Airport facilities

[Malagabob333]

I know the bars and resturants at airports are out to make money,fair enough, but why do airports,mainly the smaller ones not provide more eating or even seating areas land side as opposed to air side for travellers on a budget to eat and drink items brought with them.
I have been told on occasions to move if found sitting at tables of bars.

[dzug]

Because landside you are a security risk. They want you checked in and through security to a 'safe' area just as soon as they can.

Now more seating areas airside would be a good if expensive idea

[Mr Veritas]

As dzug says,you are a security risk.
When Elsie & I travelled by plane frist (back in the 1960's) most Air Terminals were plentifully furnished with seats.
As terrorism increased (up to and after 9/11) the seating all but vanished overnight.
The more seating units there are the more hiding places for explosives,and the more difficult it is for Police to find said explosives.
Not good oldies like me,I have to hurry through to airside hoping (usually in vain) for more seating.Although we are now in out 80's,we have taken to booking airport VIP lounges just to ensure a good seat etc before boarding.
As dzug says,it would be nice to have more seating airside too, but once you are there you are a bit of a captive auduence.

[Buenchico]

The 'security risk' answer is certainly valid.

However it's worth remembering that most of the smaller airports were built many years ago, before air travel became affordable for the masses. They might originally have only handled one or two flights per day but were built to allow for perhaps up to ten flights per day (which, at the time, would have seemed fantastically optimistic). Some of those same airports are now handling fifty or a hundred flights per day (or even more) but they've only been able to attract the budget airlines in by keeping their landing fees (and passenger handling fees) extremely low. That's meant that they've not been making enough money to improve the terminal facilities, resulting in cramped conditions.

It's worth remembering that the security rules only prevent you from taking liquids (greater than 100ml) airside. There's nothing to prevent you taking your own food through.

Chris

[Malagabob333]

I do understand the security risk, but at my two local airports,one which has had a complete land side redesign, with only seating at one of the large coffee chain,and another well known eaterie.Nothing for travelers (not even 3 tables with chairs,hardly a security risk).who dont want to spend �2 + on watery coffee or �s on one round for a sandwich.And being asked to go because the table your sat at is for Coffee shop customers only.
Yes you can take food airside but then again if you like a pint like me �3+ for Carling is taking the urine.

[mkfella]

Some larger airports have had their landside pre-security areas reduced in terms of space and commercial offer.

On top of security imperatives, the airport has commercial interest in getting you through to the shopping-wonderland airside as speedily as possible.

There you are unencumbered with bags and have nothing much to do but spend....

You might have problems getting a thermos through security :) but I can't see a red-alert developing over sandwiches.