Phew ... glad it's nearly over .....

[Fab Foodie]

... the holiday season that is.

Not that I don't like being on holiday, far from it, but during the summer period, airports are sheer misery. In fact I never fly for holidays. For those of us that use aeroplanes like others use buses or trains for their commute, one develops strategies, timings and ways to deal with the everyday getting to and fro from someplace. Then all of a sudden our well-worked-out routines become inteferred with by a sudden influx of bodies aimlessly getting in your way and generally clogging the place up! The cheek of it!
For 9 months of the year places like Heathrow in particular and most other major euro-hubs are kept alive but us humble business types trying to get from A to B. We know where we're going, we know the drill at security, where the essentials airside are and if we have to shop we know exactly where and when. We know how to board a plain effeciently, that we all have a seat and how our bags fit the storage for maximum utilisation. Standards of dress are reasonable if boring.
Then, the summer season starts and wham, queues grow exponentially, security takes much much longer, all routes airside are full of ambling shoppers like randomly moving chicanes, getting to the gate is like negotiating Bluewater shopping centre on sale day, boarding becomes a scrum, and overhead locker organisation frankly goes to pot. Furthermore there's rather a lot of inappropropriate flesh on display which can put one off ones Pret-a-manger pain au raisin and double espresso. There's a peculiar look that a Brit seems to don for 'going away' and it's generally not a good one.

Thank god the kids are going back to school ;-)

 

[Schooner]

Wow. Sounds like you need a new job mate. Probably one where you'll never come into contact with those who don't conform to your rules would be best.
Personally when I fly, which is too regularly for my liking, I find holiday makers much more pleasant company than the types who feel they should be treated specially due to their perfectly sized carry on trolley or regularity of travel on commuter flights.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

There's fun to be had though Fabbers, rowing Brummie couples at Birmingham airport kept me amused while I waited for an early flight to Edinburgh recently. It's annoying though waiting for people at security when they only realise the procedure after it's far too late and then you have stand there while they rummage around getting out all the oversized liquid containers they've packed away, and the laptop, take off the coat, and the belt, yes the watch too, yes and everything else made out of metal...

 

[snorri]

Having flown last month for the first time in 20 years, I can tell you that Heathrow place needs some sorting out. The signage and guidance for inexperienced fliers those who usually go abroad by simply cycling on to a ferry is sadly lacking.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Wow. Sounds like you need a new job mate. Probably one where you'll never come into contact with those who don't conform to your rules would be best.
Personally when I fly, which is too regularly for my liking, I find holiday makers much more pleasant company than the types who feel they should be treated specially due to their perfectly sized carry on trolley or regularity of travel on commuter flights.

Maybe I should have put more smileys in my post ....

 

[Fnaar]

I don't fly often, but well written @Fab Foodie

 

[gbb]

I'd never thought about it but you're probably right FF. I always flew in the winter so didnt mix the two but there is a distinct difference between holidayers and the usual business fliers/ individuals getting home. Out of season, it all works fine, most people get where they're going, no fuss, no aggro, calm and collected. It all degenerates into a bit of madness in the holiday season.
There is a well practiced route you take when flying frequently, its all quite relaxed when you do it right. I can imagine its fustrating when it all gets mucked about.

 

[Keith Oates]

Airports are not my favorite places but Terminal 3 at Heathrow is the most unfriendly, unhelpful and staffed by the most offensive people that I've had the misfortune to meet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[The Jogger]

The trains can be a nightmare during the summer hols as well. (No smileys)

 

[biggs682]

crockle season is what seaside residents call it

 

[Moon bunny]

Or (future) wage-payers as Hover fly calls them.

 

[Fab Foodie]

There is a well practiced route you take when flying frequently, its all quite relaxed when you do it right. I can imagine its fustrating when it all gets mucked about.

I'm often reminded of one of the opening sequences of 'Airplane' when the guy's trying to get past the never ending Hari-Krishna!

 

[Beebo]

I do a fair bit of travel with work, mainly out of T5 at heathrow.
But once a year I travel with the family on a holiday charter flight. It reminds me that even BA economy is 100 times nicer than a holiday charter flight.

 

[Cheddar George]

I do a fair bit of travel with work, mainly out of T5 at heathrow.
But once a year I travel with the family on a holiday charter flight. It reminds me that even BA economy is 100 times nicer than a holiday charter flight.

It's because the people who usually fly BA economy don't think that they are travelling in a flying pub.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I have a theory about Orthadox Jews.....They only seem to live in airports...

In a 1,000 years time, the bible will have them in Exodus marching from the Holy Land to the Sock Shop in T5.

I too share this theory.
It seems every plane must have at least one! (btw, that's 'Cue' Jerusalem :-) )