EMA is more endurable than Dublin because:
- You can park the car within 5 minutes walk of the departure and arrival area. For charges see:
http://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/emaweb.nsf/All+Content/LongStayParking - The bus shuttle service from Nottingham (Derby, Leicester etc.) city centre is reasonable priced, efficient and regular:
http://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/emaweb.nsf/Content/Bus - This small airport does not overwhelm the traveller with the feeling of being trapped in a shopping centre (or mall to our friends in the USA).
- The airport staff are friendly and helpful. In particular I noticed the kindness shown to a frail old man as he was being discreetly examined for lethal fluids or weapons. I can confirm that the old gent was given the go-ahead.
- Distances involved from car to plane were very modest.
- Finally a minus. The little plastic bags to put our permitted fluids in are sold for an outrageous 50 pence.
Dublin airport is less endurable than EMA because:
- There is round-the-clock, heavy, congested traffic in the Dublin area. The car parking options are confusing to decide upon and hard to get to.
- The shuttle bus from Dublin city is OK but also suffers from the traffic conjestion. The allotted time is 45 mins. but our bus made it in half an hour.
- In general, the staff are curt, bordering on the aggressive and uninterested in the well-being of passengers. They could be better trained and try a bit harder.
- Finding your way about in the airport is not easy.
- Finally, a plus. The little plastic bags are free.
So ends my summary. I get the feeling that I could have done a similar summary of any biggish city v smallish city airport. I also have a suspicion that the curtness is also linked to a big city syndrome. Furthermore, visiting the Republic of Ireland is well worth the effort and out-and-about the Irish are great craic. It must be the soothing effect of all that Guinness on the soul.
