Come fly with me, let's fly, let's fly away

It's a quiet day down at Glasgow Prestwick International Airport.

Gone are the days when the Jumbo Jets flew in here by then tens, an hour.  All the wee boys had radios they could pick up the Air Traffic Chatter, and they, among the big boys, pretending they weren't spotters, and the people waiting for loved ones to leave or arrive, would shout out which plane was about to land, where the pilot was from, what he was saying to ATC, and what time his next flight was at. 

All of the world was there.  My mate and I would cycle down, right along the by-pass, aye there were no cycle paths in those days, nor cycle helmets.   We'd dump our bikes at the side door, and run upstairs to sit on the Viewing Balcony, and watch all the people, watching all the planes. 

There was a cafeteria, coffee shop, newsagents, a bar - tho that was of no interest to us then. There were about 40 check in desks and they all had queues, there were banks, car hire, policemen, and a plaque to remember that Elvis had touched down there. 

Then Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports were both awarded Transatlantic Licences, and the big planes stopped coming.  Then the little planes.  We thought things were looking up when Ryanair started, but now they fly.... and fix their planes there, no one else is allowed to land.  Even though Ryanair have reduced their flights to about 7 a week, and they don't even go anywhere useful. 

We used to fly to London on Business, out of bed and onto the plane in 30 minutes; Bournemouth -for a day trip to Monkey World.  Paris for a wee day's sight seeing.    Now.... nothing. 

They changed the name to "Glasgow Prestwick" ,to make it sound closer to Glasgow.  Pointless really, since Glasgow already have an airport.  They opened a train station right next to the airport.   No point, there's no planes any more.  There's a bus stop on the door.  And there are two harbours within 8 miles.  

When the owners decided it wasn't worth it any more - The Scottish Government stepped in and bought it for £1.00.

Their contribution to the wellbeing of the airport? they took down the "Pure Dead Brilliant" signs which adorned the exterior of the building.    The interior still reeks of 1971.  The carpets are definitely from that era.  Yes Carpets. 

Now it's been muted as the new "UK Space Port".  Yes, I can see that happening. Not. 

Don't get me wrong, I do see planes - I work beside the runway, in the "Aerospace Park".  There are cargo planes, and military aircraft popping in and out, but no people.  No people at all. 


But hey - one good thing that has come from the quiet of Prestwick Airport; when there's no planes you can bring a TV crew down and film a TV series.      This wee sequence makes me giggle hysterically every time I watch it.  Forbes Mason is an unrecognised comic genius!