Not SO EASY....

Well we are finally back in the UK making final preparations for Xmas.  But getting back here from Geneva was NOT SO EASY on Easy Jet.

Easy Jet is one of the cheap flight airlines in Europe.  We figured our short 1.5 hour flight to and from Geneva did not have to cost us a bundle.  You've heard tell "you get what you pay for?".

Our 1.5 hour flight turned into a much longer saga.  First we checked one bag in, waited for the gate to open, and then walked forever to the gate location.  Once at the gate we got in a long line and waited again.  Lots of travelers were at that gate, so there was quite a mob behind us in line.  I did not see a plane out the window, so that should have been out first clue.  Time passed until almost flight time, then the video screens went black.  One of the women at the gate first announced in French that the flight had been cancelled.  Then she repeated the announcement in English.  She told everyone they needed to go get their bags and go back to the check-in counter.  Yes, this was all FAR, FAR away.

Of course, their was no way we could backtrack quickly.  The people at the back of the pack were the lucky ones.  Additionally, information is definitely lacking in Geneva.  We had a hard time finding out how to get back to our luggage past Security and all those detours through Duty Free areas.

When we finally made it to the Easy Jet check-in there was a LONG line of travelers also trying to get new flights.  By the time we got to the counter, the few flights to nearby airports that day were taken and Easy Jet was passing out lots of overnight hotel coupons.

We opted to get a later flight that day to London-Stansted airport.  Roger thought we could get ground transportation by train or tube across to where we could hook up with a train to our final destination.  They even offered to give us a transfer to Manchester Airport from Stansted.

What we did not know at the time was the cost of trying to get to London or across to other trains was very expensive and that the transfer to Manchester Airport would take 3.5 hours.

We got our new tickets and went to the Board to look at time.  Shortly thereafter our new flight showed "late arrival".  I saw a pattern forming.

So, we decided to get some lunch ... and some beer/wine to wash it down sounded appropriate.

We were able to check out bag in 2 hours ahead of time for the flight.  The flight only had 60 people on the plan.

We got off the plane and looked for the person who was supposed to meet us with a SIGN.  No one was there.

So off we trekked to Easy Jet's information counter.  Of course, another line, and they knew nothing about our promised ground transportation to Manchester Airport when they looked us up in the the computer.

Finally, we were told to step aside and wait for the cab we were told was called for.

All this leg of the trip added another 1.5 hours to our travel.

When we finally trekked outside to try to find the ORANGE pick up section of the airport (again directions ... no so much), our cab was there and had been at another part of the airport for 1/2 hour.  But at least we were in a cab now.

Yes, 3.5 hours later we were delivered to Manchester Airport where we scooted to the train station to catch THE LAST TRAIN to Preston.  Our dinner consisted of a bag of chips and a Ben and Jerry's ice cream cup.  Those were the only fare available out of the machine at the station.

Kerry was nice enough to pick us up in Preston so we didn't have to call another cab.

This trip was as long or longer than our flights from Seattle to DC to the UK....ugh!!!!

Author:  Kathleen