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Original poster

Airport anxiety

30 replies

Newgirls · 15/07/2022 17:49

Hi

we are booked to fly next week and looking at easyJet flights to the same destination this week it’s been delayed often. One flight left the gate late and then sat on the runway for 2 hours waiting for a slot. With lots of Schools not broken up yet next week is going to be worse surely?! I am already worried about it which is silly I know but cant bear the idea of being stuck on a still plane for ages. Any airline people on here got any calming positive words or shall I start looking to stay in the UK (and lose a fortune 🤦‍♀️)

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Elphame · 15/07/2022 17:51

Sorry but I think it will be bad. The problems haven't gone away.

I'm not planning to go anywhere near an airport until October.

KangarooKenny · 15/07/2022 17:52

It will be what it will be. Either cancel or go with the flow.

Yodaisawally · 15/07/2022 17:52

It's going to be awful, we fly on the 25th, not looking forward to it.

Original poster
Newgirls · 15/07/2022 17:54

Elphame · 15/07/2022 17:51

Sorry but I think it will be bad. The problems haven't gone away.

I'm not planning to go anywhere near an airport until October.

If I’d known I wouldn’t have booked - booked ages ago when it seemed pretty calm. Won’t be booking anymore for a while that’s for sure!

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User129867588 · 15/07/2022 18:30

I’m in the same boat and travelling on 2nd of August but with Ryanair from the dreaded Manchester. A part of me is regretting booking but a bigger part of me is looking forward to getting away from the everyday and England in general. Just a break from all the shit going on at moment. I’m planning to go away ( if flight goes) turning off all social media, not looking at news and just chilling out, so that is keeping me going for now

MrszClaus · 15/07/2022 18:50

I flew the other week from Heathrow, and my DH from Manchester this week. Both times we were fine, easily through security and no delays to our planes.

Don't forget for every story like this you see, thousands of flights are going about as planned!

I made sure I had a fan with me (handheld) and cold water in a bottle, along with a few snacks in case of delays and being sat on the plane. Any preparation I could do to take away any anxiety!

I'm sure your holiday will be absolutely fab, in the grand scheme of things - an hour or two delay will be worth the holiday!

Original poster
Newgirls · 15/07/2022 19:00

User129867588 · 15/07/2022 18:30

I’m in the same boat and travelling on 2nd of August but with Ryanair from the dreaded Manchester. A part of me is regretting booking but a bigger part of me is looking forward to getting away from the everyday and England in general. Just a break from all the shit going on at moment. I’m planning to go away ( if flight goes) turning off all social media, not looking at news and just chilling out, so that is keeping me going for now

That’s a great mindset 👍

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Original poster
Newgirls · 15/07/2022 19:01

MrszClaus · 15/07/2022 18:50

I flew the other week from Heathrow, and my DH from Manchester this week. Both times we were fine, easily through security and no delays to our planes.

Don't forget for every story like this you see, thousands of flights are going about as planned!

I made sure I had a fan with me (handheld) and cold water in a bottle, along with a few snacks in case of delays and being sat on the plane. Any preparation I could do to take away any anxiety!

I'm sure your holiday will be absolutely fab, in the grand scheme of things - an hour or two delay will be worth the holiday!

Being prepared with snacks etc sounds very wise indeed thanks

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GrandSlamFinalee · 15/07/2022 20:21

Just be prepared and it will be fine. I fly almost weekly and the vast majority of trips have been incident-free.

Invest £20 at the airport in several large water bottles, snacks, chocolate, sandwiches or fruit bowls or whatever you like eating. If the plane is stuck on the runway, just take the food and drink out (put it under the seat in front of you when you board in case they want everyone strapped in during the wait) and imagine you’re having a little picnic.

Download something on your phone or iPad, watch a few episodes. It helps pass the time. If travelling with family, play games.

The food and drink rule I applied to every single flight, even before such delays were this common. It’s just wise to be prepared and feel ‘comfortable’ because you know what you have in your bag. Just yesterday my pre-booked veggie meal didn’t appear on a long-haul flight, they gave me a gluten free one instead which was meat based (none of which I could eat). I was so happy to have bought two cereal bars and a bottle of fruit juice.

Original poster
Newgirls · 15/07/2022 21:47

GrandSlamFinalee · 15/07/2022 20:21

Just be prepared and it will be fine. I fly almost weekly and the vast majority of trips have been incident-free.

Invest £20 at the airport in several large water bottles, snacks, chocolate, sandwiches or fruit bowls or whatever you like eating. If the plane is stuck on the runway, just take the food and drink out (put it under the seat in front of you when you board in case they want everyone strapped in during the wait) and imagine you’re having a little picnic.

Download something on your phone or iPad, watch a few episodes. It helps pass the time. If travelling with family, play games.

The food and drink rule I applied to every single flight, even before such delays were this common. It’s just wise to be prepared and feel ‘comfortable’ because you know what you have in your bag. Just yesterday my pre-booked veggie meal didn’t appear on a long-haul flight, they gave me a gluten free one instead which was meat based (none of which I could eat). I was so happy to have bought two cereal bars and a bottle of fruit juice.

Thank you - you sound a very calm flyer 😊

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emmathedilemma · 16/07/2022 07:39

Don’t waste your money on bottled water, take an empty water bottle through security and refill it when you’re airside!

TurquoiseDress · 16/07/2022 08:56

You cannot influence what will happen with your flight departure/delays etc

What you can do is make yourself as prepared as possible eg getting to the airport in good time/early

Prepare with lots of snacks, have water supply with you- obvs tricky with having to get rid of it before security check

We are due to fly the week after schools break up, am sure there will be delays, it's inevitable

If things go smoothly I'm taking that as a bonus!

Cannot wait to get away on holiday!Smile

Original poster
Newgirls · 16/07/2022 10:50

TurquoiseDress · 16/07/2022 08:56

You cannot influence what will happen with your flight departure/delays etc

What you can do is make yourself as prepared as possible eg getting to the airport in good time/early

Prepare with lots of snacks, have water supply with you- obvs tricky with having to get rid of it before security check

We are due to fly the week after schools break up, am sure there will be delays, it's inevitable

If things go smoothly I'm taking that as a bonus!

Cannot wait to get away on holiday!Smile

wise words thanks 😊

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Original poster
Newgirls · 16/07/2022 10:51

Looking at departures this morning they are all taking off about half an hour or hour later than scheduled. If I have that in my head as normal and get prepared for that, that’s a start. A couple of still boardings for planes that should have left a while back. But mostly they are happening.

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Original poster
Newgirls · 16/07/2022 20:43

Eek not so good at Gatwick this evening - some long delays - more like 2-4 hours. I think earlier in day is better to travel.

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GrandSlamFinalee · 16/07/2022 21:21

Yes, once an aircraft is delayed once, it's very likely it will have a knock-on effect on the rest of its flights that day. This is due to them missing their original take off slot, after which they need to wait for air traffic control to find a gap for them, only then can the plane push back from the gate.

Thought it might be helpful for you to know in case you get 'stuck' on the runway - just know that ATC are constantly aware of delayed flights and try to fit them in ASAP. Pilots might get a half hour warning, or just a few minutes. For this reason they like to keep everyone strapped in, so they can go as soon they're asked to, instead of cabin staff having to sit everybody down again and check seatbelts, windows, etc.

LoveFoolMe · 16/07/2022 21:29

I work in the industry. I'd say the chance of cancellation is low and the chance of a delay is high.

It's the same for most airlines at most airports. Many ground staff were laid off during the pandemic and we don't have enough back yet unfortunately.

Lots of good advice on here about being prepared for delays with snacks, drinks and entertainment.

QueSyrahSyrah · 16/07/2022 21:32

There's an outside chance it could be 'awful' as quoted above, but it could also be absolutely fine. Hundreds of thousands of people are flying in and out of the UK every single day without any kind of hitch or delay but that doesn't make good clickbait for the Daily Mail or the Mirror.

2 sets of friends have flown to Mainland Europe in the past 2 days, both transiting through London on domestic and then international flights. No drama whatsoever. We're doing the same on Monday. I expect no drama then either.

FriedTomatoe · 16/07/2022 21:38

I'm in a similar position and feeling really nervous. I haven't travelled since 2018 and feel like I've forgotten how to go on holiday. Words of encouragement are good. I've heard that most flight are now taking off even if a bit delayed. I don't mind being stuck in an airport for a couple of hours.

rosiebl · 16/07/2022 21:45

I'm currently on holiday. Flew from Manchester. Security queue was huge but they were pulling people forward whose planes were 30 minutes away. Best to just go the standard 2-3 hours before.
Our flight was delayed due to a technical fault for 4.5 hours. We spent most of that in the airport, then about an hour on the plane before departure (waiting for push back which was missed due to delay).
It was fine. Tiring. Annoying. Yes. But we arrived and everything has been perfect since.
Not looking forward to going home though, the week before my husband flew into Manchester and they didn't have anyone to unload bags so they just didn't bring them to the carousel. That's quite stressful.

Original poster
Newgirls · 16/07/2022 22:48

GrandSlamFinalee · 16/07/2022 21:21

Yes, once an aircraft is delayed once, it's very likely it will have a knock-on effect on the rest of its flights that day. This is due to them missing their original take off slot, after which they need to wait for air traffic control to find a gap for them, only then can the plane push back from the gate.

Thought it might be helpful for you to know in case you get 'stuck' on the runway - just know that ATC are constantly aware of delayed flights and try to fit them in ASAP. Pilots might get a half hour warning, or just a few minutes. For this reason they like to keep everyone strapped in, so they can go as soon they're asked to, instead of cabin staff having to sit everybody down again and check seatbelts, windows, etc.

Ok will remember that

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Original poster
Newgirls · 16/07/2022 22:48

QueSyrahSyrah · 16/07/2022 21:32

There's an outside chance it could be 'awful' as quoted above, but it could also be absolutely fine. Hundreds of thousands of people are flying in and out of the UK every single day without any kind of hitch or delay but that doesn't make good clickbait for the Daily Mail or the Mirror.

2 sets of friends have flown to Mainland Europe in the past 2 days, both transiting through London on domestic and then international flights. No drama whatsoever. We're doing the same on Monday. I expect no drama then either.

🙏

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Original poster
Newgirls · 16/07/2022 22:50

rosiebl · 16/07/2022 21:45

I'm currently on holiday. Flew from Manchester. Security queue was huge but they were pulling people forward whose planes were 30 minutes away. Best to just go the standard 2-3 hours before.
Our flight was delayed due to a technical fault for 4.5 hours. We spent most of that in the airport, then about an hour on the plane before departure (waiting for push back which was missed due to delay).
It was fine. Tiring. Annoying. Yes. But we arrived and everything has been perfect since.
Not looking forward to going home though, the week before my husband flew into Manchester and they didn't have anyone to unload bags so they just didn't bring them to the carousel. That's quite stressful.

At least when home you can go home and bags can follow (if any issues)

glad you are having a lovely time

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Original poster
Newgirls · 16/07/2022 22:50

LoveFoolMe · 16/07/2022 21:29

I work in the industry. I'd say the chance of cancellation is low and the chance of a delay is high.

It's the same for most airlines at most airports. Many ground staff were laid off during the pandemic and we don't have enough back yet unfortunately.

Lots of good advice on here about being prepared for delays with snacks, drinks and entertainment.

Must be equally frustrating for those trying to work with all this

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Original poster
Newgirls · 03/08/2022 09:30

I wanted to report back and say thank you all! I went and it was ok. I took lots of snacks and things to do and the time passed.

We were a bit delayed on way out (50 min) and ok on way back. We took carry on bags so no issue with check in or baggage reclaim. Gatwick was busy on way out but very quiet on way back - no queues at passports. Baggage hall seemed very quiet. Lots of buggies left there so i think some of those had lost their way. Not great. But otherwise ok!

I hope this helps reassures anyone reading this thread. Some issues might occur but most flights seemed to be happening ok

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