British Passengers stunned as Pilot loses his temper on a flight to Greece

Car rentals are ridiculous at the airports and in the different cities where I have rented. When I drive by the rental car companies, I see a lot of cars just sitting, not being rented. It’s almost like they are being spiteful.
 

Car rentals are ridiculous at the airports and in the different cities where I have rented. When I drive by the rental car companies, I see a lot of cars just sitting, not being rented. It’s almost like they are being spiteful.
Everything costs a scandalous price at airports that's fact!!

Car rentals here depend very much on the size of the vehicle but a regular four seater saloon from a town rental company costs between £80 and £90 per day unlimited mileage
 
I last rented a car in Tampa for six days. I priced both at the airport and off the airport. It was over $100 cheaper off the airport. I rented a Chevrolet Malibu. Airport price was $480+ change and off airport was $360+ change.

I took an Uber to the off airport car rental agency, which cost me $27+ tip. Same on return trip, so I didn’t save a lot, but I helped the Uber driver make a living. I’m not cheap by no means, but I find it interesting to use Ubers when I can. They usually like to communicate.
 

I don't know but looking at those photos makes me ask a few questions:

1. Is the world getting too over populated?
2. Are there too many people traveling at the same time.
3. Can the airport procedure some how be improved?

Whatever the answer, I am still happy not to be there. Give me the wide open road anytime!
 
Today.....

Hundreds" of TUI passengers received texts from the firm telling them their trips had been cancelled after an eight-hour airport wait, it is reported.

Holidaymakers endured multiple delays before they were finally told they would not be leaving Manchester Airport

It came after passengers endured a four-hour wait to get through check-in and security and another four-hour delay while "waiting for a pilot".

The troubled flight to Kos, out of Terminal 2, was supposed to take off at 3.45pm, but angry ticketholders say they would have missed the flight - if it had been on time - due to queues "out of the building" to check-in.

After enduring a further four-hour delay, one family says they were informed by a text from TUI that their trip, including flights and an all-inclusive hotel, were cancelled.


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Helen, from Manchester, was travelling to Kos with her husband and teenage daughter. They have been left appalled by the treatment, they say.

"It's utter, utter chaos," she told the M.E.N.

Have you been caught up in the TUI issues? Get in touch with our newsdesk by emailing webnews@mirror.co.uk

"There has been hardly any staff here. Everyone got a text from TUI saying their holidays have been cancelled and to go home. The check-in girls knew nothing, we found out before they did. And they were left to deal with hundreds of passengers complaining, a full flight's worth.

"The police had to come in and make an announcement, a holiday maker was arrested and was in handcuffs.

"We have had to go back through security, show our passports, even though we'd never left the airport. I wouldn't expect this from Manchester Airport and certainly not from TUI. It's just disgusting.
All the passengers are really angry, there's children crying. We've taken the week off work, my daughter is off school - she'd been looking forward to this holiday, bought new clothes and everything.

"We expected it to be bad at Manchester Airport but everyone is in shock at how bad it actually is. The police had to unload people's suitcases because there were no staff to do it."

George Sharp said his daughter had travelled from Bradford for their holiday to Kos - on the same flight as Helen - and had been queuing since 12pm. They were at the gate ready to board the flight when they received a text from TUI saying their £4,500 trip was cancelled.

"It was like circumstances I've never ever heard of before," George said.

"They went to board and then they cancelled not just the flight but the entire holiday. TUI staff refused to face up to anyone and the police arrived to tell them to go back through security to collect their bags and go home.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/tui-tells-hundreds-passengers-text-27094696
 
I don't know but looking at those photos makes me ask a few questions:

1. Is the world getting too over populated?
2. Are there too many people traveling at the same time.
3. Can the airport procedure some how be improved?

Whatever the answer, I am still happy not to be there. Give me the wide open road anytime!
Number of vehicle deaths worldwide in 2021: Approximately 1.3 million
Number of worldwide airplane deaths in 2021: 134

I have been on interstates and been backed up for hours while traveling. I enjoy traveling by train and am considering making that my preferred way of travel.
 
I don't know but looking at those photos makes me ask a few questions:

1. Is the world getting too over populated?
2. Are there too many people traveling at the same time.
3. Can the airport procedure some how be improved?

Whatever the answer, I am still happy not to be there. Give me the wide open road anytime!
I wish we had wide open roads here, but being a small Island we don't, so the roads are continually congested
 
I wish we had wide open roads here, but being a small Island we don't, so the roads are continually congested
The roads around all of our cities are also congested. The only wide open roads that I know of are the roads least traveled. I took I-15 from L.A. to Las Vegas about 10 or so years ago. There was an accident on the west bound side. Thankfully, I was headed east. I think traffic was easily backed up for over 5 miles and not moving. Traffic has gotten crazy here in the U.S. and I don’t think the price of gas has lessened it any. Tomorrow morning, I am leaving for Arlington. We are planning on an earlier than usual start.
 
The roads around all of our cities are also congested. The only wide open roads that I know of are the roads least traveled. I took I-15 from L.A. to Las Vegas about 10 or so years ago. There was an accident on the west bound side. Thankfully, I was headed east. I think traffic was easily backed up for over 5 miles and not moving. Traffic has gotten crazy here in the U.S. and I don’t think the price of gas has lessened it any. Tomorrow morning, I am leaving for Arlington. We are planning on an earlier than usual start.
Safe journey...
 
Today... at Bristol airport..

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at Schiphol Amsterdam..

British Airways and easyJet have both been removing thousands of flights from schedules in recent months at Gatwick and Heathrow airports amid staff shortages.
The airlines say most travellers have been given at least a few weeks' notice, although the situation this week has been compounded by an IT glitch affecting easyJet.

There are also issues recruiting for roles such as security staff, ground handlers and check-in staff which is seeing passengers advised to arrive much earlier than normal for their flights because they are facing long queues.

While many businesses in the aviation sector are struggling to rehire staff after many were let go during the pandemic due to a collapse in demand thanks to successive lockdowns, high levels of staff sickness for those who are still employed is also having an impact.
And as they continue to battle with a tight labour market that has more vacancies than job-seekers, airlines have not been able to recruit staff quickly enough after most foreign travel has been reopened over the last year – with the removal in restrictions both in the UK and abroad in recent months causing even greater demand.

The Unite union said there are 'chronic staff shortages across the board', and that 'current pay and conditions in the industry are so poor that workers are voting with their feet', adding: 'It can only be resolved by offering higher wages and better working conditions for staff.'
Union officials added that many airport staff are being asked to work extra hours, and 'relying on staff overtime to run the business can't be a long-term solution'.
The situation is also not expected to improve any time soon - with the European Travel Commission saying air travel within Europe is set to recover to pre-pandemic levels this summer, although visitors from outside the region will likely be down 30 per cent from 2019.
 
@hollydolly - those crowds and queues are shocking. What a terrible letdown for so many would-be travelers who carefully saved, planned and anticipated special vacations.
Precisely Star..it's actually a horrendous situation and it should never have been allowed to happen. I'm upset that I can't go to Spain.. well let's say I could but I'm not prepared to accept this situation above.. yesterday a plane load of people headed for London Gatwick were dumped at London Luton a 3 hour drive away, and told they wouldn't be entitled to travel vouchers or transport, and to make their own way there..without their luggage due to the baggage handlers unable to accept the luggage because it was never destined for Luton in the first place... Appalling.!!! We've all been waiting 2 and a half years now to travel for a holiday and now this.. just shameful!!
 
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TUI staff refused to face up to anyone

I wouldn't want to work for an airport or airline these days. Can't imagine the constant stream of abuse those employees are subjected to - and for problems that are completely out of their control.

The staff usually have no information and are subjected to terrible abuse by the distraught travellers.

A few years ago my DD’s ex, a policeman, was one of the travellers. He was standing near the agent, so with a strong and commanding voice told everyone to calm down and all listen at once. The crowd went silent, the agent explained the little she knew and people took a deep breath and accepted it. There was nothing she could do. The airlines need someone like this who can take charge and try to explain that they’re only the messengers.

It’s also time for the airlines to book fewer flights if they can’t count on them having staff.
 
The staff usually have no information and are subjected to terrible abuse by the distraught travellers.

A few years ago my DD’s ex, a policeman, was one of the travellers. He was standing near the agent, so with a strong and commanding voice told everyone to calm down and all listen at once. The crowd went silent, the agent explained the little she knew and people took a deep breath and accepted it. There was nothing she could do. The airlines need someone like this who can take charge and try to explain that they’re only the messengers.

It’s also time for the airlines to book fewer flights if they can’t count on them having staff.
This is fact.. but the airlines are extremely greedy.. Yesterday we discovered that the budget airlines are now charging more than the cost of some flights for hold baggage
 
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I'm afraid I have no sympathy with people who insist on going abroad for holidays, when it has been clear how shambolic everything is at the moment.
I know the weather is not too good this week, but it's still warm enough in the south to holiday in England. Our country needs people to spend their money here, not abroad.
 
I'm afraid I have no sympathy with people who insist on going abroad for holidays, when it has been clear how shambolic everything is at the moment.
I know the weather is not too good this week, but it's still warm enough in the south to holiday in England. Our country needs people to spend their money here, not abroad.
People would be more likely to holiday at home if it wasn't for greedy hotel and Air BNB owners...

My friend has just returned from a week in Cornwall with her family.. she got no change from £2,000... she could have gone to the USA for that... or a Greek Island
 
Rishi Sunak today reminded Britain's airlines and airports they took billions from the taxpayer during the pandemic and easing half term disruption must be their focus as experts told MailOnline that the crisis will only get worse through the Platinum Jubilee weekend and will peak on Monday.

MPs have urged the aviation industry to 'get a grip now' as airlines face an investigation into claims they sold flights and holidays for the half term week without the air crew and check-in staff to cope with tens of thousands hit with delays or cancellations.

Mr Sunak has insisted the Government is working with the airlines and airports to reduce disruption and delays - amid a furious blame game between ministers and industry leaders as holidaymakers complained about being left 'abandoned' with some flights cancelled minutes before their expected departure.

'We put in place billions of pounds of support for the travel industry in particular during the pandemic,' the Chancellor said, adding: 'Right now there are conversations happening between the industry and ministers to make sure disruption can be eased. That is where the focus is right now'.

With 6,000 flights to and from Britain scheduled over the weekend, peaking at just under 7,000 on Monday, the problems are predicted to be even more dire - coupled with a two-day Tube strike on June 6 and June 7 that will cripple London's Underground network as people return home and to work.

Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy The PC Agency, told MailOnline: 'It's for travel firms themselves to get themselves in order. Sadly, I think it will get worse because were reaching its peak in a few days. Monday is scheduled to be the busiest day since 2019, with 2,864 departures from the UK, and the same number of inbound flights - it will be the busiest day since before the pandemic.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...ndustry-handed-billions-pandemic-deliver.html
 
A pilot was forced to call the police to help hundreds of passengers disembark an 'abandoned' plane after they were left sat on the runway for three hours due to staff shortages.

Holidaymakers were left onboard the aircraft at Manchester Airport on Monday evening, with the TUI flight due to take-off for Tenerife, before officers were called in.

Families had already been delayed by a few hours in boarding the plane, which was due to depart at 5.50pm, eventually getting into the craft at 7pm.

Ground crew took so long to load luggage that the flight was cancelled, before 'abandoning' them on the tarmac.

Passengers were then stuck waiting side the hot plane for three hours before being helped off the aircraft by police by 10pm.

It comes as half-term travel chaos left as a mother was stranded at Gatwick Airport for 22 hours with her five-year-old son, due to an overbooked flight. And others had dream holidays cancelled by text at the departure gate, with some holidaymakers' bags being left 1,100-miles away.

This evening, passengers on a British Airways flight that had landed at Heathrow Airport were encouraged to Tweet the company for help after the lack of ground crew meant no one could bring stairs to the plane's doors.

Yesterday, EasyJet cancelled 42 Gatwick flights, British Airways scrapped some of its departures and TUI said that it will cancel six flights a day from Manchester Airport throughout June.

Passengers waiting to board a Manchester flight to Greece were told by an armed police officer that their flight was cancelled — after an eight hour delay.


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Police were called to help hundreds of passengers disembark an 'abandoned' plane after they were left sat on the runway for three hours

Adam Wyczalkowski, 22, was due to fly on the TUI craft to the Spanish island with friends for a four-night trip.

He said that people onboard were becoming 'frustrated and angry' with the situation.

'There was not a single member of staff in sight, so the captain informed us they will be calling the police in order to let us disembark,' he told the Manchester Evening News.

'It is so hot and there is no air con on and we were only offered a complimentary drink.'

In a video filmed on board, the pilot can be heard telling passengers 'Swissport have abandoned us'.

Mr Wyczalkowski said that passengers were told their bags were being loaded on to the plane by Swissport's ground crew — before being told that only half had been stowed.

'We were then told all the staff had then disappeared, and the captain told us all that due to crew hour regulations, the flight might get cancelled in the end,' he told the news site.

TUI confirmed that 'operational issues' had delayed the flight, and said that all customers were given a new departure time on Tuesday, as well as an overnight stay in a hotel.
 
Same thing happening in the US.

Canceled flights over Memorial Day weekend offer travelers a peek of the summer​


May 31, 20229:28 PM ET
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Travelers queue up at a security checkpoint in the main terminal of Denver International Airport on Thursday.
David Zalubowski/AP
The unofficial start of summer over the Memorial Day weekend offers a troubling glimpse of what lies ahead for travelers during the peak vacation season.
U.S. airlines canceled more than 2,800 flights from Thursday through Monday, or about 2% of their schedules, according to tracking service FlightAware.
Delta Air Lines, usually among the top performers, had the worst record among major carriers with more than 800 canceled flights over the five-day span.
"This was a chance for airlines to show that last summer's delays would not be repeated this summer, and yet, it was not to be," said Helane Becker, an analyst for banking firm Cowen. She blamed the disruptions on bad weather, air traffic control delays, airline crew members calling in sick, and long security lines at some airports.
"We expect a busy summer, and are concerned about the industry's ability to handle the demand," Becker said.
When asked to comment Tuesday about its weekend troubles, Delta pointed to a statement it issued last week, when it said it faced challenges including rising COVID-19 cases among workers.
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Delta ran 13% more flights in May than it did a year ago, but it announced last week that it would trim its schedules for July and August by up to 3% to make the remaining flights more reliable. The pilots' union said it has warned the airline for months about crew shortages.
"We understand our customers' frustration, especially over the weekend," said Evan Baach, a Boeing 767 captain at Delta and an official with the Air Line Pilots Association. "Delta has just not properly staffed the airline with pilots for the number of flights they want to fly."
The good news was that flight cancellations were down sharply on Tuesday. FlightAware reported only about 80 by late afternoon on the East Coast.
Various forecasts of high numbers of travelers over the weekend proved to be accurate. The Transportation Security Administration reported screening more than 11 million people at airport checkpoints from Thursday through Monday.
That was down 9% from the same days in 2019, but an increase of almost 25% over last year. Crowds of just under 2.4 million on both Thursday and Friday nearly matched the pandemic high set on the Sunday after Thanksgiving last year.
That meant many flights were packed, too, because airline schedules still have not returned to pre-pandemic levels, according to figures from travel-research firm Cirium.
The U.S. airline industry hopes to push passenger numbers higher, in part by removing one of the last U.S. pandemic-related travel restrictions. Industry representatives said they met Tuesday with White House officials to repeat their request to end the requirement that travelers test negative for COVID-19 within a day of flying into the United States.
Trade group Airlines for America said its member airlines estimate that lifting the requirement would lead to 4.3 million more international passengers over one year. Airlines believe many Americans are unwilling to travel overseas because they could be stranded if they contract the virus on their trip.
 
A pilot was forced to call the police to help hundreds of passengers disembark an 'abandoned' plane after they were left sat on the runway for three hours due to staff shortages.
What a nightmare.

Travelers queue up at a security checkpoint in the main terminal of Denver International Airport on Thursday.
That didn’t seem any worse than usual. I do believe that travelling this summer will be worse that usual, which is always bad.
 


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