Shannon Airport article

fr336

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-27040076

imurdaddy

No doubts certain posters will claim its all made up/never happend and just a pr stunt at tax payers expense!

Personal I think its great to see the history of snn been noted by BBC or any credible news channel. Nice piece with some great pictures of Shannon in times when my grandfather worked there as a baggage handler, some great stories he had

billie1b

Good article, would be great to see SNN and air travel back the way it was years ago, so much history involved with it. I loved the dig at EI about 'queens of the Sky', I chuckled at it

BenEadir

Great article and a fantastic reminder of how SNN was at the forefront of international aviation.

billie1b wrote: »

Good article, would be great to see SNN and air travel back the way it was years ago

Can't agree with the sentimentality though, SNN only existed because of it's location. As long range capability developed the requirement to make refuelling pit stops which added time and cost to passengers itineraries diminished and forcing traffic to stop at SNN for no good reason was never going to be sustainable. SNN served a great purpose back in the day but that requirement is no more and it now has a different function to fulfil.

Much as we love the past we can't live in it.

fr336

BenThere wrote: »

SNN served a great purpose back in the day but that requirement is no more and it now has a different function to fulfil.

What is this then? (Not being sarcastic, genuinely interested in your view)

highlydebased

Also well worth the listen is the accompanying radio programme about it http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0414b1m

fr336

highlydebased wrote: »

Also well worth the listen is the accompanying radio programme about it http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0414b1m

Ah that's so much better than my little article!! Awesome link thank you

BenEadir

It's purpose is no longer the type of expensive/elite stylish trans Atlantic passenger market it originally served. That market (and less expensive economy pax) can now fly direct to their final destinations eg London, Dublin, Paris etc.

On top of that flying has lost it's cache. IMO it's no longer glamorous in any way. Flying has now become a commodity for most people ie they just want to get from A to B as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.

IMO it's primary purpose now is to be an effective SBS relevant regional airport offering services pax in it's catchment area require.

fr336

BenThere wrote: »

It's purpose is no longer the type of expensive/elite stylish trans Atlantic passenger market it originally served. That market (and less expensive economy pax) can now fly direct to their final destinations eg London, Dublin, Paris etc.

On top of that flying has lost it's cache. IMO it's no longer glamorous in any way. Flying has now become a commodity for most people ie they just want to get from A to B as efficiently and cost effectively as possible.

Thanks -

Tbh personally I find it glamorous to be up high in the air in an amazing bit of kit and simply enjoying flying. But then that is just me and I wouldn't be that fussed about frills any more in the air than on the ground.

BenEadir

fr336 wrote: »

Thanks -

Tbh personally I find it glamorous to be up high in the air in an amazing bit of kit and simply enjoying flying.

I don't disagree at all. I've been flying international on business for over 20 years and I still feel amazed when I'm over Russia or India knowing I'll be home Dublin in a few short hours but the process of checking in has become such a hassle (understandably) and airports have become such a sterile boring environment that the whole journey becomes something I just want to get over with ASAP.

fr336

What did airports used to be like? Genuine question..I still feel a bit young :P

BenEadir

fr336 wrote: »

What did airports used to be like? Genuine question..I still feel a bit young :P

A lot more relaxed than they are now!! I commuted Dublin to London City Airport Monday to Thursday for a few years back in the late 90's and you could park your car thirty minutes prior to take off and be through security etc and at the gate in about fifteen minutes no problem.

I also remember being delayed in a taxi in the Dartford tunnel one Thursday evening with 3 colleagues on our way to London City airport to catch the last flight to Dublin. There was no way we'd make the flight so we called the airline and explained our situation and they delayed the fight by 20 minutes for us. We made the flight and all was well. Try that $hit today and see how far you get!!

fr336

Go to Waterford for ease of pass Brilliant stuff.

I held up a flight for almost an hour just before Christmas once in the 90s. I was only about 6 years old and after years of loving planes (much like now) was suddenly terrified and wasn't getting on. Cabin crew, even captain, all came down trying to persuade me and obviously losing their slot in the process. The airline was one Ryanair!

BenEadir

fr336 wrote: »

I held up a flight for almost an hour just before Christmas once in the 90s. I was only about 6 years old and after years of loving planes (much like now) was suddenly terrified and wasn't getting on. Cabin crew, even captain, all came down trying to persuade me and obviously losing their slot in the process. The airline was one Ryanair!

Great story but it wouldn't happen now and that in a nut shell is the difference between flying pre Lockerbie/911 etc and these days. It's not just Lockerbie/911 BTW, it's the financial responsibilities airline operators now have to their shareholders ie make money instead of losing money!!

fr336

I still find it a novelty myself..just maybe more an independent novelty? I'm not saying that this excuses everything but personally if I go in with the mindset that I'll still be thinking of number 1 while enjoying myself and not relying too much on the airline I do find my journeys still quite luxurious e.g. finding out things like the gate myself..well sometimes making a good guess at which one it'll be before the formal announcement. I guess those travelling very often it must be groundhog day though.

BenEadir

fr336 wrote: »

I guess those travelling very often it must be groundhog day though.

+1

Especially short haul (less than 3 hour) flights.

Growler!!!

BenThere wrote: »

Great story but it wouldn't happen now and that in a nut shell is the difference between flying pre Lockerbie/911 etc and these days. It's not just Lockerbie/911 BTW, it's the financial responsibilities airline operators now have to their shareholders ie make money instead of losing money!!

Problem is its all well and good waiting for you if you're late but there are other passengers who expect to get home on time and who showed up early to ensure that.

It's incredibly selfish to expect any form off transport to wait for you because you are delayed. Unless it's a private jet, then whoever pays the piper picks the tune:D

Our rule is, if you're not at the gate 10 mins before departure we're gone....

BenEadir

Growler!!! wrote: »

It's incredibly selfish to expect any form off transport to wait for you because you are delayed.............Our rule is, if you're not at the gate 10 mins before departure we're gone....

True and I've no problem with that these days. When I organise to be on time and in my seat etc and the whole plane had to wait for a couple of stragglers it totally annoys me but back 20 years ago people weren't as time conscious. I was often delayed waiting for someone to make the flight and in general all the other passages were happy to wait a few minutes as they knew that should they be delayed the same courtesy would be exceeded to them but those days are long gone. Now it's all stress stress stress. I have to be there bang on time etc etc.

That's life. I accept it and don't have a problem that the flexibility that used to be extended to fellow passengers is no longer available. There's nothing I can do about that but out doesn't stop me wishing that we'd retained some of the old flexibility 😀

fr336

imurdaddy wrote: »

Nice piece with some great pictures of Shannon in times when my grandfather worked there as a baggage handler, some great stories he had

Anything you'd be willing to share? (Entirely from an aviation perspective, I don't mean gossip )

Tenger

BenThere wrote: »

True and I've no problem with that these days........ back 20 years ago people weren't as time conscious. I was often delayed waiting for someone to make the flight and in general all the other passages were happy to wait a few minutes as they knew that should they be delayed the same courtesy would be exceeded to them but those days are long gone. Now it's all stress stress stress. .....
That's life. I accept it and don't have a problem that the flexibility that used to be extended to fellow passengers is no longer available......

I agree....air travel is now another stressful chore to be endured by 1000's every day. The aerial commute is now another bit of pressure placed on some. And with crowded airspace and financial pressure on airlines not flexibility for human erroe is allowed. Just the way the business has gone.

billie1b wrote: »

...I loved the dig at EI about 'queens of the Sky', I chuckled at it

I'm not sure that was a 'dig' at EI. In the '60 and '70's the cabin crew were viewed very highly. Now it is just another shift work job.

ProfessorPlum

Tenger wrote: »

I'm not sure that was a 'dig' at EI. In the '60 and '70's the cabin crew were viewed very highly. Now it is just another shift work job.

Absolutely, back in the day, cabin crew in EI were almost the status of celebrity - it was a very glamorous job! You had to be top notch and very well 'bred' to get it. It was said at the time that the only 'suitable' job for a young lady was cabin crew with Aer Lingus, or continuity announcer with RTE! Not very many from that era left.......

fr336

ProfessorPlum wrote: »

Absolutely, back in the day, cabin crew in EI were almost the status of celebrity - it was a very glamorous job! You had to be top notch and very well 'bred' to get it. It was said at the time that the only 'suitable' job for a young lady was cabin crew with Aer Lingus, or continuity announcer with RTE! Not very many from that era left.......

You mean RTE was once good? :pac:

ProfessorPlum

fr336 wrote: »

You mean RTE was once good? :pac:

I didn't day good - I said 'suitable'

Tenger

ProfessorPlum wrote: »

Absolutely, back in the day,..........It was said at the time that the only 'suitable' job for a young lady was cabin crew with Aer Lingus, or continuity announcer with RTE!........

Approx 20 years ago I was friendly with a girl who was both......

....not friendly enough for my liking however. Lost touch years ago.

fr336

Tenger wrote: »

Approx 20 years ago I was friendly with a girl who was both......

...And now she's your wife? :pac:

No? No, no..:o:(