I’m a baggage handler – here’s the real reason behind Britain’s airport chaos and why it won’t end anytime soon
A BAGGAGE handler has revealed the real reason behind Britain's airport chaos - and why it won't end anytime soon.
Holidaymakers have faced hellish queues, cancelled flights and exhaustion, with chaotic scenes at airports around the country.
An airport worker for one of the UK's major travel hubs has now lifted the lid on the industry's turmoil.
He claims the problems were triggered by Covid - but are now being worsened by huge numbers of employees choosing to quit.
It means staff shortages aren't expected to ease anytime soon.
The airport worker, who wished to remain anonymous, told the BBC: "The problem is that during furlough some were asked to take on paid leave, maybe be laid off temporarily.
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"They said, 'We're going to put you on hold, when everything comes back to normal you'll be the first person to be employed'.
"That went on. And people have financial commitments, so they moved on. I know one baggage handler who has ended up being a fireman.
"Some decided to go back to their country, some are working as plumbers and electricians.
"About three days ago one of those people was travelling through the airport and he was saying it's the best decision of his life."
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He said many employees feel "stuck" in their jobs.
"People who work at airports in the aviation industry, it's a different ball game to the outside world," he said.
"They're micromanaged, it's a commando situation. People in that industry often feel like they're stuck.
"This pandemic opened up some other avenues, for them to try something."
He hit out at airlines for not being "fully prepared" for the surge in demand from people wanting to travel abroad after the pandemic.
Unions have warned the mayhem "will last the entire summer season" unless the crisis is quickly resolved.
Travellers have been urged not to arrive more than three hours early - despite facing horrific five-hour queues that snake through terminals into car parks outside.
Even when they do make it to departures they still face a gruelling getaway lottery, with hundreds of flights scrapped.
Tui has binned off 34,000 hols. Some passengers were told they wouldn't be heading away after huge waits inside the terminal or even on planes.
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Easyjet has cancelled more than 200 flights over the half-term.
Consumer champions Which? say the Government must act to stop airlines selling flights "they can't actually provide".