Returned to Newcastle on EZY 6414 14th Feb 05. After two days on the Costa Blanca I made my way back to Alicante for the return flight. desks 25/26 were not yet open and already there were around 12 people ahead in the queue. Five minutes or so later than should have happened the Ineuropa handling agents opened the desks for check-in. Very quicky recieved boarding pass and made way to the upper level where departures are. Lots of time for some shopping and the lounge was not overrun like it can be. Made way to gate 7 for boarding and saw the inbound flight land 20 minutes early. After the passengers got off an announcement was made to say there was a technical problem and that more information would be relayed in 30 minutes. Still people queued round ther gate area - why I do not know, as there were no handling staff present. Shortly after without any announcement passenger quickly proceeded to gather their belongings and hurry to form a somewhat mishapen queue - once again I do not know why they did, as no one was there to board the plane and no one had asked them to.

Around an hour after we should have left the stand we were called to the gate. In true fashion everyone pushed and shoved regardless of the Public Address asking for parents with small children and only those with boarding pass number 1-30 to come forward. It occured to me the British race are really quite amusing to watch. How a plane which carries nearly 150 passengers and of which only 30 of them are being asked to come forward, right infront of me veeing for a race were about 140 other people. Found it more amusing still how the blunt Spanish agent took no crap and sent the people trying to blatantly cheat the system to the back of the queue. With a pure look of contempt on their faces they mumble something at the poor woman and turn back licking their wounds.

Anyway we got onboard and the captain informed us about the need for an engineer to be called and this takes time, which is fair enough. Assured we were now fixed and ready to go we departed for Newcastle on a 3.5 hour flight due to some very bumpy headwinds.

The crew again were fantastic and looked after us very well considering the delay and people being a little intoxicated and do not forget the crew are just as eager to get home too. Nothing was much of a bother for them and in particular the senior crew member took a lot of time to chat and reassure passengers. They were an all round good team and worked very hard - they still had two more fligths to do after this and still they smiled. I think for what you pay easyJet provide an excellent service. Recommended.