Comments on: Getting Through an Airport

By: Algunos consejos para llevarlo mejor posible en los aeropuertos

Algunos consejos para llevarlo mejor posible en los aeropuertos — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:36:28 +0000

[...] artículo de un blogger inglés llamado Andy, que comenta en gonefurther.com de que, estando en tiempo de vacaciones y tal como está el tema de seguridad en los aeropuertos, [...]

By: marta

marta — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 21:11:52 +0000

we already took few flights on our rtw trip and I am quite “relaxed” when it come to fly if i would be by my own but if you too have a boyfriend which paradoxically hates flying the waiting at the airport can quickly turn out to be a long 2 hours nerve-wracking experience

By: Andy Geoghegan

Andy Geoghegan — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:16:02 +0000

Thanks for the comment Ian,

Good tip about being nice to security – this can be difficult at T5 at LHR when they demand you put the tray in its special place when all you’re trying to do is get the tray and move elsewhere as the person in front of you has lost their passport and is taking ages tying their laces.

Sounds like you had a great time in Bali, pity you couldn’t get wifi at 8m deep!

Andy

PS – RIP Sir Bobby!

By: Mosh

Mosh — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 17:48:46 +0000

I just flew with Air Asia from Bali to Bangkok and they (unusually) boarded from the front backwards. This does cause blockage as people – like you say – insist in spending 2 minutes lifting a bag into an overhead locker.

It was also amusing watching 50 people surge towards the desk when an announcement was made for people to get to the gate. This despite a member of staff shouting at them that the flight was not yet ready to board as the plane had only just landed. What sweetened it was when they announced the boarding order and I was in row 2… I breezed past the whole lot of them!

Oh, one other hint though – don’t be rude to the security staff. They know they have a crap job, they know they’re slowing you down, they know the security measures are (let’s face it) pretty pointless… but they also have the power to bar you from your flight if you act like a dick and shout at them.

By: Andy Geoghegan

Andy Geoghegan — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:52:12 +0000

@Al – Only in some airports. I’ve been mashed on duty free when my flight was delayed. Maybe it’s an American thing. If you buy a can of coke or a bottle of water though you’ll be able to have it there and then.

@Scott – St Petersburg is a bit of a minefield – especially if you’re unlucky enough to be flying Aeroflot!

It’s been a while since I flew Ryanair – I try to avoid them but with Easyjet you are given a boarding group (Speedy, A or B). I find that if you check in online you’ll be given group A, meaning you still get to scramble for the exit rows.

Thanks for your comments.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:23:50 +0000

These are great tips, especially #3. We almost missed our flight out of St Petersburg because we went and had breakfast before our flight, then couldn’t get passed security and onto our flight. We ended up running the entire airport trying to find our gate and when nobody spoke english, it was very stressful. Now we find our gate and security checkpoint, assess the time and go through right away.

Also remember on Easyjet or RyanAir flights that the seats are NOT assigned and it’s first come first serve basis. If your traveling with someone else you’ll want to get in that line early and not wait around.

By: Al Girard

Al Girard — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 02:59:16 +0000

If you buy Duty-Free, remember that it will be confiscated before you board a connecting flight, since you will not be allowed to have wine or perfume or booze in your carry-on bags. (Remember, you can’t repack your luggage, as that is already in the hold.)

By: Andy Geoghegan

Andy Geoghegan — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:50:11 +0000

Thanks Sherri, an insight from a flight attendant is always helpful.

The Family Lanes sound like a good idea but if I was with my family I still think I’d just aim for the lane that looks the quickest. At some airports now they have a member of staff directing you to particular lane, that seems to help.

Of course, part of the security measures do allow for baby food & milk to be allowed through but I have seen a lady at security screaming to the guard that her son isn’t a terrorist and should be allowed his bottle of sprite. Some people just don’t get it…

By: Postcards and Coasters

Postcards and Coasters — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:34:06 +0000

Great advice! When traveling in America some airports have family lanes at security. It will save families from waiting in lines and will keep all of the slow people in the same line. Also if you have a bottle full of milk they have been letting me keep it. They open in up and put this stick in that tells them whether or not it’s a bad substance.

By: Andy Geoghegan

Andy Geoghegan — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:11:54 +0000

Good point Dan, can’t believe I missed it off.

Checking in online gives you peace of mind, especially when travelling with someone, that you are sat together. I have got to the airport only to find that the online check in meant nothing, I suppose at least it gets you on an overbooked flight.

It’s especially handy if travelling with carry-on only, just whizz straight through to security.

Andy