Manchester Airport. How can it be so bad?
Discussion
I had a 6:30am flight out of Manchester on Thursday and it was all fairly smooth. Security took a while because they only had 3 scanners working but it wasn't too bad.
Oddly I was fairly close to the end of the queue and it seemed that no one else was joining the back iof it which seemed odd.
Oddly I was fairly close to the end of the queue and it seemed that no one else was joining the back iof it which seemed odd.
All good today.
Plane was late arriving from madrid.
Some guy was hassling people about being in the priority queue like us and we should move from it. As flight was late was a bit chaotic and no signage.
Several people told him to jog on.
He then started to dhout at the people getting us to board.
Was sat in front of us and 2 armed police came onto plane an removed him from the plane... Another 30 mins to wait while they removed his bag
Plane was late arriving from madrid.
Some guy was hassling people about being in the priority queue like us and we should move from it. As flight was late was a bit chaotic and no signage.
Several people told him to jog on.
He then started to dhout at the people getting us to board.
Was sat in front of us and 2 armed police came onto plane an removed him from the plane... Another 30 mins to wait while they removed his bag
Last Visit said:
Have to admit, I’ve never singled out a specific airport as being bad because the whole escapade of getting abroad is a total ballache.Driving miles to the airport, parking up at the airport, checking in many many hours before your crack-of-Dawn flight, so you are like a zombie for the rest of the day, delays in the airport, stupid prices at the airports captive market, slow security, slow check in, slow to board the plan, uncomfortable planes because I’m tall so no legroom, then repeat much of that at the other end, massive walks to security, slow security, slow baggage claim, miles more to walk for the transfers, which also take ages to get to the destination. Then repeat it all going back.
The entire thing is s
te. 
. Manchester seems much of a muchness compared to tue others I’ve used but have to admit that Doncaster airport stands out as being the best experience, as per that link. It’s smaller, more relaxed and easy. Sadly, I think it’s in financial trouble and may end up closing. Being good and nice isn’t that profitable I guess. 
Edited by Cloudy147 on Saturday 29th October 00:09
Cloudy147 said:
Have to admit, I’ve never singled out a specific airport as being bad because the whole escapade of getting abroad is a total ballache.
Driving miles to the airport, parking up at the airport, checking in many many hours before your crack-of-Dawn flight, so you are like a zombie for the rest of the day, delays in the airport, stupid prices at the airports captive market, slow security, slow check in, slow to board the plan, uncomfortable planes because I’m tall so no legroom, then repeat much of that at the other end, massive walks to security, slow security, slow baggage claim, miles more to walk for the transfers, which also take ages to get to the destination. Then repeat it all going back.
The entire thing is ste. . Manchester seems much of a muchness compared to tue others I’ve used but have to admit that Doncaster airport stands out as being the best experience, as per that link. It’s smaller, more relaxed and easy. Sadly, I think it’s in financial trouble and may end up closing. Being good and nice isn’t that profitable I guess.
Doncaster is a jewel glowing in a sea of mediocrity. Sadly the last outbound passenger flight for Tui left last night, and I think Wizz leave fully tonight. We have a week off returning flights from Tui then that is it for passenger flights. The runway will close mid November.Driving miles to the airport, parking up at the airport, checking in many many hours before your crack-of-Dawn flight, so you are like a zombie for the rest of the day, delays in the airport, stupid prices at the airports captive market, slow security, slow check in, slow to board the plan, uncomfortable planes because I’m tall so no legroom, then repeat much of that at the other end, massive walks to security, slow security, slow baggage claim, miles more to walk for the transfers, which also take ages to get to the destination. Then repeat it all going back.
The entire thing is s
te. . Manchester seems much of a muchness compared to tue others I’ve used but have to admit that Doncaster airport stands out as being the best experience, as per that link. It’s smaller, more relaxed and easy. Sadly, I think it’s in financial trouble and may end up closing. Being good and nice isn’t that profitable I guess. Edited by Cloudy147 on Saturday 29th October 00:09
Still talks ongoing that may save it but they feel increasingly unlikely to succeed.
Many will rant about Peel, but ultimately they have a ton of money invested in the site and a valuable land resource. The two people who are able to buy the site, Doncaster mayor (aka the granny) and the Mayor of the South Yorkshire Combined Authority (aka the Student Union President) have been trying to make it Political while hiding that that they were completely out classed by Peel management and they took far too long before going out to the market themselves to look for investors.
surveyor said:
Doncaster is a jewel glowing in a sea of mediocrity.
But you could never actually get anywhere from there apart from (mostly) the usual British holidaymaker package destinations. This is why I never used it despite being viable - and you have zero business customers for the same reason. Not that I’m defending Manchester - it’s a disorganised s
thole. MarkJS said:
surveyor said:
Doncaster is a jewel glowing in a sea of mediocrity.
But you could never actually get anywhere from there apart from (mostly) the usual British holidaymaker package destinations. This is why I never used it despite being viable - and you have zero business customers for the same reason. Not that I’m defending Manchester - it’s a disorganised s
thole. Cloudy147 said:
Have to admit, I’ve never singled out a specific airport as being bad because the whole escapade of getting abroad is a total ballache.
Driving miles to the airport, parking up at the airport, checking in many many hours before your crack-of-Dawn flight, so you are like a zombie for the rest of the day, delays in the airport, stupid prices at the airports captive market, slow security, slow check in, slow to board the plan, uncomfortable planes because I’m tall so no legroom, then repeat much of that at the other end
We live between the U.K. and Spain so travel monthly. It can be what you make it IMHO. It was me that sold the concept to Mrs Shnozz so I had to make it work. Driving miles to the airport, parking up at the airport, checking in many many hours before your crack-of-Dawn flight, so you are like a zombie for the rest of the day, delays in the airport, stupid prices at the airports captive market, slow security, slow check in, slow to board the plan, uncomfortable planes because I’m tall so no legroom, then repeat much of that at the other end
We live city centre in the U.K.. 200 yards from our front door is a bus stop that goes straight to Leeds airport. 25 mins and a few quid. Small U.K. airport means easy to get through. Since covid pay the extra for fast track security but rarely need it now outside of school holidays.
Bank account comes with lounge access so straight in there for peace and quiet, a drink and dinner and some work on the laptops. Works out cheap as chips when at airports.
Climb on board and watch a film or series on Netflix. I’m lanky too but flight of just over two hours passes in a jiffy.
Land, whisk through airport, into awaiting car and house 25 mins the other side.
I’ve left work at 4pm and been ‘home’ by 8:30pm.
You can make travel easier if you plan around it.
Cloudy147 said:
Have to admit, I’ve never singled out a specific airport as being bad because the whole escapade of getting abroad is a total ballache.
Driving miles to the airport, parking up at the airport, checking in many many hours before your crack-of-Dawn flight, so you are like a zombie for the rest of the day, delays in the airport, stupid prices at the airports captive market, slow security, slow check in, slow to board the plan, uncomfortable planes because I’m tall so no legroom, then repeat much of that at the other end, massive walks to security, slow security, slow baggage claim, miles more to walk for the transfers, which also take ages to get to the destination. Then repeat it all going back.
The entire thing is ste. . Manchester seems much of a muchness compared to tue others I’ve used but have to admit that Doncaster airport stands out as being the best experience, as per that link. It’s smaller, more relaxed and easy. Sadly, I think it’s in financial trouble and may end up closing. Being good and nice isn’t that profitable I guess.
For the most part it's really not that bad. There have been a few hiccups this year post CV19. Driving miles to the airport, parking up at the airport, checking in many many hours before your crack-of-Dawn flight, so you are like a zombie for the rest of the day, delays in the airport, stupid prices at the airports captive market, slow security, slow check in, slow to board the plan, uncomfortable planes because I’m tall so no legroom, then repeat much of that at the other end, massive walks to security, slow security, slow baggage claim, miles more to walk for the transfers, which also take ages to get to the destination. Then repeat it all going back.
The entire thing is s
te. . Manchester seems much of a muchness compared to tue others I’ve used but have to admit that Doncaster airport stands out as being the best experience, as per that link. It’s smaller, more relaxed and easy. Sadly, I think it’s in financial trouble and may end up closing. Being good and nice isn’t that profitable I guess. Edited by Cloudy147 on Saturday 29th October 00:09
I don't travel the vast amounts some do but will still manage 40 odd flights by the end of the year across 7 airlines. 14 airports & predominantly in economy. There become a number of different ways to make your life easier from avoiding checked baggage; to getting lounge access; downloading boarding passes to your phone; getting empty seats next to you in economy; picking the "right" flights & airports; skipping check in queues.
Not every flight or airport experience has been stress free, but the vast majority have. A once or twice a year experience at the height of the school holiday season to a popular destination in the Med with TUI would probably give me a different impression I concede!
GT03ROB said:
For the most part it's really not that bad. There have been a few hiccups this year post CV19.
I don't travel the vast amounts some do but will still manage 40 odd flights by the end of the year across 7 airlines. 14 airports & predominantly in economy. There become a number of different ways to make your life easier from avoiding checked baggage; to getting lounge access; downloading boarding passes to your phone; getting empty seats next to you in economy; picking the "right" flights & airports; skipping check in queues.
Not every flight or airport experience has been stress free, but the vast majority have. A once or twice a year experience at the height of the school holiday season to a popular destination in the Med with TUI would probably give me a different impression I concede!
It’s been sI don't travel the vast amounts some do but will still manage 40 odd flights by the end of the year across 7 airlines. 14 airports & predominantly in economy. There become a number of different ways to make your life easier from avoiding checked baggage; to getting lounge access; downloading boarding passes to your phone; getting empty seats next to you in economy; picking the "right" flights & airports; skipping check in queues.
Not every flight or airport experience has been stress free, but the vast majority have. A once or twice a year experience at the height of the school holiday season to a popular destination in the Med with TUI would probably give me a different impression I concede!
t for years. In the past I’ve often flown in from Dublin and often spent longer waiting for the bus than in the air, because airplanes arriving seem to surprise the airport…In Manchester Airport now heading to Morocco
Going via T2.
Parked in T2 multi storey which is quick and simple.
No queues at all in checkin.
Quick other than usual f#@kwits that need to strip metal off at the security bit.
T2 departure lounge is quiet.
Not done T2 like it is now.
Lots of decent shops, cafes and restraunts.
Going via T2.
Parked in T2 multi storey which is quick and simple.
No queues at all in checkin.
Quick other than usual f#@kwits that need to strip metal off at the security bit.
T2 departure lounge is quiet.
Not done T2 like it is now.
Lots of decent shops, cafes and restraunts.
Does anyone understand the process for booking a taxi with ManchesterStreetCars?
Cannot phone, the website takes £1.01 and does nothing. It just sort of summs up the appauling state of the airport.
The previous contractor always worked seamlessly well, but the current mob always seem to have issues.
Update - apparently taking the £1.01 is to prove you have a valid account - rather than just taking the payment for the booking like any normal enterprise would. No explanation why it was taken twice.
But then read their emails and they are incoherent, they ask you for the booking reference that you were not given etc. etc. so I doubt we actually have a reservation.
Having now made contact it looks more like a scam. Why they were awarded this monopoly, you can only presume it was because they promised a bigger percentage to MIA rather than any level of customer satisfaction.
We used them last January, the early morning job had been sub-contracted to a private hire from Sale, who had gone miles off his patch, not been paid his normal rate and did not know the best route. He ranted at us all the way.
But they have a monopoly as any decent taxi firm get toasted if they enter the airport perimeter for 1-minute.
Cannot phone, the website takes £1.01 and does nothing. It just sort of summs up the appauling state of the airport.
The previous contractor always worked seamlessly well, but the current mob always seem to have issues.
Update - apparently taking the £1.01 is to prove you have a valid account - rather than just taking the payment for the booking like any normal enterprise would. No explanation why it was taken twice.
But then read their emails and they are incoherent, they ask you for the booking reference that you were not given etc. etc. so I doubt we actually have a reservation.
Having now made contact it looks more like a scam. Why they were awarded this monopoly, you can only presume it was because they promised a bigger percentage to MIA rather than any level of customer satisfaction.
We used them last January, the early morning job had been sub-contracted to a private hire from Sale, who had gone miles off his patch, not been paid his normal rate and did not know the best route. He ranted at us all the way.
But they have a monopoly as any decent taxi firm get toasted if they enter the airport perimeter for 1-minute.
Edited by rdjohn on Tuesday 8th November 17:43
rdjohn said:
Does anyone understand the process for booking a taxi with ManchesterStreetCars?
Cannot phone, the website takes £1.01 and does nothing. It just sort of summs up the appauling state of the airport.
The previous contractor always worked seamlessly well, but the current mob always seem to have issues.
Update - apparently taking the £1.01 is to prove you have a valid account - rather than just taking the payment for the booking like any normal enterprise would. No explanation why it was taken twice.
But then read their emails and they are incoherent, they ask you for the booking reference that you were not given etc. etc. so I doubt we actually have a reservation.
Having now made contact it looks more like a scam. Why they were awarded this monopoly, you can only presume it was because they promised a bigger percentage to MIA rather than any level of customer satisfaction.
We used them last January, the early morning job had been sub-contracted to a private hire from Sale, who had gone miles off his patch, not been paid his normal rate and did not know the best route. He ranted at us all the way.
But they have a monopoly as any decent taxi firm get toasted if they enter the airport perimeter for 1-minute.
Jump on the tram and get an Uber from a stop outside the airport. I live 15 minutes away from Manchester Airport but because it is so badly run, looks a complete sCannot phone, the website takes £1.01 and does nothing. It just sort of summs up the appauling state of the airport.
The previous contractor always worked seamlessly well, but the current mob always seem to have issues.
Update - apparently taking the £1.01 is to prove you have a valid account - rather than just taking the payment for the booking like any normal enterprise would. No explanation why it was taken twice.
But then read their emails and they are incoherent, they ask you for the booking reference that you were not given etc. etc. so I doubt we actually have a reservation.
Having now made contact it looks more like a scam. Why they were awarded this monopoly, you can only presume it was because they promised a bigger percentage to MIA rather than any level of customer satisfaction.
We used them last January, the early morning job had been sub-contracted to a private hire from Sale, who had gone miles off his patch, not been paid his normal rate and did not know the best route. He ranted at us all the way.
But they have a monopoly as any decent taxi firm get toasted if they enter the airport perimeter for 1-minute.
t tip (except T2) and management training by the Chuckle Brothers I won't pay the drop off/pick up charge, Fast track security (and now I note) Fast Track Passport Control as a matter of principle so hop on a Tram and either get picked up from a friend or call an Uber for a fiver.Armitage.Shanks said:
Jump on the tram and get an Uber from a stop outside the airport. I live 15 minutes away from Manchester Airport but because it is so badly run, looks a complete st tip (except T2) and management training by the Chuckle Brothers I won't pay the drop off/pick up charge, Fast track security (and now I note) Fast Track Passport Control as a matter of principle so hop on a Tram and either get picked up from a friend or call an Uber for a fiver.
That sounds like an excellent Plan B. t tip (except T2) and management training by the Chuckle Brothers I won't pay the drop off/pick up charge, Fast track security (and now I note) Fast Track Passport Control as a matter of principle so hop on a Tram and either get picked up from a friend or call an Uber for a fiver.If its late at night or pouring down then I would prefer a customer friendly company to make the journey seamless for me.
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