Manchester: Airport Security, Immigration & Border Control

[Silvercity]

I live in the Northwest therefore its quite pertinent to mention actually. It was actually on national radio news this morning, so it would be odd not to be mentioned on here. I use LPL more than any other airport in the UK, so I update the thread here, I am the only one that does with any regularity. I also comment on other airports too, Blackpool this week actually, so you are quite wrong there.

 

[A400]

At it again I see.

Why can’t you just allow users to post without attacking them. You may not agree but there’s no need to make digs.

And this different airport rivalry stuff is pathetic.

 

[Silvercity]

Some interesting callers on Jeremy Vine just before about these issues. Airports / Airlines have treated their staff very poorly and many have voted with their feet.

 

[thunderchild]

Some interesting callers on Jeremy Vine just before about these issues. Airports / Airlines have treated their staff very poorly and many have voted with their feet.

I heard that too, hardly inspiring for anyone thinking about a career in aviation.

 

[Aviador]

The problem is mainly centred around TUI and it’s handling. Just like they are having issues at Newcastle, Gatwick, Birmingham and Belfast. But given TUI cancelled MAN flights specifically, MAN got the special mention. Security has been running smoother which is where MAN specifically would need to act if needed.

Not really a MAN issue, it’s the airline that needs to get its house in order, but don’t let the facts get in the way of your pro-Liverpool agenda once again (you may not have mentioned LPL but we all know what the agenda is given you don’t make comments about any other airport and their issues bar MAN).

Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds have all featured in the media for long queues. Like it or lump it @Llandudno but Liverpool is reportedly operating normally. No need for silly comments like that. Leave it there.

 

[Silvercity]

I heard that too, hardly inspiring for anyone thinking about a career in aviation.

It was the treatment of very experienced staff that I found shocking. Fortunately many have found better jobs elsewhere.

 

[Scottie Dog]

I had my first visit to the airport this morning, since the start of Covid, as I had to drop off my sister and her husband for the 11.30 KLM flight from T2.

We arrived at 08.02 and, having finally found parking spaces on the top level of West Car Park, whilst walking to the KLM check-in area 'B' I noticed that there was a fairly long queue for security. Just over half-an-hour later this queue had totally gone and at 09.30 my sister walked straight through security and was drinking coffee 'air-side' just 10 minutes later. I did also pay a visit to T1 between 08.15 and 09.15 and did not notice any queues in the check-in hall.

I accept that this was after the morning rush, however it does show that the delays do not last all day.

 

[EGCC_MAN]

Well, as Scottie has briefed you on T2 and T1 this morning, allow me to complete the picture with T3!

I passed through security at 09:45 and was pleasantly surprised to proceed directly to the scanners, encountering no queue at all. A steady stream of passengers continued to arrive in the screening area, but they were all getting through with minimal delay. Plenty of staff on duty, all pleasant and helpful.

Pretty busy in the T3 departure lounge. Passengers still heeding advice to go through early. Catering outlets doing a brisk trade. My aircraft arrived around 30 minutes late having carried out a missed approach, but turnaround was pretty quick. Looked like a fully-staffed handling team at the gate. All very efficient.

I’ve since passed through outbound security at Dublin T2 as well. Also flowing quite smoothly today. Took about 15 minutes at a relatively quiet time. One unappreciated advantage which MAN does have is the layout at each security lane. Each scanner has multiple pairs of footprints painted alongside, indicating a position where a customer can prepare their trays, so several do so simultaneously. This really helps. Using the DUB system, only the person at the very front of the queue can prepare their tray, and this wastes alot of time as few arrive ready.

Perhaps I should contact DUB with my suggestion to slash their queueing times!

 

[LS@MAN]

A delayed report from my last T2 return journey...

I used T2 on 18th May for a holiday to Marbella with TUI...we arrived at 3am and it seemed like everyone else did too!
The check in queue was almost back to the Radisson hotel entrance! Took 90mins to get through. Almost all of the self check in kiosks were available but only 2 people to help...and only 2 check in desks open! I dreaded security, but surprisingly we were through in 10 mins!
Once airside was busy and continued to get busier until it looked like a scene from the Arndale on Black Friday or just before Christmas time!
Absolutely nowhere to sit or even stand for that matter...people were just constantly in the way, mostly standing in front of the monitors for their gate, but as it was so busy, it was like one way traffic jams!
I won't be using T2 again for an early morning flight...I can't see how it will cope during July & August school holidays! And I prey there is never an evacuation!
Our gate was called (A12) at 5.05am, no escalators working en route to the A gates...busy in the pier but boarded on time and only 15 mins late departing due to late baggage being loaded.

Had a fabulous time in Marbella and the local area...but on the return our aircraft suffered a technical problem in MAN (TUI 767) so we had a cancellation, instead of landing at 1.30pm on 25th, we landed at 9.10am on 27th. But TUI did put us in a 4* all inclusive hotel for the night and will be paying out £350 each, including a £200 voucher per person, so I can't complain...too much! (Unlike one of the passengers on our flight who decided to sell her "story" to the MEN for £1000 a few days later, scrounger!!).

Arrived at stand 114 (I think) on a Wamos A330, at the end of Pier A with no airbridge...1 set of steps and a bus to T2...not a problem, but the 3hr wait for bags was!
Felt sorry for the staff in the baggage hall from the handling companies, getting abuse etc...to be fair to them, they came out from behind the screens and spoke F2F with passengers...some weren't accepting their answers though, which really p****d me off! However, we had a taxi to catch, so I couldn't get involved (so I was told!).

Some observations from departure:
* Flooring in Check in & security in need of a good clean and some tiles need fixing (already!).
* Toilets at check in, flooring is filthy and only 1 urinal available!
* Vending machines would be good within the Pier...the Pier itself was fine and does it's job. (Hope to see an improvement in the Quality of the building though for future piers).

Arrivals:
* Flooring in immigration, not going to last long, dirty and marks all over it!
* Most flights (around 6 in total) were directed to carousels in the old part of T2 during our time waiting for the baggage...when is the completion of the new baggage system?
* And flooring again, in the arrivals area...I mean if your going to use that colour of course it will get dirty easily if you don't keep on top of it!
* Outside arrivals, a power wash is needed...stains everywhere and fag ends!

 

[EGCC_MAN]

Further to the above, arrived back at Manchester T1 tonight with Emerald (Aer Lingus Regional) from Dublin. Parked on Gate 5, bus to the arrivals entrance bypassing passport control. Straight out the exit and on my way home. Couldn't have been quicker really. No complaints.

On a personal note, a bit of a landmark as EI-GZW became the 1200th different aircraft I have flown aboard. Must celebrate with a Vimto!

 

[marni1971]

Back from a week in Paris. Pleasantly shocked at the time it took in T2. I’ll cut out my T2X thoughts and post in the appropriate thread.

Monday 3am - T2 was more like 9am in August. Never seen it so busy. Jet2 check in snaked the length of the building before reaching its own queue area.

Air France bag drop queue - 45 minutes

Outbound security - 21 minutes. 4 lanes open plus an assistance lane.

Friday 930pm - possibly we got lucky. Busy but not crazy.

On gate at 2140. Airbridge arrived a minute later.

Border control 3 minutes. 13 out of 15 e gates working plus around 5 open desks.

8 minutes for luggage to arrive. Total time from leaving the plane to land side 19 minutes.

Outbound there were MAN staff around check in to answer questions. The queue for security had 2 staff constantly roaming reminding people about liquids, handing out bags if needed, marshalling the lanes and being pleasant with it.

Inbound similarly a staff member to ensure you chose the right border lane and another helping at the e gates - again both pleasant. Credit where its due. Both processes were efficient with courteous staff.

 

[Aviador]

Mrs Aviador used Manchester Terminal 1 last week. She wasn't overly impressed with the security system they have. Can anyone explain the numbering system that is used there? She said for those passengers who are not familiar with this system it is confusing. She said some of the passengers were being spoken to rather rudely because they weren't following the number system. I have no idea what she's referring to, so if somebody could explain, that would be helpful?

 

[KARFA]

Does she mean the numbering system for each of the stations at each security point? When you get to the point to unload your stuff, like many airports the set up provides for simultaneous unloading with 4/5 people side by side. Each station has a number and the person supervising at the front of the queue tends to tell you to wait at a specific numbered station.

I mean, being spoken to rather rudely is, I am afraid, part of the MAN security experience. As is rules being made up and being different every time you go 🙂

 

[juliet-fox-9]

Currently sat in T2 awaiting my Jet2 flight to Vienna, having been helpfully directed to the new security machines - which worked fine, no need to get my electronics out of the bag! Very quiet at check in and security this morning.

 

[MannyJon]

I saw this happening a few weeks ago. Wondered what was going on. (not to be confused with the CTA arrivals)

UK conducts first ever trial for passport-free border control using facial recognition at Manchester Airport | World News - The Times of India

UK News: The UK has initiated groundbreaking trials for a passport-free border control system utilizing facial recognition at Manchester Airport, marking a significant advancement towards a frictionless travel experience.

timesofindia.indiatimes.com