Leeds Bradford: Airport Security, Immigration & Border Control

[LBAYORKIE]

I didn't realise people were actually missing flights, makes u wonder of there's more to this story than meets the eye.

'Snaking queues' at Leeds Bradford Airport security gates causes passengers to miss flight

CHAOS at the security gates at Leeds Bradford airport has caused anger among a group of passengers who missed their flight to Dublin earlier this…

www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk

 

[arry]

It’s interesting to read passenger comments about their arrival time. I’ve been through the airport just about every month since last July and watched this problem grow in the last 3 months. The security staff are doing the best they can. The Fast Lane, which is temporarily suspended, didn’t help. It just forced the normal queue to a complete standstill. However, both Jet 2 and Ryanair at LBA and abroad emailed and texted me to arrive 3 hours before flight time so the 2 hours or 2 hours 10mins before as in the article is insufficient and they are not following the guidance I received. There was only staff for one lane up to my last flight in April but I think I read somewhere 2 lanes are now open which will help. Finally, a big contributory factor are holidaymakers not being a) ready and b) not removing the required items from luggage causing double scanning and manual searches.

 

[GolfFox]

Friends of my wife were travelling to Lloret de Mar (a flight to Gerona??) and arrived over 3 hours before their departure time with cabin baggage only. Queues for Security were out the door and when they finally made it to the gate they were told the flight had closed although (they said) they were there 10 minutes before it should have done. Around 20 others missed the flight. A flight to Alicante at the next gate was still open awaiting passengers although it was way past the time it should have closed. According to them, passengers for a number of flights were called forward from the queue which contributed significantly to them missing the flight - their flight was not called forward. What a frustrating scenario. Of course the excuse was that it is an industry wide issue - which I'm sure it is although many airports seem to have sorted it already! (My daughter has passed through Heathrow, London City Glasgow, Edinburgh, Frankfurt and Gatwick in the last two weeks without issue) The next problem was that they were stranded 'airside' and there were no staff prepared to help them get back 'landside'. It wasn't any ones job apparently!!! They eventually got back when a member of staff declared an 'incident' and I presume security staff appeared and escorted them all back 'landside'. Sting in the tail is that because they arrived at the airport 'on time' in accordance with Airline/Airport recommendations the insurance company would not pay out. If they had been late at the airport they would have done!!! The airport not interested - not their problem and denied liability. I would question that - it would be interesting if they take the issue to the Small Claims Court.

 

[AirBingley]

In security the other week I did see some pretty unprepared people which was not helpful to getting through - I do wonder if airlines could ask for more bags to be checked in (even free) to have less clutter at security - obviously that pushes a problem to the handling agents which are equally understaffed as there are some pretty hefty baggage charges on some routes encouraging lots of hand luggage.

 

[KARFA]

Sting in the tail is that because they arrived at the airport 'on time' in accordance with Airline/Airport recommendations the insurance company would not pay out. If they had been late at the airport they would have done!!! The airport not interested - not their problem and denied liability. I would question that - it would be interesting if they take the issue to the Small Claims Court.

That is a shocking travel insurance policy.

I think EC261 involuntary denied boarding against the airline could be a way to go here if they arrived at the gate before the normal gate closure time. I am sure the airline will reject the claim, and you would have to pursue it via MCOL (or CEDR if they sign up to that).

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Friends of my wife were travelling to Lloret de Mar (a flight to Gerona??) and arrived over 3 hours before their departure time with cabin baggage only. Queues for Security were out the door and when they finally made it to the gate they were told the flight had closed although (they said) they were there 10 minutes before it should have done. Around 20 others missed the flight. A flight to Alicante at the next gate was still open awaiting passengers although it was way past the time it should have closed. According to them, passengers for a number of flights were called forward from the queue which contributed significantly to them missing the flight - their flight was not called forward. What a frustrating scenario. Of course the excuse was that it is an industry wide issue - which I'm sure it is although many airports seem to have sorted it already! (My daughter has passed through Heathrow, London City Glasgow, Edinburgh, Frankfurt and Gatwick in the last two weeks without issue) The next problem was that they were stranded 'airside' and there were no staff prepared to help them get back 'landside'. It wasn't any ones job apparently!!! They eventually got back when a member of staff declared an 'incident' and I presume security staff appeared and escorted them all back 'landside'. Sting in the tail is that because they arrived at the airport 'on time' in accordance with Airline/Airport recommendations the insurance company would not pay out. If they had been late at the airport they would have done!!! The airport not interested - not their problem and denied liability. I would question that - it would be interesting if they take the issue to the Small Claims Court.

Thats terrible. Its an interesting point though, who is liable if you turn up on time and have followed the guidance? My first inclination is to take the airport to court, its their security screening that caused the problem. Surely they should call passengers forward if there's any possibility of them missing their flight. Did the passengers lose their flights/holiday or did the airline book them on a later flight?

 

[paully]

I wonder if they had first checked a bag in before they joined the security queue, would the flight have been held?.After all they would have had to find someone to go into the hold to remove their bag..It may well have done the trick...Makes you think doesnt it..

 

[markietg]

Surely they should call passengers forward if there's any possibility of them missing their flight

When I flew to LHR last month I was in the queue for 1hr 30mins. Jet2 staff were calling forward their pax. I saw nobody from Swissport calling Ryanair pax forward and it was only Ryanair pax I saw being told to return to check in because their gates were closed.

 

[Seasider]

If Swissport don't have the staff to carry out standard procedures, they won't have anyone to go down the security queue to pull people out.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Look North have just shown queues at the airport and asked for anyone affected to contact them. No doubt there will be a follow up feature in the next couple of days. Let's hope the airport are given the chance to comment.

 

[CM.]

There’s many stories regarding the long queues. None of them are going to be positive because long queues are never positive. There’s only so much that people can do with the amount of staff their is and I’m sure the LBA security team are trying their best. Whilst I understand customers frustrations it’s the security teams I feel for as it won’t be easy for them having extra work to do to make up for the shortages.

 

[arry]

Leeds Bradford Airport queue chaos leaves passengers in tears

A lack of security staff is being blamed for delays and boarding problems at Leeds Bradford Airport.

www.bbc.co.uk

The Airport are quoted but it’s hardly reassuring. The article confirms what has been said on here. Jet2 are being proactive but it looks like that is working against customers of other airlines which cannot be correct. We know there are staffing problems but surely there needs to be better, fairer management.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

The airport/airlines need to be more honest if they are to avoid legal action. They are implying if pax turn up 3 hours before their flight they will get on it. Surely they should be saying "turn up 3 hours before the flight to maximise your chances of getting your flight BUT we cant be responsible if you still arent processed in time"

 

[lbaspotter]

Ok so we know she's being useless up until now, But I wonder why our local elected Mayor, Tracy Barbin hasn't stepped in on the issue of ques at Leeds/Bradford Airport security yet?
As I see over on other side of Hill Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham stepped in at Manchester Airport few weeks ago, he has offered the help of the local authority and Police force to help try reduce the Ques there.

 

[A400]

The simple answer to that one is that she is Useless!

If she was of any use then she would do what her Manchester colleague is doing which is get the local authority and police force to assist.

 

[Len Fish]

Leeds Bradford Airport queue chaos leaves passengers in tears

A lack of security staff is being blamed for delays and boarding problems at Leeds Bradford Airport.

www.bbc.co.uk

The Airport are quoted but it’s hardly reassuring. The article confirms what has been said on here. Jet2 are being proactive but it looks like that is working against customers of other airlines which cannot be correct. We know there are staffing problems but surely there needs to be better, fairer management.

Well you can’t blame Jet2 for looking after their customers and pulling them forward so they don’t miss their flight. Ryanair on the other hand are not known for customer service, if anything goes wrong you’re on your own.

 

[tonysmith]

Just gone through security at dublin airport load’s of bag 💼 checks open got threw in 10 minutes

 

[lbaspotter]

I've got to admit for first time ever am a little worried about flying out of LBA on Bank Holiday, Thursday June 2nd due to the security Ques.
Concerned I'll miss my 06:45 Flybe departure to LHR. So thinking might get to airport for around 04:00. Which should give me plenty of time to get through all the checks.

 

[tonysmith]

Got there on Monday at 3:30 it took me 75 minutes to get through

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Q

I've got to admit for first time ever am a little worried about flying out of LBA on Bank Holiday, Thursday June 2nd due to the security Ques.
Concerned I'll miss my 06:45 Flybe departure to LHR. So thinking might get to airport for around 04:00. Which should give me plenty of time to get through all the checks.

Ridiculous you have to turn up 3 hours before for a 1 hour flight. Especially poor for a business oriented airline like Flybe and KLM.