I have just been contacted by my Mother from the airport whom was extremely upset after she has had rather an upleasant experience with one of the representatives which as many of us are independant travellers and even residents on the island I feel this will be of a concern to us all and intend to take issue with this matter upon her return.
My parents arrived early for their return flight home as they were meeting friends and so on and were just generally milling around waiting for the flight desk to open. One by one the coaches arrived as they due when suddenly my mother was comfronted by a rep who asked her what she was doing in the airport as there was only one flight leaving and the queue was outside and if she was on the flight she must go outside. My mother replied that she was an independant traveller and was just waiting for her husband to return and had not been on one of the coaches but the rep insisted that she go outside. My father returned and explained that they had been there long before the coaches had arrived to no avail. The rep was then joined by another who proceeded to tell her rather intimidating and embarrasingly in front of her Corfiot friends and her 11yr old grandson, that if she was seen to approach the desk without having joined the back of the queue outside he would personally hold her back and see to it that she was the last on the plane until after the final head count had been taken. She was obviously upset not only by what they were saying but the manner in way it was said and the situation had been dealt with!!! To make matters worse there is also a two and a half hour delay.
I personally am apalled and shocked, I cant believe that a rep can treat a customer in such a way. Lets remember this will affect us all. Avoiding the coach queue in the hot sun outside is surely one of the reasons for travelling independantly in the first place.
Maybe I am just upset that my mother is upset, but does anyone else think that if you are flight only that you should have to join the back of the package coach queue regardless of what time you arrived at the airport??? I would be very interested to hear your comments.
Regards,
Spyrou1
Message posted by spyrou1 on 09 June 2006 at 8:31pm - IP Logged
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Really should have checked my spelling sorry am still in shock!
Message posted by Sailor on 09 June 2006 at 9:04pm - IP Logged
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Sailor
This type of treatment is absolutely appalling. I would certainly make contact with the company concerned, and voice my disgust at the way your relatives were treated.
I think this was a way that the Reps concerned were using to ensure that they got through first. Had you joined the queue there would have been more problems because the numbers in the queue would not have then tallied with their lists.
Travelling independantly, you were quite in your rights to make your way forward, waiting for the desk to open.
These people need to know that they cannot go around manipulating and upsetting travellers.
Yeiamas, Chris.
Message posted by spyrou1 on 09 June 2006 at 9:13pm - IP Logged
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Still cant believe it. It is nice to know that I am not on my own or slightly mad and that others have the same opinion.
We certainly do intend to pursue this my father has taken down the names of those involved though I wonder if there is anything that we can actually do. Obviously my parents were worried about making any kind of protest in case they were refused to get on the flight altogether so they just quietly walked away and joined their friends in the restaurant deciding to wait until everyone else had checked in but obviously did not go and stand outside. Dont know how they will go on guess will find out tomorrow.
I am also worried about all our clients now if this is how they are to be treated talk about putting people off returning to the island !!!!!
Kind regards,
Spyrou1
Message posted by jules37 on 09 June 2006 at 9:13pm - IP Logged
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I bet the rep wasn't Greek. Last year, we took the road to Kalami by mistake and when were half way along I realised I'd gone wrong. A coach had also gone down there by mistake and was making a real pigs ear of turning round. There was an English tour rep in the road walking up and down and whilst we were waiting patiently I started to ask him if I should turn around where I was. Before I had finished my sentence he rudely interrupted and told me he was far too busy to answer my question. I just sat there with my mouth open as all he was doing was walking round like a headless chicken!
After that every person we met was brimming with kindness & helpfulness, without exception, especially the Greeks.
Have to say that the rep from Meon Villas was superb - hence we are going with them again this year.
Message posted by seaangler (Chat Room Administrator) on 09 June 2006 at 9:21pm - IP Logged
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seaangler
And I totally agree with Chris this person needs reporting to her or him's company like Chris has said you are independent traveler and she can not tell what you can do and not to...I wish it would have happened to me and not your mother as i would have told the job worth what she or he can do...Just who the hell does she or him think she or him is telling you to Waite out side like a naughty girl...sorry just got a bit up set reading your post it has made my blood boil to think...Chris
Message posted by MCH on 09 June 2006 at 9:27pm - IP Logged
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The Airtours Rep tried it with us the other year, we put her in her place, pointed out our rep was there and we were not with them and to go away,no problems stayed where we were second in the queue at check-in, Mrs MCH would have caste a spell on her ,
MCH
Message posted by Stuart on 09 June 2006 at 9:55pm - IP Logged
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When we came back a couple of weeks ago, the airport managers were asking a group of reps from various companies to try and marshall all the passengers into queues, whether they were with a company or not.
I suppose on the main changeover days, when it is usually chaos at the airport, it was their way of trying to get some sort of order but, as you say, they cannot expect to bully and order independent travellers about like that. Your parents should certainly make a complaint about the way they were treated.
Stuart
Message posted by spyrou1 on 09 June 2006 at 10:05pm - IP Logged
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Thank you all so much for your comments and I hope you will all be on your guard in the future. If this is indeed to be the new policy adopted across the board for queue management at the airport god help us. Though in my experience I have always found holiday reps to be friendlymost polite and helpful so maybe this is a one off experience and they were having a bad day!!!
We cant let them away with it though. I also wish I had been there to help resolve matters reminded me to of bullying tactics.
Message posted by Nissaki Fans! on 09 June 2006 at 10:08pm - IP Logged
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There is no way that these reps should be allowed to get away with what they did! i do not go to manchester airport to be told by some snotty nosed jumped up jobsworth that i have to join a certain queue...if i was traveling independant and got to the airport first that is where i would stay....it has nothing whatsoever to do with any of the reps because your contract is with the airline that you travelled with. first there, first in the queue.
Message posted by peggy on 09 June 2006 at 10:51pm - IP Logged
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They tried that on us last year, all my Bazil done was to speak to them in German, which they obviously did not understand and wandered away not knowing what to do,
Peggy
Message posted by Nissaki Fans! on 09 June 2006 at 11:11pm - IP Logged
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The same thing happened to me last friday, i arrived with my daughter and 14 month grandson when an english employee of the airport immediately came over to ask what flight i was on. I told him the newcastle one and he directed me to a thomas cook rep. She told us to go outside and join the back of the queue. My daughter said "I'm not travelling, my mum booked flight only so isnt with a company" the girl said to me "is it a thomas cook flight?" I said "yes" she said "well you still have to wait outside with everyone else." When i was actually inside the airport a group of people tried to join the queue behind me and a young male rep came over and said "excuse me have you came in from outside" They replied "No we wee sitting over there waiting for the desk to open" He said "Have you been waiting long?" They said "1/2 an hour" he said "oh erm" then a lady rep stepped in and said "it makes no difference you must join the queue outside its the same rule here as in England, you can't join a queue in the middle." The young lad just looked at her and she said to him "you will have to toughen up you can't treat them differently just because they were inside" he said "I just felt awful" she said "well this is part of the job thats not always very nice you will have to get used to it."
Message posted by bobbo on 09 June 2006 at 11:47pm - IP Logged
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I've got the perfect antidote to that,a brother in law with a bit of influence on curfu.Tell them you are related to someone important,chief of police,or airport manager,or a shareholder in their company,people with small brains are frightened of everything,bobbo
Message posted by John and Hilary on 09 June 2006 at 11:52pm - IP Logged
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A difficult one to post on ......we go independant , and independant we are .
We will not......I say NOT be herded like cattle.....Beware tour reps.....try to herd us and you get a whole lot better than you give !!!!
To a point of being extremely rude and if necessary physical [ You get to an age when you don't give a damm what others think or do ] ....lol
We buy the ticket and do our own thing , we return on the ticket and do our own thing ........end of !!!!
Regards.......J&H
PS: On our return in May on a Monday , there was Bedlam at the check ins and Xray machines . The rep for Thomas Cook said "we should wait outside in he sun" . I said "which check in desk are we using"?
She said " Number 3 and 4 " ........I said " Tell everyone we are starting the Queue now ".............poor kid , they should do it themselves as part of the training to see what really happens and to get a feel for the rubbish that they dish out .
Off my box now....lol
Message posted by Guest on 09 June 2006 at 11:54pm - IP Logged
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Guest
Was really naughty 3 years ago had the same idiot telling me to go outside asked him where i could put the wheelchair as one of our party had difficulty walking and could she suggest wher eto sit while we waited .... she didnt know the answer .. this year my sister in law flies at 4 -30 pm in the afternoon we fly at 4.30 am and we will eat in corfu town in the evening and get to,the airport about midnight .. amd god help any rep that tries to move maurreen after midnight even i wouldnt try to hold a conversation with her with no sleep
cheers
BRIAN
Message posted by Dave and Kerry on 10 June 2006 at 12:27am - IP Logged
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To a point of being extremely rude and if necessary physical [ You get to an age when you don't give a damm what others think or do ] ....lol
John have to agree with you here, as i said earlier if you fly independant your contract is with the Airline and not the tour company so the reps can go take a long walk down a short pier for me!!
can you imagine booking a flight to say Germany and turning up at a uk airport to be told to go outside and join the queue? the 2nd word would end in off!
Dave.
Message posted by michhelaki on 10 June 2006 at 1:05am - IP Logged
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michhelaki
I also had a run in with a thomson rep last year, my husband and i arrived before the coaches and when they arrived they told me to go outside! I refused and stayed inside the airport but was held back and the last to check in, i didnt mind as i was travelling alone and didnt intend on checking in until as late as possible but was apalled at how i was spoken to and being 3 months pregnant could have done without the hassle. The reps do make it very difficult for independent travellers to check in but i would definately refuse to stand outside until they give me the go ahead to proceed inside, they have no right!
Message posted by Graham T-A on 10 June 2006 at 2:36am - IP Logged
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Angie had a run in with the reps two weeks ago when her daughter's check in opened and they were told from an english rep from another company that they couldn't use the security equipment to go to their check in untill all her passangers had gone through(for another airline). Terry and Julia had the same problems with these 'reps; who seem to be trying to destroy tourism on the Island. I am sure Julia can tell her own story about these 'THICK AND IGNORANT' reps who think they run the airport. Don't let the English tour companies give Corfu a bad reputation. Send for security and have them removed. Why don't the tour companies see what damage they are doing to themself with spupid thick 'reps' . I suppose next year they will complain about less people coming to Corfu again, although tourism is on the increase (but not with them). Just remember that half of these 'reps' are from Kavos or Sidari so so are used to treating people badly in a 'superior mannor' like they are someone special.
Message posted by Terry and Julia on 10 June 2006 at 9:34am - IP Logged
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Yes we did! It was awful and left one of my children close to tears, petrified we were going to be arrested.
We had turned up 2 and a half hours prior to departure as we wanted to ensure we had seats together as booking 6 together in advance costs a fortune! When we arrived there were lots of people outside but as we weren't on a package we went in. I was immediately approached by a rather officious rep asking where we were going. When I told them they said the flight wasn't checking in and we were to wait outside. I said no, Monarch had told us to get to the airport early and that is what we have done; we don't want to wait outside and we aren't on a package anyway. This turned into a small argument. I told them I was an extremely nervous flyer needed to ensure seats together which was why we had arrived a little early. I was shaking at this point. I told them that if they would go and arrange our seating then we would happily go outside. They said they couldn't do that and we had to join the queue as jumping the queue was not fair on the people outside who had been there for 2 and a half hours. We all had to wait outside to avoid congestion inside!
Well, honestly! Whose fault is all that? If the holidaymakers weren't herded to the airport so ridiculously early, all for a bit of profit, then there wouldn't be this chaos anyway. How can any independent traveller who wants to check in early to book seats together etc ever manage to do that? Do we have to turn up 5 hours early? What if there is no queue at that point - would we be allowed to start one? I doubt it, the buses would turn up and a queue would form somewhere and we would be told that we were in the wrong one.
Anyway, at that point the checkout opened and Terry went straight to the appropriate scanner queue where a few other independent travellers had gathered. I told the reps that if they wanted us outside they would have to forcibly remove my husband. They didn't look inclined to do that so I went over to Terry and found more reps arguing with the people in that little queue - all 12 of us! How ridiculous, why didn't they just let us check-in? We would have been through before their queue even noticed we were there. Unfortunately the reps insisted that we were all queue jumping and had to go outside! We all refused and the reps marched off to get security to remove us!
What a terrible way to treat people! One of them said that Olympic run the airport and they have the authority to do this. Not that much authority apparently, as security never arrived and the rather bemused Greek guy operating the scanner just started putting our bags through as soon as the reps had stomped off.
I thought it was completely outrageous. One reason we wanted to travel independently was to avoid the airport herding. I feel very sorry for the people who are made to wait outside, I know what it is like, we have done it ourselves in previous years. However, I do not see that reps have any right to try to treat independent travellers the same way. The fact that their guests have queued outside for 2 and a half hours is not our fault. It was a really horrible experience, and although I do feel a little sorry for the reps, I have to say they handle things very badly.
JUlia
Message posted by ElaineK (Paxos) on 10 June 2006 at 9:49am - IP Logged
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We got similar treatment last year, after arriving back on Corfu several hours early, due to hydrofoil timings from Paxos.
I've just emailed the small independent company we're travelling with (Travel a la Carte) for their opinion of what we should do this year and will let you know what their reply is.
Elaine
Message posted by BruceAndMaria (Born again CTG member) on 10 June 2006 at 10:23am - IP Logged
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I've no problem with waiting in Queues as I know that there is a seat on that plane for me and mine..And I thought that's how things were now at Corfu airport and that nobody is allowed inside because of security until it's time to check in.. Or was this only for the European Cup Two years ago when they had armed guards outside ?
But God forbid the rep that talks to me or anybody else in my party like the parents of spyrou1 were spoken to ..I'm afraid that they would be eating their hospital food through a straw..
Bruce
Message posted by Bazz on 10 June 2006 at 11:01am - IP Logged
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It also made my blood boil reading your post! We also travel independently and, fortunately have, so far, not encountered any such problem. I can't believe the way they spoke to your relative! I would definately make a complaint and please let us know what becomes of it.
kind regards
baz
Message posted by HOTFM on 10 June 2006 at 11:07am - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by Bruce&Maria on 10 June 2006
But God forbid the rep that talks to me or anybody else in my party like the parents of spyrou1 were spoken to ..I'm afraid that they would be eating their hospital food through a straw..
Bruce
Is there any need for such a thuggish responce?
The reps are just doing there job (I would expect it's been a direct request from the airport management) and trying to maintain some order in the airport which we all know is way too small for the amount of traffic it handles.
I agree there is a problem, as an independent traveller myself I concur we shouldn't be expected to queue with the masses, but I think a better solution would be to targett the airport management and request the company line on this matter rather than attack the reps on the frontline.
I also accept that in the situations mentioned above the reps in question may not have handled the situation correctly, but are working to a difficult brief and often under pressure.
To threaten someone with physical violence, is exactly the kind of responce the CTG doesn't need.
Message posted by nuffstrong on 10 June 2006 at 11:24am - IP Logged
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I really dont know what the answer is. Yes they were supposedly just doing there job and I understand are making an attempt to relieve congestion but it was handled badly. My mother had already pre-booked her seats and did not mind if she checked in last but to be told she would board the plane last? She was not queue jumping she just did not want to stand outside with the package holiday travellers, she wanted to remain with her friends who had come to see them off.
Surely the policy regarding the independant traveller needs to be slightly different wouldn't you say? For arguments sake if you arrived before the coaches and waited outside is everyone on the coach then to queue behind you maybe this is what you have to do from now on only hope no-one needs the toilet when they arrive or you might loose your place!!!!!
Will let you know what response we get if indeed we do get anywhere? I love being in Corfu and will not personally be put off, but am now dreading the return journey before I have even arrived. I just wonder what effect this may have if it is allowed to continue?
Thanks for your comments everyone. Will have to post something on a more pleasant and positive note next time but was intrigued to know whether this was a one off incident.
Spyrou1
Message posted by BruceAndMaria (Born again CTG member) on 10 June 2006 at 12:13pm - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by Bruce&Maria on 10 June 2006
But God forbid the rep that talks to me or anybody else in my party like the parents of spyrou1 were spoken to ..I'm afraid that they would be eating their hospital food through a straw..
Bruce
Is there any need for such a thuggish responce?
The reps are just doing there job (I would expect it's been a direct request from the airport management) and trying to maintain some order in the airport which we all know is way too small for the amount of traffic it handles.
I agree there is a problem, as an independent traveller myself I concur we shouldn't be expected to queue with the masses, but I think a better solution would be to targett the airport management and request the company line on this matter rather than attack the reps on the frontline.
I also accept that in the situations mentioned above the reps in question may not have handled the situation correctly, but are working to a difficult brief and often under pressure.
To threaten someone with physical violence, is exactly the kind of responce the CTG doesn't need.
Why pick my post,? why not Dave and Kerry or John and Hilary...They also used threatening language.
Also I'm no thug and don't you dare say so... I will always protect my family if the need be with my life...and nobody in this life will ever treat me or mine with disrespect..I expect the same respect as I show others.. until they are rude to me or mine..
Bruce
Message posted by Dave and Kerry on 10 June 2006 at 12:57pm - IP Logged
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BRUCE... i dont think anyone was picking on you just merely using your post as the example, maybe because it was on the same page?.....
Well said that man, those people who work as reps do not own the airport! they do NOT have the right to tell independant travelers to go wait outside....anyone involved in this situation in the future should insist that the jobsworth who is causing the harrasment shows you their letter of Authority to ask you to leave and wait outside.....failure on their part to do that.. which it will be... should be met by a request for the airport manager to get his backside in gear and attend immediatley...if they even fail to do that then you know they are lieing through their back teeth and you are well within your rights to stay where you are.
Message posted by Hazel (Forum Editor) on 10 June 2006 at 1:00pm - IP Logged
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We've always been made to wait outside as well, much to my indignation. I look forward to hearing what sort of response you get Steve. I'm really sorry for everyone else who's had an awful experience like that at the airport though-it's uncalled for. We're in the process of complaing about the boarding arrangements(or rather the lack of them!!) and the way we were treated at a German airport last week when we were taking a group of 10-16 year-olds away. As someone said, you wonder if complaining makes any difference.
Message posted by diode on 10 June 2006 at 1:01pm - IP Logged
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Good on you Bruce, I would not let anyone treat me or mine with any disrespect, sometimes these small minded people will only understand a point when it is forcefully made, and, I hasten to add, as a last resort.........
Treat people as you expect to be treated or be prepared to accept the concequences........
Andy and family.
Message posted by MCH on 10 June 2006 at 1:12pm - IP Logged
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Please note ******** in posts our not allowed, try using another word, damm is one. Would members please remain polite to each other. This is a serious topic and we would all like some answers. On behalf of the Admin Team thank you for your cooperation,
MCH
Message posted by BruceAndMaria (Born again CTG member) on 10 June 2006 at 1:33pm - IP Logged
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Please note ******** in posts our not allowed, try using another word, damm is one. Would members please remain polite to each other. This is a serious topic and we would all like some answers. On behalf of the Admin Team thank you for your cooperation,
MCH
First Thank for that Andy.
Second..Dave I don't think so.. why was my post picked out... why not pick out What a Admin/Moderator said like 'THICK AND IGNORANT' .or yourself and John using the word physical.
MCH I totally agree with you on that one about being polite to each other.. but when someone is rude to me and calls me a thug and is allowed to say that with out them being told not to do it... then I will respond... remember there's only been one member thats been impolite so far to another member ..
Bruce
Message posted by marymouse on 10 June 2006 at 1:41pm - IP Logged
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We travel independently and have waited inside and outside. One of the problems of queuing outside is it's very difficult to find out which queue is for which check in. It's ok with a flight like Thomas Cook because you can see the rep, but Air Malta who we travelled with last year don't seem to have anyone at the airport at all.
My first reaction to this post was instant stress, but if you can see the problem from a different perspective, I suppose you could argue that (excuse the awful pun) when in Rome..........!!
Like many other independent travellers I suppose I have this automatic reaction of why should I line up with the package holiday makers? But surely as far as Corfu airport is concerned a tourist is a tourist - it's their airport so it's their rules. Rudeness to the public is not acceptable particularly as it's bad public relations, but we all have our off days and perhaps some of it is down to inadequate customer relations training.
If we are asked to go outside I will do but I'll make sure they direct me to the right queue.
Message posted by svs6261 on 10 June 2006 at 1:42pm - IP Logged
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I used to work for as a rep in Corfu about 4 years ago and although I totally agree that there is no need for rudeness to clients we are representatives have always queued our clients up outside the airport. This is to help with congestion problems within the airport because when you have a mass of people turning up to board the same plane it can get a bit manic.
Also we are given instructions from Kerkyra airport as to how they want passengers to be checked in and to be honest they dont always go out of there way for you. So not only do you find that we have upset clients to contend with but we also have on some occassions (very few I have to say) stubborn airport staff.
If we think about it as holidaymakers we want to get to the airport get on the plane and get home - but it isn't always as simple as that. We should be a little bit more "greek" a take it in our stride and slow down and not be as ariated!!
Message posted by BruceAndMaria (Born again CTG member) on 10 June 2006 at 2:27pm - IP Logged
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Right I would like to apologize for getting out of my pram and upsetting anyone..
Would like to say to any holiday reps out there reading this topic ..I would not strike you or any one for being abrupt or talking stern to me It was only a figure of speech..as long as I'm told nicely and not shouted at.. I'm like a old fluffy dog and will do exactly what I'm told to do.....
But must tell you this one..Some years ago there was about twenty of us waiting in a queue by check in and we were doing it independently..And in trots this rep with his coach load of Holiday makers like us.. and walks in front of everybody and starts handing their passports and tickets over the counter..I walked forward and handed him our passports and tickets and said to him Nicely I must add."See this handful of Passports and tickets make sure they go over that counter next sonny". and they did and guess what ..we all had three seats each on the way home.. the plane was half empty
Bruce
Message posted by journeyman on 10 June 2006 at 2:40pm - IP Logged
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We travelled to Corfu for the first time in May, as independents, and were completely unfamiliar with procedure at the airport, and the travel reps were most unhelpful when asked for information.
My mother used to say:"Civility costs you nothing!"
Message posted by Dave and Kerry on 10 June 2006 at 3:07pm - IP Logged
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Please, please we are all supposed to be firends together can we stop mindless bickering and use the site for what it is supposed to be used for!!!????
Message posted by Mrs D on 10 June 2006 at 3:16pm - IP Logged
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I can see this problem from both sides and agree in the main with svs6261.
The problem lies with the size of Corfu Airport and the amount of passengers it expects to able to handle on a given day. Basically you can't get a quart into a pint pot. Some body has to organise that amount of people otherwise no flights would ever get off the ground. There are not independent airport staff to do it the airport seems to rely totally on the reps to deal with everyone. Maybe if airport staff had to deal with this problem directly then more effort would be made to enlarge the airport.
My personal opinion is that the passage of that amount of people has to organised and it should make no odds as to whether you have booked to travel independently or with a package. Quite frankly I think its insulting to package holiday travellers to say that you don't want to have to queue with them implying that because you travel independently you have become a better class of person.
If the people asking you to queue were wearing an airport uniform then you would not question the queing policy but because its a travel rep everyone seems to take exception to this. Don't get me wrong I hate having to queue outside as much as the rest of you but you have to accept that the airport is just too small to run in the same way as the U.K airports.
There was one occasion when we were with Thomson villas the rep actually directed us straight into the airport and by passed the queue outside. I was very grateful but I certainly don't expect any preferrential treatment above anyone else.
In any event if you have booked flight only with either Thompson or Thomas Cook then technically their reps should still expectyou to queue with the rest of their package holiday customers.
What would happen if ever there was a situation where the whole flight was booked with independent travellers all trying to cram into the overcrowded departures section which was already trying to process check in for several other flights. There would be total chaos which is why someone either a rep or airport staff have to take control and have a system. Just because we don't like that system it doesn't mean it is wrong.
Maybe I'm in the minority with my opinions but try and see it from a different perspective. Just try and enjoy your hoildays in between the flight traumas and don't be put off travelling to lovely Corfu. Who knows maybe one day they will build a lovely new extension to the airport.
Message posted by marymouse on 10 June 2006 at 3:31pm - IP Logged
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Message posted by Sailor on 10 June 2006 at 4:38pm - IP Logged
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Sailor
This is definately a sore subject, because we mention two sources that can be or are the bane of ones life at an airport. In this case it is the Reps of various companies, and the Airport itself, in particular on the dreaded Monday flights, etc.
If I fly by package deal, through a tour operator, then I expect them to ensure that everything is organised for my arrival and my departure, moreso, as that invariably I am not happy because I am going home. This is their job, this is their forte. Ironically, we would certainly moan at them if this did not happen.
However, if I booked a holiday independantly, I would not be expecting help at airports, therefore, I do not see why the Reps of other Tour Company's should be concerned as to what I am doing, and as to how I conduct myself in ensuring that my party get through to the aircraft in the normal manner.
If the likes of Corfu Airport want to see all departing passengers coming through in any orderly fashion, then they should supply the Staff to do this, and not rely on Tour Operator Reps to do it for them.
If I go independantly, I will act independantly, and will not queue in another Tour Operators queue.
Yeiamas, Chris.
Message posted by marymouse on 10 June 2006 at 5:02pm - IP Logged
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the year before last, we went straight to the check in area, and i must admit, if there was a queue outside, we were totally oblivious to it... last year there was a queue outside and we just joined the end of it. on both occasions we were independent travellers.... this year we have booked a package... to be honest it has never really occured to me until now that we didn't have to join the queue if we didn't want to... i'm not really bothered anyway because i always pre book our seats, because we have two children, one of which is a nervous flyer, so as long as our seats are there i am not really worried... i would rather not get on anyway, because it is taking us away from lovely corfu !!!
angela
Message posted by Mrs D on 10 June 2006 at 6:08pm - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by Sailor on 10 June 2006
if I booked a holiday independantly, I would not be expecting help at airports, therefore, I do not see why the Reps of other Tour Company's should be concerned as to what I am doing, and as to how I conduct myself in ensuring that my party get through to the aircraft in the normal manner.
If the likes of Corfu Airport want to see all departing passengers coming through in any orderly fashion, then they should supply the Staff to do this, and not rely on Tour Operator Reps to do it for them.
If I go independantly, I will act independantly, and will not queue in another Tour Operators queue.
Yeiamas, Chris.
Yes Sailor I agree to a point.
In a perfect world we would have an airport big enough to do the job but we all know that Corfu airport is just too small so a different way of doing things has to operate. Corfu Airport probably think its more cost effective to let the Reps organise everyone because that way they can employ less staff.
The tour Reps just want to make sure everyone gets on the right plane at the right time and that their customers and the flight itself are not compromised by anyone messing up the system.
As Marymouse says we are queing for a flight and its irrelevant how or who we booked it through. Getting all those people through the airport and on their flights is a mamouth task and not one that I would relish. The least we can do is try and help the system along until such time as Corfu Airport wakes up to the reality that it has to make improvements if it wants tourist to keep coming back to the island.
We should be using the strenght that the tour operators have to put pressure on the Airport to make the necessary improvements and so this problem becomes a thing of the past. Somehow though I don't think its going to happen soon, so until then we are just going to have to put up with it. After all it is only a few hours of misery after many enjoyable ones spent on Corfu soaking up the sun and friendliness of the Corfiot people.
Message posted by Graham T-A on 10 June 2006 at 6:21pm - IP Logged
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As Marymouse says 'What if you have booked with Air Malta?' This is the exact problem We had. As we walked into the airport to see if the checkin was open we actually watched them open the check-in and the annoucement came that it was open and all passengers should now check in. Now, there may have been a queue outside but the check in was empty. The luggage scanner which was being used to get to this check-in was empty so we put the luggage on the scanner only to be told, by a rep from another company working for a differant airline check-in, that we were not allowed to use that scanner as it was her scanner and we couldn't go through until all her passangers had arrived. As this was the only scanner to get to the check-in and this rep was so abusive and the check-in staff at the air Malta desk where calling for us to go through, I thought it quite reasonable to tell her to Go Away!!! She spoke to us like she owned the airport. There is no need to be rude, especially to people who are doing nothing wrong and I still feel quite justified in Angie's response to her. When I say Thick and Ignorant thats what I mean. Thick, as she couldn't see that she had no authority to stop people checking in on a rival airline and ignorant was what I thought her attitude was when she first approached.
I am sure that many of the reps do a good job but obviously this year they forgot to send the new recruits to 'charm school'.
Anyway, after a few words it was too late as the baggage security had already passed it through and he was calling for it to be collected. He just shook his head and looked at the rep as though she was on a differant planet.
Message posted by marymouse on 10 June 2006 at 6:30pm - IP Logged
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ok - you travel independently to Corfu and you don't expect to have to queue with tour operator tourists.
What if you were going to the theatre - big night opening. You travel 'independently' and when you get there you see a coach full of people who get off the coach and queue up.
So presumably you would just walk straight in to the theatre?
Message posted by vivwells on 10 June 2006 at 6:55pm - IP Logged
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But if you were already in the foyer, before the coach party arrived, surely you might expect to be able to go straight to the box office without going outside and joing the back of the queue when it arrived?
We travel independently and have yet to experience this problem of over-officious reps, we just join the queue as appropriate. One of the things that always makes us smile about Corfu airport is that EVERYONE, rich or poor,from the cheapest and cheerfulest of package holidaymakers to the grandest and most-monied of villa guests has to go through the same organised chaos on their way home......going home is always sad anyway, just go with the flow and look forward to the next visit.
Agios Stefanos NW, see you at the end of August.
Message posted by Dave and Kerry on 10 June 2006 at 6:57pm - IP Logged
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A lot of this problem lies with the tour operators and their employees!! why? because they get people to the airport far too early and this is borne out by the constant queueing that many of us have endured at corfu airport, as we did in may when the tour ops knew the airport had been closed at midday due to the runway problem but they still insisted in piling bus loads of people into queues already waiting...WHY? what was the point?? no one could take off which meant no one could land and therefore ther was NO rush to get people to the airport....what they appear to lack is common sense between all of them.
The airport are as much to blame by not employing enough staff at the likes of passport control to enable enough people to pass through smoothly.
Marymouse and Mrs D...if you have paid the £20 extra each or whatever it is now to go into the executive lounge as in many airports around the world which then entitles you to not queue with the rest why should you have to???.... ok while i know that Corfu does not have this facility many UK airports do have them so are you going to make those people who have pad for this previlidge then go and get in line with the rest??
Message posted by dennys on 10 June 2006 at 7:09pm - IP Logged
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I have read all of these posts with great interest and as a long term resident of Corfu am appalled at what is going on. We have seen a steady decline in tourism over the last five or so years and the airport problem which has always been chaotic shows no sign of improvement and does nothing to encourage people to return to our adopted home of Corfu.
The airport was extended and improved recently but it fails to work through (in my opinion) bad management -for the future there is a ray of hope as the Greek goverment are planning to privatise the airport along with others and we could see major changes in the way it is run.
The other problem is the flight schedules with too many arrivals and departures so close together. There are many long periods during the week when there are NO flights at all !
The tour operators should really try to sort this out why for example should so many flights arrive in a four period on a monday and we have a thursday say with no flights at all.
The reps are doing a difficult job trying to manage the airport when they should not be doing that job. Many are residents here in Corfu and are trying to be fair to all.
Rudeness is of course "out of order" but when its hot and you are tired after a long shift on your feet all of the time and some people do not wish to understand well .....................
Message posted by Mrs D on 10 June 2006 at 7:16pm - IP Logged
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Yes I can see in your situation that would be quite annoying and in those circumstances I would have expected the Air Malta staff to have intervened. But once again it boils down to the lack of facilities and space at the Airport.
Not enough luggage scanners, not enough space inside for people to queue at the relevant check in desks and not enough room in the departure lounge.
Corfu desperately needs a bigger airport.
Message posted by Terry and Julia on 10 June 2006 at 7:18pm - IP Logged
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I think that is the point, the reps get the people to the ariport way too early. For our flight, 2 and a half hours before check in time! It isn't nice for the reps, it isn't nice for their guests. But it isn't the independent traveller's fault. That is one advantage I thought of going it alone, no reps and no disprespect intended there, I have been one!
Monarch told us to get there early in order to book seats together. That is exactly what we did. Had the package holiday queue already been inside going through the scanner, we would have joined the end of it, but it wasn't. The scanner was open, no one was queueing except for a handful of independent travellers - too few to really get worked up over - so we queued with them. And as far as we were concerned had the rep gone and asked the check in operator to seat us together we would have gone off somewhere and come back later and let everyone else check in first. I am never in a rush to leave Corfu!
Corfu airport would be far pleasanter if the tour operators stopped cramming it unnecessarily with people who aren't due to fly out for hours.
Julia
Message posted by marymouse on 10 June 2006 at 7:19pm - IP Logged
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Yes Corfu does need a bigger airport and it desparately needs to get its act together in relation to the tourist industry as a whole. This year is our swan song because there are other destinations as beautiful that are a lot easier to get in and out of.
Message posted by Mrs D on 10 June 2006 at 7:20pm - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by Dave and Kerry on 10 June 2006
Marymouse and Mrs D...if you have paid the £20 extra each or whatever it is now to go into the executive lounge as in many airports around the world which then entitles you to not queue with the rest why should you have to???.... ok while i know that Corfu does not have this facility many UK airports do have them so are you going to make those people who have pad for this previlidge then go and get in line with the rest??
There are many people who cannot go into the executive lounges and pay for the priviledge of not having to queue. These lounges for example do not allow childen under 12 in them, so if you've got children then you have to queue. The lounges are also not open 24 hours.
I actually pay the extra for my family to sit together so in theory it doesn't matter whether I'm at the front or the back of the queue. You cannot get an executive service if the airport doesn't provide it, the fact that you paid £20.00 is irrelevant and probably a waste of money when travelling to Corfu.
The airport as a whole is badly managed a prime example being 'Tarmac Monday'. How many first time visitors to Corfu caught up in the delays on that day will have decided never to return. I sincerely hope that the airport is privatised soon so we can all benefit from some improvements.
Message posted by Alisos on 10 June 2006 at 7:42pm - IP Logged
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I think Dennys psot summed it up but it would be nice to get the official response.
We travelled independently in May and arrived early for our flight (which was delayed). We waited inside the terminal as there was a mix up about check in desks and as we didn't have a rep was the only way to find out where we had to go. No-one hassled us to move out and the reps were actually quite helpful to us, explaining what the delay was and that otherwise they knew as little as us.
The airport is utterly chaotic and I would imagine that it would put people off returning, especially as travelling is so stressful anyway but it has made me think about paying the extra to pre-book and turn up a bit later.
Does anyone know how you check in if you've only got hand luggage? As they don't scan hand luggage do you have to queue up in the scanning queue anyway?
Message posted by Davey-Boy on 10 June 2006 at 7:50pm - IP Logged
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If you're travelling with a T.O. and the Rep says queue outside then you should queue outside. If you're independant the Reps do not have jurisdiction and should leave you alone when told so. If they persist or become rude or threatening do what we did, note their name, take their photo and threaten them with a formal complaint if they don't back off. It did the trick.
We love Greece, Corfu in particular, but my Wife says she won't go back until the Airport is sorted.
Yammas
Dave
Message posted by Terry and Julia on 10 June 2006 at 7:55pm - IP Logged
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I wish we could afford to pay to sit together but as a large family I feel £120 is rather a lot on top of everything else.
Julia
Message posted by Sailor on 10 June 2006 at 8:06pm - IP Logged
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Sailor
Theatre tickets are booked in advanced, and regardless of when you get there, your seat number is allocated to you as per your booking. Then we are really not talking about bums on seats here, although I agree with Julia, if you have a party, and want to sit together, it can be financially extortionate, so it is best to get there early.
My point is, as already said. The Rep of another Tour company has no jurisdiction over an independant traveller in the first place. Also there is no need to be rude when most independant travellers would be asking why do you want me to queue outside.
The whole idea of traveller in the independant mode, or at least one of them is get away from the hussle bussle of Tour Operators.
Yeiamas, Chris
Message posted by MCH on 10 June 2006 at 8:14pm - IP Logged
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We have had to remove two posts from this thread, Bruce has already apologised for his comment, it is more of a saying in some parts, can we get on with the discussion, and not upset other members, we are from all different backgrounds,
Thank you on behalf of the Admin Team MCH
Message posted by Sailor on 10 June 2006 at 8:16pm - IP Logged
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Sailor
Well, somewhat of a stammer I presume. One way of getting a message across, silly, but one way.
Message posted by MCH on 10 June 2006 at 8:26pm - IP Logged
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This may be the reason why low cost flight operators will not entertain flying to Corfu yet. As I understand it, low cost airlines do not do pre booked seats its all first come first served.
I think it might end up a total bun fight. Oh it just doesn't bear thinking about.
Message posted by H on 10 June 2006 at 8:51pm - IP Logged
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Not all reps are that bad, thank goodness, and some deserve some credit. I've always travelled independently to see family in Corfu, and have both wandered into the airport via the 'back' door and have queued outside with the coach loads led by bossy reps, not too bothered as long as I make the flight. This May however, having been diverted to Bari on the way in (where we were very well looked after), on the way home, traveling with an elderly relative and baking heat outside, the rep for the package passengers was very helpful when asked, waved us inside, another rep made sure we were able to check in as soon as it was open, before the queuing passengers arrived, and having got rid of the luggage, we were able to relax in the cafe till the flight was due. I couldn't praise them enough this trip, a low budget flight only deal, and will be happy to make their life easier by queuing if needed next time I fly out alone. (won't talk about the endless walk from the plane and the queue for passport control at Manchester when we arrived back there! made Corfu monday look quiet........)
Message posted by Terry and Julia on 10 June 2006 at 9:06pm - IP Logged
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I hope that you will see from my posts that we have no problem with queuing at all. All we did was do as the airline had told us. There was a small queue at the scanner and we joined it. If there had been a large queue at the scanner we would have joined it. We were only doing as we had been told to do and queueing is not a problem.
When we check in in the UK we can come straight into the airport, sort ourselves out, check in as soon as the desk opens. If it isn't open and there is a queue forming in the appropriate place then we join it. We know what time to be there so as to check in early. No one moves goalposts and says if you needed to check in early you should have got here 5 hours before your flight!
Of course, if we had allocated seats, it wouldn't matter being late. Perhaps everyone should automatically have allocated seats? It is what they used to do. I don't see there is a problem there except the airline may lose a little money. If we had our seats booked in advance then I would happily be last to check in everytime. But I still would not go and queue up outside just because some rep who has nothing to do with me and as far as I am aware, no authority from the airport officials, tells me to. I will just turn up later and check in last. However, if they do have that authority and can prov it, I will do as I am told, civiliy and respectfully.
I do hope that has explained things without you thinking too badly of us. I know sometimes the things we say come across badly on the message boards but most of us are quite nice, reasonable people - honest!
Julia
Message posted by Hazel (Forum Editor) on 10 June 2006 at 9:21pm - IP Logged
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When we first went to Corfu, there was no outside queuing and no one knew which flight queue was which! I vowed at the time that I'd never go back. Thankfully, the feeling soon passed and here I am , 6 years later and still going!!
Message posted by Sailor on 10 June 2006 at 9:54pm - IP Logged
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Sailor
Quote: Originally posted by MCH on 10 June 2006
More a system fault,
MCH
I assumed that also Martin, just jesting with you mate, . Catch you later.
Yeiamas, Chris.
Message posted by Susanna on 10 June 2006 at 10:08pm - IP Logged
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The reason most flights come in on the same few days of the week is mostly to do with allocation of accommodation. Obviously, if you have flights every day of the week it makes it really difficult for hotels and apartments to make sure their rooms are full at all times. You have to have a change-over day in order to keep maximum occupancy in the accommodation.
The airport has been a big problem for as long as I have lived on Corfu and seems to get worse rather than better. I have lost count of the number of times I have overhead irate passengers say "This is the last time I am coming here". Such a shame to have people leave with a sour taste in their mouths.
Susanna
Message posted by Dave and Kerry on 10 June 2006 at 10:10pm - IP Logged
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Mrs D...i didnt say that i or we had paid to use the exec lounges..i was making the point that for those that do.. they do not have the hassle of doing what everyone else is doing !
except of course where non exist like Corfu.... having been there on Tarmac monday it was then apalling to have to queue on return to Manchester....why oh why are there not more flights from Liverpool? never had one delay or any hassle there.
Message posted by Graham T-A on 11 June 2006 at 12:23am - IP Logged
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I have not actually travelled independently yet so please forgive me if I'm asking a silly question.
When you are checking in at the U.K airport to leave for your holiday, presumably you have to queue? So why is it a problem when coming back?
It's not a problem as such but how do I know where to queue? The tickets were for Air Malta who don't have reps and the instructions said report to check in at least 2 hours beforehand. How do we know where to queue? There didn't actually seem to be any 'queues just a mass of people walking all over the road preventing the taxis leaving the airport. There were people from several tour ops on the outward bound trip, so which reps do we ask? If there was a large notice telling me which rep to ask then I may do so but of course they probably wont want to know as you are not their customer. The problem is not with queing but with a system that fails to work and has people arriving at the airport apparently 5 hours before their flight time.
Message posted by ElaineK (Paxos) on 11 June 2006 at 9:02am - IP Logged
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Quote: Originally posted by Dave and Kerry on 10 June 2006
....why oh why are there not more flights from Liverpool? never had one delay or any hassle there.
I think you've kind of answered your own question there
Elaine
Message posted by bevie on 11 June 2006 at 1:31pm - IP Logged
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bevie
Whether we have travelled on a package or independently, we have always been asked to wait outside and join the appropriate queue. Each time, the reason for this has been that our checking in desk has not yet opened and no one [reps or airport staff] can tell us which number desk will be used to check in our flight.
You'd think that by mid September some kind of 'routine' would have been established!
Message posted by spyrou1 on 11 June 2006 at 1:53pm - IP Logged
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I suppose we will know now for next time to arrive later and find out where to queue outside before entering the airport and check in last if this is the new system.
We also dont have a problem with joining the back of a long queue and are quite used to this when returning from Corfu its no problem not in any hury to leave the island either. Very sorry all if it came across as thinking independant travellers are superior to those on a package holiday because this is not the case, however part of the reason for travelling independantly is to avoid these situations and to just go to the airport under your own steam and do your own thing.
What happens now if you arrive early before the reps and the coaches what do you have to do stand outside and wait for them to arrive before you can enter? What happens if you are meeting friends inside for coffee as my parents were and dont mind waiting until the coach loads have passed through and the queue dies down?
I apreciate the reps are doing a difficult job trying to relieve the congestion and obviously you would need to with 2 or 3 coach loads of their own passengers arriving at the same time, I don't however understand why they cant let the few other independant travellers do their own thing.
The other point is it is often not what you say but the way that you say it. If they had given my mum chance to explain she would have told them she had no problem with being at the back of the queue and probably would have agreed to check in last even, she really wasn't bothered about that she just didn't want to go outside at that moment.
Spyrou
Message posted by Yvonne and Bob on 12 June 2006 at 4:51pm - IP Logged
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I've been really interested in this post, it happened to us last year and I was furious, I thought it was a one off because I hadn't heard anyone else mention it. It was a very unpleasant experience and not one I would like to go through again.
After a hot and delayed journey to the airport last year we made our way into the very busy terminal builing, eventually found our check in desk and stood behind a queue of people checking in. We were hot, tired and one of the kids felt sick! Next thing a rep from Olympic Holidays told us that everyone for the Glasgow flight had to wait outside. My first thoughts were that she had got us mixed up with her group so I politely told her that we were not with Olympic Holidays and had booked independently and had made our own way to the airport. I won't go into all the details but she was not very pleasant but I held my ground and refused to move, she called for a supervisor however by the time he came we had checked in and were walkng through to departures. I don't know what the outcome would have been if he had arrived before we had gone through.
I don't have a problem with queuing and I don't expect any special treatment other than courteousy. However I will not after booking the flight and organising my own way to the airport be herded around by someone who does not represent me or the airport. I'm off on a BA flight tomorrow and will not expect to be told to queue up somewhere by Easyjet or someone from a tour operator, if there's a queue at check in, fine I'll join it and if I was on an organised trip I'd expect the organisers to tell me what to do, but not everyone else on the flight.
This will certainly affect the independant travelling market, perhaps someone from this area should be oranising some kind of action group to try and resolve the situation because it is certainly putting people off, and Corfu has suffered enough through the AI and Cruise stop market, heaven forbid if it were to lose out on the villa market too.
Climbing off my soap box now, thank you.
Yvonne
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"See this handful of Passports and tickets make sure they go over that counter next sonny". and they did and guess what ..we all had three seats each on the way home.. the plane was half empty
