London Stansted Airport

Flying Stansted to Rome I was not allowed to use my own plastic bags - forced to pay 1 GBP for four small 20x20cm bags. This is a per-passenger airport tax. What are the profits on this scam? On the way back arriving from Rome late on Sunday night there were disgraceful queues. Held in the corridor and released in batches because immigration was dangerously overcrowded. Then had to wait with my wife for over 90 minutes in the queue. Only two officers working the non-EU line six officers chatting in the EU section. Several people asked them to transfer staff to the very long queue of non-EU citizens but all were refused.

Queuing at Stansted immigration counters is always a mood-dampener at the end of a happy holiday. Queues are not too long but one or two immigration officers at peak hours means 45-60 minutes of waiting time for passengers! And you don't need someone to direct passengers to the officers' desks if there are only two officers on duty either we can see for ourselves so go take a seat and get passport-stamping. Other than that an okay airport with decent facilities.

I was surprised how modern this airport is considering its small size and used mainly by budget airlines. Minimum delays. Plenty of choices for food on departure efficient at security checks (departure time 7am Sat) . Arrival(10pm Sun) was different though. Very long queue at immigration for non EU passport holders however officers were friendly.

I used Stansted last week for departure and arrival. Both times everything was fine: ok food choices fast delivery of bags no wait at immigration fast security control with need to pay 1GBP per pack of sealed bags. Tried to use my own ones but no way they were "wrong" so had to pay this small "departure tax". Nice and simple connections via rail and bus however not as fast as Heathrow or Gatwick. My only dislike was cheap and tired look of this beautiful building and shuttle trains. Not to say it wasn't clean but it is now kept as second rate US airport.

Once through security you cannot go immediately to the gate but must wait in the shopping area until your gate is posted on a board. Then a train takes you to one of the remote terminals. We did this process twice since we missed our first flight. The strange thing is once you take the train out to the terminal there is no way back. We had to call our airline and have a representative come out and escort us back to the main terminal. I'm sure that the design is good for security and crowd control but someone hasn't thought through all possible scenarios. The second time we went through the process the remote terminal was freezing cold and dingy. Security people friendly and thorough but I got the impression that part of their job description is to enforce the luggage rules (weight and size) for the airline (in this case Easyjet).

Ridiculously slow baggage drop no quicker than a conventional check in. Once through the cafe must be the world's slowest. This is a departure lounge - people are going places. We seemed to hit lucky with the car park transfer (for a change!).

Departure fairly smooth and wait not too long to go through security though finding security was a bit tricky as I didn't walk directly to it from check in instead ending up after a trip to the washrooms at flight crew security. Could do with better roof suspended signage visible east to west (security signage on visible looking north in terminal. Return to UK was pretty dispiriting - plane arrived on time but passing through passport control took an age with slow moving queues - took at least 50 mins. Then with the wait for the long stay bus I finally got back to my car 1hr 45 mins after landing. That's longer than the flight. Not impressed with immigration process at Stansted - I found Gatwick earluer this year much better in most aspects.

If you have to park to drop off or pick up in the Pick-Up car park you will have to pay £2 for 15 minutes. If you stay there for 45 minutes you will be charged £30 (yes £30) for the privilege. Make sure that your intended party has already landed and cleared security before entering this parking area or you will be charged big time. There are no arrivals boards before entering the car park. My daughters flight arrived an hour late after midnight. I had to go into the Pick up but so did everyone else as the drop off point was closed at that time.

When departing you need to arrive well before your flight; I queued about 30 minutes at check- in (Ryanair) and 15 for security. Staff were cheerful and helpful but seemed to think this was fairly normal for a midweek morning in summer. Once in the departures area there is a choice of food and shopping all standard major airport fare. A long walk to the gate but plenty of time was given and seating was available at the gate. On return the queue for passport control was enormous (20 minutes wait) no apology or reason given (sheer pressure of numbers I assume). Luggage was already on the belt when I got there (not difficult given the wait at the passport control). The bus from and to the long-stay car park was pretty efficient though you must note the stop you use when you arrive (some 'letter' areas have two stops and colour codes are also used) - if not you will be wandering about for hours! We did get the right one but it was more by luck than judgement.

Security queue is a disaster area leave plenty of time to get through this overcrowded and understaffed airport. It took me 40 minutes on a Thursday evening and when I raised the matter with management I was told that the average queuing time is 10 minutes. Not my average!