Gatwick- The worst UK airport for baggage delays

JAK57

I also agree that the baggage handling companies should be help culpable in some shape or form, if they do not deliver luggage to the conveyor belt within a define published time of the flight docking at the arrival gate. 45 minutes seems a sensible and fair time to me. My experience at Gatwick is mixed but about every third trip I have had delays of over 45 minutes for my baggage to arrive. I don't think that is good enough

Doshwaster

Just got back from Gatwick (North Terminal) and the wait for baggage was as long as I can remember. A long hike from the gate and then 45 mins to get through passport control then another 30 mins wait for the bags. From landing to leaving the terminal was almost 90 minutes - and then you have to get back to the car park.

Pollycat

Doshwaster wrote: »

Just got back from Gatwick (North Terminal) and the wait for baggage was as long as I can remember. A long hike from the gate and then 45 mins to get through passport control then another 30 mins wait for the bags. From landing to leaving the terminal was almost 90 minutes - and then you have to get back to the car park.

We too find immigration queues at Gatwick a right pain.

Coming off what is usually a big plane (A330 with 350+ pax), it can take over an hour to get our luggage back.

What a difference at Manchester! :T

Landed at 8am, very small queues at immigration and a notice on the carousel that all luggage would be delivered by 08:50 - and that was the same size plane.
We were in our taxi on our way home by 08:45.

DavePollard

I was told that the Gatwick airport management set a limit of 45 minutes for the Baggage Handling companies. That is from the time the Aircraft engines are switched at the arrival dock to the time the baggage is first put on the luggage conveyor belt in the arrival hall. if they fail to meet this then they have to report to the Gatwick authorities. I am not sure that this is true, perhaps somebody could confirm. I wonder if this is the case whether the Baggage Handling companies are subject to fines if there is a delay. Hopefully this money would then go to charities. its certainly does go to the passengers. My experience shows more often than not this target is not met at Gatwick.

nickcc

Certainly was the case with fuelling delays, we used to live in fear of a GF coming up on the internal computer system screens if any aircraft were delayed.

BrianWilliams

So are the baggage handling companies like Serviceair and Swissport allowed to get away with delays of over 45 minutes without retribution fines etc .imposed by the Gatwick Airport authorities. Is there a website with charts showing these times and delays

Michael131

My experience at Gatwick is very mixed when it comes to waiting for "hold" baggage. I totally agree 45 minutes should be the maximum and the baggage handling companies should be made accountable if the delay is any longer, Last year I had a bad experience with Swissport and waited 75 minutes for our luggage.There was very little information on the "Tannoy" system and there was no member of staff available in the arrival hall to update us. I wrote to the company complaining, and got a very short and almost rude response saying there was a staff shortage, No real apology either. It was hardly the customers fault!!!

LK17

I have had a very long delay with the baggage handler Swissport At Gatwick. Hardly any information forthcoming and no member of Swissport available in the baggage conveyor belt area. I think they should be fined and named and shamed

Gloucester85

This is an old thread that has become very current again with the problem with Swissport at Gatwick in the last week. It seems that Swissport do not accept responsibility. it is about time the management at Gatwick got tough with them. I concur for very long delays passengers should be compensated by Swissport.

geoffken

http://www.gatwickairport.com/PublicationFiles/business_and_community/all_public_publications/gatwick_performance/Gatwick_performance_2014/57518_GAL_PerformanceReport_June2014.pdf



Shows figs and they are disgraceful
Target s 95% and swissport are laughable
230 TCook flights in the month 57%
BA 264 flights 67%
Monarch 509 flights 78%

Time to sack the management NOT THE WORKERS