Having woken at some ungodly hour (4am ish) I was showered and ready to go by 4.30am. Dragonbaby, however was another story (those of you who have teenagers will know what I mean.Why are they so vile in the morning??). We eventually left the house at about 5 and were parking up at the long-stay car park at CWL by 5.25am (oh the joy of provincial airports).There is no longer dropping off (reasonably) near the airport entrance so I had disembarked with the bags at the car park entrance with DB, and Mr DL joined me in the the terminal shortly after.
The check in area was heaving - mostly with unruly children who were heading off on half term ski trips with their frazzled teachers. There was no queue at the TOM desk for the ALC flight and we were checked in within minutes.We swiftly headed up the stairs to departures and immediately hit a massive queue for security that was moving at a snails pace.[n] Now I appreciate that CWL isn't the metropolis in terms of aviation but as it was half term (and the world and his dog was going away),it would have been prudent to have all the security channels open (they only have three as a max!!).Anyway nearly 30 mins later we were at the front of the queue -shoe carnival in full force. Is there no escape??
Through to the departure lounge and awaited the call to board which came fairly swiftly and by row number. This made for an orderly embarkation (babes and those needing assistance had been pre-loaded). The passengers were a mixture of families off for half term,,hens off for debauchery (the tuneless singing and pink stetsons are a dead giveaway),older snowbirds heading south, and a few independent travellers (the flight times are better outbound than bmibaby).
Boarding was completed swiftly and the Captain confirmed we would be leaving on time .All went to plan as we pushed back and taxied towards the runway. Just short of the runway the Captain announced we had a technical problem and wouldn't be departing, and were going to park up whilst the problem was sorted.
An hour later we were on our way back down for take off,the problem having been resolved and a departure slot having been secured .Cabin crew were professional and thorough in their safety briefing. Once airbourne the Captain advised us that he'd try and regain some of the time we had lost.Aircraft was reasonably new 757( with the blue leather upholstery that the charter airlines seem to favour these days). Leg room was adequate and the seats themselves comfy enough.Cabin service was rapid and efficent (1.60 for a coffee).No seat back TV but overhead tvs which were showing a Jamie Oliver show and the Top Gear trip to the North Pole (hilarious).For the rest of the journey the ipod and QC2s did the job and we were soon descending down into a grey and windy ALC.We landed about 30 mins late just as two other charter flights were discharging their plethora of passengers.Groan...more queues[:0]...Not!!!! It seems that the Spanish immigration officials had all decided to take their elevenses simultaneously as there was not one official in situ in the little booths[:D][:D](not very safe from a security perspective though[:0]).The bags were in the arrivals hall within 10 minutes and we were through to meet step-father, who was waiting for us in arrivals, 15 minutes after disembarking.
All in all a good flight -would I use TOM shorthaul again? Yes.How would the return trip fare? Charter vs LCC?? [}:)]
DL
