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

[Stephy1886]

Most of the time the self checkin isn’t working so everyone has to wait in line to check on hold luggage

I’m always surprised how long it takes groups / individuals to checkin

when it’s finally my turn it’s hand over the passports then put each suitcase on to check the weight,
get the boarding passes & see you later.

the amount of times you see folk giving staff long winded stories, standing up there for ages. Why do some folk take so long to hand over a passport & weigh a case?

LBA?

That does not come under faffing though, that's just another actual requirement stipulated by the airline that may add a few minutes to the process. I have had to have my vaccination certificates checked as well when travelling to Africa (usually upon arrival at destination).

Yep the faffing at security. I swear my dh only ever wears a belt and has change in his pocket at security when you’re decanting your life into a tray. Times him by 1000s of people and you’ve got a faff frenzy. I find package holidays seem to attract the faffiest people in Britain, slightly less faff on flights that have a wider range of clientele.

it annoys me because the time taken up with the faffers could be better spent helping people who would benefit from more assistance.

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?

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.

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

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.

Sounds like flying with Norse. That was a disaster 😅

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.

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 😘

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

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'.

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.

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...

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

And yes, car seats can be expensive.

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

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?

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!

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

@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.

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.

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.

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!

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

@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.