V-Flyer

After a very enjoyable week plus one day on the Costa del Sol (32-36oC every day, not a hint of rain!)

It was time to come back to the UK.

No online checkin available this end, so up to the airport for 16:30 for the 19:15 flight.
We thought, get to the desk, check in, then go to the lounge (Priority Pass) until flight called. Well, that was the plan...

So on the main board check in desks 224-228.
At 16:30 these were still being used for a Ryanair flight to Dusseldorf.
gate closes, boards go blank and then a pile of people rush to the empty desks to queue. British eh? [:D]

Eventually, at 17:25 the desks opened, we got through to security at 17:35. Security was higher at AGP than at BHX! Take off your belts, your ring, coins from your pocket, anything metal had to be removed. Very slow.
So through security by 17:45. Decided then, not to bother to go to the lounge for 15 per person for 1 hour. (I wonder if this is effecting Priority pass and the lounges much??)
Went up to the Durty Free and shops.

Now moan time. Always in the past, we have bought Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sardines, Sangria and some Peach Liqueur from the local supermarket near our villa. But due to the new security rules on liquids, the wife was not keen on putting glass bottles in cases to be thrown around by some of the people that the airports have as baggage handlers, so only tyhe sardines and Sangria(tetra Pak) went into the case and I had to reluctantly forego the Olive oli and Peach schnaps.
Get to duty free, 500ml Olive oli for sale in galss bottles to take on as hand luggage! But of course, twice the price of the supermarket for the same product.
Very annoying, as to me these new security measures are there just to make more profits for the airport.
Anyway, Olive oil schnapps and Port bought and to the 'Canteen' to buy some sarnies, water etc for the flight back. 18:25 at this time, wife off to buy sarnies and they call the flight! Good job we had not paid for access to the lounge!
go towards the gate, to be held up at security, 200 pax, one passport control guy! Spanish, just love them.

Eventually through and to the gate, plane boarding. Seats this time on the A321 1ABC.
Different crew including cute bolnde stewie, first flight with this crew, asking the purser various questions about BHX etc.
Captain closes doors 15 mins early and we take off at 19:15 excellent time control.
Later on Captain comes out, chats up new blonde stewie, arranges date for that night. (Curtain closed, but on the A321, our side of the cabin has glass window)
Watched 'Flyboys' on my lappy until the battery gave out, but not a problem as the Captain must have had is foot down, we arrived into BHX 35 mins early.
This led to a 10 min wait as the Aer Lingus flight had not vacated our stand.
Through security (saw one guy use the IRIS, well tried, it would not let him through!) quite quick, bags collected and out by 19:45

Again, fast efficient flight by not so dedicated crew as outbound, but excellent still the same. Excellent on time performace (Please VS note, other airlines can do it! [:D])

Only gripe, the two hour only check in, leads to you rushing airside at Malaga.