The most irritating airport?
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Currently Dubai
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Actually, come to think of it, Moscow's pretty rough. I wonder if they have enhanced their security? Although it looks secure (cabin baggage gets scanned three times - entering terminal, going airside and at the gate), when I put my laptop bag through each of these, the guys pointed to the screens and just said "what's that?". They were happy with my description and unlike just about anywhere else, did not feel the need to see inside 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Manchester
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It's got to be Paris CDG - the triumph of architectural madness over practicality. Where do I start?
RER service to get there excellent provided you can a) get on train, b) breathe once you're on and c) the driver doesn't decide to go on strike at Gare du Nord.
RER station only at Terminal 2 (AF of course). Terminal 1 pax must take bus service (on the odd occasion that it turns up).
Circular terminals built in concentric rings - each door into the next ring always diametrically opposite to where you are.
4 mile walk to get from terminal 1 to satellite gates along underground moving walkway requiring crampons to scale the up-slope.
Ergonomic design placing immigration desks from non-Schengen sources about 1 metre from security checks into gate area and exit from same area - prizes are awarded for finding the right queue.
Access to subterranean BA lounge via slowest lift in the world - by the time you reach the lounge you could have flown home.
BA lounge frequently full, requiring policing of potential gate-crashers into overflow lounge (otherwise known as departure lounge).
The only airport with multiple runways that thinks it's a good idea to squeeze all inbound and outbound flights onto one - thus gate to take-off takes 45 mins, whilst flight time to LHR also takes 45 mins.
I could continue, but I might lose the will to live...
RER service to get there excellent provided you can a) get on train, b) breathe once you're on and c) the driver doesn't decide to go on strike at Gare du Nord. RER station only at Terminal 2 (AF of course). Terminal 1 pax must take bus service (on the odd occasion that it turns up). Circular terminals built in concentric rings - each door into the next ring always diametrically opposite to where you are. 4 mile walk to get from terminal 1 to satellite gates along underground moving walkway requiring crampons to scale the up-slope. Ergonomic design placing immigration desks from non-Schengen sources about 1 metre from security checks into gate area and exit from same area - prizes are awarded for finding the right queue. Access to subterranean BA lounge via slowest lift in the world - by the time you reach the lounge you could have flown home. BA lounge frequently full, requiring policing of potential gate-crashers into overflow lounge (otherwise known as departure lounge). The only airport with multiple runways that thinks it's a good idea to squeeze all inbound and outbound flights onto one - thus gate to take-off takes 45 mins, whilst flight time to LHR also takes 45 mins.I could continue, but I might lose the will to live...
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: The Burrow, N53:48:02 W1:48:57, The Tin Tent - EGBS, EGBO
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Techman, any more wisecracks like that and I'll be putting in a request for you to do a lengthy stretch of Community Service, preferably requiring you to be VERY VERY nice to all passengers. After all, if it wasn't for the passengers you could well be out of a job.
Join Date: Apr 2001
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Wyscog
You forgot to mention that the EU immigration desks are frequently unmanned so that everyone from a dozen flights has to go past the two immigration staff that did bother coming to work
You forgot to mention that the EU immigration desks are frequently unmanned so that everyone from a dozen flights has to go past the two immigration staff that did bother coming to work
Join Date: Jun 2001
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I agree that CDG is very bad for Transfers, AMS is a great airport, i can't believe anybody would say a word bad about it
My nemesis is BKK, its one hell of a struggle in and out. Took us 2 hours to get the short distance from the aircraft to the back door, and back in again took forever with all the fussing around we did, going through countless security checks, checkin desks, everything. It really did **** me off
ggrr
My nemesis is BKK, its one hell of a struggle in and out. Took us 2 hours to get the short distance from the aircraft to the back door, and back in again took forever with all the fussing around we did, going through countless security checks, checkin desks, everything. It really did **** me off
ggrr
Join Date: Jun 2001
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Now there Wombat, dont blow an arterie!.
Not my fault that most people switch off the old bonedome, when their enter an airport.
Anyway, I'll be a good boy from now on. Community Service sounds really painful!!.
Techman
Not my fault that most people switch off the old bonedome, when their enter an airport.
Anyway, I'll be a good boy from now on. Community Service sounds really painful!!.
Techman
Join Date: Mar 2001
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CDG is by far the most irritating. I'm sure that anyone that has used CDG whether be as normal pax or operating/positioning crews will agree.
No common sense and a severe attck of "jobs worth".
Ask Hugmonster, he loves the place - especially securuty (Daniel).
No common sense and a severe attck of "jobs worth".
Ask Hugmonster, he loves the place - especially securuty (Daniel).
Coppula eam se non posit acceptera jocularum
Join Date: Jun 2000
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As promised, reporting back on AMS ..... and I think it is a good airport. However, glad I was warned in advance about the distances between gates, although even on a tight connection both me and my checked in luggage had no problem. Much impressed by the place, and prefer it to having to change terminals at LHR. Guess which hub I will be using in the future.
Mind, had to suppress a smile at 'attentie alstublieft'.
Mind, had to suppress a smile at 'attentie alstublieft'.
Join Date: Jan 2001
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Don't worry Techman, all arteries intact. It isn't always the fault of the passenger though, some of the information posted (or not) in airports can be misleading even for those who are familiar with the places eg: MAN, the BA Terminal. Imagine a nervous little old lady, whose family don't know about the meet and assist facility, first flight to somewhere in the southeren hemisphere to visit new grandchild. All you see in MAN is check-in desks for Europe or America absolutely NO mention of southeren ex-colonial areas. Would you know what to do in her position?
Join Date: Feb 2000
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Must say that I've always been quite impressed with AMS. There is a bit of legowork involved from gate to gate but it's a wonderful place to spend some time. Because of the single terminal idea you can wander round the whole place at your leisure, and transferring's a doddle.
I'd rather AMS than LHR, CDG or that ****hole they used to call an airport at Athens anyday!
I'd rather AMS than LHR, CDG or that ****hole they used to call an airport at Athens anyday!
Coppula eam se non posit acceptera jocularum
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BRUpax
Fair point, suppose we are in a way missing what you are saying. However, the convenience of not having to make tranfers between terminals outweighs the continuous "attentie alstublieft". Anyway, although I am personally trilingual (very nominally in truth, but I can get by)(four languages if you include Geordie
), Dutch is not one of my languages. Announcements in English gratefully heard 
.
Fair point, suppose we are in a way missing what you are saying. However, the convenience of not having to make tranfers between terminals outweighs the continuous "attentie alstublieft". Anyway, although I am personally trilingual (very nominally in truth, but I can get by)(four languages if you include Geordie
), Dutch is not one of my languages. Announcements in English gratefully heard .
Join Date: Jul 2001
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LAX, for MANY reasons, but one that stands out is the absolutely insane public transit available for what should be the simple journey of getting one to downtown Los Angeles.
One first has to make their way out to the lower street level and to one of the islands where a plethora of shuttle buses of various routes pick up passengers. After you find the appropriate shuttle bus, it transports you a mile or so to a station situated on the Green Line light rail (tram) line. Then, you have to take that line to a transfer station situated in one of the worst areas of Los Angeles and transfer to another light rail line, the Blue Line. The Blue Line takes you into downtown Los Angeles, but if you want to go to certain areas of downtown, (i.e., the train station or Hollywood, etc.), you have to transfer, yet again, to the Red Line heavy rail subway ("Underground" for you Brits). Another option is taking a shuttle bus to a staging area and transfering to another bus (MTA Route 439) that will take you into downtown LA. Of course, there are millions of taxis that will compete for your business, at much greater expense. We can thank the taxicab lobby for having such an influential "presence" with our planning commission and County Board of Supervisors. Their lobbying money went a long way in making sure that most people will always use their taxis.
One first has to make their way out to the lower street level and to one of the islands where a plethora of shuttle buses of various routes pick up passengers. After you find the appropriate shuttle bus, it transports you a mile or so to a station situated on the Green Line light rail (tram) line. Then, you have to take that line to a transfer station situated in one of the worst areas of Los Angeles and transfer to another light rail line, the Blue Line. The Blue Line takes you into downtown Los Angeles, but if you want to go to certain areas of downtown, (i.e., the train station or Hollywood, etc.), you have to transfer, yet again, to the Red Line heavy rail subway ("Underground" for you Brits). Another option is taking a shuttle bus to a staging area and transfering to another bus (MTA Route 439) that will take you into downtown LA. Of course, there are millions of taxis that will compete for your business, at much greater expense. We can thank the taxicab lobby for having such an influential "presence" with our planning commission and County Board of Supervisors. Their lobbying money went a long way in making sure that most people will always use their taxis.
Join Date: Nov 2001
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CDG? AMS? Come on folks, these places are fine. Try leaving Bamako when a couple of Europe bound planes are checking in, if you haven't played years of rugby, you stand no chance. Or have a few hours in Lome when the power is out and there is no a/c, water or food in hot season. Before Abidjan was remodeled you had to go through eight passport checks just to get on your plane.
Paxing All Over The World
Rather than start a new thread, I have to ask - what is the least irritating airport?
It was probably the smallest and so had the least possibility to irritate!
Richard's Bay in South Africa (RCB) is on the Indian Ocean coast at the top end of Kwa-Zulu Natal. I landed there in a 6 seater and had a leisurely 10m stroll to the terminal. Was able to watch our bags being unloaded at the same time as booking out the hire car
Driving away a few minutes later, I was about to comment on the high quality road surface ... when it ended and became a dirt road!
Back a couple of days later to depart for Joburg in an F-27 and had another lovely experience. This was 1985 so may well have changed.
It was probably the smallest and so had the least possibility to irritate!
Richard's Bay in South Africa (RCB) is on the Indian Ocean coast at the top end of Kwa-Zulu Natal. I landed there in a 6 seater and had a leisurely 10m stroll to the terminal. Was able to watch our bags being unloaded at the same time as booking out the hire car
Driving away a few minutes later, I was about to comment on the high quality road surface ... when it ended and became a dirt road!
Back a couple of days later to depart for Joburg in an F-27 and had another lovely experience. This was 1985 so may well have changed.
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Least irritating - London City. Small, friendly, now has a decent restaurant, great view of the aircraft. No check-in queues, shorter check-in times (in fact, I was once lucky enough to be able to board after arriving with only 10 mins to spare - though don't rely on it!) Also has the advantage of being a 15 min taxi ride from where I live ... love it.