Manchester Airport. How can it be so bad?

[lrdisco]

Shnozz said:

I am surprised that more people aren't electing to spend the couple of quid on fast track now, particularly for morning flights. Of course, the concern is then that everyone is in FT queue and the problem replicated. However, for the time being I will be buying FT passes now, particularly if its a morning flight.

My fortnightly commute is usually just after 5pm so probably no issue (fingers crossed).

You can only buy LBA fast track as part of a package with their own parking or with a Ryanair flight.
No other way atm.
It was ridiculous before with fast track being the same size Q as regular.

[Shnozz]

Thanks. Useful to know. We fly with RA more often than not so the bolt on will become standard whilst this staffing issue plays out.

I noticed this in relation to Bristol airport today. Seems no UK airport is immune.

https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/br...

[captain.scarlet]

Boringvolvodriver said:

mikebradford said:

Can anyone recommend offside parking and shuttle service.
Looked to book parking for 4 days on the airport site but appears to be fully booked.

Coming from the bradford side if it makes any difference

Try Males as an option. They drive your car to save unloading luggage etc.

Or maybe Jet Parks.

I can vouch for Jet Parks. They're numbered and priced according to distance from the airport. Competitively priced, efficient and reliable in my experience. Just make sure you take a photo of your bus stop / parking zone so you know where you left your car and where to get off!

I've personally never experienced any tailbacks or congestion (probably due to early and late hours of my departures and arrivals), but the shuttle journey has taken me only about 10-15 minutes in the past. Also depends on your terminal, however ensure you arrive early enough to allow for the worst.

There will usually be a discount code floating around, which helps.

[Deep Thought]

Shnozz said:

lrdisco said:

Through LBA fast Track in less than 20 minutes on Monday at 04:00 for a 07:00 am flight.
Sat then looking at the whole range of interesting characters LBA attracts.
Normal Q out the door.
Friend tells me it was exactly the same today.

Way too many flights leaving 06:00-08:00 for the infrastructure to cope.

I am surprised that more people aren't electing to spend the couple of quid on fast track now, particularly for morning flights. Of course, the concern is then that everyone is in FT queue and the problem replicated. However, for the time being I will be buying FT passes now, particularly if its a morning flight.

My fortnightly commute is usually just after 5pm so probably no issue (fingers crossed).

Some airports have already suspended fast track and are using it to pull people from the main queues who are getting close to their gate closing time.

I'd say more will do that over the summer. Definitely a no brainer if the airport in question is still allowing it.

[RammyMP]

Deep Thought said:

Shnozz said:

lrdisco said:

Through LBA fast Track in less than 20 minutes on Monday at 04:00 for a 07:00 am flight.
Sat then looking at the whole range of interesting characters LBA attracts.
Normal Q out the door.
Friend tells me it was exactly the same today.

Way too many flights leaving 06:00-08:00 for the infrastructure to cope.

I am surprised that more people aren't electing to spend the couple of quid on fast track now, particularly for morning flights. Of course, the concern is then that everyone is in FT queue and the problem replicated. However, for the time being I will be buying FT passes now, particularly if its a morning flight.

My fortnightly commute is usually just after 5pm so probably no issue (fingers crossed).

Some airports have already suspended fast track and are using it to pull people from the main queues who are getting close to their gate closing time.

I'd say more will do that over the summer. Definitely a no brainer if the airport in question is still allowing it.

I flew out of Manchester last Thursday and couldn’t get a fast track.

[Deep Thought]

RammyMP said:

Deep Thought said:

Shnozz said:

lrdisco said:

Through LBA fast Track in less than 20 minutes on Monday at 04:00 for a 07:00 am flight.
Sat then looking at the whole range of interesting characters LBA attracts.
Normal Q out the door.
Friend tells me it was exactly the same today.

Way too many flights leaving 06:00-08:00 for the infrastructure to cope.

I am surprised that more people aren't electing to spend the couple of quid on fast track now, particularly for morning flights. Of course, the concern is then that everyone is in FT queue and the problem replicated. However, for the time being I will be buying FT passes now, particularly if its a morning flight.

My fortnightly commute is usually just after 5pm so probably no issue (fingers crossed).

Some airports have already suspended fast track and are using it to pull people from the main queues who are getting close to their gate closing time.

I'd say more will do that over the summer. Definitely a no brainer if the airport in question is still allowing it.

I flew out of Manchester last Thursday and couldn’t get a fast track.

I used to use it weekly when i was travelling with work going through Manchester. It was a god send. Would be horrible without it.

[mikebradford]

captain.scarlet said:

Boringvolvodriver said:

mikebradford said:

Can anyone recommend offside parking and shuttle service.
Looked to book parking for 4 days on the airport site but appears to be fully booked.

Coming from the bradford side if it makes any difference

Try Males as an option. They drive your car to save unloading luggage etc.

Or maybe Jet Parks.

I can vouch for Jet Parks. They're numbered and priced according to distance from the airport. Competitively priced, efficient and reliable in my experience. Just make sure you take a photo of your bus stop / parking zone so you know where you left your car and where to get off!

I've personally never experienced any tailbacks or congestion (probably due to early and late hours of my departures and arrivals), but the shuttle journey has taken me only about 10-15 minutes in the past. Also depends on your terminal, however ensure you arrive early enough to allow for the worst.

There will usually be a discount code floating around, which helps.

Thanks for the advice.
Nearly everyone fully booked, I think the main T1 parking is closed so putting pressure elsewhere.
Ended up with Toad Park and ride.
Dire reviews but no alternative.
Will update if its as bad ss some say lol.
Flying from T1 Thursday evening, no fast track available so hopefully will get lucky

[anonymous-user]

Still seems great today.

BBC News - Manchester Airport queues 'a shambles', say angry passengers
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-6...

[paulguitar]

speedyguy said:

Still seems great today.

BBC News - Manchester Airport queues 'a shambles', say angry passengers
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-6...

They are queuing all the way past the Radisson, crazy!

[Monkeylegend]

Problems at Heathrow this morning as well.

[Dog Star]

I'm bricking it now; despite saying I wouldn't ever use MAN again (on this very thread) I fell to the lure of the direct flight to Gibraltar where I'm on a 6am flight the Monday after next. I am really not looking forwards to it. I'm going to take no carry on whatsoever except my phone and a pair of earbuds to avoid potential security holdups.

God I hate flying.

[Pete102]

Came through MAN on Monday afternoon around 3pm. The main security at T1 was closed off and reserved for fast track only, instead passengers were sent to the other security which is one level down (under the check in desks). Through in around 20 minutes, not super busy. Biggest issue was the obviously unprepared travellers (mostly families) that spent a lifetime emptying bags once they got to the tray stations.

[Boringvolvodriver]

Pete102 said:

Came through MAN on Monday afternoon around 3pm. The main security at T1 was closed off and reserved for fast track only, instead passengers were sent to the other security which is one level down (under the check in desks). Through in around 20 minutes, not super busy. Biggest issue was the obviously unprepared travellers (mostly families) that spent a lifetime emptying bags once they got to the tray stations.

Afternoons are better as less flights leaving

[Blown2CV]

we're flying with 2 kids tomorrow mid afternoon. Tentatively hoping we're ok!!

[warp9]

Got a 7am flight from MAN on Saturday morning, start of half term. Fearing the worse already.

[smithyithy]

Saw this on Reddit...

[mikebradford]

Is that queue to book in?
Or is that for the security check?

I always book in online and have just hand luggage so I'd hopefully be bypassing some of those queuing

[Carl_Manchester]

paulguitar said:

speedyguy said:

Still seems great today.

BBC News - Manchester Airport queues 'a shambles', say angry passengers
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-6...

They are queuing all the way past the Radisson, crazy!

Yeah but....move over, I have a fast-track pass!

[Steviesam]

paulguitar said:

They are queuing all the way past the Radisson, crazy!

These huge queues.....are they for checkin in, and if so 1 particular airline, or are they for security?

[monty999]

Couple of weeks ago the security queue was like that at T2, bag check in was about 2mins already had boarding pass on phone. Although these queues are massive and a bit worrying staff were wandering up and down the line constantly shouting out for anyone with departure times of an hour to go, pulling them from the queue. It was a bit reassuring seeing this, hopefully everyone makes their flights ok

Ps we were Jet2 who were great and well organised