DeltaSierra70

Once Delta merged/took over KLM and Air France a few years back, we now either fly into Charles de Gaulle or Schiphol, then get a 'local' flight to where we really want to go. Plus, you can check your hold bags through to your final destination. Okay, you take them from one carousel and chuck them on another. Plus no UK Customs.

Awesome Welles

Not really sure I understand what you are trying to articulate here.

Delta merged/took over North West Airlines - they code-share with Air France and KLM - nothing more than that.

What/where is GTW?

Correct, no UK customs at CDG or AMS - just French or Dutch ones.

Is there a point to be made here? Is the aggro at Paris or Amsterdam less than at Heathrow or Manchester? Not in my experience (I travel to UK and Europe 6-10 times per annum).

I'm all confused.

DeltaSierra70

Sorry about your confusion. The airline politics aside, Heathrow, Manchester and Gatwick, my family and I find, are nowhere near any place we want to be, added to which, there's always more aggravation with people in general at these hubs. Maybe living in laid back rural Georgia we have forgotten how generally rude and aggressive people are at these places, not to mention the way most of the locals drive.
You travel more than we do, so maybe you don't notice it any more. But anyway, we avoid the 3 mentioned above like the pox!

Jerseygirl

Are you kidding me...fly to Paris or Amsterdam when one can fly direct into Manchester...why would anyone want to do that?

Poppy girl

I fly when possible from SFO to a US hub like Minneapolis then into Schipol then Norwich must better if you come from Norfolk all depends where you want to get to in Blighty...
As JG said when in gods name would you want to not just fly to Manchester direct!!

Late Edit..No customs thats a new one on me even the back and beyond of Nowich Airport has Immigration and customs control.

DeltaSierra70

Well, I come from Hampshire, but lived in Dorset. My wife is Irish but her family are in Cardiff, and Cornwall.
I suppose I don't like dealing with certain groups of people. Airports are places to get angry in. I've had enough anger in my life. I try not to fly commercial if I can avoid it. When I went to the Gulf last time, I was offered commercial or military. I went military, no TSA idiots.

Giantaxe

Some of us can't fly direct to Manchester. Or anywhere other than LHR in fact. If my destination is Manchester, Birmingham or Edinburgh, changing in Paris or - preferably - Amsterdam is pleasanter than dealing with Heathrow.

Jerseygirl

I realise not everyone can fly direct and if that's the case flying into another airport is the only alternative...but the OP wasn't about that. Manchester wasn't the only airport the OP mentioned...he also said Heathrow and Gatwick. I mentioned Manchester because that's the one I fly to...Newark to Manchester direct.

NSBlake

This is quite funny, perhaps its because I used to travel all the time (like George Clooney in "Up in the Air" - just minus the good looks.......)

I find airports very comforting and intersting places - especially drinking champagne in the BA lounge, using business access to get thorugh security quickly and Iris in the UK! :-)

I'm sure when I lose my BA status I will hate it! LOL

DeltaSierra70

To which I can only say "AMEN"

Giantaxe

He said "Heathrow, Manchester and Gatwick, my family and I find, are nowhere near any place we want to be. So he's talking about ending up at an airport in the UK other than those three, so he has a good point imo. For me, if I want to end up in the London area, I'll fly non-stop to LHR; if I want to end up elsewhere in the UK, my preference is to make the required change other than at Heathrow.

GeoffM

Holesov (GTW) Czech Republic. Yes, it's a dump (probably) and not worth flying through.

Bristol had a Big Red Telephone last time I was there for those wishing to declare goods in customs (ie the red channel). Strangely never saw anyone use it. Mind you, this is the same airport that directed us from a Newcastle flight into international arrivals.

DeltaSierra70

I still fly up the front, having given up 'strap hanging' in the back 30 years ago. But I still have no patience with the TSA people who seemed to have failed the aptitude test at Macdonalds for flipping burgers.
Last year our local DTF interviewed two guys for working narcotics. Both failed. Two months later they were both TSA "Inspectors" at Savannah International Airport! They, TSA, are in my opinion a waste of time and money as there's no such thing as a secure airport in the US, with them or without them. I could go on, but I won't. And yes, it is something I know a lot about as it is what brought me here in the first place.

Poppy girl

I have 20 cases of Rolexs watchs and a a few grand stashed in a holdall that I would like to declare please bet the phone has cobwebs lol.

NSBlake

I quite agree about TSA muppets - but I just remove my shoes and belt and have everything (ipod, wtach etc) in my carry on - all over very quickly.