Manchester Airport. How can it be so bad?
Discussion
I was on an EasyJet flight out of MAN T1 yesterday at 13.50. We were already checked in before arrival but had hold luggage to drop. This took 45 minutes from joining the queue to getting it labelled and dropped on the belt (which only worked periodically. I don’t really see the point of the self labelling machines as they have to have nearly as many staff on hand to handle issues.
There were no Fastlane security tickets available to book so through the normal route where they were directing everyone downstairs with a long queue but it kept moving and this took another 45 minutes roughly. Flight was away bang on time and no issues with EasyJet who were perfect.
So, could have been much worse. As I’ve said a few times though, MAN and it’s facilities are embarrassing. The place (apart from the main duty free area) is filthy as always and it’s a poor show when Pret A Manger is the highest quality food/drink offering in the airport’s biggest terminal. Cafe Balzar which has the best seating for views out was minging, had no hot drink facilities and the only food they can now manage to produce is a bacon sandwich - that’s the menu. In the end it was £5.90 for 2 sparkling waters (a guy at the bar was complaining his very expensive beer was warm and flat, so I gave that a swerve) and back to Pret for something edible.
It’s a dump.
The thing is that they can’t fail - whilst people want to travel (and they probably always will), they seem to be able to do whatever they like and get away with it….because where else are you going to go? They must be laughing their heads off at us.
There were no Fastlane security tickets available to book so through the normal route where they were directing everyone downstairs with a long queue but it kept moving and this took another 45 minutes roughly. Flight was away bang on time and no issues with EasyJet who were perfect.
So, could have been much worse. As I’ve said a few times though, MAN and it’s facilities are embarrassing. The place (apart from the main duty free area) is filthy as always and it’s a poor show when Pret A Manger is the highest quality food/drink offering in the airport’s biggest terminal. Cafe Balzar which has the best seating for views out was minging, had no hot drink facilities and the only food they can now manage to produce is a bacon sandwich - that’s the menu. In the end it was £5.90 for 2 sparkling waters (a guy at the bar was complaining his very expensive beer was warm and flat, so I gave that a swerve) and back to Pret for something edible.
It’s a dump.
The thing is that they can’t fail - whilst people want to travel (and they probably always will), they seem to be able to do whatever they like and get away with it….because where else are you going to go? They must be laughing their heads off at us.
I was pleasantly surprised by our recent trip our via MAN to Malaga. Did twilight bag drop, which was a dream, and gave me chance to check out the new terminal building. Fairly well done I thought, but as ever could do with a clean.
Following day we just had to negotiate security. Got there 3hrs before our 08.15 flight and were through security after about 45mins so had plenty of time. Loads of new eateries in the new Terminal, and got some half decent grub at PKB. My only criticism was the bogs - fecking tiny in the new main departure hall. I held on 'til we started walking to the gate and went in what appeared to be one of the bogs of the old T2 departure hall. VAST by comparison. Bit weird.
Flight back on Sat from Malaga was delayed. Apparently loads of delays at MAN led to an hours delay outbound, albeit landed only 20mins after the scheduled arrival to Malaga. We were boarded at the far end of the runway for some reason! Then we had to wait about 30mins for a slot to leave, so were probably about 1hr late departing. Then there was the engine fire at MAN so we did about 8 loops of Buxton before landing about 1hr 20mins late.
Pretty much straight through border patrol though and bags were there straightaway.
So generaly fairly slick in our experience, but FFS MAG - clean your bloody airport. It's been a tip for years. What's the point of building shiny new stuff if you're not going to look after it?
Following day we just had to negotiate security. Got there 3hrs before our 08.15 flight and were through security after about 45mins so had plenty of time. Loads of new eateries in the new Terminal, and got some half decent grub at PKB. My only criticism was the bogs - fecking tiny in the new main departure hall. I held on 'til we started walking to the gate and went in what appeared to be one of the bogs of the old T2 departure hall. VAST by comparison. Bit weird.
Flight back on Sat from Malaga was delayed. Apparently loads of delays at MAN led to an hours delay outbound, albeit landed only 20mins after the scheduled arrival to Malaga. We were boarded at the far end of the runway for some reason! Then we had to wait about 30mins for a slot to leave, so were probably about 1hr late departing. Then there was the engine fire at MAN so we did about 8 loops of Buxton before landing about 1hr 20mins late.
Pretty much straight through border patrol though and bags were there straightaway.
So generaly fairly slick in our experience, but FFS MAG - clean your bloody airport. It's been a tip for years. What's the point of building shiny new stuff if you're not going to look after it?
Edited by Swervin_Mervin on Monday 1st August 14:16
RammyMP said:
I flew back to Manchester from Faro this morning with Ryanair. Our plane was an hour late getting to Faro from Manchester and Ryanair were blaming chaos at Manchester, it was clear when we landed at about 13:30. Off the plane and in the car within about 20 mins.
a lot of it is the carriers dicking around with their own schedules and failing to meet commitments. Easy to blame ground operations. For example some flights are now guaranteed to be a couple of hours late in order to meet other scheduling commitments, but if they move the schedule departure time they get penalised, so they leave it where it is. This means 3-4 hours early arrival to the airport and then a further 3 hours of loitering in overly busy terminals. None of that is anything to do with ground operations (although they can add further delays).Blown2CV said:
a lot of it is the carriers dicking around with their own schedules and failing to meet commitments. Easy to blame ground operations. For example some flights are now guaranteed to be a couple of hours late in order to meet other scheduling commitments, but if they move the schedule departure time they get penalised, so they leave it where it is. This means 3-4 hours early arrival to the airport and then a further 3 hours of loitering in overly busy terminals. None of that is anything to do with ground operations (although they can add further delays).
Unlikely that happens though as it massively increases the risk of eu compo if there’s more delays. What you’re describing above would result in a rescheduled departure not an airline just deliberately going hours late and not rescheduling and telling passengers etc.
paulguitar said:
They don't, it's just primarily theatrical bulls
t to make people who are not thinking feel 'safer'.
The pilot and writer Patrick Smith has some interesting points to make about airport security and aviation generally:
https://askthepilot.com/
He was once prevented from taking a spoon onto his own aircraft by a security goon on the basis that he was forbidden to take anything onboard that 'could potentially give access to the cockpit'. He was flying the plane.
I’ve just forgotten about how daft some of this is as it happens so often. I was delayed for a while in security whilst they searched for a knife (from a meal on board) that had fallen down inside the lining of my flight bag. t to make people who are not thinking feel 'safer'.The pilot and writer Patrick Smith has some interesting points to make about airport security and aviation generally:
https://askthepilot.com/
He was once prevented from taking a spoon onto his own aircraft by a security goon on the basis that he was forbidden to take anything onboard that 'could potentially give access to the cockpit'. He was flying the plane.
I normally just let them get on with it but did say, “you do know I’m flying the plane what am I going to do with cutlery”?
Security points at my first officer “You might try and take over the plane or try and kill her”
First officer “but he’s already in control of the plane and holding the controls”
Security “just doing my job mate”
And it’s true, they’re just doing their job but. . .
I know I’ve told this before but I saw an armed policemen be asked to put his machine gun through the X-ray at Glasgow airport years ago. I thought it was a joke but it’s a true story bro.
Anyone know or remember the colourful airtours and my travel captain that got the sack years ago for (amongst many things) getting annoyed and taking most of has clothes off in security at Birmingham airport and on another flight letting Robbie savage into the flightdeck mid air.
I’ve done loads of courses on security in airports and we get to see the devices people have tried to smuggle on board and you’d be surprised what would be terrorists are trying. So it’s not all theatre.
As an aside during the pandemic some of my co workers got jobs testing airport security where they would be given devices to try and get through airport security ( from an approved security testing company not Isis or some Mexican cartel) and they'd hopefully get caught and then have to produce the card showing they’re legit testers and not jihadists, sounded interesting work.
El stovey said:
I’ve just forgotten about how daft some of this is as it happens so often. I was delayed for a while in security whilst they searched for a knife (from a meal on board) that had fallen down inside the lining of my flight bag.
I normally just let them get on with it but did say, “you do know I’m flying the plane what am I going to do with cutlery”?
Security points at my first officer “You might try and take over the plane or try and kill her”
First officer “but he’s already in control of the plane and holding the controls”
Security “just doing my job mate”
And it’s true, they’re just doing their job but. . .
I know I’ve told this before but I saw an armed policemen be asked to put his machine gun through the X-ray at Glasgow airport years ago. I thought it was a joke but it’s a true story bro.
Anyone know or remember the colourful airtours and my travel captain that got the sack years ago for (amongst many things) getting annoyed and taking most of has clothes off in security at Birmingham airport and on another flight letting Robbie savage into the flightdeck mid air.
I’ve done loads of courses on security in airports and we get to see the devices people have tried to smuggle on board and you’d be surprised what would be terrorists are trying. So it’s not all theatre.
As an aside during the pandemic some of my co workers got jobs testing airport security where they would be given devices to try and get through airport security ( from an approved security testing company not Isis or some Mexican cartel) and they'd hopefully get caught and then have to produce the card showing they’re legit testers and not jihadists, sounded interesting work.
A colleague and I were refused airside access at EMA some years ago as we were "carrying offensive weapons" and the bod in Central Search wouldn't let us through......... 2 uniformed ARV cops, carrying a carbine, pistol, & taser, CS, baton, rescue knife, you name it........I normally just let them get on with it but did say, “you do know I’m flying the plane what am I going to do with cutlery”?
Security points at my first officer “You might try and take over the plane or try and kill her”
First officer “but he’s already in control of the plane and holding the controls”
Security “just doing my job mate”
And it’s true, they’re just doing their job but. . .
I know I’ve told this before but I saw an armed policemen be asked to put his machine gun through the X-ray at Glasgow airport years ago. I thought it was a joke but it’s a true story bro.
Anyone know or remember the colourful airtours and my travel captain that got the sack years ago for (amongst many things) getting annoyed and taking most of has clothes off in security at Birmingham airport and on another flight letting Robbie savage into the flightdeck mid air.
I’ve done loads of courses on security in airports and we get to see the devices people have tried to smuggle on board and you’d be surprised what would be terrorists are trying. So it’s not all theatre.
As an aside during the pandemic some of my co workers got jobs testing airport security where they would be given devices to try and get through airport security ( from an approved security testing company not Isis or some Mexican cartel) and they'd hopefully get caught and then have to produce the card showing they’re legit testers and not jihadists, sounded interesting work.
El stovey said:
Blown2CV said:
a lot of it is the carriers dicking around with their own schedules and failing to meet commitments. Easy to blame ground operations. For example some flights are now guaranteed to be a couple of hours late in order to meet other scheduling commitments, but if they move the schedule departure time they get penalised, so they leave it where it is. This means 3-4 hours early arrival to the airport and then a further 3 hours of loitering in overly busy terminals. None of that is anything to do with ground operations (although they can add further delays).
Unlikely that happens though as it massively increases the risk of eu compo if there’s more delays. What you’re describing above would result in a rescheduled departure not an airline just deliberately going hours late and not rescheduling and telling passengers etc.
Blown2CV said:
apparently it happens as some aircraft have to make 'common' additional journeys, making them consistently late. I've heard they do this in a way that results in a delay shorter than the 3 hours, which means no compo payable. Yes it should result in a reschedule but why would they not just reschedule it, unless there was a reason?
That’s my point I don’t think it does happen much like that, as by not rescheduling you’re constantly exposing yourself to compo delays if you’re running late. It obviously possible of course but seems an unnecessary risk to the airline and upsets passengers. I guess if it’s only now and then it happens or there’s some contract between an airline and say a company paying for the flight like a charterer or third party operation then a reschedule might be more difficult?
El stovey said:
I’ve done loads of courses on security in airports and we get to see the devices people have tried to smuggle on board and you’d be surprised what would be terrorists are trying. So it’s not all theatre.
About 30 years ago now, I carried something that looks like this on to a plane, in one of those silver case things:
It did cause a bit of a hoo-ha at Cairo Airport security !
(cross-post into the Queue Chaos and Manchester Airport threads)
Arrived back into Manchester this morning from Melbourne (MLB, FL) - took off 90mins late and arrived 60mins late.
Deplaning took a little longer than necessary but still only around 20mins and we were right at the back of the plane.
Bus to the terminal and immigration was quite fast and the queue for immigration looked worse than it was - took about 30mins to get through (couldn't use e-gates as with an under 12yr old) but the e-gates flew through with vast volumes being cleared super fast.
Baggage - this was my major concern after seeing some horror stories on the vacuum of twitter and there was zero issue here, the bags were waiting on the conveyor by the time we cleared immigration.
Car was waiting for me at the meet and greet reception point which was excellent and quick too.
Im out to Dubai a week Saturday from NCL, and can't see it being any worse than the super-easy trip it was early July.
Arrived back into Manchester this morning from Melbourne (MLB, FL) - took off 90mins late and arrived 60mins late.
Deplaning took a little longer than necessary but still only around 20mins and we were right at the back of the plane.
Bus to the terminal and immigration was quite fast and the queue for immigration looked worse than it was - took about 30mins to get through (couldn't use e-gates as with an under 12yr old) but the e-gates flew through with vast volumes being cleared super fast.
Baggage - this was my major concern after seeing some horror stories on the vacuum of twitter and there was zero issue here, the bags were waiting on the conveyor by the time we cleared immigration.
Car was waiting for me at the meet and greet reception point which was excellent and quick too.
Im out to Dubai a week Saturday from NCL, and can't see it being any worse than the super-easy trip it was early July.
Prolex-UK said:
Flying out from MAN tomorrow at 21.00 to Madrid with Ryan Air.
Have Fast Track.
Getting to airport 5pmish
Is it still a sh*tshow these days ?
Which terminal? If Ryanair, I assume T3, in which case, 2-2.5 hours will be plenty! 4 is way too early and they say don't arrive too early because you'll block people trying to get earlier flights.Have Fast Track.
Getting to airport 5pmish
Is it still a sh*tshow these days ?
Prolex-UK said:
Flying out from MAN tomorrow at 21.00 to Madrid with Ryan Air.
Have Fast Track.
Getting to airport 5pmish
Is it still a sh*tshow these days ?
I’m in Madrid presently and load of chaps at my hotel unimpressed their flight today got bumped due to French air traffic control strikes. Have Fast Track.
Getting to airport 5pmish
Is it still a sh*tshow these days ?
AyBee said:
Prolex-UK said:
Flying out from MAN tomorrow at 21.00 to Madrid with Ryan Air.
Have Fast Track.
Getting to airport 5pmish
Is it still a sh*tshow these days ?
Which terminal? If Ryanair, I assume T3, in which case, 2-2.5 hours will be plenty! 4 is way too early and they say don't arrive too early because you'll block people trying to get earlier flights.Have Fast Track.
Getting to airport 5pmish
Is it still a sh*tshow these days ?
Shnozz said:
Prolex-UK said:
Flying out from MAN tomorrow at 21.00 to Madrid with Ryan Air.
Have Fast Track.
Getting to airport 5pmish
Is it still a sh*tshow these days ?
I’m in Madrid presently and load of chaps at my hotel unimpressed their flight today got bumped due to French air traffic control strikes. Have Fast Track.
Getting to airport 5pmish
Is it still a sh*tshow these days ?
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