Airport Security, Immigration & Border Control

[LBAYORKIE]

Just for the record. Looks like Manchesters staffing woes continue. I havent heard much recently about problems at LBA, are they still an issue?

BBC News - Manchester Airport: More delays blamed on lack of staff

Manchester Airport: More delays blamed on lack of staff

A lack of staff and surging demand are blamed for long baggage queues for arrivals.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Aviador]

There were reports of significant delays and passengers missing flights last week but I haven't seen anything more recently.

 

[a300boy]

I flew out of Manchester last Monday !
4 hours to get through check in and security and a night at the hotel on Sunday to enable a PCR test and 3 hour result.
Queued all around the new terminal 2 to security and made it to the departure gate with 40 mins left to departure time.

 

[BarnsleyHolidays]

I flew out of Manchester last Monday !
4 hours to get through check in and security and a night at the hotel on Sunday to enable a PCR test and 3 hour result.
Queued all around the new terminal 2 to security and made it to the departure gate with 40 mins left to departure time.

I hope you got rid of the stress before your arrival in Oz. Have a good time 'down under'.

BH

 

[a300boy]

Thanks BH

 

[The Pole]

Anyone know what security is like at LBA currently? Flying out to Belfast (Emerald) about 5pm Wednesday, we have a young child and dont really want to spend 3 hours in the airport he'll go nuts! I guess everyone will be opting to pay for fast track so this will defeat the object? On the other hand cant afford to miss the flight
Thanks in advance

 

[arry]

Anyone know what security is like at LBA currently? Flying out to Belfast (Emerald) about 5pm Wednesday, we have a young child and dont really want to spend 3 hours in the airport he'll go nuts! I guess everyone will be opting to pay for fast track so this will defeat the object? On the other hand cant afford to miss the flight
Thanks in advance

I flew out at 5pm last Wednesday. After a nightmare 3 weeks earlier on a morning flight I paid for fast track. In the event it was dead but Security still managed to mess it up. I was at least 20 behind the normal security queue as they were letting them go through more quickly! I’m fed up of the excuses when the basics are so wrong. Unless the Easter holidays have affected things I think you’ll have no problems. Safe journey.

 

[Seasider]

When I went through on Tuesday at 8.15am, the queue was practically back to the Jet2 check in. However, the fast track was nearly as long and I managed to get through before a couple who were on the same flight (AMS) as me. It took 55 mins but it felt relaxed and I didn't overhear (they may have been some out of my earshot) any complaints.

 

[The Pole]

When I went through on Tuesday at 8.15am, the queue was practically back to the Jet2 check in. However, the fast track was nearly as long and I managed to get through before a couple who were on the same flight (AMS) as me. It took 55 mins but it felt relaxed and I didn't overhear (they may have been some out of my earshot) any complaints.

Were you in the fast track queue?
Does the fast track take you right into security or just to were the security guard sits/stands at the entrance?
TIA

 

[Seasider]

I wasn't in the fast track queue, as I asked if that was for KLM pax and they said that they paid for fast track. I wouldn't advise anyone to pay for fast track until at the airport and see the queue.
I know that I would be peeved if I paid for fast track and the "normal" queue was quicker.
I think that the problem was that the fast track went to just one scanner as you turned into the security area which caused a queue. The "normal" queue snaked round but went to 2 scanners.
After what I had seen online at MAN it was a surprise - and pleasure - that everybody stayed calm and collected,

Anyone else been thro' the airport in the past week, it would be interesting for your views?

 

[AirBingley]

A friend of mine has used LBA 3 times in the last 6 weeks and the worst was 40 minutes with 3 kids which he said actually aunt so bad - it was orderly! Last week he was on the last FR out and no queue at all!

 

[LBAYORKIE]

There was an article on Look North last night highlighting delays at LBA. One disgruntled passenger complained about an 80 minute delay getting bags off his flight from AMS. His main complaint was not being kept informed- lets hope the airport take heed.

 

[CM.]

His main complaint was not being kept informed

He should have looked on the airports website where they do warn of delays in security so he can’t say there’s no information. And if he travelled with Jet2 they also warn of Security delays on their “latest travel information area”

 

[LBAYORKIE]

He should have looked on the airports website where they do warn of delays in security so he can’t say there’s no information. And if he travelled with Jet2 they also warn of Security delays on their “latest travel information area”

I agree, he must be living in a bubble.

 

[White Heather]

There was an article on Look North last night highlighting delays at LBA. One disgruntled passenger complained about an 80 minute delay getting bags off his flight from AMS. His main complaint was not being kept informed- lets hope the airport take heed.

Why blame LBA for something that is down to either Jet2 or Swissport? It's their job to unload baggage and their job to keep customers awaiting baggage informed as to when and why there is a delay unloading a particular flight.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Why blame LBA for something that is down to either Jet2 or Swissport? It's their job to unload baggage and their job to keep customers awaiting baggage informed as to when and why there is a delay unloading a particular flight.

Travellers arent interested in the detail. They just know theyve had a delay and as it was at the airport the 'airport' must be to blame. To be fair I dont think he apportioned blame, it was left up to the viewers to decide whos fault it was.

 

[CM.]

@LBAYORKIE i misread your post. I thought the article was talking about the queues for security. Not bags so ignore that older post.

Why blame LBA for something that is down to either Jet2 or Swissport? It's their job to unload baggage and their job to keep customers awaiting baggage informed as to when and why there is a delay unloading a particular flight.

The problem is that like security Jet2 and Swissport are also struggling with shortages. Especially at night like the other day where there was only around 7/8 of us to deal with 3 flights that arrived at around the same time. Plus to add that they were parked at the further stands (stand 19, 20 Ect) it took a while to get the bags to the passengers. Whilst I understand customers frustrations we try our best to get the bags to them as soon as we can so unfortunately they will have to be patient and wait. (There’s no excuses though during the day as there’s many more around then) but nights are more difficult.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

@LBAYORKIE i misread your post. I thought the article was talking about the queues for security. Not bags so ignore that older post.



The problem is that like security Jet2 and Swissport are also struggling with shortages. Especially at night like the other day where there was only around 7/8 of us to deal with 3 flights that arrived at around the same time. Plus to add that they were parked at the further stands (stand 19, 20 Ect) it took a while to get the bags to the passengers. Whilst I understand customers frustrations we try our best to get the bags to them as soon as we can so unfortunately they will have to be patient and wait. (There’s no excuses though during the day as there’s many more around then) but nights are more difficult.

I dont think anyone can claim to not know about staffing issues at airports, but that doesn't stop them complaining.
There's no excuse however for not keeping those waiting informed. I remember when I used to get the final flight of the day back from LHR each Friday the frustration of having to wait 30 minutes to get bags, business travellers just don't expect/tolerate it. I also think the publics expectations of smaller airport, with less flights is higher.

 

[White Heather]

@LBAYORKIE i misread your post. I thought the article was talking about the queues for security. Not bags so ignore that older post.



The problem is that like security Jet2 and Swissport are also struggling with shortages. Especially at night like the other day where there was only around 7/8 of us to deal with 3 flights that arrived at around the same time. Plus to add that they were parked at the further stands (stand 19, 20 Ect) it took a while to get the bags to the passengers. Whilst I understand customers frustrations we try our best to get the bags to them as soon as we can so unfortunately they will have to be patient and wait. (There’s no excuses though during the day as there’s many more around then) but nights are more difficult.

I totally get it. What I don't get is the desire to blame people because of the current situation. There is a culture of blame. Blame the airport management. Blame the airline. Nobody seems to understand that the Industry generally has emerged from being almost redundant, having been forced to offload staff to survive due to the lack of Government help, and now, with very short notice, having to recruit and train large numbers of staff. And in the case of airport staff, meet new and upgraded rules about who can do the security jobs. These have lengthened the recruitment process by a minimum 2 weeks. It's not the airports fault if people won't apply for the jobs. Nor the airlines. Nor the Handling Agents.

Ultimately, the options were to delay the availability of flights and holidays until airports, airlines and agents were fully staffed (could be a long wait bearing in mind the absence rate due to Covid), or make them available and expect the current problems. Personally, if I wanted a holiday abroad, in these circumstances, I would be happy to queue and happy to wait for my bags.

Frankly, I get sick of hearing people whinging without any real interest or understanding about the challenges that airports and airlines, AND ground handling agents face. The staff work hard, do their best, and all they get is people moaning about them on TV and radio. The press and media actively encourage them to do so. It's a sad reflection of the times we live in.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I totally get it. What I don't get is the desire to blame people because of the current situation. There is a culture of blame. Blame the airport management. Blame the airline. Nobody seems to understand that the Industry generally has emerged from being almost redundant, having been forced to offload staff to survive due to the lack of Government help, and now, with very short notice, having to recruit and train large numbers of staff. And in the case of airport staff, meet new and upgraded rules about who can do the security jobs. These have lengthened the recruitment process by a minimum 2 weeks. It's not the airports fault if people won't apply for the jobs. Nor the airlines. Nor the Handling Agents.

Ultimately, the options were to delay the availability of flights and holidays until airports, airlines and agents were fully staffed (could be a long wait bearing in mind the absence rate due to Covid), or make them available and expect the current problems. Personally, if I wanted a holiday abroad, in these circumstances, I would be happy to queue and happy to wait for my bags.

Frankly, I get sick of hearing people whinging without any real interest or understanding about the challenges that airports and airlines, AND ground handling agents face. The staff work hard, do their best, and all they get is people moaning about them on TV and radio. The press and media actively encourage them to do so. It's a sad reflection of the times we live in.

But we come back to public perception, irrespective of any justifications we (who know) accept its that that is important and that which has to be countered.