New law at airports in NZ

Where did you hear about this Cath?

On the ITV news and then I searched Google

It's just a sign that has been put up at Dunedin Airport saying that if you want to spend longer than 3 minutes saying goodbye to please use the car park rather than the drop-off. It has made the news because they phrased it "max hug time 3 minutes!" It is exactly the same at most airports I know. At my local airport, Manchester, they charge you £5 to drop passengers off and the max time is 5 minutes.

It's 10 minutes hugging time at Gatwick, I think 💏

I think we get 10 mins at Edinburgh for £5

Parking outside, paying the charge, getting cases out of the car, then remembering coat is on the back seat along with walking stick, finding a trolley because you can't carry everything, checking you have your shoulder bag with passport, money etc, saying goodbye to family, see you in a year - all in three minutes?

The Airport Manager must be a very young and fit person.

There is a new CEO - he must be a speedy young whizzkid!

When we go to New Zealand, we normally say goodbye the night before, and then return the rental car on the way to the airport the next day. The rental company normally provides a little mini bus then to drop people off directly outside the airport.

I couldn’t bear an airport goodbye anyway, the grandchildren always cry.

Yes maddyfour we always say our goodbyes at home the day before. I hate airport goodbyes! (and it's usually me, not the grandkids who is crying!)
10 years ago, on our first visit to NZ, before our son had decided to stay, met his now wife and had two sons, I watched some elderly grandparents saying goodbye (maybe for the last time?) to two little girls. The grandma said "You won't forget us will you?". I was in bits!

That’s the very worst thing about going to live in another country- the goodbyes.

So true. I remember saying goodbye to my lovely mother in law in NZ.
We knew we would never see each other again.

When DD dropped us off at Perth airport years ago, she and the little ones went back to the car park, we waited at the departure doors (small airport) thinking we could wave as they drove past. Then realised she would have to leave a different way and wouldn’t come past us.

From a distance, we saw her loading the little GC into the car, she got in herself and started the car. Suddenly, we heard a series of pips and hoots as she ‘said goodbye’ that way.

We waved and waved until her little car was just a dot in the distance.

I am crying as I write this at the memory.

I don’t know when I ll see my son again NZ is such a long way
Can’t say any more before I start

At the drop off you need to be quick, as an alternative you could use the short stay car park it would probably cost an extra £5.
The US airports I visited recently slow drop offs or pickups were not tolerated, you were hustled very quickly.

GrandmaKT loopuloo BlueBelle for you all. I know exactly how you feel.

I only have to see Melbourne on any airport flight information board and I am snivelling snotty mess! Doesn’t matter if we are just going to Europe for a holiday!

The first time I flew into the airport near my family home after my mum died, I started crying as soon as we started the descent, and it didn’t get any better in the terminal.

Airports are a whirlpool of emotions, happiness, sadness, anticipation along with apprehension.

GrannyGravy13

The first time I flew into the airport near my family home after my mum died, I started crying as soon as we started the descent, and it didn’t get any better in the terminal.

Airports are a whirlpool of emotions, happiness, sadness, anticipation along with apprehension.

That’s true, if it’s going to be an emotional parting use the car park, go through the departure hall and say your goodbyes before security gate.

David49

At the drop off you need to be quick, as an alternative you could use the short stay car park it would probably cost an extra £5.
The US airports I visited recently slow drop offs or pickups were not tolerated, you were hustled very quickly.

We've only used the drop-off once and yes, short-stay is nearby but last time cost us £15 at Heathrow! We weren't that long.

GrannyGravy13

I only have to see Melbourne on any airport flight information board and I am snivelling snotty mess! Doesn’t matter if we are just going to Europe for a holiday!

Oh dear, this thread could start me off.

I thought it was funny at first but now 😥

Yes poignant reminders of airport good-byes, but also the joys of those first hugs when you/they arrive.

I have had a lifetime of them but they are fewer and fewer now...

Saying good-bye is painful whether you are in the airport or at home.