Is flying an enjoyable experience any more?

RoisinClare6

I don't mind the airport expierence myself. Wear comfy clothes and easy to remove shoes and you'll be grand. However people walking .2 miles an hour drives me a little bit mad.

Flying itself absolutely detest it. I'm terrified, the thing is I really want to like it but I just can't. Although I will say I'm very good at keeping my panicking to myself especially if there's turbulence. Not a peep comes out, I'm terrified enough as it is I don't want to scare anyone else.

harr

Not a very frequent flyer but heading to the states next week, quick question do I need to remove electronics from my small carry on ?
I will have a camera,kindle, phone and power bank was going to just stick them all in the bag on the tray

duskyjoe

harr wrote: »

Not a very frequent flyer but heading to the states next week, quick question do I need to remove electronics from my small carry on ?
I will have a camera,kindle, phone and power bank was going to just stick them all in the bag on the tray

Throw em all in the tray just to avoid the hassle of a bag search and being delayed imo.

mezzz

it really shouldn't be possible for a 40 tonne bus to fly

selous

I was on a 4.5 hour flight this week and from beginning to end babies were screaming, I've never been on a flight that had so many babies on it, one lovely parent at the front with a screaming one walked up and down the length of the plane to rock her baby asleep, but in the process woke the ones at the back, plane made Dublin in 4 hours,(12.10am) 30mins quicker than it should have, one of the worse flights I've been on, there was a lot of gnarly people got off the plane,

doolox

I can be slow at times at security and I have a social phobia and aspergers so this exacerbates the fear factor of doing something wrong or slowing down impatient people at the security check in area. Its the reason I hate flying but my other family members love to travel and I like it when I get there. I like it even more when I come home. By far the worst airport security I have been through was Bologna airport and Italy in general, nice people in general but rude bad attitude police and security people with no patience or manners. Buying tickets for trains also you will find the train employees rude and gruff, unlike the Italians in other jobs.

Best experience is Dublin Airport who can arrange escorts through the airport for passengers who prearrange a meeting with DAA staff for a particular flight if they are suffering from a physical, social or mental disability and need a little help getting through the boarding procedure in a stress free manner.

I have heard horror stories about homeland security so much that I will be avoiding any future travel to the US until the terror episode of their current history plays itself out which it inevitably will.

I would much prefer travel to Canada anyway.

gctest50

mezzz wrote: »

it really shouldn't be possible for a 40 tonne bus to fly

nearer to 400

Boeing 747 is about 987,000 pounds maximum

mezzz

gctest50 wrote: »

nearer to 400

Boeing 747 is about 987,000 pounds maximum

i was thinking about a ryanir 737-800,20 tonne plane and 29 tonne of passengers (guesstimate)

eeguy

mezzz wrote: »

i was thinking about a ryanir 737-800,20 tonne plane and 29 tonne of passengers (guesstimate)

40 metric tonnes empty and will take off with 70 odd tonnes fully laden according to Google.

I've never had any hassle at any airport. Just follow the routine and no one will look at you. Had the odd pat down and one bag swab, but sure that's only a minor inconvenience.

American airports are actually grand since the preclearance is done in Dublin. You land at the domestic terminal and walk right out the door. It's more like a bus station than an airport as passengers are mixed.

Cork Lass

Next week will be my first time taking a flight since I had a knee replacement. Hope security won't be a hassle.

eeguy

Cork Lass wrote: »

Next week will be my first time taking a flight since I had a knee replacement. Hope security won't be a hassle.

Theyll run the wand over your knee and give it a pat.
Be grand, its nothing new to them

Noxegon

I took a domestic flight in Japan from Tokyo Haneda yesterday.

The boarding pass specifically said I needed to be through security 15 minutes before departure and at the gate 10 minutes before. I arrived an hour early (old habits die hard) and was through the checkpoint in less than ninety seconds, giving me about half an hour to get some work done on my laptop. Boarding (when it started) filled a 767 in less than 10 minutes and there was no mad scramble for overhead space as most people only had small bags.

It was absolutely wonderful and I really enjoyed it.

afatbollix

Platinum services make it enjoyable.

I’ve saved up my air miles and have flown premium a few times. If I could I would do it every time. Would it be alright posting photos of it?

munchkin_utd

selous wrote: »

I was on a 4.5 hour flight this week and from beginning to end babies were screaming,<snip>

And I was on a flight on Monday from Dublin to Munich and there was only a few babies and none of them were crying.
This would be my general experience on every flight I've ever taken. Never an issue with kids.

It being Lufthansa (massive amount of connecting traffic, older crowd who don't want to lug their case on board) a lot had checked baggage so there was no scramble for overhead space.
Despite the free bar, nobody was drinking or getting out of control.
My 2 kids got their special welcome getting onto the plane and their free board game to keep them occupied.
Aside from the in-explainable queue to get onboard at boarding (like ffs, we all have allocated seats), and the inedible free sandwich, all in all a fairly pleasant experience compared to what some think is a dire torture.

It just shows that peoples experience of flying is very dependent on the route, time of year and indeed airline. Flying cannot be painted as one universal experience, good or bad.

Sure even flying the same route with Aer Lingus, Lufthansa and Ryanair (albeit only Memmingen till now) theres massively different clientele onboard and completely different experience.

selous

Re-Munchkin.

I never have had a problem with them, there were loads of kids on board too, but these were babies, all under 1, (at a guess, as they were wrapped up on the mother/father) Just saying I've never been on a plane with such a high number of Babies on board and all screaming from take off to landing,
Putting it down to the route I was on,:cool:

Stovepipe

I was waiting to board a Ryanair flight one time in the UK, to come back to Dublin and we were told to queue up to get ready to board. I could see the ramp and there was no aircraft there, as the previous one had pushed and gone. I said it to one of the desk ladies, "why are we queueing if there is no aircraft? ". This took her by complete surprise, when she saw the empty space outside the window and this threw her into confusion. She went into a huddle with her mates and a supervisor was called. More huddle. It soon became obvious that they hadn't a clue where the expected aircraft was, if it was landed or still airborne....so some frantic calls were made...and it turned out that the aircraft was tech in Dublin, so had never left and had no prospect of leaving. The arrivals screen still said that the aircraft was enroute.....much later, another 737 arrives and on we go and get home, by and by. Clearly, communications across the Irish Sea were not a strong suit....another time, coming back from Italy, the aircraft was late but not by much but the Ryanair check-in lady, when confronted by pax wanting answers, simply fled. I recall a bunch of us standing there, open mouthed, as she simply turned on her heels and scuttled away, right the whole length of the terminal until we lost sight of her. Fortunately, her colleagues were made of sterner stuff and answered our questions. As the fella said, how bizarre!

Spanish Eyes

I love flying. As in being on an aircraft kind of thing I mean!

I so enjoy that so called G force when taking off, wow, and looking at either the landscape or the lights depending on the time of day when landing. Turbulence is just that. Sometimes not pleasant, but there we are.

Anyway security is a hoot, I actually enjoy tut tutting at all those before me who dither and dawdle and are surprised when asked something. I empathise so much with the security staff here. I only have to endure that kind of thing a few times a year! I deal with it. We all started off somewhere in our journey to be the worlds best passenger.

Whisper this.... I have a theory that airports are hot and uncomfortable most of the time, but that is designed to make us buy more water or whatever you are having in the shops/cafes. Honestly, why are airports, channels to the plane etc. no matter what country SO fkn HOT and airless?

Anyway, I enjoy (mostly...) the whole experience.

VG31

munchkin_utd wrote: »

It being Lufthansa (massive amount of connecting traffic, older crowd who don't want to lug their case on board) a lot had checked baggage so there was no scramble for overhead space.

Also unlike Aer Lingus and Ryanair, Lufthansa don't charge rip-off prices for checked bags.

Comhrá

When I was younger I loved the whole flying experience, the airport check-in, the admittedly relaxed pre-9/11 security was a bit of a formality and boarding was usually pretty civilised. I always went for a window seat in order to avail of the chance to see other aircraft in flight from cruise altitude and so forth. Inflight meals, even on short trips were a given.


Now even though I only fly three or four times a year, apart from the actual time spent in the air, the whole experience from arriving at the airport to boarding is often a stressful one, especially the security screening bit, though I have my routine fairly well worked out at this stage.

Only last week I had a really enjoyable evening flight with Aer Lingus from LHR to SNN
.
Terminal 2 at Heathrow is pretty easy to negotiate and the flight itself was less than half-full so I found myself in an empty row, the only passenger, sorry - guest, with five empty seats across the aircraft. To crown it all, a very pleasant cabin crew lady had time to chat and she happened to know a friend of mine and duly treated me to a free cup of tea, scone & strawberry jam. Flights as pleasant as this are far & few between and I really enjoyed it.

la ultima guagua

cml387 wrote: »

Is flying an enjoyable experience any more?

Maybe you enjoyed being bounced around in a Fokker Friendship with minimal avionics and a sporting chance that the wheels wouldnt drop for the next landing ( at least it was possible to see the -lack of - wheels through the windows )

The best things about flying and Collinstown Aerodrome were

(a) The restaurant ( thanks to https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/johnny-oppermann-high-profile-chef-and-restaurateur-who-raised-irish-standards-1.2830189 )

(b) The outdoor observation area which could be accessed directly from the restaurant

Picking someone up from a flight involved
- Leave car anywhere near the entrance to the terminal
- Go up to the restaurant
- Keep an eye out as flights arrived ( there never seemed to be more than three in an hour )

The golden era of collecting someone at the airport but hardly of flying.

Brennus335

I haven't flown economy in the last 10 years.
First, (or Business if I have to slum it.)
Check in my 50kg allowance. Fast track security. Sit down in my suite with pre takeoff champagne.
Caviar and cheese board, couple of fingers of Chivas, make up the bed, close the door, and go to sleep.

Van.Bosch

Brennus335 wrote: »

I haven't flown economy in the last 10 years.
First, (or Business if I have to slum it.)
Check in my 50kg allowance. Fast track security. Sit down in my suite with pre takeoff champagne.
Caviar and cheese board, couple of fingers of Chivas, make up the bed, close the door, and go to sleep.

Where do you fly to all these times? Just curious as there are very few airlines offering first from Dublin? If going Dublin to U.K. Do you fly via DXB?

Blut2

The liquids rule is the one easily removable thing that really annoys me. It:

a) slows down the security process massively
b) is pointless - if someone wanted to bring a flammable liquid on board they'd just bring ten 100ml bottles of it in their see through bag, or would buy alcohol in duty free etc
c) is just a hassle. My favourite cologne comes in a 120ml bottle. My usual deodorant in a 150ml spray. Suncream, toothpaste...whatever. Its ridiculous having to buy special travel alternatives.

Lots of other annoyances (non FF travelers being slow, crying babies on planes, reductions in seat width/pitch etc) are annoying but at least are unintentional or have a commercial reasoning behind them. But the liquids rule for the security theatre is just so pointless that it really gets to me.

Wrex

Security experience varies greatly depending on the airport. I find Dublin well marshalled, quick and straightforward. On the other end of the scale, I find Machester security abysmal. Extra checks for non issues, and the people who are employed there, are not particularly bright or now how to handle busy periods of the day.

This article is an example

http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/23/airport-staff-let-man-go-after-finding-viable-pipe-bomb-in-his-hand-luggage-6874056/

Locker10a

Wrex wrote: »

Security experience varies greatly depending on the airport. I find Dublin well marshalled, quick and straightforward. On the other end of the scale, I find Machester security abysmal. Extra checks for non issues, and the people who are employed there, are not particularly bright or now how to handle busy periods of the day.

This article is an example

http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/23/airport-staff-let-man-go-after-finding-viable-pipe-bomb-in-his-hand-luggage-6874056/

In fairness to Manchester security, they handed over that guy to counter-terrorism officers, who are actual police and they then released him. The security personnel actually performed their role fully.

Wrex

Locker10a wrote: »

In fairness to Manchester security, they handed over that guy to counter-terrorism officers, who are actual police and they then released him. The security personnel actually performed their role fully.

I beg to differ, this was from same article


"Terminal Three security manager Deborah Jeffrey even initially put the explosive into her pocket."

Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/23/airport-staff-let-man-go-after-finding-viable-pipe-bomb-in-his-hand-luggage-6874056/#ixzz4sB9dws9B

Locker10a

Wrex wrote: »

Locker10a wrote: »

In fairness to Manchester security, they handed over that guy to counter-terrorism officers, who are actual police and they then released him. The security personnel actually performed their role fully.

I beg to differ, this was from same article


"Terminal Three security manager Deborah Jeffrey even initially put the explosive into her pocket."

Read more: http://metro.co.uk/2017/08/23/airport-staff-let-man-go-after-finding-viable-pipe-bomb-in-his-hand-luggage-6874056/#ixzz4sB9dws9B

Wow, she was an idiot to do that.  
I was going by the part that said '[font=ScoutLight, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Airport security initially believed the bomb was not viable and, after being questioned by counter-terrorism officers, Muhammad was released.' [/font]
This to me sounded like the police released him.

ED E

Blut2 wrote: »

b) is pointless - if someone wanted to bring a flammable liquid on board they'd just bring ten 100ml bottles of it in their see through bag, or would buy alcohol in duty free etc

Its not about flammable compounds but explosive ones. Still rather futile when they're never checked.

Davidth88

Simple answer to the OP .... no.

I am an aviation enthusiast but the security nonsense and the race to the bottom as far as service is concerned has made it a chore.

I used to fly 2 or 3 return trips a month bit that stopped 7 years ago and tbh thank God.

Personal gripes ... standing in a security queue and you can see people who have stood in the same queue as you .. seen the same notices etc and they get to the front and have not prepared AT ALL.... BANG there goes 3 or 4 mins ... multiply that by 20 or 30 people and that's the queue backing up.

Boarding aircraft .... husband puts the bag in the overhead ... then comes the conversation.... do you want you magazine dear ( or what ever ) ..
. While blocking the aisle.

Why do airports still assume everyone who flies wants the most expensive shops or cafes in the world ( Harrods in LHR for example )

Grrr getting hot under the collar just typing this ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜

fg1406

Definitely not anymore. As with most people,the excessive charges to check in a bag, coupled with the inconsistent security requirements across different airports, drive me mad. Compared to some on this forum, I don't fly very frequently (probably 1 trip per month on average) but it can be a chore. Dublin airport isn't all that bad and I can navigate it pretty easily. But when you get the likes of Heathrow Airport security saying the plastic bag which I had for liquids, that I picked up in Dublin, doesn't meet their requirements, that makes me so annoyed. Also Eindhoven airport security refused to allow me keep a book I was reading, in my coat pocket and said it had to go into my suitcase. Charleroi security stated that my coat had to go into my suitcase...it wouldn't fit so I felt like it was a way to force me to check my bag in and pay €€€ for it. Dublin airport requires my kindle to be scanned in a tray. Others state it can stay in the bag. Some require you to take your shoes off. Others state that you leave them on.

If only there were consistent rules. iPad stays out? Fine. Liquids in a clear plastic bag? Fine,but don't ask me to buy a bag at your airport on the grounds that the one I got in another airport is too big/fastens the wrong way/made from wrong type of plastic.