Steve Fountain aged 58. Took semi retirement when made redundant at 51. Back from THASSOS loved it....
Steve Fountain aged 58. Took semi retirement when made redundant at 51. Back from THASSOS loved it. Back to whistling at Trains.
Member since:15.07.2007
Reviews:110
Members who trust:10
I will talk about East Midlands Airport from a Nottingham point of view as that is where I live.
Getting to EMA (East Midlands Airport) options. 1) Drive your self, about 14 miles down the A453 which can get very Congested during the Evening Rush Hour so allow lots of time. Also as this is a narrow two lane road subject to holdups when accidents occurr. As long as you prebook your Car Parking space charges not too bad but just turn up and you will have a hefty Bill.
2) Use the Airport link bus from Friar/Lane Nottingham. £9 for a 28 day return, but good value Group ticket at £15 (up to 4 adults and 2 children ) Runs every 30 mins (5 past and 35 past the hour) but in the early hours hourly. If traffic light approx 40 mins. But uses same A453 as above.
3) Taxi from Home with local taxi firm in Radcliffe on Trent approx £45 return. Advantages is Bob (The Taxi Man) knows all the back road routes, so can avoid A453. Also he picks you up on return, he monitors flight times, so no hanging about airport.
East Midlands Airport itself. It is mainly a one floor building, ok there is a small upstairs bit but the quality of the two or three eateries up there are just not worth the effort. I would say that if you take away the Sandwich options the standard of Catering is appalling. Expensive uneatable items that have been kept warm under heat lamps. I think the Chief Excecutive would do no worse that visiting Venice Marco Polo and see the quality on offer there, the phrase Ashamed to Be British comes to mind. Perhaps they could do a deal with Weatherspoons, their place at Stansted is quite good, although not perfect.
There are about 40-50 checkin desks, Easyjet & Ryanair being in the end extension bit that can only be described as like a tent, last Weds we sat there in the Gales watching the roof attemp to take off.
There is not much this side of security, so you are best advised to get yourself thru to departures. I will praise EMA for what I see has having the best Securirty checks I have been thru, I feel nothing will get thru them, WELL DONE, I do not begrudge the extra time taken.
We have been thru EMA 3 times in last 7 months and each time A new retail outlet seems to have opened Departure side, where a lot of redevelopment is going on. Speaking of Sandwiches earlier, the best choice and prices seemed to have been in the New BOOTS Shop.
The Gate system is easy 1 at one end the hightest at the other so NO EXCUSE for that call WILL JOE BLOGGS PLEASE GO TO GATE 4 WHERE HIS PLANE IS BOARDING. Why do they have to give all those warnings, there is no where to go so get to the gate, TELL THEM THEY ARE TOO LATE, thats what I say.
Departure Gate to Airplane is mostly a short walk, but occassionally a Bus, so hope its not raining.
But on return NO RAIN PLEASE, because the arrival gate is at the extreme end and often you will have a long walk along the OUTSIDE of the Building in pouring rain, ABOUT TIME THEY BUILT A COVER TO THE WALKWAY. They seem only too quick to spend it on SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES.
Passport control also seems very slow and undermanned at times. The idea of having to wait behind a Yellow line 15 feet from the desk, so much wasted time.
Luggage reclaim same the world over, full of people who insist in pushing in front of others even though no luggage is coming, or allowing their children to climb on to the belts, laughing as if it is clever. But we seem now to be a nation where children have not been taught the NO WORD. But then they have seen their parents Standing up as soon as the wheels hit the runway, and getting on their Mobile Phones despite all the warnings and signs.
I do sound grumpy, perhaps its time for another Holiday, Rolll on May and Agios Gordios Corfu from , you have guessed it EAST MIDLANDS AIRPORT.
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Totally agree about people pushing in at luggage reclaim, what's the point?! Very annoying... but not quite annoying as if your bags don't show (happened to me last time I flew!)...
mum2boys82 11.04.2008 21:39
I have yet to fly from here, but now it is our closest airport the next time we fly it will probably be from here! Lets hope they have a cover on the walkway by then! Rebecca Xx
S.Bate 09.04.2008 07:32
Let's hope they make sufficient profit out of the shops to afford to put the cover on the walkway!
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Mar 20th, 2008
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