The Airport Thread

[the_real_wild1]

So as mentioned in another thread we should start one of these. So here it is. What is your good and bad experiences with airlines or airports. I just came back from California and LAX. We used Westjet and it was good both going there and coming back. The gate was right beside security so leaving and arriving was good. My last time there was crazy. Walked what seemed like MILES and took forever.

 

[sumx54]

I have my blasters ticket. I handle explosives on a regular basis. Airports scare the chit out of me. BAD.

 

[arff]

I have my blasters ticket. I handle explosives on a regular basis. Airports scare the chit out of me. BAD.

I used to work at EIA Fire Services

I know some security guys..

I will tell them you like the glove.....

 

[Summitric]

They actually took hand swabs for any explosive &/or hazmat materials... Was instant results. Flew us airways(now combined with american airlines) to phoenix last week, and sure missed the t.v.'s on all the westjet jets ...

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

They actually took hand swabs for any explosive &/or hazmat materials... Was instant results. Flew us airways(now combined with american airlines) to phoenix last week, and sure missed the t.v.'s on all the westjet jets ...

I'm amazed they let you on, clearly they aren't on SnowandMud.....
Welcome Back Ric.

 

[eclipse1966]

IMO all airports / airlines suck if you are traveling for business (I travel a lot overseas). If for pleasure, then sit back and enjoy the ride regardless who / where you are going. But since you are asking, worst airline in the 80's was British Airlines and now probably Varig (Brazilian carrier). Worst airport is probably Heathrow as it is always under construction.

 

[LBZ]

I worked in Russia for 4 years.
I have more stories than time.
Lets just say feared for my life every time I got on a Russian airline plane. Especially when in one year Aeroflot crashed 6 planes - 2 of them landed upside down on the runway or just short. How do you even do that??
Russian airport bathrooms = full of smoke cause that's where everyone goes to smoke, piss everywhere, no air conditioning except for the one main international airport I went through, passport control at the one airport had no lines or rows, just everyone mob and push your way to the window, never saw a de-icer ones in that country when flying their domestic airlines. Icy very bumpy runways.
Other than a few uncomfortable flights into the US, flying around this country and the US really isn't that bad!!

 

[the_real_wild1]

Sounds like it

 

[Shadam]

If I never got on another long haul flight my life would be better ...

asian airlines aren't as bad as some people think. they only hire younger slim ladies ...

 

[SLEDBUNNYRACING]

I worked in Russia for 4 years.
I have more stories than time.
Lets just say feared for my life every time I got on a Russian airline plane. Especially when in one year Aeroflot crashed 6 planes - 2 of them landed upside down on the runway or just short. How do you even do that??
Russian airport bathrooms = full of smoke cause that's where everyone goes to smoke, piss everywhere, no air conditioning except for the one main international airport I went through, passport control at the one airport had no lines or rows, just everyone mob and push your way to the window, never saw a de-icer ones in that country when flying their domestic airlines. Icy very bumpy runways.
Other than a few uncomfortable flights into the US, flying around this country and the US really isn't that bad!!

It's interesting when you look at it from the Russian perspective.
There is still no excuse for some of the North American Airlines but when compared, we have it OK.
Lady I know spends 3-4 months each year in Mexico and South and has some nail butting stories about planes and busses.....lol

 

[Skegmeister]

15 years flying overseas doing 28/28 rotation. I have a few stories, couple still make my blood boil.
In Vancouver I was about to leave the secure area, was about 20' from the door when I realized the new boarding pass from Vancouver was the wrong flight. I stopped and turned around to go back to the ticketing agent. Long story short, the Security Guard accused me of leaving the area and coming back through the door, which I did not. Security Supervisor, RCMP and Custom Agents were giving me a hard time because I would not leave til I had my proper boarding pass. So I asked them to look at the tape to show that I did not go out the door, that the Guard was looking at Facebook or something else not paying attention and wrongly accused me. I held my ground until they acknowledged there was a mistake. Then I was escorted out through the doors to find another ticketing agent to get the new boarding pass. Still PO'd. LOL

 

[nast70]

Used to fly to montreal 4 times a year on AC. Always left from gates 22, 23, or 25. One trip we were waiting in Moes with a wobbly pop when one friends flight was called. We figured we should probably mosy over to the gate as well, our flight was next to board. Said our good byes and when our flight was call boarding gate 26 we got ready. Saw gate 22, 23, 24, WHERE THE HECK IS 26!!! asked an attendant who replyed its in the old terminal and pointed across the tarmac. Let me tell you how fast you move on a moving sidewalk. Got to the plane as the door was closing.

 

[RaspberryNytro]

I work an even rotation of 35/35 into the Middle East, for almost 6 years now. So I fly pretty much every month !!!
I would say that the worst airport is Heathrow and one of the best I've seen, is Dubai. I've had one really chitty security experience, that was in Vancouver... treated me like I was a criminal because i was a "rig pig"( her actual words ).
AC has been my steady airline for domestic flights. They could use some people skills for extra training haha.
Emirates, for my long-haul from Toronto to Dubai. They are outstanding in service and the big Airbus A-380 is unbelievable, from economy seats, meals and drinks. Businesss class has it's own stand-up bar in the rear .
I haven't had too many bad "flying" experiences these past few years, but I could tell you about some hair-raising flights up into Northern Alberta and BC from over the years... haha

 

[the_real_wild1]

I like the stand up bar idea. Good time to stretch your legs. I would expect some expensive ticketson that one.

 

[sumx54]

I could tell you about some hair-raising flights up into Northern Alberta and BC from over the years... haha

I've spent many years in the north flying out of the craziest places in the nastiest weather. Coming into "the wells" almost completely sideways in an Otter was memorable.

 

[sumx54]

Colville Lake International airport...

 

[sumx54]

Kahntah international airport. We actually blew a hydraulic line on that A-star heli and had to do a crazy hard bush/Skeg landing. Intense few minutes. Spent 6 hours with a curious bear waiting for another heli to come get us.

 

[Skegmeister]

Another most memorable flight... flying into Castlegar BC and dropping out of the low cloud cover and seeing how fekn close we were to the mountains. Everyone was doing big breaths to keep from pooping our pants.

 

[Cat401]

Colville Lake International airport...

what's that thing hanging below the cabin of that twin otter?

 

[sumx54]

what's that thing hanging below the cabin of that twin otter?

That's not a twin otter... It's a King and it's a cargo hold.
this is an otter.