Manchester: Airport Security, Immigration & Border Control

[KARFA]

Outward flight this morning was an 06:10 departure, so not really surprising that there was no stress going through outbound security at that unearthly hour.

thanks for your report. just for completeness, what time did you go through security, and how long were the queues?

 

[Land23R]

It does seem some work has been done to tackle the worst peaks of security queues at MAN.

Whilst departure times are an imperfect proxy for security delays, they are often related especially when we have seen the 1hr + queues recently.

On Wednesday there were 143 departures
29 flights were delayed by 1 hour or more, 2 flights were delayed by just over 3 hours
Average delay 40 minutes

On Friday there were 178 departures
no 3 hour+ delays, and only one 2hr+ delay
Average delay 24 minutes

It seems they have tackled the very worst peaks to some extent, and slightly improved performance overall. Still not ideal, but at least some signs of improvement at least on the issue of waiting times.

That improvement was backed up by my visit to T2 & T1 this morning. Just a snapshot between 08.45 and 09.30 in T2 where there were healthy check-in queues for Virgin and, encouragingly, for EI's flights to MCO & JFK.

2 very noticeable differences from last Saturday at a similar time. The TUI check-in area was almost deserted despite a 11.05 flight to BGI, compared to a week ago when there were big queues (but not extending into the Skylink).
The other big improvement was for security. Last Saturday, the line extended well back into the main check-in hall of T2X. Today, there seemed to be no queue back from the initial boarding pass check at all (is there a passport check too?).

Only a 45 minute snapshot as I say, and I can't vouch for the situation earlier or later, but a noticeable difference from last week. Based on the long queues for Etihad check-in (which was open) just over 3 hours before scheduled departure, it would appear passengers had taken note of the warnings of delays and arrived extra early for that flight at least.

T1 - the usual big queue for EK but security looked fine. Looking through into the channel, passengers once through the boarding pass check, were flowing easily into the beginning of the roped off security area without delay.

So what has made a difference? Wednesday is a quieter day than Friday or Saturday in terms of the number of flight departures.
Has there been a re-balancing of the allocation of security officers between the 2 Terminals? Have there been any new trained staff introduced in the last couple of days? Has management taken steps to address the problem of the high level of bags rejected for re-screening without jeopardising security? I don't know frankly, but let's be grateful for the change for the better and hope the improvement continues.

 

[Seasider]

Good to read that there appears to be some improvement.

 

[EGCC_MAN]

thanks for your report. just for completeness, what time did you go through security, and how long were the queues?

It was pretty early. Once through, I noted that Boots had opened up, but WHS still had the shutters down (with staff inside preparing to open). I think those two generally open around 04:00. Plenty of people had taken note of advice to arrive early ... a good stream going through when I did, though no backlog in evidence at that point.

Interestingly, once Starbuck's opened, their queue never fell below 40-50 people for the hour or so I sat nearby. Other catering outlets had big queues too. More staff needed all round, but brisk business to be had for businesses which take advantage. At just after 05:00, my gate number was confirmed, so headed off to 12A at the end of Pier B.

 

[KARFA]

Ok. Not really an answer to my question, but thanks anyway.

 

[EGCC_MAN]

thanks for your report. just for completeness, what time did you go through security, and how long were the queues?

There's your question.

around 04:00. Plenty of people had taken note of advice to arrive early ... a good stream going through when I did, though no backlog in evidence at that point.

There's the answer.

Ok. Not really an answer to my question, but thanks anyway.

Which bit did you not understand?

 

[KARFA]

Length of queues at security. I thought that would be obvious but if you want to play silly buggers please feel free 🙂

 

[Scottie Dog]

I'm sorry KARFA but does this part ".. a good stream going through when I did, though no backlog in evidence at that point." not provide the answer? He says no backlog which I take to mean a short queue that moved.

 

[KARFA]

I asked how long it took. It doesn’t require a cryptic answer. If he doesn’t want to say that fine of course. We are now fully informed on queues at Starbucks tho 🙂

 

[Silvercity]

Have a friend traveling tomorrow to JNB from MAN via LHR. Wasn't aware of problems as hasnt seen news, so let him know to allow more time.

 

[EGCC_MAN]

KARFA ... If you refuse to understand plain English that's on you. I'm not wasting any more time on your game-playing.

 

[KARFA]

I just asked how long the queue was to get through security. Hardly a difficult question, and one which others are interested in hearing the answer to. If you don’t want to answer that’s ok of course 🙂

 

[EGCC_MAN]

If anyone is still in doubt then I can’t help them.

 

[KARFA]

Give it a rest. Please.

Apologies. Can you tell me how long it took EGCC to get through security? If you can I will gladly take your advice 🙂

 

[Aviador]

As annoying as queues are, the vast majority of passengers will prefer to be screened properly rather than in half-arsed way to just get passengers through.

 

[KARFA]

As annoying as queues are, the vast majority of passengers will prefer to be screened properly rather than in half-arsed way to just get passengers through.

I don't think anyone is in disagreement with you there. I would go further and say not the vast majority but all passengers would like the security screening done to the standards the CAA have laid down as necessary for UK airports.

 

[Llandudno]

Passed through today. International flight from T1 entered security at 1407 through to the other side at 1431. Normal queue not fast track.

 

[marni1971]

Manchester Airport boss warns passengers long queues will continue for 'weeks'

Manchester Airport has been plagued by huge queues and delays recently

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

 

[KARFA]

Well that's disappointing to hear since there was some hope of improvements. Also I guess that may have been a factor in not reopning T3 security yet and instead continuing to use T1 for flight departing from T3 gates starting this Sunday.

The hub is on a major recruitment drive to remedy the crisis - even looking to 'work with universities' to find temporary hires - but they have warned long waits could continue well into April.

Karen Smart, managing director of Manchester Airport, said: “We want to apologise to all our customers who have experienced disruption over the last couple of weeks.

“We want to be clear with our customers that getting back to full strength is going to take time and there will unfortunately be periods over the next few weeks when it will take longer to get through the airport than it should.”

Staff are also struggling with the workload. Some have contacted the Manchester Evening News complaining of ‘exhaustion’ amid a heavy workload and diminishing team spirit.

One employee said: “It’s very under-staffed at the moment, things are diabolical. The entire work environment is shocking. A lot of people were furloughed and made redundant.

"All the companies in the airport just got rid of far too many staff, everyone panicked during the pandemic. Now everything is picking up again, we can’t just get the staff back.

 

[marni1971]

I don’t think it’s any surprise but at least it’s an admission from the top (finally)