Leeds Bradford: Airport Security, Immigration & Border Control

[Aviador]

In the base of many shoes there is a metal strip. A large number of these are large enough to activate the WTMD meaning it will be more time consuming for security to search whether manually or by means of using a body scanner. The time this consumes leads to longer queues so from a security point of view its just easier and quicker to ask people to remove shoes.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

In the base of many shoes there is a metal strip. A large number of these are large enough to activate the WTMD meaning it will be more time consuming for security to search whether manually or by means of using a body scanner. The time this consumes leads to longer queues so from a security point of view its just easier and quicker to ask people to remove shoes.

Yup, Ive got a pair like that.

 

[lbaspotter]

Ques outside the terminal building this Morning at 4am but it's only took us 50 mins to get through with the free fast track
Only 2 lanes open but it was very well organized.
Airport staff are friendly and calling out passengers for flights, even the Airport's MD Vincent Hodder is helping. Everyone seems really happy with the service as I've not seen anyone complaining.

 

[GolfFox]

That's quite an accusation.

I suspect there is more to this story than what we're being told.

Don't want to prolong this as we are all aware of issues but that which I posted was that which I had been told. Understand that the flight was FR and it appears on this occasion they did not call pax. out of the queue resulting in a fair number of pax. arriving at the gate when it had closed and others after it departed. 25+ I was told. I'm not aware that there was any more to it than that.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Don't want to prolong this as we are all aware of issues but that which I posted was that which I had been told. Understand that the flight was FR and it appears on this occasion they did not call pax. out of the queue resulting in a fair number of pax. arriving at the gate when it had closed and others after it departed. 25+ I was told. I'm not aware that there was any more to it than that.

When you said they had lost the whole holiday I was thinking it was a package. That's why I was surprised the tour operator hadn't sorted them out with another flight. Its always a risk when you book everything separately.

 

[airforced]

When you said they had lost the whole holiday I was thinking it was a package. That's why I was surprised the tour operator hadn't sorted them out with another flight. Its always a risk when you book everything separately.

You should remember that not everybody wants to go to a package holiday hotel/destination and that by booking a flight only you are free to move around at will during your holiday not being tied to the same place. However, personally, I would choose my carrier carefully based on reliability and past record for looking after their customers should anything go wrong. That is why we have been regular flight only customers with Jet2 from LBA for many years. Their 'Friendly Low Fares' are sadly not as friendly as they once were but that is another story.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

You should remember that not everybody wants to go to a package holiday hotel/destination and that by booking a flight only you are free to move around at will during your holiday not being tied to the same place. However, personally, I would choose my carrier carefully based on reliability and past record for looking after their customers should anything go wrong. That is why we have been regular flight only customers with Jet2 from LBA for many years. Their 'Friendly Low Fares' are sadly not as friendly as they once were but that is another story.

I agree, I normally create my own package and book separately but as you infer you have to be aware of the risks.

Jet2 have out performed all other airlines and I.T operators and I can see them massively increasing market share as they take business from Tui etc.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Good news from Leeds Live

Praise for Leeds Bradford Airport as passengers zip through security in minutes

The West Yorkshire airport has seen ongoing 'shambles' for weeks, but passengers flying out this Jubilee Saturday report things have improved

www.leeds-live.co.uk

 

[hugharmstrong]

Arrived at LBA at 04.00 this morning for 7am flight.Was having a coffee at Burger King at 04.45.Fast track worked.The airport was heaving but very well organised.

 

[Len Fish]

A bit late but this was the queue on Sunday afternoon when my son and family flew out to Antalya with Jet2.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Some good news - I had a lunch time walk around to the airport and back. Pleased to report - the queue wasn't out of security channel and area. There was a queue but was well contained and flowing. Some normality returning with the flow of security staff now on shift after a long tedious wait for an airside pass. It appears what was said on the consultative meeting by the CEO and reported by @White Heather is now being felt and passengers benefiting. Long may it continue.

 

[whoshotjimmi]

I have a flight to Dublin tomorrow morning and obviously I have been watching the variety of news stories about the ongoing carnage through security. I've been trying to avoid the morning rush wherever possible and my general security experiences at those other times of the day have been exceptionally good. However, I've had to succumb to the busy time on this occasion.

I have a question for anyone who might know - I purchased fast track when I purchased the flight. When I get to the airport, do I just walk around the queue to get in the building to reach fast track? Or is the fast track line out of the door as well? Either way, is it obvious what to do?

Cheers in advance!

 

[Aviador]

Good question @whoshotjimmi I've been thinking the same.

 

[tonysmith]

Was there this week and you can walk around the snake 🐍 to fast track

 

[whoshotjimmi]

I arrived at the airport at 4:30, it is now 4:40 and I am already having a drink airside, so the benefits of fast track cannot be underestimated.

I've refrained from making any comment previously on the security debacle as UK airports. I've flown numerous times this year from numerous airports and the experience was fine each time. At LBA, I'd even say it was better than I'd ever experienced. That said, I've only flown at quieter times of the day.

Now I've experienced the morning rush, I feel as though I can comment a little more. Whilst the fast track has helped me out on this occasion, it feeds into the normal security lines, so it almost feels a bit like pushing in. This means that, as people use fast track, it's actually causing .ore of a problem for the main queue.

The queue for security at half 4 this morning had not made it outside the building. Indeed there was a long queue outside but it was for car park buses. Inside the building, the queue stretched to the Jet2 check in hall. I did feel a bit bad walking past everyone but....I've paid my dues. Both monetary and airport usage.

The issue, and the reason that the airport keeps getting slammed and why the press is so negative, is that the security area is operating at less than 50% capacity. Considering this is the busiest time of the day, I don't really think it's good enough. When I flew from Birmingham (whose problems were highlighted previously in this very thread) last month, every single security lane was open, despite them apparently not having a full complement of staff until autumn.

I appreciate everything that has been said about issues with security staff and that more and more are coming on board but it does seem to be worse here than everywhere else I've flown this year. We can get as upset as we want at passengers tweeting and newspaper reporting but that is a simple observation from my travels. People's opinions are their opinions and LBA has to address that.

All of that said, I have never seen LBA security working as quickly or as efficiently as they were doing this morning. They are at least trying to make the absolute best of a bad situation and I can't fault them. The screens and voiceovers in the security lane are clearly helping and I'd say passengers, by and large, were also helping. Though there does need to be a better system to remove empty trays.

One final note. I had a look out for these members of staff that were managing the queues. I did find one person. He wasn't doing an awful lot, not that there was really any need, but the corporate branding of the airport means all the staff are wearing black, so it is really hard to pick them out from the crowd. I think some bright purple or yellow tops would be a massive help.

 

[Yorkieflyer]

Exactly the same experience for me Whoshotjimmy. Fast track and sailed through in 5 minutes. Tbf as you say, the main queue was not too bad at all.

 

[White Heather]

LBA stated that from 29thJune all four security lanes would be operational from the early hours until late afternoon when it would reduce to three, and my understanding was that this has been happening, so it's a bit if a worry if they were back to only 2 lanes operating again this morning at the peak time. Staff sickness is an obvious issue especially given how many people they come in direct contact with, bit they also said they had over recruited to ensure that they had cover for such events. Perhaps some are still awaiting their clearance from the Home Office?

 

[tonysmith]

Flew to budapest on Monday joined the security queue at the jet 2 check in took us one hour to get to the bar
Queue kept moving all the time and jet 2 were calling out imminent flights

 

[lbaspotter]

Really couldn't make this up, Security staff working at LBA have voted for strike action.

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[Sherburnflyer92]

Really couldn't make this up, Security staff working at LBA have voted for strike action.

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It's an underpaid job sadly @lbaspotter especially for what they do and the responsibilities. And I'm not sure of any social enhancements for weekend work, early hours, or nights etc.

This is the state of affairs because people happy to jump on a £19.99 flight to Palma, Tenerife etc with Ryanair.

I'm sure LBA won't want it so hopefully will come up with a reasonable package.