I live 20 mins from LGW and love the convenience of the airport. But watching the Inside Gatwick series on SKY has made me realise I haven't flown from there even once during 2011.
I've been there plenty of times, but only to pick up relatives...
Most of my business flying is domestic and short-haul European. But the reduced domestic schedule from LGW (fewer Scotland flights, no NCL etc), means LHR is usually far more convenient. For example, when flying home after a meeting from GLA, the array of flight times to LHR mean I can usually get a more conveniently timed return flight, put up with the M25 rush-hour nonsense and be home before the LGW flight has even touched down.
To put it in comparison (approx):
2009
LHR returns: 7
LGW returns: 8
2010
LHR returns: 8
LGW returns: 5
LCY returns: 1 (strike avoidance!)
2011 - (and taking into account advance bookings to year-end)
LHR returns: 14
LGW returns: 0
Am I the only one using LGW far less, or have others noticed this pattern too?
It does make me wonder - how am I ever going to stand a chance of bumping into SRG if I continue to avoid the place?