Why does it take so long to check-in at the airport

People are fucking stupid. Fact. They get to the front of the queue they can't find their passport. They can't find their boarding pass.

They get to the customs they start checking laptops and liquids for the first time. most people with half a brain cell will have thought about this already, put all the liquids in a bag, on the top of their small hand luggage, put it in the separate tray and away we go. so so easy, I'm staggered by people's stupidity.

Not RTFT but a long time ago I was check in staff, you would not believe how disorganised people are at the check in desk. It was also the most high-conflict customer service role I have ever encountered.

Often it's like they've arrived on the moon, for some reason people have no idea what you are supposed to do. They don't have anything ready, passports at bottom of bags etc, then quite often there's a drama about what seats they have on the plane, then their luggage is overweight, and on it goes. Airports seem to be a proper 'leave your brain at the door' situation for many, many people.

You’re clearly in the queue behind my parents OP! Without fail they get to the front and it’s a shit show, despite them having packed about 2 weeks before the flight and getting to airport about 3 hours early.

They are ALWAYS massively overweight on luggage. Even if they use the option of paying for additional luggage, they will still overpack and are always surprised their bags are too heavy. They then stand for ages with their suitcases open at the desk trying to work out what they can take out to give me to bring home . Once my mum had a massive electric can opener. They always end up having to pay the full airport price for even more additional luggage.

This all happens at the desk whilst there’s a massive queue behind them. It’s so embarrassing. DH now refuses to do airport drops with them, can’t take the shame.

@parkrun500club

I responded to this comment

I think the OP and others are talking about what should be straightforward flights from the UK to European destinations, and there's really no need for complexity or aggro.

Your response is

I don't, but it seems unlikely on a holiday flight to Tenerife, don't you think?

There are plenty of European destinations where people might have connections from but yes maybe not Tenerife.

However there are people outside of your bubble who will need visas for Tenerife.

I don't, but it seems unlikely on a holiday flight to Tenerife, don't you think?

From my experience its idiots who put their passports in the bottom of hand or hold luggage. Mine is in a inner zip pocket.

Then at security - people open up their hand luggage and sort out their liquids, electronics. Or mad enough to wear shoes which take ages to remove. Slip on shoes - no messing.

Some airlines offer a twilight check in for hold luggage if flight is before a certain time. Now that Jet2 is before 12pm. So late afternoon/evening, and if live reasonably near to airport or staying o/n at a airport hotel. With the latter - in your hand luggage, pack a top and undies!

This is aimed at me.
The point I was trying to make was a very vague comment in the visa information was interpreted as a very specific requirement.
Having had this particular visa many times and never been asked for an onward ticket I was surprised.
I know better for next time.

However this is a reason why I took longer than normal at check in.

How do you know that people don't have connecting flights out of Europe?

If I check in for a flight from Birmingham to Amsterdam, it could be one flight or I could be flying somewhere where they need to check for vaccinations and visas.

@TheCadoganArms that's my point though, you probably wouldn't release I'm blind if I am not using my cane. So its best to be patient regardless,bbecause who knows what's going on for any individual. Usually we all get on the plane just fine, even with the faffers and the blind lol.

The car seat was £250. I’ll claim from the airline. No reason why I should be out of pocket for it.

I’d love an AMA from check in staff on this!

I have flown a lot (work). Mostly in EU pre-Brexit. No visas. No special requirements. My luggage has always been under allowance or none to check in. Seats prebooked, travelling alone. No questions.

Some times it’s “tip tap - have a nice flight!”

Other times it’s “tip tap tip tap tip tap” for AGES, no questions to me. No idea why!

Ah yes, hate to mention it but we’re probably due our annual “why don’t airlines weigh passengers and charge them by their weight” thread..

Can you imagine the arguments that would cause (“what do you mean, I only save a couple of quid, weigh me again”) and the resultant delays?

Sometimes it's because of people arguing about baggage charges.

This poster should claim from the airline rather than her travel insurance.

And yes, car seats can be expensive.

Then I had the problem that the airline decided that I needed an onward ticket even though the visa application only mentions they may want to see departure documents.

What are 'departure documents' - I can't think of anything other than an onward ticket...

NB. I always check-in online, but it's a bit of a pointless exercise if there is no auto bag drop! Manchester Airport, for one, needs to get its shit together.

Isn't it? It's not exactly difficult or challenging to sort yourself out beforehand. I suspect most of us (me, for one) have learned that lesson painfully through their own past experience. Who enjoys starting their journey a mass of stress, untidy trays and tangled-up masses of electronic equipment, an expensive, time-consuming surprise at check-in because their bags are unaccountably overweight, or nearly missing their flight because they forgot to stow their liquids and one got left behind in their luggage?

Fuck that for a game of soldiers. I want a calm journey, and having previously endured that experience through no one's fault but my own, I have no intention of repeating it.

Oh, and if you ask me to exchange my pre-booked, paid-for seating because you've decided you want or deserve it more, guess what? The answer is 'No'.

I very much doubt a registered blind person taking a little bit longer then usual would be considered 'faffing' .

If it's me standing at the desk, I am registered blind but may not be using my white cane if I have a sighted guide/family member assisting me. I'll take as long as I fucking like 😘

Some people are just dawdlers. They'll be the same ones who start unpacking their bag to remove their toiletries and laptop at security. And the same people who bag up all of their shopping in the supermarket then start rifling through their handbag for their card.

Sounds like flying with Norse. That was a disaster 😅

Staff in shops, airports etc always pander to this type of person too

….and if they don’t pander then often as not somebody is then looking to dob the staff member in.

About the only group at airports who seem to be routinely allowed to issue a verbal “get a grip” are some of the security staff…and TBH and unfortunately they often have a tendency to take things a a bit too far in the opposite direction.

Let's face it, a large proportion of people are self absorbed faffers. They faff everywhere, and don't care whether they hold others up because the world revolves around them! Staff in shops, airports etc always pander to this type of person too

I think if you need visas and vaccination certificates etc you know that you (and everyone else on that flight) will take longer.

I think the OP and others are talking about what should be straightforward flights from the UK to European destinations, and there's really no need for complexity or aggro.

Anyway, got back and the car seat is smashed to pieces. So how have to deal with the insurance

I didn't realise car seats were so expensive these days - is it worth a claim after you've paid the excess?