6th August 2008

I've just returned from Toulouse (Blagnac) airport, where we dropped off our son for his return flight to the U.K. I've invariably discovered that motorway route signs for airports are relatively straight-forward, but when the traveller arrives at the airport, it can take as long as the whole journey to negotiate parking the car! And couldn't they call the airport building anything other than terminal? Such an unfortunate word for those like me of a somewhat pessimistic outlook on life. Once inside the building, I can understand all the security rules in force in these days of frightening terrorist attacks. But a tip for the unfortunate traveller who needs to take water with his/her 'mal de mer' tablets: don't buy a bottle of water until AFTER you've been searched, prodded and x-rayed by Customs, or you'll just get it confiscated along with all the other essential liquids in your hand-luggage. (Wonder what Customs do with all their contraband? Hold a garage sale??) There's always a shop in the departures lounge the other side of security where you can buy bottled water and carry it onto the plane quite freely. For EU passengers arriving at Toulouse airport there's a curious situation for those collecting baggage from the hold. Those awful dizzying carousels are situated in the main airport concourse. This means that anyone can walk into the airport off the street, stroll into the baggage reclaim area and pick-up the first few items of luggage that arrive before the harrassed arriving passengers have walked through customs! You couldn't make it up.