British Airports when will they learn to cope?

[Jacqui Harvey]

Went to Amsterdam for New Year. Arrived at Aberdeen Airport two hours before the flight. Flight was on time. As we were boarding it started to snow a little, then after 15 minutes it stopped. Of course, being a British Airport this caused mass panic. Firstly they had to defrost the wings, then we waited for the runway to be cleaned,(two hours) then we taxied, then we came back. The Airport had been closed. Then some of the passengers with connections they would miss at Amsterdam, got off, of course, their luggage had to be found. We sat for four hours before we eventually took off. What did we get to sustain us whilst waiting? Orange Juice, Wine, Coffee and then when we took off everyone got a biscuit.  We arrived at 11.00pm instead of 7.00pm. Both starving, all the restaurants closed, end up with a bag of chips.
Why is it that this country comes to a standstill when it snows?
It was snowing heavily when we left Schiphol yesterday, the wings were defrosted, we took off in the snow.
We were late by 10 minutes....
Jacqui.

[davidzz]

When they stop behaving in a British manner and take a either a maverick ( no care for the safety of people) or a pro-active(spend some money) approach to these situations.

David

[Highlander]

...we took off in the snow.

So did Manchester United in 1958 Jacqui. Personally, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[Jacqui Harvey]

quote:Originally posted by Highlander

...we took off in the snow.

So did Manchester United in 1958 Jacqui. Personally, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

There were hundreds of planes taking off in the snow at Schiphol, it's the norm in lots of cold weather countries. I also don't think we can compare something that happened 52 years ago to the modern airports of today.

When my husband was working in Denmark in the winter it snowed most of the time. I flew in and out of the Airport there and snowy conditions where not considered a problem. Also the roads where never blocked even when the snow was piled high either side of the roads, also all the drivers used studded tyres for grip. The Danes where very amused at the British panic about snow.

[Jenny1]

I drove to Manchester Airport on Sun eve to pick up my daughter and her boyfriend, they had been to Ireland for New Year. The flight was delayed an hour and a half, I have never ever been in an airport that cold! My feet were numb. To make matters worse, I had set off earlier as I didn't know how bad the motorway would be. The only place open in there was a Spar, thank god they sold hot choc!!
Terminal bloody 3!!!!! Ok in departures but rubbish at arrivals!

[Scunner]

It said on BBC News that some flights due to land at Luton last night were being diverted to Nantes in France. That must be amusing.

[Jenny1]

Ha! I find it amusing! They probably won't, is it true?

[Jacqui Harvey]

Just heard on T.V. this morning that the airport with the most snow in the world is Helsinki, Finland.  It is also the most punctual airport in the world.

[littlereddevil]

It has just taken us 21 hours to get from Dalaman to Aberdeen. Sat on the tarmac at Heathrow for 1.45 hours waiting to be de-iced. Very heavy snow but we made it. Took us 4 days to get out there mind you with BA cancelling our flights. Then at Istanbul yesterday they wanted to charge 39 euros for an empty case, so I just told them to keep it. That caused a bit of a stooshie mind you, having to get the police involved. In fact it was a good delsey hard shell case but I wasn't paying on principle ! Good old BA way down my list now or airlines to use. Must have a serious rethink about how to get there next winter.