Check In's at Dalaman a really long wait

[Jacqui Harvey]

My daughter, son in law and granddaughter arrived back  this morning.  My daughter told me when they arrived at Dalaman Airport there where two very small queues.  They joined one and lots of people then got behind both queues.  The other queue moved quickly, my daughter's queue took 1 1/2 hours before she got to check-in.  Whilst they were waiting some of the T.C Customs called over the rep and asked what was going on.  The rep came back and told them that the lady at the check -in had decided to be extra thorough that night and was checking everything. The rep offered them a quick check in if they paid an extra £10.00 each.    Apparently the check in lady was checking the sizes and weighing all hand luggage and one couple where  the exact weight on suitcases but overweight on both pieces of hand luggage there was a terrific argument and the couple started to take all the items out of there bags.  After about 20 minutes they were still there.  They had to leave a lot of things behind.  Then it happened again with another traveller and again with one more.
My family eventually got passed the check-ins, they only had 40 minutes left till their flight departed.
At the check-in's it was very hot and uncomfortable, particularly with a 2 year old. No air con.
So just a warning, make sure your hand luggage is the correct size and weight.

[bewva]

We always seem to get in the wrong queue.
In April the queue next to us were being processed at a rate of about 3 families to our 1.
There looked no specific reason for this though.

[John H]

From my own observations delays are not entirely a problem caused by check in staff at Dalaman or any other airport.
I have had delays which I blamed on airport staff but not many.
There is the group of passengers,anything from 4 upwards, who do not seem to know which item of luggage is their own. The shuffling of luggage among them to ensure individuals are under their weight allowance. The missing member when passports are required.(Gone to the toilet).
The ones who cannot find their passport or return tickets.
The group who turn up with luggage of a size of which would not look out of place in the average bedroom as a chest of drawers or a small wardrobe and are then are surprised to find that they are overweight.
Passengers who turn up with unusual hand luggage such as a 10' x 4' rolled up rug,3' diameter brass coffee table or on one memorable holiday a 4' long scimitar. This bloke was really upset when they took the sword but returned the scabbard to him. The rest of us were relieved.
I know my weight restrictions on flights and keep to them,I look after my passport and tickets. Why can't the rest of you do this?
Just in from the pub.
At the moment it is very cold,raining and it is another 19 days before I get to Calis.
 

[amca]

JohnH
" I know my weight restrictions on flights and keep to them,I look after my passport and tickets. Why can't the rest of you do this?"
========
Agreed.
It is annoying to trim luggage to permitted size and weight then discover that you cannot have space in the 'overheads' because 'kitchensinksandall' have got there first.

[Jacqui Harvey]

It seems people where taking towels out of their luggage and the check in girl was weighing them, and they they were being disgarded, this was taking up all the time as they were altering the hand luggage to the suitcase luggage and getting rid of things from the suitcase so they could put hand luggage in the suitcase.

[littlereddevil]

It was the same horrendous queues when we came home 2 weeks ago.
We all know what weight we are allowed so goodness only knows why they can't stick to it.
The TC girl came over and asked if anyone wanted to go to priority checkin for £10 each.
We decided to go.Never got charged!

[Marggie]

But you did get charged if you paid £10 each.  This changing from hold luggage to hand luggage really winds me up because it is all going on the same plane.  All they do is get customers stressed. I don't see the logic but maybe I am thick.

[jrichards1]

Same last year. We thought there had been an incident. Hugh crowd in the corner furiously swapping luggage, looked like a jumble sale. At least they had the sense to tell them to sort themselves out and come back. I didn't cause a hold up.

[Cavfan]

Just flown back through Sharm airport and it was a much more pleasant experience all round. I agree with John but can't help but think there's something about the way they train the staff in Dalaman , they're generally quite unpleasant!

[Marggie]

I've got to agree with you.  In the winter we fly from Antalya where the staff are much more pleasant.  Not ideal,  there is the added cost of transfer and time but the whole travel experience is far less stressful.