What are your pet hates whilst travelling through airports?

[DoooooWhoop]

Mine are as follows:

Having to walk through stinky perfume shops on the way to the gates.

In the queue for security why do people stand so close behind you? Forever getting bashed or they push in whilst you're trying to sort your stuff into the security trays.

Being called to the gate too early, and then having to sit for AGES and can't get to the toilets.

So humour is with your pet peeves at airports.

Crowds
Lack of seating
People who faff about at security
Getting my ankles clipped by other people's suitcases
People who take ages getting sorted and sat down when you finally get on the plane
That bloody big bar in the middle of Manchester airport Departures with people drinking all day... just not necessary
Basically I just hate airports

Smoking areas being turned into more expensive shops.

People

Gatwick is a bloody nightmare for this too

Manchester this summer 4am tackling security with our toddler…agree with the statement where on earth do they find the staff.
We’d checked our hold bags in the night before and had stayed at the airport so had 2 decent sized hand luggage bags and the change bag. Had packed super carefully, liquids all already in clear bag and at the top etc so as prepared as we could be. As we enter security I go to empty out DDs water bottle and staff member comes over to we don’t need to as it’s for an infant. Perfect! Anyway stand in queue for ever, get to scanners and male staff member literally roars at us what are we doing with a bottle of water. I explain what his colleague said and he is now bellowing at us across the scanner we have to drink it immediately. I ask him if he can tip it out to which he roars he can’t, and when I asked again he said ok but it’ll take at least 40mins and you’ll miss your flight. So me and DH between us had to neck this bottle of luke warm water in front of the queue like a pair of criminals. How I didn’t vom it back onto the man I don’t know!
Maybe we were naive believing the first man but he was security staff and it was our first time flying with a baby. Am sure the people behind us were cursing us but we had done as much as we could to move through smoothly so my apologies if you’re reading this!!

My husband flys at least two or three times a month and he’s still moaned by staff because each airport and airport shift do something differently every time.

I smoke and my lighter nevergets stopped. My make up mirror, hair clip, and belt have all held me up to be checked at various times.

Mostly I hate the ways they never load planes back to front. So the whole plane is waiting for Neil allocated in 10 B to lift his oversized bag into a locker, take off his coat and fold it up nicely to put in the locker. Get the bag back out to take out his headphones and wallet whilst still blocking the aisle ..etc etc.
LOAD FROM THE BACK, furthest seats first. Everyone would get on so much quicker.

The family of four that needs 8 seats

Tiny toilet cubicles, especially if you’ve got a carry on case

Yes! I’m often sat in the interview waiting area with other brown men with beards and the odd brown woman. Its a fun club.

Placement of the wheels means loading from the back can tip some aeroplanes.

Having to remove liquids, tech etc from bags at security. London City airport has invested in technology that means you don't have to do this. I wish other airports would too. So much better.

Jersey airport also does this. Total revelation!

Jersey only got those scanners a few weeks ago. All airports will need to have them by the end of June 2024 as the rules are changing. So good news all round.

Airport security 100ml liquid rule to be scrapped https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-63975270

You missed the lack of black cabs, long wait for taxis and 2 hour waits at the baggage belt in a filthy, packed arrivals hall too! It used to be a nice airport, now it feels like it's expanded too much but can't handle the number of passengers.

@NotFastButFurious indeed I did! I'm not having any part in that racket with the taxis, I order on the central app with the flight details and they give me a hand with my cases unlike the other cowboys.

Placement of the wheels means loading from the back can tip some aeroplanes. 🫣 Didn’t think of that.

Well they should call rows like they used to.

I loathe everything about air travel these days. The journey to the airport, the airport experience, the actual flight, getting transferred to your destination at the other end - there’s NOTHING enjoyable about it whatsoever!

I like going on cruises from Southampton now - apart from there’s sometimes a small queue to embark, it’s much more enjoyable and relaxing…… although I get it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

We flew back from Jersey on 19th August and the scanners were fully operational then, but not sure how long they’d been there.

There are so many different rules at different airports it is actually hard to keep up with it all sometimes. My nearest airport has no need to take out liquids or technology but coins in ur pocket need to go in the tray. I travelled all over Europe last summer on many flights and the very last airport (I think it was Marsailles) my normal clear plastic bag for liquids wasn't suitable and an army major type lady went up and down the queue shouting at people to repack all the liquids into a different bag. Some airports ur take off shoes, a lot more you don't have to.

THIS!!!!!

People walking REALLY SLOWLY three abreast when you are trying to get to your gate. Or people in front stopping suddenly and causing a minor pedestrian pile up! 😂

I think EVERYONE has that husband! 😂

People who still don't know about liquid allowances, ignore all the people shouting about them in the security queue and then have to wait while they move stuff into plastic bags once they get to the security point.

Ditto people fumbling around for their passports once they get to the checkpoint after waiting in a queue for 20 mins

Those who ignore last boarding calls and make you miss take off slots (because they have baggage in the hold so can't just leave without them).

They went in at the start of the summer holidays but only finally had all of them operational last month.

People who aren’t prepared for security and seem surprised they can’t take their huge bottle of shampoo through. Also those - yes you DH, who don’t listen and can’t read that you need to take your boots and belt off. I know all of this is changing though.

The minute the bing bong goes to announce boarding, everyone is up and in a queue to get onboard as if they might miss the plane. We just get on last. Quite entertaining to see that persons hope disappear when they’ve not got a row of seats to themselves!

There is never enough seating.

Buy a selection of different sizes of ziplock freezer bags before you travel. They are great for both your suitcase items and hand luggage. The hand luggage liquid and paste items can go straight into the airport clear plastic bag all together. Keep them in your suitcase for the homeward journey/next holiday.