Glasgow Airport

The thing about Scots is we don't do riots. Even when we should be out on the streets giving politicians - among others - hell, we're not. What we're very good at is civil disobedience, so I wasn't really surprised to discover that Glasgow Airport's plan to charge us two quid a time to stop for seconds - seconds - to drop of passengers was being thwarted by the punters to such an extent that queues were building up on the M8 where no queues had ever been seen before.

 
I can just see what's going through the punters' minds: "Ach, tae hell: if I'm paying two quid for this 'stop and drop' I'll just take my time. And while we're here, let's just check if Kev and Leeanne have got their tickets and their passports."

Of course, there's a free 'stop and drop' but it's miles away and you have to get a bus to the terminal, which means getting to the airport even earlier than the insane 2 hours+ that's now demanded for check-in and security. So instead we'll just stop the car here outside this hotel, clogging up the access road, and maw, paw and the weans can climb out. Two quid saved. Result.

Don't get me wrong. I think the paying public are absolutely right. Think of what it now costs to go on holiday. And saving up for the holiday is not the end of it. You have luggage? Ker-ching! You want to avoid being trampled during boarding?  Ker-ching! You want something to eat and drink before or during the flight?  Ker-ching! And let's not forget the airport tax.

The one element that really irritates me is the constant complaining about drunk passengers. Yes, I've seen them at several airports getting tanked up on lager at 7am but I know they're doing that because they're on holiday, ffs! - and they just refuse to give the airlines any more money. I've stood in security queues at Heathrow watching young women drink a bottle of Bailey's (yuk) that they were told they couldn't take on the plane.

Travel is a rip-off and everybody - airlines, government, airport - gets a cut. But it all comes out of the pockets of the punters, who - I'm sure you've noticed - are feeling decidedly poorer than they were a decade ago.

The two quid drop-off is pure greed by Glasgow Airport. The charge won't reduce congestion, which the airport claim is what they want. But it will build up a lot of resentment among travellers. Remember the toll charges on the bridges? They've gone long since. We can do the same with 'stop and drop' charges at Glasgow, Edinburgh and Prestwick. And the sooner the better.

By the way, American Airlines, the shower that assaulted a man who declined to give up his seat and kicked a pram with a baby in it, don't allow any baggage allowance. treat their customers like cattle and are one of the reasons I will never go to the USA again. I'm not sure American Airlines is a role-model I want anyone in Scotland to copy.