Roll up and join the queue Dublin airport is taking shape nicely, so it's real a shame about the taxi queues outside, writes James Helm
THE NEW Dublin airport is taking shape. As a regular visitor, I've noticed how it is smartening up its act, from shops to architecture. A walk from the farthest reaches of the gleaming Pier D, followed by a slalom around the various cordons in the new passport control area, is also helping me to get fit.
It's outside that the problem arrives. Getting a taxi can take forever. The other night at 6.30pm there were about 200 people in the queue, and I waited nearly 20 minutes before finally climbing into a car. Last month, when I landed late at night, there could have been 300 or so of us lined up and waiting for a cab. After 10 minutes, I gave up and walked the mile or so with my luggage along the main road to a nearby hotel and took a taxi from there. A delay right at the end of a long journey is the last thing anyone needs.
The thing is, there are more than enough taxis waiting, their drivers raring to go to collect the tired travellers. The taxis are held down the road in a huge car park, and are called up in groups as they are needed. The airport attendants are doing their best to keep things flowing. But the system isn't working, as large numbers of passengers are not being met quickly by the required amount of taxis. There is a time-lag as the taxis get stuck at traffic lights on their way from car park to airport. So lots of bemused, newly-arrived people get their first glimpse of Dublin from a long taxi queue. At least there's a roof.
Dreadful Mumbai
Syvlia Severi, a Dubliner who has been living in Beijing for the last 10 years had a nightmare layover at Mumbai airport in India last December.
"Of all the airports we've been to in our travels around the world, Mumbai has got to take No 1 place for being the most dreadful. We had a six hour layover en route back to Bangkok-Beijing where we live. With our business class tickets we assumed we could check in and enjoy the wait in a business class lounge.
"We were only allowed to check in two hours before the flight. All the check-in counters were closed and there was not a single chair, bench, or stool to sit on. The only available food 'outlet' was a shack in a corner selling rather dubious looking fried curry smelling items, bottles of water, coke and bags of potato crisps.
"When we finally checked in, we imagined a nice business lounge to find some hot coffee and maybe a browse around some duty free shops. There were no shops, food outlets, nothing. The entire airport is a 'renovation' site with nothing on offer for the international traveller."
Small but perfect
Eleanor Fitzsimons e-mailed Goto say there is no such thing as a pleasant airport, just those that are slightly less hassle than others.
"John Paul II International Airport in Krakow is small enough to be managed with minimal inconvenience to all, has perfectly adequate facilities, and most importantly is just 15 minutes from the very centre of Krakow by train. Buses and taxis are also readily available," she said.
Fitzsimons added that flying into Mob International airport in Mombasa in Kenya a few years ago was quite an experience.
"As the runway was too short to allow a 747 to land, we travelled in a 737 for 13 cramped hours (avoiding Yugoslavian airspace along the way) and carried our own bags off the plane and into the primitive terminal.
"It's worse on the way out as you have to produce $20 worth of hard currency before being allowed to leave. You are also prohibited from taking any Kenyan schillings out of the country and must have a written account of all foreign exchange transactions while there. However, it was worth the discomfort as the holiday was superb - truly the experience of a lifetime."
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