Manchester Airport. How can it be so bad?
Discussion
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.
This is unbelievably common. Several women at heathrow spent 20+ minutes figuring out what they were going to throw out after being told they have got one bag then barking at the staff. The staff responded that this rule has been in place for years. (10+). Amazing how dim people are. 
The problem is that Brits love a queue - that could just be one airline's queue out the door and then everyone else joins it even if they're not flying with that airline. I flew out of T3 on the 14th (9:30) and was through check-in in 20 minutes. The queue for Costa was much longer than the queue for check-in. Back again a week later and was through security about 20 minutes before my bags arrived (helped that we had a baby in a buggy so got to queue-jump at security 
).
).Just got to T1, very early due to convenience and paranoia.
Used Toad Park and ride. Very polite service and dropped at T1 entrance after 5 minute ride.
Straight upto Departure A security as we booked in online.
We're the first through so at the front for the next batch onto the security conveyor belts.
Slight delay as a few in front don't seemed to understand limits on liquids and equipment. It's seriously like they've never flown before.
Through security. All within about 15mins from entering.
Departure hall reasonably busy, 10 deep queues for the restaurants. So took us about 20 mins to get seated.
So far so good.
Picture of the empty aisles leading to the security passport gate
Used Toad Park and ride. Very polite service and dropped at T1 entrance after 5 minute ride.
Straight upto Departure A security as we booked in online.
We're the first through so at the front for the next batch onto the security conveyor belts.
Slight delay as a few in front don't seemed to understand limits on liquids and equipment. It's seriously like they've never flown before.
Through security. All within about 15mins from entering.
Departure hall reasonably busy, 10 deep queues for the restaurants. So took us about 20 mins to get seated.
So far so good.
Picture of the empty aisles leading to the security passport gate
Edited by mikebradford on Thursday 26th May 16:38
Exactly. It seems to be alternating between the two extremes, equally as frustrating as each other as you have to allow the extra time to then find yourself sat the other side of security hours early which is only slightly more preferable than hours on your feet queuing and fretting as to whether you will make the flight.
Shnozz said:
Exactly. It seems to be alternating between the two extremes, equally as frustrating as each other as you have to allow the extra time to then find yourself sat the other side of security hours early which is only slightly more preferable than hours on your feet queuing and fretting as to whether you will make the flight.
That's exactly what happened to us last week.Got through in seconds so was in the departure terminal way ahead of the flight. Which was then delayed.
The lounges were shut apart from one that was full so not accepting anyone.
All the restaurants and bars were rammed so the only place I could get a seat with the caviar/seafood place
As the flight was delayed I ended up half pissed on over priced champagne.
paulguitar said:
MEN is reporting various chaotic factors today: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/great...They say T3 was queuing into the car park at 4AM this morning.
3 weeks today fingers crossed I should be somewhere over south of France.
Thankfully not taking the kids so should make passing through the airport easier. Annoying that I may have to spend extra time at an airport (on either side of the security) as I hate spending time there and usually arrive as late as I can in the hope that I don’t need to hang around.
Thankfully not taking the kids so should make passing through the airport easier. Annoying that I may have to spend extra time at an airport (on either side of the security) as I hate spending time there and usually arrive as late as I can in the hope that I don’t need to hang around.
mikebradford said:
mikebradford said:
My airport experience gets better.
Apparently T1 restaurants are the place to do your covid testing.
Not sure if a positive test is what we're all hoping for lol
Gets better he's drinking corona lolApparently T1 restaurants are the place to do your covid testing.
Not sure if a positive test is what we're all hoping for lol
snuffy said:
Pit Pony said:
I once landed there (1994) having been diverted from Birmingham, with the pilot threatening to divert back.tp Frankfurt or to Glasgow, and when we landed, after the clapping had finished,
Why do people do that ? You never hear a round of applause when the train driver pulls into the station without crashing.Nice of a stranger to realise someone's about to have a panic attack.
At 9:20 I have a flight from. Verona to Amsterdam and then another flight to Birmingham.
My colleague has the plan to fill the hire car up at 6:50, have breakfast at 7:00,, when it opens in the hotel, drive to the airport at 7:30. Drop off the hire car by 7:35, walk into the terminal by 7:50, check in at KLM desk, walk through security with 560 presicion turned parts weighing 24 kg between us, in our hand luggage, and queue up at the gate by 9:00
I'll let you know how it goes.
My colleague has the plan to fill the hire car up at 6:50, have breakfast at 7:00,, when it opens in the hotel, drive to the airport at 7:30. Drop off the hire car by 7:35, walk into the terminal by 7:50, check in at KLM desk, walk through security with 560 presicion turned parts weighing 24 kg between us, in our hand luggage, and queue up at the gate by 9:00
I'll let you know how it goes.
Flew Monday lunchtime this week to the office. Security was fine, straight through. Queues in departures for any kind of food or coffee were insane though. Gave up eventually and sat on the floor and did some work !
Return flight was bonkers. On time on Wednesday late afternoon but then sat on the tarmac in the plane for an hour and a quarter while we waited for someone to move steps to the plane so we could all get off. Swissport staff shortages blamed.......... Straight through passport control though as opened up the booths instead of just relying on the useless automatic passport control that never works for me !
Return flight was bonkers. On time on Wednesday late afternoon but then sat on the tarmac in the plane for an hour and a quarter while we waited for someone to move steps to the plane so we could all get off. Swissport staff shortages blamed.......... Straight through passport control though as opened up the booths instead of just relying on the useless automatic passport control that never works for me !
Pit Pony said:
At 9:20 I have a flight from. Verona to Amsterdam and then another flight to Birmingham.
My colleague has the plan to fill the hire car up at 6:50, have breakfast at 7:00,, when it opens in the hotel, drive to the airport at 7:30. Drop off the hire car by 7:35, walk into the terminal by 7:50, check in at KLM desk, walk through security with 560 presicion turned parts weighing 24 kg between us, in our hand luggage, and queue up at the gate by 9:00
I'll let you know how it goes.
Good luckMy colleague has the plan to fill the hire car up at 6:50, have breakfast at 7:00,, when it opens in the hotel, drive to the airport at 7:30. Drop off the hire car by 7:35, walk into the terminal by 7:50, check in at KLM desk, walk through security with 560 presicion turned parts weighing 24 kg between us, in our hand luggage, and queue up at the gate by 9:00
I'll let you know how it goes.
mikebradford said:
mikebradford said:
My airport experience gets better.
Apparently T1 restaurants are the place to do your covid testing.
Not sure if a positive test is what we're all hoping for lol
Gets better he's drinking corona lolApparently T1 restaurants are the place to do your covid testing.
Not sure if a positive test is what we're all hoping for lol
I did find a place called liquidrom, which is a funky spa.
Plays dance music whilst you float around. Saunas and a small outdoor pool. Don't try if your afraid of a bit of nudity, takes a minute to recalibrate when your getting changed in what is a mixed locker room lol.
Now in Berlin Airport.
It's spotless, security was simple.
Lots of room everywhere.
Easy to find seats.
Looking forward to Manchester given none of us has hold baggage so potentially easy. Fingers crossed
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