Airport chaos
We had a nightmare leaving Doha Int. Airport on 23rd Dec. Our flight was due to leave at 0755 and we had booked in on line the day before. We got to the fast bag drop at 0615 and there were 9 people in front of us. 50 minutes later we handed over our 2 cases. By this time we were nearing the boarding time for our flight. My husband asked a security man if we could go through passport control but were told to stay in the queue as there was a problem with baggage carousels,so NO flights would be leaving without all passengers on board. Okay,so we stay in a queue of about 300 people. Time goes on,hubby asks again if we can go through, different security guy,same answer. We eventually go through passport control, into security clearance. I have several liquids to be put into a clear plastic bag but none available...no probs,doesn't matter,put them back into handbag. I also,unwittingly,had a metal nailfile and a small penknife in it! Never got a mention!
Finally run through to our gate(13!!!) and...next flight goes to Katmandu! Oh,sorry,but your flight left on time but you weren't here.No, we can't put out a "last call" as is now illegal to do so. Oh yeah,so why are so many people getting called for their flights as a las call? No sensible answer. We end up on a flight to Heathrow..should have been Gatwick! 5 hours later. Get to Heathrow,no luggage. Only have what we stand up in, and it's BLOODY freezing here! No apologies,nothing.Had to go out and buy warm clothing,toiletries,etc., etc.
Can anyone beat that for an experience over christmas? Qatar Airways did not give a toss,....oh, and by the way,the ones in dish dashes and niqabs were allowed straight through, even though their flight wasn't for another 4 hours. I guess it's one rule for us and another for them.
At times, I HATE Qatar and the nattives therein, they do nothing to enhance their reputation.
Sorry to moan, but if you have a worse experience,lets hear it!
Welcome to Qatar.
I had the same experience travelling during Eid. Last call for all other passengers except people travelling on this flight. But I managed just a few seconds before they shut the boarding gate.
The immigration queue was snaking outside across the check-in counters, the check-in counters also had long queues.
I made my way through the queue by requesting the people in front. The security people have no issues if the people in the queue let you go ahead.
During Eid, Christmas travel be in the airport at least 3 hrs before the flight.
Different sort of chaos! Doha Airport is a very busy Airport due to connecting flights.
The UK is shite at the moment due to the amount of snow and ice. You would have thought we had learned from last year but NO.
After last year and the Icecapades the UK should have asked for advice but they did not. In fairness though, this weather is unusual.
Doha Airport on the other hand can/should predict when it gets busy for ex-pats; Easter/Christmas and summer.
Nothing more choas than what going on in the UK airports!
People have been stuck at Heathrow for 5 days trying to get out...
illegal for last calls???
i hope this doesn't apply at bars.
2 bad airports IMO. that is Doha and Reus, both small pokey shyte holes!
Yeah,1.5 hours in advance......still doesn't explain why it took 50 minutes to go through fast bag drop with only a very few in front of us,and why they said they weren't expecting so many people.As I said before,I have flown out of Doha many times,and never had a problem.If we had been allowed to go through passport control when we respectfully asked,we'd have been in loads of time,but to be told that all flights were delayed due to baggage handling problems,and not to worry,as no flights would go without all passengers on board,only to find that they had,is sickening.
They ALWAYS have problems with carousel when the flights are at their busiest.
So it's the holiday season and you rock up at the airport 1.5 hrs in advance? Nice!
to hear about Ur experience. Thats why i always make it a point to be in the airport 3 hrs prior the departure time. Many a times i reward myself as being the first person to get the boarding pass :)
My wife hates me when i take her to the airport 3 hrs earlier and make her wait for the flight. I guess i can show this thread to her and she wont complain anymore :)
So sorry about your mom and it's no fun to be given the run-around at the airport. Please know that the locals can go through the GCC line and so of course they never have to wait. In defense of Qatar Airways I was recently in Abu Dhabi and due to many factors (including getting lost on the way to the airport and airport personnel directing me to the wrong place 2 times) I arrived exactly 20 minutes before my flight was to leave! Everything was closed! Luckily someone nice took me to the privilege area and even though they said they would simply have to book me on a flight 4 hours later, managed to get me onto my flight on time. They were awesome. I was so impressed.
Life sucks at times. I know what you are feeling like. My Mum fell ill suddenly this year and died six weeks later.
I send you best wishes and I will think of you in my prayers.
Thank you for your kind thoughts,it does mean a lot.I know we don't know each other personally,but we sort of do,through this medium! Sorry to say,that things are not good with Mum,all very sudden and unexpected too. She was only out in Doha 2 months ago and all was well. Life is a bummer sometimes,hey?.
Guys any issues relating to Doha Airport , please raise your concerns to Doha International airport authorities.
www.dohaairport.com. They would help you out
It should not matter what date you travel at all; Doha Airport is busy all the time and the 23rd should have no bearing on your dreadful experience.
It is frustrating. I have never had a problem with QA up to now. I find some of the immigration women coming back in quite rude but that happens anywhere I guess.
I am sorry you had a rough time and I am sure things feel worse because of the sad reason you went back home.
I hope you got your luggage eventually and I hope all goes well as it can with your mother.
Well Pennie, I am terribly sorry about your mum, this must be very hard for you. Never the less, chaos has to be expected on a day like the 23rd of December. Best to take serious precautions. Like arriving well ahead of time ans expecting difficulties.
Some times we don't get a choice of date leave the country, secondly,they said they hadn't expected such a rush of passengers ....ha ha,... and thirdly,I have flown out of Doha many times and never had these problems. And,yes I did get upset about stuff like that because i have only come home to spend time with my Mum,who is dying.
Firstly the 23rd December is a perfectly acceptable date in which to travel, infact its the busiest time of year..so theres probably a few non mad non Brits there....Secondly when one books online one should get the fast bag drop, meaning as it implies. Thirdly why on earth would QA give a flying feck if its Christmas???
oh, and I never had a bad experience with QA. Maybe I am lucky.:)
Well pennie, first only mad people and Englishmen fly out of an Expat country on the 23rd of December...second you should have been at the airport AT LEAST 2 hours in advance,,,AT LEAST. the rest is just the same as usual.
Do you really still get upset about stuff like that?