Gatwick airport

[Silver993tt]

I was at Gatwick airport last night at around 9pm. It was quite busy but many of the shops had already closed or were already closing (even the eateries). I managed to pop into the Dixon's store on the upper level (one below was already closed) and they also started to close that one. I asked the guy behind the counter why this was and he said that 'they can't be bothered to pay us to stay on any longer' to which I replied 'surely, having a contract in such a lucrative location should also state, for example, that a retail outlet is bound to be open until at least 30mins before the last flight' to which I received a look like I had just arrived from Mars.

There were still 8-10 flights that hadn't started boarding at that time.

I find it typically 'UK' that everything is done to the advantage of the business and nothing to the advantage of the customer. Not only that but everyone there was paying to be there for the 'pleasure'.

That's the last time I ever spend a single penny at any airport in the UK if I have the misfortune to be at any of them again.

Just to add, the South terminal was literally like a pig sty, nothing had been cleaned/swept up for hours.

[Puggit]

Actually in the more sunny parts of Europe - it's even worse.

In Scandinavia though - much better

[Silver993tt]

Puggit said:

Actually in the more sunny parts of Europe - it's even worse.

In Scandinavia though - much better

yes but the airports in the sunnier parts of Europe are far smaller and deal with far fewer flights. I'm comparing Gatwick with Schipol, Frankfurt, Munich etc based on passenger numbers and flights.

[PintOfKittens]

Sounds about right for gatwick - me and the lady had a 10pm flight, which was delayed by an hour and a half (cant remember why) - all the food places were shut apart from one bar, which only had crisps.

Was soo bloody hungry I bought an easyjet sandwich, only had to remortgage the house for that!