The Nightmare That Is Gatwick

For all that it was nearly deserted last evening Gatwick certainly was not this morning. BA treated us kindly and were visibly pleased to handle an uncomplicated check-in and one without skis.

Much though I try to be calm - I do really - it took about 2 minutes for the BAA to wind me up. They really do squeeze every last drop of aggravation out of security procedures. We live in a deliberately promoted and frequently refreshed climate of fear and BAA love to play their part.

They were using the Fast Track channel(s) as ordinary channels. They did appear to be opening every possible lane but movement of passengers was limited by the extraordinary lethargy of their staff and the futile processes with which they are burdened. Several months after LHR sensibly dropped the need to remove laptops from bags - this turns out to be a trial - Gatwick are still doing it. They can not bear to let you pass through an airport without removing your shoes whatever your age or degree of mobility. You think you have got through security only to find the now separate shoe check still ahead of you.

I have learned that in spite of promising newspaper articles some months ago, there are no plans to relax the equally stupid liquid restrictions.

All passengers should complain on every occasion to their airline, to the BAA and to the DfT. Like us they should reduce their number of flights and, when at an airport, ignore the cynically placed and overpriced shops until all the agencies involved in the oppression of passengers and universally raised stress levels are forced to change their ways.