It's mainly due to cabin crew shortages right now. Combination of new entrant crews not turning up to training courses on the day (better offers elsewhere, who knows?), some finishing training but then dropping out, others completing it, but then we have loads waiting for references to come back so they can get their airside id's, must be over 40 in my base waiting. In the meantime while we wait for the new joiners to get ready, existing staff are getting flogged to death due to extra delays due to every other airport company being short staffed, baggage handlers, disabled assistance, bus drivers, check in staff. We had 1 check in agent on the gate yesterday on a remote stand needing buses to get passengers out to the plane, took over an hour to board instead of 15 mins. All adds up to delays then crew running out of hours so they can't do the next days duty, and you end up on the day, with maybe an extra few crew calling in sick, there's no standby cover left and so is flight cancelled last minute. Combination of lots of crappy decisions and bad luck.Couldn't find a specific thread so thought I'd discuss in here. Latest article on Sky news:
Why is there chaos at some UK airports, how long could it go on for and what are your rights?
A travel consumer expert has told Sky News that passengers who have flights cancelled while at airports shouldn't panic, as "you are protected from most things that go wrong". EasyJet and TUI have axed flights to and from Gatwick, as well as Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester airports.news.sky.com
"EasyJet has cancelled more than 200 flights to and from Gatwick between 28 May and 6 June."
Is it just me, but is anybody else confused how they can end up with this many flights needing to be cancelled. They're blaming recruitment issues and staff shortages following covid, which I can king of understand. But if you're having to cancel 200 flights, that's means they've obviously been taking peoples money and bookins for flights they just didn't have the staff for. How do you get in a position where you schedule a flight you know you don't have staff for ? All of the flights will have been cancelled and the schedule massively trimmed down during covid. So why then, when the sector started seeing activity again, did they schedule flights they never had the staff for, just hoped that they would, and only realised they didn't have the staff when nobody turned up on the day to board the plane ?
To me this has nothing to do with passengers, nothing to do with COVID, and squarely down to these airlines just straight up fraudulently taking peoples money for flights that never existed. I've been a department manager before had to juggle the rota of 5 separate teams. It surely can't be rocket science to know if you have the staff levels to staff how ever many flights they have that day ? Surely somebody should have taken a look at the rota a few weeks ago and realised there was nobody scheduled on these flights ?
I know that omicron is still a thing and people are still coming down with it and taking a few days off for (what is hopefully) flu like symptoms. But 200 flights isn't just having a few too many people off because of COVID, that's just selling tickets for flights that don't exist.
Holidays 2022
- Thread starter bingham67
- Start date
I've been through Manchester airport a few times recently. If you can buy fast track, it's OK. It's not available on their website at the moment but I was able to get it through the airline.
If you can't get fast track, it isn't worth turning up earlier than usual. You will just wait in the security queue for hours whilst they bring people to the front whose flights are before yours. Just turn up at the normal time and wait for them to bring you to the front if it is busy. It's stressful but you will get through.
Edit: Looks like fast track is available in T1 and T2 in Sept but not T3. When I was in T3 recently it was just Ryanair and there wasn't a queue. T1 was awful. Probably depends a lot on day of week and time of day.
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I think this is the issue.
People are now showing up 3 or 4 hours before their flight, thus adding to the people there 2 hours before their flight, so instead of everyone just being 2 hours before their flight - you have twice the amount of people in the building. Hence longer times to clear security etc.
Client of mine flew from Glasgow on Monday and said he spoke to one family who were their 5 hours before their flight as they were worried about what was happening and what was reported in the papers. They couldn't even use baggage drop/checkin for another 2 hours and just stood around waiting for 2 hours, then cleared baggage drop/checking and security in 40 minutes..... Waited another 2.5 hours for their flight.
Ridiculous....
Express Lanes
The way people in this country put with such blatant gouging is beyond me. Bend over.
It's been so long since I travelled.. How long is advisable to leave between arrival and flight with hold luggage?
I previously thought 3 hours was fine. But with all this chaos I've no idea.
Last time i went abroad was before brexit!
I previously thought 3 hours was fine. But with all this chaos I've no idea.
Last time i went abroad was before brexit!
If you're flying with Tui I'd set your expectation that you'll have your flight cancelled enroute to the airport.
Caporegime
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always did 2-3hrs
It's been hard to keep track of what's going on. Easyjet and tui seem mentioned.
No this is with Ryan Air first and separate holiday Norwegian Air.
Soldato
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We are with Jet2, see my post 116 above. They are at the mercy of airports but seem to be having far fewer issues than Tui.
Personally I would wait a few months before booking to let this all settle down.
Right, this country is the only one with fast track lanesExpress Lanes
Paying more gets you better service, who knew?As much as it rankles, I'd pay a fiver or whatever to avoid queuing for 2 hrs (or even 30 mins) any day.
I'm not booked with Jet2 but we do have a booking the BA in September. Hopefully the airports will have a better grip on things by then
Soldato
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My parents are flying with them on Monday. Dad saw Jet2's CEO on the news and they don't have shortages in cabin crew, plus recruiting/training more. They are let down by the actual airport staff - security and luggage.
Soldato
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Not heard much from that Ryanair CEO idiot. RA is who I am flying with.
If people arriving back in UK from their holidays - it must be awful those using a booked train or coach, as no idea how long the delays are for collecting luggage and passport control.
As I have been to luggage reclaim - belts start moving for just ONE item to go on, which I have never seen picked up. Then the rest of the luggage comes on 30 mins later.
If people arriving back in UK from their holidays - it must be awful those using a booked train or coach, as no idea how long the delays are for collecting luggage and passport control.
As I have been to luggage reclaim - belts start moving for just ONE item to go on, which I have never seen picked up. Then the rest of the luggage comes on 30 mins later.
Had my direct flight with SAS changed to a 2 stop flight the same day, which very luckily I could wangle to work, or I would have been down a hotel booking, possibly have to cancel a 4 day trip....
Its only next week now and I still expect them to F with it.....
Its only next week now and I still expect them to F with it.....
Soldato
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Flight to Dubai via LHR on Tuesday no problems at all. Tis hot on the Palm can confirm!
Soldato
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The idiot suggesting that everyone flies with carry on luggage. How on Earth are people supposed to pack for a fortnight in those bags?
Plus the travel toiletries don’t last a week for me as I shower 2-3 times a day if I’m in a hot climate.
Then things like sun tan lotion is £6 at a supermarket. I have seen the same stuff for €25 in Rhodes!!!
Plus the travel toiletries don’t last a week for me as I shower 2-3 times a day if I’m in a hot climate.
Then things like sun tan lotion is £6 at a supermarket. I have seen the same stuff for €25 in Rhodes!!!