A mum managed to fake a health condition to trick a ‘jobsworth’ airport lounge receptionist before a girls’ trip to Benidorm.
Lisa Connor, 47, travelled through security at Manchester Airport with no issues, excited to be on her way to Alicante for a much ‘needed’ break from her job as a manager for an Elvis impersonator.
The group planned to go straight out once they landed in Spain, meaning Connor had put her hair in rollers so that she was ready to party.
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However, when given directions to the pre-booked lounge, the mum-of-two and her four friends were warned that she 'would not get in with those rollers', at which point her friend Maria suggested covering the dry Velcro rollers with her patterned silk scarf.
Connor, from Sandbach in Cheshire, said: "We were planning on going straight out, hence the rollers. We were going to arrive in our hotel rooms, quickly put our evening clothes on, brush through our hair and get ourselves out. We wanted a party night.
"It was all worth it. My hair was massive when I got there.
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"It had all the volume I wanted and lasted the whole night. It was hot, but nothing that hairspray couldn't help.
"Everybody in the airport knew I had rollers in. Girls with rollers in are a common sight, especially if they're coming from Liverpool."
Upon arriving at the Terminal 3 lounge, the receptionist asked what was under the scarf, proceeding to ask Connor if she had rollers in.
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"I said 'I've got a scalp condition, thank you'," the mum-of-two continued.
"She looked at me as if to say 'you're lying' but I knew she wouldn't be able to question a medical issue.
"I went in and every time I looked over she was staring at me. She wasn't happy at all. She didn't want me in that lounge.
"She was a jobsworth. Woman to woman, she knows I had rollers in. I had full makeup on, so it was obvious I was ready for a night out - I just needed to take the rollers out when I got there.
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"She wanted me to stand there and take those rollers out.
"I always travel in rollers. I've travelled all over the world with the [Elvis] show, nearly always with rollers in. It's never been a problem before, and I always go into lounges.
"But for some reason they've got a new rule where you're not allowed rollers in."
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Thankfully, her nifty white lie worked, with a photo showing Connor ready to board her afternoon Ryanair flight with her hair full of rollers underneath the silk scarf.
When the arrived in Benidorm, the friends 'had a laugh', with Connor saying: "It was just what we needed. We're all mums and the children were with their fathers.
"It was a break in the sun with a few sangrias. Just sunbathing, cocktails, and then back to normal life."
She later posted the photo on Facebook, explaining what had happened.
She said: "Ok. So… Dress code for the lounge at MCR airport includes no rollers. So, I put a scarf on.
"When arriving at the said lounge desk, the jobsworth on reception says 'Have you got rollers under that scarf.' My quick reply, 'No! I've a scalp condition!'
"I'm now sat in the lounge with the receptionist giving me dirty looks [cry laughing emojis]. Girls' holiday here we come."
Many people commended Connor for her 'cheeky' approach, with one commenting: "Well done. I think that's completely out of order asking you what's under your scarf [angry emoji]. Have a wonderful time."
A spokesperson from Manchester Airport said: "Our Escape Lounges have a smart/casual dress code, in-keeping with the experience and service they offer customers.
"We ask that customers dress appropriately for their visit and this means we do not permit certain items including, but not limited to, sports kits, pyjamas, fancy dress and hair rollers.
"Guests who arrive wearing items not permitted under the dress code will be asked to cover them up or remove them as appropriate. If they decline they may not be allowed entry to the lounge.
"Hair rollers are permitted in other parts of Manchester Airport, along with sportswear, pyjamas, and fancy dress."
Jess Hardiman