Leeds Bradford: Airport Security, Immigration & Border Control

[White Heather]

The last time I flew from LBA, to Mahon in 2017, shoe removal was required. The security supervisor was going up the queue telling people to take them off unless, like me, they just had flat sandals on with no sole thickness. Not sure why at that time.

 

[AirBingley]

Looks like the focus has moved to MAN as I’ve not heard much ftom LBA this week

 

[White Heather]

A friend if mine just returned from Paphos last night. Outbound, he was through check in within 10 minutes (Jet2; efficient as ever). Security took 15 minutes and he said everyone was very calm and the staff pleasant. Admittedly his arrival was lunchtime for a mid afternoon flight so slightly ahead of the afternoon peak.

Last night he landed at 0230. Walked to the terminal, straight through immigration, and the bags were already appearing on the carousel. He was booked at Sentinel for parking. Their minibus was outside the terminal door, and 5 minutes later he was picking up his car which Sentinel had waiting for him. He was driving home 30 minutes after landing. He described his LBA experience as 'brilliant'. Until relatively recently (when yours truly converted him) he always flew from MAN, being a Lancastrian.

Always good to know that LBA can still deliver good experiences and it's not all bad as the local rags would have us believe..

The only thing that spoiled it, is he's a lifelong supporter of Burnley and I had the task of telling him.............

 

[CM.]

Always good to know that LBA can still deliver good experiences and it's not all bad as the local rags would have us believe..

That’s why I never take notice of the articles. Good experiences can still be delivered regardless of staff shortages Ect.

 

[michael]

The usual thing with 'reviews' and 'journalism'. Blow it all out of proportion; routinely only convey the bad things; conveniently miss mentioning anything good; blame the government (of any persuasion).
You'll never please everyone no matter what is done and notwithstanding the fact that things could be better given the events of the last couple of years things are going to take a while to get back to normal - both from a staffing point of view and it'll also take a while for customers to not just expect it to be business as usual when it suits them.

 

[tonysmith]

Sat at reus airport 3hrs before as per instructions security wasn’t open waited ten minutes now opened I’m the only person in the departure lounge

 

[AirBingley]

We seem to have had a quieter week on this front thankfully although one or two early morning delays today but guess it was super busy on account of the holiday period. More interestingly I spotted on facebook that KLM have been forced to 'manage (limit?)' new bookings for flights over the next few days because of significant delays caused staff shortages at AMS. Also lots of Gatwick bashing this morning.

 

[White Heather]

We seem to have had a quieter week on this front thankfully although one or two early morning delays today but guess it was super busy on account of the holiday period. More interestingly I spotted on Facebook that KLM have been forced to 'manage (limit?)' new bookings for flights over the next few days because of significant delays caused staff shortages at AMS. Also lots of Gatwick bashing this morning.

You think?

This morning around 0600 someone set off the fire alarm resulting in the evacuation of the terminal. People who had already gone through security ended up mixed in with those who hadn't and, according to our classy paper the YEP, they all had to queue again and do security all over again. 'Absolute Carnage' was the YEPs somewhat predictable headline. Meanwhile LBA were trying to establish who/what triggered the alarm.

 

[White Heather]

Just read a very good item by Sky News , without sensationalist negativity, about the issues with security at BHX. Their CEO says that the problem of security queues won't go away until the Autumn for them.

He pointed out that BHX was operating at 30% of capacity last year and of course even less in 2020. 50% of their staff left the business. They were given 2-3 days notice by Government of the removal of restrictions and demand increased rapidly but that it takes at least 10-12 weeks to secure Home Office approval then fully train security staff once they have been recruited
( and that in itself will take a few weeks). He said that they started trying to recruit staff as early as November in anticipation, but that because the airport was very much under-used, people were reluctant to apply.

He said that over the coming weekend they will be handling 144 times more pax than the same weekend last year but they still have 15% less staff than when fully resourced pre Covid in 2019.

I suspect that this is all very much the same as at LBA. It's a shame that nobody in these parts seems able to pen a decent and informative article about LBA along these lines.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Just read a very good item by Sky News , without sensationalist negativity, about the issues with security at BHX. Their CEO says that the problem of security queues won't go away until the Autumn for them.

He pointed out that BHX was operating at 30% of capacity last year and of course even less in 2020. 50% of their staff left the business. They were given 2-3 days notice by Government of the removal of restrictions and demand increased rapidly but that it takes at least 10-12 weeks to secure Home Office approval then fully train security staff once they have been recruited
( and that in itself will take a few weeks). He said that they started trying to recruit staff as early as November in anticipation, but that because the airport was very much under-used, people were reluctant to apply.

He said that over the coming weekend they will be handling 144 times more pax than the same weekend last year but they still have 15% less staff than when fully resourced pre Covid in 2019.

I suspect that this is all very much the same as at LBA. It's a shame that nobody in these parts seems able to pen a decent and informative article about LBA along these lines.

All of the above I've been harping on about for many weeks. I'm glad its now at least got into Sky news and without the negativity, sensationalist headlines nor any propaganda.

As for the last point... I agree. It's about time some decent journalists exposes what's happened over the last 2 years. Not only in the aviation industry but also in the hospitality and arts/events/theatres industry. As well as the irresponsible chancellor printing money like its going out of fashion.

 

[AirBingley]

You think?

This morning around 0600 someone set off the fire alarm resulting in the evacuation of the terminal. People who had already gone through security ended up mixed in with those who hadn't and, according to our classy paper the YEP, they all had to queue again and do security all over again. 'Absolute Carnage' was the YEPs somewhat predictable headline. Meanwhile LBA were trying to establish who/what triggered the alarm.

Note to self: never speak too soon

 

[White Heather]

The YEP are at it again. One irate passenger who is clearly brain dead claims on Twitter that he queued this morning for 'half a mile' at 4am - which would be all the way to Sentinels car park - and claimed that LBA had ' no staff'. So of course the lazy YEP seized in this and published it. (He did catch his flight incidentally).

What did we ever do to get such a garbage paper in Leeds? One upon a time it was an excellent Leeds based paper worth reading. I wouldn't even use it to wipe my feet these days.

 

[Aviador]

I no longer read any of the media coverage regarding airport security queues at any airport. The story is done now.

 

[AirBingley]

The YEP are at it again. One irate passenger who is clearly brain dead claims on Twitter that he queued this morning for 'half a mile' at 4am - which would be all the way to Sentinels car park - and claimed that LBA had ' no staff'. So of course the lazy YEP seized in this and published it. (He did catch his flight incidentally).

What did we ever do to get such a garbage paper in Leeds? One upon a time it was an excellent Leeds based paper worth reading. I wouldn't even use it to wipe my feet these days.

But no massive delays on the first wave suggesting that whilst busy people must have gotten away!

 

[White Heather]

But no massive delays on the first wave suggesting that whilst busy people must have gotten away!

The sad thing is that the YEP are reduced to watching Twitter and making a news story out of one person's grossly exaggerated tweet. Do they actually pay these reporters money!?? There was a time that journalism was a respected career for people who could actually investigate and write.

 

[lbaspotter]

When I go through security on Thursday morning at 4:30am for the Heathrow flight, I'll take a picture of the non queue and post it on the LBA Support Group Twitter feed.

Lets see if local gutter press will pick up on that? I'll even tag them all in the post.

PS: I forgotten we've got free fast track

 

[LBAYORKIE]

When I go through security on Thursday morning at 4:30am for the Heathrow flight, I'll take a picture of the non que and post it on the LBA Support Group Twitter feed.

Lets see if local gutter press will pick up on that? I'll even tag them all in the post.

PS: I forgotten we've got free fast track

I didnt know about free fast track. Good luck anyway.

 

[White Heather]

When I go through security on Thursday morning at 4:30am for the Heathrow flight, I'll take a picture of the non queue and post it on the LBA Support Group Twitter feed.

Lets see if local gutter press will pick up on that? I'll even tag them all in the post.

PS: I forgotten we've got free fast track

Please let us know how many pax there are. Lets hope it's more than just you!!

 

[White Heather]

And now, the Nottingham Post is running the same article claiming the queue was half a mile long. Sister gutter press no doubt, borrowing the YEPs item.

 

[paully]

Bit behind the curve but on a dodgy WiFi in Southern Spain at Mo....re footwear scanning, we went through Liverpool last Monday and virtually all shoes had to be removed and scanned...No I can't work that out either