Thoughts about IoM not so rosy
I HAD booked a week in the Isle of Man from Wednesday 21 October to 28th. Much to see and do. On the Friday afternoon I received a message from Aurigny. My return flight had been cancelled. I’d been rebooked to return Saturday at 6pm. The Isle of Man had dismantled the air bridge. We were suddenly unwelcome.
On Saturday I got to the airport by bus at 4pm. Unable to check in immediately as the weather in Guernsey was bad and the plane might not even leave there. Better news soon – the plane was on its way.
It arrived and there were announcements about delays until we were told that we could board. The ground staff took details of passengers who would like to have overnight accommodation arranged for them if the aircraft had to return to the IoM.
On-board the captain told us that landing in Guernsey might be impossible but that he had just been informed that if the plane flew more than 12 nautical miles from the IoM it would not be allowed to return. A diversion to Southampton or Gatwick with an overnight stay would mean everyone self-isolating upon eventual arrival in Guernsey.
He hoped for a change of mind. It seemed to us impossible anyone could think we would present an increased risk to the island if we returned within hours? Top people in Aurigny were talking with IoM authorities. A delay and the verdict was no. So we had to disembark and return to the check-in area.
Ground staff set to booking an overnight hotel for about 60 passengers plus transport. I had been very happy with my hotel so I rang them and they were happy to have me back. A bus to Douglas was due within minutes. Great. A bus arrived and I went to board. The driver informed me that I couldn’t get on. I had to wait for the ‘special’ bus laid on for us. I insisted that I already had a Go ticket and just wanted to get to Douglas. No way, he assured me, would I be going on his bus. The airport security man sided with him and I had to withdraw. The driver’s parting words were ‘You should have stayed in your island’. Since there had been no discussion as to where I lived it was apparent that bus radio had been discussing our plight.
The double-decked ‘special’ bus arrived sometime later and gradually most passengers climbed on board having agreed hotel arrangements with the Aurigny rep. In Douglas the far more agreeable driver was happy to drop me off at Cubbon House, where I was warmly welcomed back, before driving a couple of stops further to the Empress Hotel.
A warm welcome was what I badly needed at that point.
The following morning I was relieved to be able to board an airport-bound bus. Joy, oh, joy we departed on time at 9.30 and landed in Guernsey, after a bumpy approach, an hour later. So good to be home. Thank you Aurigny. My thoughts are not now quite so rosy about the Isle of Man in general – but the people I met (bus driver excepted) could not have been nicer.
KEITH PLEASANT,
Address withheld.