michael

There's much being said about the drop in tourism. Has anyone given any thought to why people are less prepared to travel than they used to be? Don't put all the blame on the credit crunch.
I rarely meet anyone who has anything pleasant to say about the airport experience. Travel should be an exciting occasion. However, expectations of negotiating one's way through airports is seen as worse than going to the dentist or hospital for operation.
An airport is the ultimate rip-off zone. Staff are invariably officious and often rude. They certainly seem to be unaccountable and don't they love taking advantage of it.
Whenever I have written on the subject I am guaranteeed a flood of e-letters expressing similar concerns. Often they cite examples of bullying, intimidation and sheer boorish behaviour - by staff. Has anyone not been on the receiving end? I have on several occasions.
Cunning plan! Let us have an airport makover. Make the lot of them attend customer service classes - and pass - before getting a licence to work. Make them fully identifiable and accountable. Start looking at airport services from the customers side of the check-in desk. Hey presto! There's your 20 per-cent lost trade back.
I rarely hear anyone saying they can't afford to fly. I invariably hear people outraged over airline and airport rip-offs; scams; and the bad behaviour of staff. Ther revulsion of the airport experience. How many of us would use a department store if we were treated as we are in airport? Is anyone listening?

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JazminesII

I completely agree....and what's more the sub-standard service often continues in-flight....

Val

When I first started flying about 5 years ago it was all new and fun then came 20 countries in just over a year, some were in one day out the next, some were 2 in a week with overnight train the only way to connect and reminiscent of wartime films complete with armed border control with real attitude.

I dislike all the pre flight nonsense trying to find/wade through all the restrictions/extras and booking. Then the waiting everywhere they make you wait,, lack of truthful information is a BIG bug bear of mine they really do seem to think we are ALL stupid. It used to be that you could get some peace space and service going business class HUH nope one flight I did the ONLY difference besides a little extra leg room was a glass of orange

I know it will irritate some folks but families should NOT be allowed in the upper classes of flights. On long haul flights the worst nightmare are the family who travelled to Tobago who had no control over them at all and no consideration for other travellers. Sadly the Virgin staff were also awful, lack of service, forgotten orders and made derogatory remarks about passengers. Mind you a few chidlren are a credit but most seem to be allowed to run wild up and down the aisles making lots of noise and banging into seated passengers, staff ignore them.

We have booked the ferry from UK trip this time :-)

valenciaholiday

I can´t say I have experienced any major problems when I have flown, but I generally don´t enjoy the whole experience, I find it a great hastle. I am sure what you say is true, I am a "stickler" for good service, but growing accustomed to it not existing, so possibly just have not paid much attention to it in airports. The prices however are very exagerated and I make a point of not buying anything, maybe just a coffee to get me through the wait!
Living in Spain, I tend to let my family do the travelling now, after all the weather is better!

CDThader

I accept the frustration and moans of previous posts, but I am planning a trip to the UK later this year.. The flight from Alicante to Gatwick works out cheaper than a rail journey from London to Exeter, (as long as I don't take a suitcase) I never buy food on the flight, or on the train. Its much cheaper and healthier to take as I do some salad or fruit.
Even with the waiting, the flight is still quicker than the train. I can't say I've had any problems with check in staff or air cabin crews. I have a set of scales, and ensure that my luggage is within the weight allowed. I hear people complaining when they are charged for excess baggage, but if they bothered to read what they are entitled to, and checked the weight before checking in, there shouldn't be a problem.

CD