Sunday 7 June 2009

Airports - Don't you just love them!

We got back from two weeks holiday in Rhodes a few days ago and I'm still feeling totally disoriented and wondering why.

We've been there a few times before, have had night flights a couple of times too and on the plus side we weren't delayed this year, I don't have to go to work now but I'm still absolutely shattered and can't get back into any sort of routine. Maybe it seems worse because of how much longer you have to spend in the airport due to security measures, however I'm sure it's partly due to the poor state of Rhodes airport, even though it's a new extension.

We were taken to Rhodes airport three hours before the flight was due to be called. Now that's not a problem here, our local airport is OK. It's not exactly Heathrow but it's easy to while away the time in the various cafes, pubs and range of shops before you are called to the embarkation gate. When you are called, you are only in the gate area for a short time, the seats are not that bad and the loos are good. However in Rhodes it's a different story altogether.

This year we stood for well over an hour and a half in the check in line. What a shambles! Not an easy thing standing for that long at 1.30 in the morning for anyone, never mind the elderly, disabled and children. There were only four metal seats in the whole of that check in area.

One thing that kept us occupied whilst we awaited was wondering whether the woman who literally rolled onto the airport transfer bus would be allowed to board. She was more than half cut and her husband looked a bit the worse for wear too! She wandered around the airport with a large bottle of water looking for goodness knows what and couldn't walk in a straight line. The tour company staff were trying to keep an eye on her but were convinced she wouldn't be allowed to board. People in the queue were all saying they would refuse to sit beside them on the plane, have to say I was a bit worried about that.

Due to how long the Rhodes airport staff took to check us in, she managed to look sober and they did let her through. Well they wouldn't want her left in the airport would they! When we got to the gate we then observed a tug o' war between the pair of them over her handbag, not sure why but eventually he left her and she sat down with her water bottle. Luckily they were very quiet and caused no more trouble. She probably went to sleep, I never saw either of them again even at the other end. Maybe she's still sitting there.

After you check in you have to go straight to the departure gate, well there's is nothing else to do. Also despite the airport being greatly enlarged, they still only have two small duty free shops, one pathetic cafe and half a dozen appalling loos that I've never seen clean or all working so imagine the queues! The worst thing however is the seating, there isn't enough and people have to sit on the floor. However the seats themselves are disgusting, uncomfortable metal ones that after five minutes you need to get up and walk about to keep your circulation going.

Nice way to spend a night!

Now I'm sure this airport is bigger than ours in Newcastle, so why can't they provide similar facilities? You feel like they are treating you like goods on a factory line, just processing you through dumping you at the departure gate with no consideration for your level of comfort. It also seems like they're missing a trick on the income side too with having few opportunities to while away the time with retail therapy.

I've made my mind up that I'm still going to go to Rhodes, let's face it most airports in the Greek Islands are worse than here. But this is the last time I'll take an overnight flight, no matter how reasonably priced the holiday is!

Never mind it was a lovely holiday and I'll post some photos later.
Now I must try to catch up on looking at people's blogs, I'm way behind and wondering how everyone is.

10 comments:

  1. Well I am glad you had a little entertainment at that dreadful airport.With the half cut people.
    Patsy

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  2. It makes no sense that they'd have no vendors to at least make a little money. The vacation must have been worth it for you though-especially since you say you'd go back.

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  3. I am glad you had a nice get away, even if it takes you a little while to recoup.

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  4. Not a pleasant experience, neither the airport nor the drunken couple.

    glad you enjoyed your holiday though Winifred and will look forward to the pictures.

    Yes it is cold here too. Last Tuesday it was in the 80's and I was wearing shorts, yesterday (Sat) I was wearing a fleece and last night was VERY cold with torrential rain and this morning.

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  5. That's why I did the Greek Islands in my twenties when I could cope and never returned! Considering what a big draw Rhodes is, I am amazed things haven't improved!

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  6. Blogging is good way to vent all that out. Being half cut must mean drunk? Well, I will look forward to hearing and seeing some more stories and pictures when you rest up some.

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  7. Glad you're home safe, at least. It sounds like an episode of The Amazing Race!
    I think perhaps the tug of war was over the remaining booze in somebody's handbag.

    Kat

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  8. Dear Winifred ~~ I am glad you enjoyed your holiday in spite of the lack of seating etc at the airport.
    Thank you for your comment about the butterfly story which shows we shouldn't interfere with Mother Nature. Glad you liked the jokes.
    Take care and I am very well thank you. Hope you soon get back to normal. Love, Merle.

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  9. I'm getting there, back on the school run today helped.

    Sorry about my slang, yes half cut means a bit drunk. We have quite a few expressions for it. I think I also said a bit the worse for wear in the post off the top of my head there's also:
    -sozzled
    -pie eyed
    -canned
    -squiffy
    -hammered
    -blotto
    -juiced up
    -legless
    -mortal
    -mullered
    -out of your tree
    -rat arsed
    -tanked up
    -trashed
    There are a few others that are a rather crude so I've not included them! Isn't it surprising how many words there are. There are probably lots of other ones I don't know about.

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  10. What an ordeal! Ron and I simply do not fly in order to avoid the drama.

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