April Newsletter

e-richard · Post by **e-richard** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 5:47 pm

Carol,

Once again, a great read. Truly evocative essay on life in the Algarve for an ex-pat. Loved all the pictures from St Patricks day, even though I didn't spot any of Mr 4Eyes

One thing I do want to pick up on is your criticism of EasyJet. Even if you had flown Business Class on British Airways, you'd have had similar problems; the 1 piece of baggage restriction is a BAA (The airport) rule - presumably to streamline the security queues. We have learned the hard way to pack all the separate bits into one bag, then after security, I can take my handbag out of the wheelie and carry separately onto the plane

laserblazer · Post by **laserblazer** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 6:21 pm

We all know the reputation that cabin stewards have Richard, so watch out where you're swinging that handbag.

fmm · Post by **fmm** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 6:46 pm

Thanks for the newsletter updates - as always much appreciated.
As a frequent EasyJet user, however, not only is it not their fault about the hand baggage restrictions, but they are one of the few airlines that do not worry about the weight of your hand luggage. I regularly have handluggage weighing around 12 kilos which Easyjet are happy to accept, that other airlines would insist went in the hold.

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 10:56 pm

Have to agree there, at least you can take a good amount out with easyjet, not like BA wich restricts the weight. I always put my handbag in my hand luggage and as soon as I am through the security take it out as an extra for on the plane. No problems. They are known as Sleezyjet in these parts but you get what you pay for a cheap, easy flight. No frills and no extras. Simple.

Mike,Chislehurst · Post by **Mike,Chislehurst** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 9:04 am

A very good read again Carol, you seem to be a natural! You mentioned at the end of the newsletter "There is still no sign of the square in Carvoeiro being changed and work has still not started on the road out of town". What are they planning for the square (if anything)

carvoeiro1 · Post by **carvoeiro1** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 10:38 am

Not bad only 7 days late this month!

Michael Crane · Post by **Michael Crane** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 11:04 am

carvoeiro1 wrote:Not bad only 7 days late this month!

.... but well worth the wait. Keep up the good work, Carol. As they say, "Better late than never"

Perhaps the CVO1 should have a go one month and then we could make comments about their effort.

Canada · Post by **Canada** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 12:43 pm

Interesting newsletter, Carol. It was nice to meet you at Dirty Nelly's. Marty and I had a great time at the parade and were made to feel most welcome (although not Irish). The bit about the drainage ditch on the Sesmarias road is also a puzzle to us. It seems like "overkill" just for drainage. Maybe they are going to start a new river bed.
Anyway always look forward to the newsletters- keep up the good work.

roy4eyes · Post by **roy4eyes** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 1:12 pm

Useful and constructive comment from Carvoeiro 1- as always

Thank you Mike for your comment - as we are away most of May, perhaps this rather sorry, bitter and anonymous person may like to come out of the closet and write that one for Carol.

Incidentally the newsletter was with Steen on 3rd April and published on the 4th - so mathematics is also not a strong point with this character

SJ & RE · Post by **SJ & RE** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 1:37 pm

Excellent as expected and with some useful hints, especially on airlines. We are taking our 1st Easyjet flight from Bristol -Faro and back on the 18th April ,return 3 rd May. As I am classified as disabled and have already informed them and have had a reply sheet I will let you know what it was like and how well they faired in that respect on our return. May well be of use for the newsletter 4 other disabled visitors on Eayjet.( Previously used B.A who were superb in Gatwick & superb at Faro inbound & outbound.)Good luck and best wishes

laserblazer · Post by **laserblazer** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 2:25 pm

We fly from Bristol and my wife is disabled but doesn't make use of a wheelchair as she can walk slowly. When you know what gate it is get as close to the door as possible. The problem is that they will almost certainly bus you to the plane. So they let the disabled and people with the speedy tickets on the bus first and ask the other passenger to let them off first. Needless to say, this doesn't happen as everyone wants to rush for the best seats. This really p*sses off the people who paid £10 to get get on first.

It's not such a big deal for us because at least we get a seat on the bus. It really amazed me sometimes when an able-bodied male will sit and watch my wife struggling to keep upright as the bus hurtles across the tarmac.

tbbr · Post by **tbbr** » Sat Apr 07, 2007 6:22 pm

We heard a flight atendant explaing to an obviousy unhappy passenger that the £10 premium was to get on the bus ahead of everyone else NOT on the flight.
AS the Bristol flight more often than not now requires a bus it is waste of money to pay the Priority boarding charge.

As we take this flight 5-6 times a year we have become familar with all the tricks, the extended family of 10 with one small child who go straight to the front of the queue, those who require " assistance " who run off the bus and then up the steps, those who hog the bus doors and prevent the rest of us getting on.

Guess what you are all wasting your time, even when in group c we still manage to get the wider emergency seats.
Don,t blame the airline it is we the passengers who are the problem.
( don,t get me started about the drunken groups of golfers, who needs beer at 6.00am .)

Al Garb · Post by **Al Garb** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 12:19 pm

Staff at Faro have the problem solved. Speedy boarders and walking wounded go to the front of the coach in the company of a member of check in staff. At the plane only the front doors of the coach are opened at first. When speedy boarders are on the other doors are opened. All this is a step too far for Servisair in the UK it seems.

What I hadn't realised is that off duty cabin staff take precedence over all opthers, check in as group D, get an individual name call and have the front row of seats reserved

laserblazer · Post by **laserblazer** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 2:00 pm

Perk of the job I suppose. BA off-duty staff get the same.

tbbr · Post by **tbbr** » Sun Apr 08, 2007 8:52 pm

You are right about the arrangements at Faro , unfortunately the " door hoggers " who board later still prevent the first on board getting what they paid for.
3 weeks ago it was a trio of very well spoken individuals who blocked of the door with their hand luggage and then continued to complain about easyjet.