Stansted Passenger Pick Up

unsure

Pls Can any wise MSErs tell me if it is possible to pick up arriving passengers at Stansted without actually parking up? £1 for 15 mins short stay seems a bit of a cheek/profiteering to me...especially if there are flight delays!
I know at some ariports it is poss to synchronise with arriving passengers and arrive at the drop-off zone to collect them and whizz straight out again. Does anyone know if this is possible (or not) at Stansted? Any alternative suggestions from those who know the airport well would be appreciated.

phatbear

Despite working there for 4 and a half years I didnt have a clue about this however according to the website:

For security reasons, private cars may not stop on the terminal forecourt for any purpose other than to set down passengers. Cars left unattended are liable to be towed away and a retrieval charge levied.
For parking duration of less than 15 minutes, please use the pick up area located opposite the terminal at 15 Minute Pick Up Car Park when meeting or collecting passengers.
Please note: a minimum £1 charge applies for stays of up to 15 minutes in the 15 Minute Pick Up Car Park. Penalty charges apply after 15 Minutes. If you believe your stay may be longer, please use one of the other short stay car parks at Stansted.

the only way i can really see around this is to park up at the services on the a120, which has a wild bean cafe, or bp station as its better known, and a new drive through mcdonalds, then wait for your friend etc to phone then make your way to the airport, however whoever you ar picking up will need to wait by the round about at the bottom of the entrance into the car park, however it gets busy down there and there is no real pathway. Just pay the £1 and make do would be my top tip.

all the best

the bear

unsure

Thnaks for info Phat Bear,
I don't object to paying a pound per se -- but I do object to the idea of a 15 min max waiting time with high penalties beyond, since flight delays and airport holdups (baggage reclaim, passports etc-- ) make timings unpredictbale to that level of accuracy - last time I was at Stansted passport line alone took 1/2 an hour - and I think £1 for 15 min is piracy they can get away with only because the customer has no real choice.

It isn't any less secure to pick someone up than it is to drop them off so I think the security line is no more than a convenient figleaf for a very dodgy and cycnical pricing policy in this case.

I'll take your advice and wait up a the nearby services. Arrivee can call when she is through to arrivals and I'll meet her in the 15 min car park.

Thanks

DCFC79

Is it not possible for the people who your picking up to call you when they land and then you pick them up

franklally

DCFC79 wrote: »

Is it not possible for the people who your picking up to call you when they land and then you pick them up

I get them to call me when they have passed through passport control - I wait in a layby 2 minutes away or you could park at one of the nearby hotels - I then drive to the drop off zone and pick them up

unsure

Hi Franklally,
That's exactly what I was hoping to do, and why I asked the question as to whether it was possible. Sounds like you've had no problems despite the "security issues" apparently forbidding the practise mentioned by Phatbear, is that right?-- in which case I might give it a go.

abacab

Park at the services and wait for your friend to call when they land.Then drive to a service road nearby and get them to call when in arrival hall.Drive to the front of terminal past the gun tooting constables and hopefully they will be out there waiting to hop in.
There are signs up saying strictly drop off only but I dont think the police are bothered as long as you dont hang about.The £1 charge is another airport stealth charge.No doubt it will increase soon.

franklally

Hi Unsure

I've never had a problem (just come back from Stansted actually) - the traffic wardens have always been fine when they see the passengers and luggage are loaded in 30 seconds flat.

I normally arrange to pick up either in line with WH Smith (Ryanair) or Krispy Kreme (Easyjet) so there's no messing around.

good luck:beer:

Carmen

My sister parked in the 15 mins area, obviously did not read any payment notices because, after flight delay she paid £30 :eek: for 1hr 20mins! Lesson learnt the hard way :mad:
Carmen x

unsure

In the end wife insisted I use short stay car park as she was worried about me being moved on and possibly missing her aged aunt ( aunt was quite happy to go for it!). One car park was closed, one full and the third very busy; had to circle and wait for a place to become available and not v close to terminal. Cost £3.80 for 45 min stay. Signage around the airport could be imptoved!
I noticed signs at drop off area outside temrinal stating "No Pick Ups" but I didn't see it being enforced and saw at least one successful effort. Next time I will wait at services or hotel and zip in to drop off zone providing I have a willing passenger.
I see the BAA cartel is being threatened and they have to sell Gatwick-- the sooner the better I say: a bit of competition might help ripped-off customers no end.