here - and most Asian airports).

9. People smoking in airports, even though smoking is supposed to be totally banned (CAI promptly comes to mind).

10. Paying a fee for a shuttle bus between terminals, that should have been better positioned - or if this wasn't possible, then free transport provided.

ExXB

3rd Sep 2013, 16:36

The ONE thing that bothers me about today's media is the propensity to publish lists. Why 10? Why not 11 or 3?

Click bait.

jackieofalltrades

4th Sep 2013, 02:58

My bug bear, besides egotistical megalomaniacs in US security, is passengers rushing to block the boarding. How difficult is it to not get in the way when they call first/business class, frequent flyers, rows 44-64 etc. Have a look at your ticket. If you're sat in row 29 then you shouldn't be trying to board when the above has been only been called. Get out of the way!

crewmeal

4th Sep 2013, 05:41

Horrendous car parking rip off charges at most UK regional airports. £1 for 5 mins then £5 for 5 mins.

ExXB

4th Sep 2013, 07:36

Dan Winterland

4th Sep 2013, 09:05

Heathrow. Just about everything!

Sunnyjohn

4th Sep 2013, 16:00

What's on your list? The fact that they exist at all. Give me a grass landing strip any time, like wot I used to use to get from Lands End to the Scillies and back.

TSR2

4th Sep 2013, 16:01

Arrogant and obnoxious Business Class passengers who think they own airports and airlines.

peakcrew

5th Sep 2013, 22:01

I actually like most of the airports I've been to, and can't think of anything uniquely awful that I don't detest anywhere else, such as ridiculous markup on food that isn't actually very good because they have a captive audience (just like motorway services).*

I don't like the whole security theatre aspect of getting in to the departure lounge, but the whole country has the same problem.

I'm embarrassed by the way immigrants are dealt with on the way into the country, but again, the politicians are making sure that is a day-to-day occurrence wherever they are.

However, UK airports are better than some others in Europe. For instance, flying from Prague the other day, I witnessed passport control officers laughing to each other about a foreigner having the the courtesy to try to say hello and thank you to them in Czech, which they found hilarious because of the "funny accent", and two police officers making sexual and racist comments about female passengers to each other. I'm not likely to hear that at a British airport.

*Note that I don't count the excellent healthy-eating outlet ("Eat", maybe?) at EDI that I found the other day. Great food, half the price of the others.

Peter47

6th Sep 2013, 20:09

1. Lack of technology for differentiating safe and unsafe liquids. Its embarrassing when you haven't removed that extra bottle of water you packed on a hot day. (Come on EU!)

2. Lack of drinking fountains as you can't take safe liquids through security. (I could name certain airports.) Are they trying to blackmail people into buying bottle water at exhorbitant prices? That I really hate.

3. Claustrophobic holding areas at gates (the US may be maligned but there airports are generally have good open plan terminals

4 - 10 queues and waiting - you can probably think of at lease seven places where you have to queue on an international journey (security, boarding, immigration, baggage reclaim etc.)

That said give me an unobstructed view of the airfield from the terminal and I love airports. Indeed I'll deliberately check in early at some (not all) airports to spend extra time airside.

obgraham

6th Sep 2013, 20:48

1.cdg
2.jfk
3.ewr
4.phl
5.jnb
6.lax
7.lhr
8.yyz
9.iad
10.led

Cumulogranite

8th Sep 2013, 16:40

The way the architect thinks it is funny that you get out of your car at ground level, have to climb lots of steps to get to the check in hall, to walk down lots of steps to get onto the ramp to then climb even more steps to get on the plane? EGCC cones to mind!

edi_local

8th Sep 2013, 19:19

Jack of all trades. Part of the problem in the UK is the expectation that all of the passengers speak perfect English and can decipher a broad Gordie or Scots accent with no problem. Swiss (LX) do a bilingual announcement at Heathrow, but I can't recall anyone else doing one.

Frequent flyers know the system (they also know they need to get on early to get their carryon stored) and they know the worse thing that will happen if they try to get on before their turn is being told to wait. Non-frequent flyers don't know the system and just move with the crowd. Why not use that monitor hanging over the desk to tell the punters how boarding is going to happen rather than surprise eveyone at boarding time.

Some other airlines, such as OZ, OU, LO, TP, LY and JJ will do announcements in other languages too in T1. It depends on the staff at the gate and airline requirements. I hardly ever travel through the other terminals but T5 (as well as EDI) has that automated voice which speaks several languages. That does mean that announcements by real people are limited. This means that announcements on specific boarding instructions in the gate areas are often only done in English, although to be fair most airlines do have signs now which clearly state who can use certain lanes.

I've heard that in Terminal 2 there will be no foreign languages on the announcements and there will be no bi-lingual signs. This is a big failing for LHR. Go to airports in almost every other country and you will see signs in the local language and usually English. Even Pyongyang International has more languages than LHR with English, Korean and Mandarin appearing on their handful of signs!

PAXboy

9th Sep 2013, 01:10

DaveReidUK

9th Sep 2013, 07:58

Go to airports in almost every other country and you will see signs in the local language and usually English.So LHR T2 would also satisfy that requirement, then ...

edi_local

9th Sep 2013, 10:00

So LHR T2 would also satisfy that requirement, then ...

Badly worded I admit, but I was suggesting that UK airports should at least offer more than just English on their signage.

Davef68

2nd Oct 2013, 12:17

VERY well said Cumulogranite. I had this last weekend at LGW. the stair/escalator ups/downs is tedious. I know the place was built ad hoc over the decades but it really shows in the way the different blocks are linked.

Gatwick is easily the worst in the UK for that, especially the Western (North) terminal. Stupid stairs down into baggage hall!

1. Getting searched at security

Nope, doesn't bother me. Part of the process.

2. Having to show your boarding card to buy anything

Yep, I'd love to know if there is a reason beyond marketing for this.

3. Lack of power sockets

Kudos to Stansted, which has a few charging points. Gatwick has some accessible sockets if you know where to look (at least North terminal has!)

4. Lack of seating

Yep

.Bristol airport (http://www.skyscanner.net/airports/brs/bristol-airport.html) is a prime example - the small supply of seating is always oversubscribed, (and there’s no seating at many of the gates at all!) yet there’s a glut of restaurant seating (which of course, only restaurant customers may use).
Bristol used to be fine when the new terminal opened circa 2000, but has filled up with outlets, coffee bars and the occasional super car raffle.

5. Being told your flight was delayed ‘due to its late departure’

Lack of information is my main bugbear - being told just before boarding is due to be called that your flight is going to be delayed 2 hours or more - I'm sure the airlines didn't just find that out (OK, occasionally an aircraft may go u/s, but if the delay is due to a 2 hour delay in the incoming aircraft, then they knew about that before then!). You can often find out more from the airlines website than you get told on the airport displays.

6. Having to pay for Wi-Fi

Simple answer, I don't. If it's free, I use it, if ot, I'll read a book (or use my Mifi!)

7. Airlines who understaff their check-in desks

Check in on line and rarely travel with more than cabin luggage.

8. Not being able to check in online

See above (Except Flybe, where you can choose your seat for free if you check in at the airport!)

9. Most airport shops are useless to most people

It’s time to give travellers what they really want: Greggs and a Primark.
There was a Greggs at Glasgow airport - IIRC it closed due to an increase in rent 9and the suspicion that other food outlets were not happy with it.

10. Being charged for .......... re-sealable plastic bags

Edinburgh gives these away free.

My own pet hates:

Over priced Food Outlets

e.g. Wetherspoons burger sets you back £6 in the real world, costs £12 at the airport.

I usually eat out of Boots!!

People who Haven't Read the Cabin Baggage Restrictions

It must be 10 years since the 100ml limit/clear plastic bag was introduced, yet you still get people trying to get through with cabin baggage with 500ml bottles of contact lens cleaner, etc etc. holding up the queue at security

Crowding the Baggage Carousel

Sorry, but if my bag comes out first, I'm not going to apolgise for it hitting you if you insist on standing right next to the conveyor. Personally, I'd paint a red line 2 feet away and have lasers to deal with those who infringe before their bag arrives!

Priority Boarding/Security

Just a symptom of everything that is wrong with the Uk - the idea that you can get something/somewhere quicker just by throwing some money at it.

Laarbruch72

2nd Oct 2013, 13:08

2. Having to show your boarding card to buy anything

Yep, I'd love to know if there is a reason beyond marketing for this.

It’s to check your entitlement to buy. Airport staff aren’t allowed to buy cigarettes or alcohol (though some try it), so this check makes sure you’re genuinely a passenger.

blaggerman

2nd Oct 2013, 14:45

It’s to check your entitlement to buy. Airport staff aren’t allowed to buy cigarettes or alcohol (though some try it), so this check makes sure you’re genuinely a passenger.Thanks, that adequately explains why W H Smith demand to see my boarding pass so I can purchase a packet of wine gums. :rolleyes:

jetset lady

2nd Oct 2013, 14:50

It’s to check your entitlement to buy. Airport staff aren’t allowed to buy cigarettes or alcohol (though some try it), so this check makes sure you’re genuinely a passenger.

I think - although I am happy to be corrected - that it's also something to do with whether the retailer will have to pay VAT on it. I don't think they do if the item is to be taken out of the EU. That's why even WH Smiths and Boots etc will ask for your boarding card. It's all about destination, destination, destination. But as said, I may be wrong......

Hangar6

2nd Oct 2013, 15:21

All and any routine airline tannoy announcements,

Eg For all intending American Airlines passengers check in is no open .

Aimed at AA pax

Result is all delta us air united and others go to check in desks , they are American Airlines after all !,,

strake

2nd Oct 2013, 18:00

I started really travelling on business when I was twenty eight. Somehow, that's thirty years ago...
God but it was exciting. The sense of anticipation of arriving, the indirect flights that left you sitting at a remote US airport watching people going about their business. People paying quarters to watch TV's bolted to their seats. Shoe-shine guys. Pretzel stands. The gate lounge sports bar.
Now? I don't know about TEN things..just being there is annoying enough.

Maybe I'm just being old and cranky though and there's twenty-eight year olds out there just loving it.
One thing was for sure. A bad day at the airport was a hell of a lot better than a good day at the office! ;)

1DC

2nd Oct 2013, 19:24

Getting the length of a delay drip fed hour by hour.
I went to pick a mate up at East Midlands, he was coming from Alicante on a Thomson flight. I got there at about 0900 and the arrivals board said Delayed..My mate phoned me and said they hadn't left but kept being told that they would board in 1 hour. I went to the Thomson desk and asked if they knew when the flight would arrive, They said that they didn't know and i said that my dilemma was do i go home, a three hour drive each way or do i wait..The lady took pity on me and said she would phone engineering but they usually wouldn't tell her anything. This day she was lucky. She was told that an engineer was leaving Luton that evening with a part which would take about about 30 minutes to fit and then the plane would leave. The earliest arrival at East Midlands would be about 0030 the next morning. It was 0115..
I rang my mate and told him, he was trapped airside but when he arrived at EMA he said they only stopped saying boarding in 1 hour about 2030 when they gave a departure time.
I knew the facts about 1030 so why couldn't the passengers be told?

howard2107

2nd Oct 2013, 19:28

ALL UK airports are horrible places, and the foreign ones i have been to are not much better. No fresh air, extortionate prices for everything, passengers treat like cattle, queues queues and more queues. Airports seem to think that they have a god given right to rip off the travelling public, and as long as people keep paying, they will keep doing it.

Fortunately i don't travel too often, and don't go too far, just down to Malaga 5 or 6 times a year to see my dad, and that airport is not much better even with the new terminal.

I would rather drive to southern spain than fly, but for all of its faults flying will always be cheaper and quicker, so its put up and shut up unfortunately.

Cheers..........Howard

PAXboy

2nd Oct 2013, 19:52

strake I remember your pain! Fortunately I no longer travel on biz the way I used to. A genuine story I use to convey the problem is:

Looking out of the taxi window and seeing a vaguley familiar shape. After a moment, I worked out - the Eiffel Tower = Paris! I had: Got up; driven to LHR; boarded; had something to eat; deboarded; taxied; and was dozing when I was jerked awake at traffic lights and needed to know where I was. It was 08:00.

Like you, I have other stories if you wish to be bored ... :zzz:

In summary - some days LHR could be great and the next day NOT. What irritates me is these blasted '10 Things' lists. Or the lists of supposedly successful people :yuk:. If you make it to retirement without having killed anyone - that's a success. :p

flight_mode

2nd Oct 2013, 20:10

edi_local

2nd Oct 2013, 21:03

5. Being told your flight was delayed ‘due to its late departure’

This is really irritating. The standard text is trotted out in most EU airports 'The reason for the delay is the late arrival of the inbound aircraft'. :ugh:

There would be uproar if train companies started with 'The reason for the delay is the late arrival of the train' and bus companies said 'the bus is late because its running late'. DHL then could roll out 'Your parcel is late due the late arrival of the parcel'.

But sometimes (most often in fact) the plane is late simply because it is late. When I used to make delay announcements the problem 99% of the time was that it was simply late arriving from XYZ.

I always told the truth when I made such calls, so why would I make up some kind of elaborate story just because the truth was so dull.

Sometimes flights are just late. They may be ready to leave the departure airport on time but can't push back due to another aircraft in it's way or maybe the tug broke down and a new one has to be found. Sometimes a slight diversion on the way or perhaps an elongated holding pattern will occur, both of which result in a later landing time. Once it's on the ground a long taxi to the stand or a wait for a stand once it's there can all add extra time too. For any airline I ever handled, all of those constitute a late inbound, which will obviously affect the outbound departure time. Not every delay is something exciting. There is a need to keep tannoy announcements clear and to the point. If you start droning on about holding delays, long taxis or aircraft waiting for stands most people either have no idea what you're on about or simply don't care. "Late arrival" is a catch all term which is nice and simple and doesn't really have any other meaning.

I would sometimes expand on it and explain that the aircraft was held up elsewhere during the day and had failed to make up time, but the simple matter remained that it was late landing and that's why it's going to be late taking off! :}

So sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but if they say it's due to a later inbound arrival then it really is just that! ;)

Hartington

2nd Oct 2013, 21:11

I'm afraid I just grin (or should that be grimace?) and bear it. I've been flying for about 60 years - started on Silver City Bristol 170s from Lydd to Le Touquet so I suppose I've simply adapted as I've gone along.

The whole experience has, of course, changed. I can remember arriving in Vienna with my mother at the age of about 6. We had flown from London, my father had been away for about 3 months in Australia and had flown in from somewhere like Delhi (he had stopped in several places on his way home) and arrived about 10 minutes after us. We had cleared immigration and were waiting for our bags when my father appeard in the queue for immigration. NOTHING was going to get in my way, I just ran back through immigration to greet him and nobody batted an eyelid.

Possibly the best airport was Baglung in about 1978. In those days there was no road to Baglung. It was 2 days walk from Pokhara which is an hour by plane from Kathmandu. The airstrip (3 hours walk from the village) was grass and the terminal was a hut with 2 rooms. You went in from the grass outside, checked in, walked through into the other room, got frisked (no electricity, all manual) and back out onto the grass outside. Simples! No airport mall, no police trying to move the cars on outside the terminal, no magnetic arch.

Unfortunately, no plane. "It went to Lukla and the weather closed in so it didn't come back. It will come tomorrow". Everyone laughed (well, all 15 of us, it was a Twin Otter) and just headed off on foot to walk back to Pokhara. Even then the game wasn't over. We spent a night en route and got back to Pokhara to find we could get back to Kathmandu that night on another Twin Otter. Pokhara airport, it could handle an HS748, was better but it was still a grass strip and the "airport hotels" (yes, more than one) were just over the road. The Twin Otter didn't go that night and next morning we watched as it was loaded with sacks of salt. It headed off towards Jomsom but failed to get in so they unloaded the salt and loaded us instead. Security at Pokhara was a little better than Baglung and I remember this rather loud American who had several Buddahs in his baggage (they searched checked as well as hand baggage) saying "They're just cheap Boooodaaas" because the authorities were rather hot at making sure people didn't steal their heritage so they were a bit suspicious of multiple Buddahs.

And, on the same trip possibly the worst. Delhi. I'd checked my bag through from London to Kathmandu. No airside transit so I (eventually) entered India and when I got to the RNAC checkin the man looked at me pityingly and took me through emigration and security without stopping and in the departure lounge said "can you see your bag". Happily I could so we retraced our steps, checked in and I found myself on a 727 with a freight compartment up front and very badly balanced tyres (I think) causing a tremendous vibration as we took off.

<grumpy old man mode> Some of you just don't know how good you have it these days! <grumpy old man mode\>

Laarbruch72

3rd Oct 2013, 10:56

I think - although I am happy to be corrected - that it's also something to do with whether the retailer will have to pay VAT on it. I don't think they do if the item is to be taken out of the EU. That's why even WH Smiths and Boots etc will ask for your boarding card. It's all about destination, destination, destination. But as said, I may be wrong......

You're right that that's a big factor as well, it's both your answer and mine combined. Blaggerman's wine gums will actually be discounted for staff when the WHSmith staff ask for a boarding card and get a staff ID instead. So yeas there are several reasons.
By the looks of it blaggerman would rather find out by himself in future though rather than have people help with his question.

paulc

3rd Oct 2013, 11:32

Not being able to see aircraft from the terminal. Heathrow is more like a shopping mall that you can catch a plane at rather than an airport these days.

ExXB

3rd Oct 2013, 11:40

I think - although I am happy to be corrected - that it's also something to do with whether the retailer will have to pay VAT on it. I don't think they do if the item is to be taken out of the EU. That's why even WH Smiths and Boots etc will ask for your boarding card. It's all about destination, destination, destination. But as said, I may be wrong......

Traveling to Switzerland from UK airports I pay the posted price for my wine gums, but my receipt doesn't have the VAT data printed on it. So where did the money go to? (Rhetorical question).

Also if I buy a beer on the plane I pay the amount mentioned in the brochure for all flights of that UK based aircraft, but if I'm travelling outside the EU (i.e. Switzerland) why am I paying the VAT inclusive amount?

Dry wretched thunder

3rd Oct 2013, 13:39

1 US immigration
2 US immigration
3 US immigration
4 US immigration
5 US immigration
6 US immigration
7 US immigration
8 US immigration
9 US immigration
10US immigration

We are not dogs, some of us HAVE to travel there, sorry for daring to enter Mr Immigration man, ill be as quick as i can have no fear of that !!!

PJD1

3rd Oct 2013, 14:08

Couldn't agree more! I have travelled to the US on several occasions and found the vast majority of the people I met and dealt with to be extremely helpful and amenable. The only exception to this on every occasion has been the immigration officers who are often abrupt and rude to the point of being obnoxious. I fully appreciate that they have a job to do but customer service is a part of that job!

Mr Mac

3rd Oct 2013, 18:22

Strake / Pax boy
It must be something in our age group !, as we obviously crossed the Rubicon between flying being an unusual event, to be, as we all know on this web site, a small trial in the nature of things, but now much used, though I do agree annoying sometimes:sad:.

Regards
Mr Mac

Davef68

3rd Oct 2013, 20:30

Not being able to see aircraft from the terminal. Heathrow is more like a shopping mall that you can catch a plane at rather than an airport these days.

Yeah, that too! Luckily, Edinburgh (so far) has left lots of glass so you can see the aircraft.

That said, I have spent quite a few delayed hours at T5 watching the landings and taking offs.

liteswap

4th Oct 2013, 09:08

1. The way that airports are more shopping malls than places of departure. I don't want to shop, I want to catch a plane, so just provide clear directions and keep the damned shops out of the way. Heathrow, are you listening?
2. Security - it's a farce whose main purpose is to make people feel safer
3. Internet access - WiFi or whatever - should be free as it's a common service like electricity these days
4. Rip-off prices - when you do have to shop, paying slightly below high-street retail prices (which themselves are a rip-off anyway) from chain stores who boast VAT-free pricing. It's pure cash in the bank, for them. So more independents needed.
5. UK passport control - you get off the plane quickly only to be herded into a cattle pen to wait half an hour while some droid takes five minutes to say OK. Or wait about as long for the queue for the slow, slow electronic passport gates as people are too stupid to figure out how to work them. Bring back IRIS!
6a. US immigration - see above, but with added f*ck-you aggressive attitude from the herders
6b. US immigration - whose bright idea was it to search people on the way INTO the country (eg Atlanta, Miami)? I could buy lethal weaponry just down the road from the airport so just what is the point??

Captain Smithy

4th Oct 2013, 09:37

1. The farce of "security"; being fondled, felt, scrutinized, questioned, having to remove shoes, raking through bags etc. Also being chastised about tools/equipment. :rolleyes:

2. The seemingly inevitable rugby scrum when a flight's boarding is announced. Why? The aircraft's not going to leave withot you if you're in the queue. Why the obsession to get on first?

3. Following on from the above, folks who hobble around the airport with their walking sticks, only to miraculously become not so immobile when boarding in announced, lifting the stick and rushing/barging to the front. Miraculously the stick seems to also remain discarded throughout the flight and the two weeks in tenerife. :hmm:

4. Following on from the above again, people who are wheeled around all over the airport in wheelchairs, get priority boarding etc. and yet have no problem moving around on their own in the cabin of a 757 at 37000 feet, nor during the two weeks in Tenerife... :suspect:

5. The cartel system of car parking charges. Crass profiteering. Minimum running cost, maximum charges, maximum profit, minimum investment. Good old British business.

6. The cartel system of food, drink etc. especially when past security, where prices seem to miraculously double for everything.

7. Pilots making excuses for delays by blaming it on ATC. "Er, sorry, we got held up because of ATC" is 99% of the time a lie. Tell pax the truth - wether the refuelling truck was elsewhere, the FO slept in, pax on the previous sector were late etc. :=

8. Airports that have prefectly serviceable runways/parking areas that remain shut for no discernable reason.

9. Airports that make General Aviation unwelcome/expensive.

10. The lack of viewing gallaries. Why? "Security" is not an excuse...

Smithy

ExXB

4th Oct 2013, 15:40

7. Pilots making excuses for delays by blaming it on ATC. "Er, sorry, we got held up because of ATC" is 99% of the time a lie. Tell pax the truth - wether the refuelling truck was elsewhere, the FO slept in, pax on the previous sector were late etc.

The EC has taught airlines to be less than honest, not lying but not telling the whole truth either. The expectation is that one will receive compensation even for a minor delay. If you blame it on someone else that expectation is lowered.

N779UA

4th Oct 2013, 20:18

It’s time to give travellers what they really want: Greggs

NCL has a Greggs. Greggs is the second thing I do on arrival in England, after a Little Chef Olympic Breakfast.

Most annoying thing about airports: The automated announcements.

"For your comfort and safety..."
"Security measures have been implemented..."
"No, the white zone is for immediate loading and unloading..."

OK - the last one isn't annoying, but then it isn't a real airport.

c2lass

12th Oct 2013, 21:43

Talking of announcements, whenever I have flown from AMS to ABZ the gate always seems to be right at the end of the travelator which constantly churns out "Mind your Step" every 3 minutes. It really is no fun listening to that over and over again.

PS why did I post this as "Mind Your Step" is now going over and over in my head! :mad:

Oh and talking of ABZ airport, or should I say International airport as it is now known, lets mention the (yes singular as we only have one) baggage carousel, which is such a joy when 3 flights come in together. And, why do wives/partners/girlfriends/kids etc have to stand with their significant other along with their push chairs etc, right at the front of the belt when only one of them will lift the bag off. Me, I am too polite, I always stand well back and leave my poor hubby to fight his way to the front.

Overpriced inedible food :\
Dirty toilets :uhoh:
Unacceptable queues despite the fact you have checked in and only want to drop off your bag :{
Disgusting car park charges (Aberdeen take note here) :=
People who think it is their right to lay across 4 seats :(
The crowd of smokers right at the entrance door :yuk:

rethymnon

13th Oct 2013, 09:23

!. The humiliating treatment of elderly people with disabilities at so-called 'security'. Overseas airports manage to discriminate between people with hip-replacements and potential terrorists without the lengthy, intrusive and officious 'searching' of the former.

2. The need to produce your boarding pass just to buy a daily newspaper once through to airside.

KBPsen

13th Oct 2013, 09:31

People who are looking for things to complain about.

Xenophon

13th Oct 2013, 19:36

Airports per se are fine : all of them.

It's people that make them unbearable. By that , of course , I do mean other people:E
Sartre was right !! (L'enfer , c'est les autres)

Ancient Observer

14th Oct 2013, 11:35

The 100 worst things about airports are all at Gatwick.

(I haven't used Luton for many years)

fdcg27

19th Oct 2013, 20:24

The two airports we usually fly out of are dumps. By that I mean that the gate facilities look really tired. One of them even lacks enough glass at the gates to allow the entertainment of watching operations while waiting to board your flight. There is also the lack of bustle that characterizes busy airports, which is mostly a plus.
Another gripe is the lack of mainline service from either airport. Yes, both do have some mainline, but most journeys to most destinations involve a flight to a hub on a regional jet. It is really amusing to see a separate boarding lane for those with airline status when the boarding involves a single class forty eight seat aircraft.
Overpriced food and drink once inside security is an irritation. Even worse is that this overpriced fare is not usually available for those taking early flights. If I'd like to buy my wife a cup of tea while awaiting an early flight, nothing will be open.
Depart either CVG or DAY for a connection through ATL and it's as though you've flown from the third world into civilization.
One thing I do hate to see is airports with vast unused gate space.
DAY, CVG and SJU come to mind.
In all three cases, I wonder whether the airport authority couldn't better market the facility and increase utilization.
Maybe not, since SJU is no longer the connecting gateway to the Carribean that it once was, CVG is no longer the medium sized hub that it once was and DAY peaked years ago, with a brief revival courtesy of Airtran, which at least flew (still flies, although it's gradually being absorbed) all mainline from DAY. The acquiring carrier is all mainline as well but is rapidly dumping the distictive B717s. At least they're going to a good home with a long history of operating the earlier versions of this last development of the DC-9.

defizr

21st Oct 2013, 08:26

The refusal of security staff at the transit security check at Dubai/DXB to use wands. If you go through the hoop and it sounds off you have to go back, take off what you think is causing it to go off and try again.

joy ride

25th Oct 2013, 16:15

Plenty of good replies here, many concerning costs and security. These irritate me, but I have to admit that I grudgingly accept them as inevitable now that flying has become so cheap (relatively), popular and such a potential target for terrorism and other criminal activities. They are very annoying but inevitable, therefore I grin and bear them.

What I do dislike is the fact that all major airports are now basically crowded shopping malls (with ancillary transport connections).

They are full of information such as shop names and ads for products, which make it hard to spot the signs for what I have actually gone there to do : to catch a chuffing plane or meet someone from a plane, not go on a spending spree!

Furthermore, with few exceptions I can hardly ever see the planes at all, and can almost never go out onto a viewing balcony and HEAR them coming and going as well as seeing them; flying was once an exiting adventure.

Lastly, I exit the shopping mall, along a sealed tube and into my plane without actually being able to see it, I used to love walking out to the plane, seeing it, the under-carriage, the engines, and all the bustle of airport staff loading, fuelling and preparing the plane for flight. Climbing up the stairs gave a grandstand view, and the view of a VC 10's engines from the rear steps was a particular thrill.

And then as soon as the plane takes off, the person at the window seat shuts out the view; the view which mankind dreamed of seeing for thousands of years is now just a hindrance to us doing what we all do every day....look at a screen!

ruddman

26th Oct 2013, 13:33

Security at US airports is number one for me.

Checking in at SFO one time took a whole hour in the queue which wasn't particularly long.

But going through security! :mad: Queue at that stage - still San Fran - wasn't long. Two hours. :eek:

Another US airport, going thought security with the usual deal of taking just about every piece of clothing off, jackets, shoes etc, and emptying pockets, back packs, lap tops, separating liquids, cables etc etc, then of course you have to time your walk through the scanner.....not until your luggage goes through first!!.....and not until your called through!!!....:=.....:rolleyes:.....

.....then I have to do the infamous nude scanner.......then a hold up......security looks at each other.......talking on radios......looking at booth with reflective glass.....I finally get slightly jack and ask what's up....."hold on sir"......more security come.....pat me down.....and find out it was because my back pocket on some casual pants I had on was bulging and they couldn't tell what was in it.

Walking through 'high-tech' US security scan, then nude scanner and none could tell that my pocket had nothing but air in it?

:ugh:

Just flew here in Australia couple days ago. Out of MEL, I could've gone in and out of the terminal security several times before the US security would have even one go through.

Seriously, it's a joke. An embarrassing one at that.