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Holiday off to a bad start thanks to Aldergrove airport
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
I am in complete agreement with Joan Thompson about the unfriendly, bullying nature of the security staff at Belfast International Airport (Write Back, May 29).
Since they started to employ ‘security agents’ as they like to call themselves, the increasingly stressful business of flying has been made even more unplesant.
We recently booked a flight to Paris with easyJet, checking in online because we only had hand luggage.
On arriving at Aldergrove we were met at departures by a ‘security agent’ who informed us our luggage was too large and we would have to go back to check in.
These were bags that we have flown with all over the world.
Checking them in cost us an extra £36.
Having gone back to departures we were then given the full screening treatment.
My wife was upset but did not want to show it in front of our young son.
Finally our toothpaste was checked for explosives.
Is there no common sense whatsoever used when it comes to airport security producedures?
On finally reaching the departure lounge we overheard other people in conversation about the heavy-handed treatment they had received.
Thanks Aldergrove for a great start to our hols.
What should have been a happy occasion turned out to be quite a depressing experience.
By the way, we flew back from Charles de Gaulle with our bags as hand luggage.
Andrew Cathcart
Castlereagh
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Joe Dunlop was with out doubt Northern Irelands greatest sportsman and ambassador. His sportsmanship, charity work, kindness and professionalism were known worldwide. He was a very unassuming man despite his many sporting triumphs and awards. He was loved and respected by all who met him at home and abroad, regardless of race or creed or religion. The greatest honor we can bestow on this sporting legend would be to name the arrivals or departure lounges, or even the Belfast International Airport
Posted by ALBERT OWENS | 10.06.09, 10:30 GMT
Perhaps if the airlines allowed people to put luggage into the hold and not charge then this may not happen. I remember the cost of your flight ticket covered at least one item of baggage in the hold, with a weight allowance of 20-30 kgs, depending upon the airline and your destination. Now because of low cost, no frills travel, baggage hold allowance is now an added extra, which I think is wrong.
Posted by Samuel | 04.06.09, 22:40 GMT
Welcome to the realities of life in Gordon Brown’s “police state”. Everybody is now a criminal suspect and must be treated accordingly. There is a point to airport security, but this is obscured by “jobsworth” application of arbitrary and incomprehensible procedures. Don’t just tell “the Tele’” – please also write to your MP and MEP. The public must demand better treatment from security staff.
Posted by TheTurfBurner | 04.06.09, 17:02 GMT
my mum goes to dublin airport she said she will not use the airports ie aldergrove,belfast city treated her like dirt
Posted by ray .. usa | 04.06.09, 15:49 GMT
Passengers with oversized hand luggage does my nut in! Pulling these wheelie suitcases and heaving and forcing them into the overhead lockers when they are clearly oversized. About time the airport stuck to their guns and stopped these passengers who think they're above the rules.
Posted by Aaron | 04.06.09, 11:10 GMT
i am a very frequent flyer traveling over 7 000 miles each way on each businees trip every 8 weeks and i have to say i go thro dublin all the time rather than aldergrove!! the security staff at dublin are far better!! and as for luggage they treat it very well and a nice smile and very helpful no way willi travel via london heathrow or gatwick theyare the same im in the security industry over 30 years and ur most of these so called security agents are non the wiser when it comes to commonsens
Posted by mike | 04.06.09, 09:17 GMT
give some people a uniform they think they r god
Posted by dwk | 03.06.09, 17:03 GMT
Security is a serious matter,and the travelling public should know the rules,however the public should be treated with dignity and respect. After all if they were not travelling these 'bureaucrats' would be out of a job.(Expat)
Posted by RMS | 03.06.09, 14:36 GMT
I was once forced to purchase clear bags for liquids from the dispenser at security, despite there being nothing wrong with my self supplied bags at every other airport. The next time I came through using the very bag I had purchased from the dispenser I was again told it was unacceptable and I must purchase another or i wouldn't be able to fly. Blatant profiteering. I've also had notes refused in the bar without reason or test by a barman that claimed an First trust note wasn't sterling!
Posted by Andy | 03.06.09, 13:49 GMT
What is your complaint Andrew? If your luggage was too large to be classed as hand baggage then security was correct. Perhaps Aldergrove had the correct sizing unlike Charles de Galle!
Seems to be a storm in a teacup.
Posted by robbo | 03.06.09, 13:25 GMT