Birmingham: Airport Security, Immigration & Border Control

[TM3]

OK, what would've happened if they had kept the escalators? They'd be turned off more than they are on because the top of the escalators would be full, with nowhere for escalator users to go. Dont forget that the current queuing upstairs for the security e-gates is in exactly the place where the escalators were previously - and there is nowhere else to put them.

As I see it the lack of escalators has got to make it more difficult for passengers to get between the 2 floors, particularly if they aren't trying to join the queue for departures, even the temporary structure had steps and many people were using them rather than wait for the lifts.

Honestly though I don't see how the lifts make the queue longer as if the security hall was big enough everyone would be able to swipe their boarding pass and enter the security hall without staff having to limit access.

The fact that the queue goes further than the lift, or indeed, outside of the security hall, says more about the length of the queue rather than anything else.

If the security hall is big enough, why can't they fit all the passengers in there?

 

[rollo]

Around the world? you don't have to look too far up at LBA they have got their scanners up and running properly on time and on budget meanwhile they are undertaking a expansion ot their terminal to increase capacity by 75%. I can't help but feel BHX have got something drastically wrong and I really hope it's just temporary until they actually complete.

Anyway we get a go at it early tomorrow we are now hand luggage only ( miffed wife) already checked in so straight to security hoping for the best but fearing the worst - packed a tent ⛺

Looked at departures this morning and from roughly between 6:30 and 9:00 practically every departure was late by up to an hour or so.

I've flown out of BHX from the days of BEA Viscounts and sorry to say never seen things this poor.

 

[Nibbles]

As I see it the lack of escalators has got to make it more difficult for passengers to get between the 2 floors, particularly if they aren't trying to join the queue for departures, even the temporary structure had steps

I dont disagree, the lack of non-lift access to the air-rail link feels like an oversight and complicates things. But it looked to me like the area where the temporary steps were is currently a building site, so not sure what options there were to retain something. I'd like to think there will be something in the end. Though remember that the air-rail link moves in the not too distant future, so thats one problem gone...

Around the world? you don't have to look too far up at LBA they have got their scanners up and running properly on time and on budget meanwhile they are undertaking a expansion ot their terminal to increase capacity by 75%. I can't help but feel BHX have got something drastically wrong and I really hope it's just temporary until they actually complete.

I just had a quick count, looks like ~20 departures from LBA between 6am and 9am tomorrow, vs ~50 during the same period at BHX. So not really a fair comparison. And it perhaps helps if they are also providing more space as part of that construction project (as opposed to moving things around in (more or less) the existing space). But fair point regardless. I too hope that it sorts itself out soon.

Anyway we get a go at it early tomorrow we are now hand luggage only ( miffed wife) already checked in so straight to security hoping for the best but fearing the worst - packed a tent ⛺

Good luck, might see you there. Though we have lounge access tomorrow so have purchased express lane tickets to make sure we get our full quota (i sound like a hypocrite, ha!)

 

[rollo]

We are due out 6:40 Verona for Lake Garda and a bit of Venice I think you are later from one of your previous posts, pity really we could have a good chat, constructive naturally.

 

[TM3]

I dont disagree, the lack of non-lift access to the air-rail link feels like an oversight and complicates things. But it looked to me like the area where the temporary steps were is currently a building site, so not sure what options there were to retain something. I'd like to think there will be something in the end. Though remember that the air-rail link moves in the not too distant future, so thats one problem gone...

I don't really see the removal of the air-rail link as a good thing, it seems like more messing with stuff that has worked fine for a long time. I really hope this isn't something that they are putting forward as a serious solution to the problem inside the airport's 4 walls.

Honestly though I don't see how the lifts make the queue longer as if the security hall was big enough everyone would be able to swipe their boarding pass and enter the security hall without staff having to limit access.

The fact that the queue goes further than the lift, or indeed, outside of the security hall, says more about the length of the queue rather than anything else.

If the security hall is big enough, why can't they fit all the passengers in there?

The main bit of my answer, that note you haven't tackled is above.

I've read Nick Barton's comments on liquids and it seems to me that the press, in their lack of in depth knowledge, have failed to challenge him on something basic here.

For 20 years I've had to pack my liquids in a clear plastic bag, bringing items of less than 100ml only. I have had to remove this, along with my laptop for inspection. I've got quite good at this such than I am already good to go or nearly there when I arrive at the touchdown area.

I can see not everyone does this and, let's put it this way, as a man, often travelling alone, I find myself needing less in the way of liquids to pass security.

I've never specifially felt I needed to take a 2 litre bottle of liquid through security. However I can see I might if I were buying duty free etc on the inbound leg.

As I see it the new machines and systems now allow for at least what I was removing before to stay in the bag, as such passengers who aren't bringing big bottles of liquids should actually be able to pass through quicker. This must surely be a net improvement on the old machines.

NB now seems to be saying everything would be hunky dory if people could take 2 litres of liquid through, I don't see how that is going to improve passenger times.

Passengers on the whole appear to be following instructions to arrive early and adapting their behaviours, such as ditching checked bags so they can get in the queue as early as possible. If the issue was just about taking 2 litres of liquid surely the whole issue could be eradicated by going back to the old 100ml rule, once people see that is the problem.

Also if you are standing in a queue for 3 hours maybe you are going to want to take some refreshment with you at least until you can get airside. I don't really see how there should be any issue with airport announcements, staff giving directions etc whereby people would arrive at he scanning area with 2 litre bottles of liquids, not knowing they can't take them through.

In the attached article to he also makes reference to the machines running "very slowly" due to a software upgrade. I'd like to see this to understand what he means, is the belt running slowly or what? Does the screen show something that went though 20 minutes ago. Sounds like complete BS to me.

 

[Nibbles]

Indeed, 2pm outbound (but 10:30 express lane booked to maximise lounge time 🙂)

I don't really see the removal of the air-rail link as a good thing, it seems like more messing with stuff that has worked fine for a long time. I really hope this isn't something that they are putting forward as a serious solution to the problem inside the airport's 4 walls.

Well, that seems to be whats happening, in favour of the APM (between HS2 Interchange Station and BHX via NEC and BHI), with the drop off at the south of the south terminal. Terrible location, sadly, but prime location to access the back of the security queue though, i suppose 🤣 #everycloud

The planning application from a while back (for security) didnt show the Air-Rail link. I presume this is a later phase of the current work, or maybe its just an oversight. I think there would be value in keeping both - but there is valuable real estate there that could be used for something, so who knows what will happen.

The main bit of my answer, that note you haven't tackled is above.

I've read Nick Barton's comments on liquids and it seems to me that the press, in their lack of in depth knowledge, have failed to challenge him on something basic here.

As I see it the new machines and systems now allow for at least what I was removing before to stay in the bag, as such passengers who aren't bringing big bottles of liquids should actually be able to pass through quicker. This must surely be a net improvement on the old machines.

Yes, but see below...

NB now seems to be saying everything would be hunky dory if people could take 2 litres of liquid through, I don't see how that is going to improve passenger times.

I dont think thats what he is saying, not directly anyway. I think he's pointing out that there are several issues at play here.

Passengers on the whole appear to be following instructions to arrive early and adapting their behaviours, such as ditching checked bags so they can get in the queue as early as possible.

Or arriving very very early, creating a queue when there doesnt need to be one...!

In the attached article to he also makes reference to the machines running "very slowly" due to a software upgrade. I'd like to see this to understand what he means, is the belt running slowly or what? Does the screen show something that went though 20 minutes ago. Sounds like complete BS to me.

Maybe. But as i understand it, the main thing about the new system is that it uses AI to classify and assess liquids and, for one reason or another, is not doing that correctly. Which means instead of processing 4000 bags/hour, its much reduced. And that then means a longer queue. But the queuing area back to the e-gates is much shorter (as it has been designed, rightly or wrongly) so fills up quickly if you cant process bags quickly enough, which means people being stored in a makeshift area at the top of the lifts, which then fills up back to the lifts at which point crisis occurs and lifts have to be actively managed (to avoid a crush!).

I strongly suspect that the plan all along has been that the queue would not normally get beyond the e-gates (not sure if the existing queue length beyond the e-gates is as per final design, or restricted due to construction) once final works are complete, except on very rare occasions when a slightly extended queue upstairs should suffice. Downstairs, i would expect a steady stream possibly in a queue to access the lifts but that area to generally remain fairly free flowing.

It'll be interesting to see how it all works out once work is complete. But i do not subscribe to the 'there is a problem, the airport is incompetent' reaction when something (as it has) goes wrong.

 

[TM3]

I dont think thats what he is saying, not directly anyway. I think he's pointing out that there are several issues at play here.

I'm just going from the statements, liquids are the main issue, other factor is the software, which is a new one as of this article.

Or arriving very very early, creating a queue when there doesnt need to be one...!

This may be the case but it's not something Nick has highlighted. Indeed, just a few weeks ago the airport was advising people to arrive early at the airport as it was "naturally busy" at this time of year.

TBH, it's not unheard of to arrive really early at the airport, it's something I do regularly on my inbound leg if I've had to check out of my hotel.

Maybe. But as i understand it, the main thing about the new system is that it uses AI to classify and assess liquids and, for one reason or another, is not doing that correctly. Which means instead of processing 4000 bags/hour, its much reduced. And that then means a longer queue. But the queuing area back to the e-gates is much shorter (as it has been designed, rightly or wrongly) so fills up quickly if you cant process bags quickly enough, which means people being stored in a makeshift area at the top of the lifts, which then fills up back to the lifts at which point crisis occurs and lifts have to be actively managed (to avoid a crush!).

This is welcome detail about the process that makes it a bit easier to understand.

It does seem like quite a big problem with the system though that you would have expected the manufacturer to be on top of before installing in an airport in the sole security area.

If the airport knew of the risks it does actually make the suggestion that the old hall was kept open quite a sensible one from a continuity point of view. This is definitely something that is recognised as best practice from a project management point of view. It seems that someone has chosen the big bang, it'll be alright on the night approach over a soft launch.

 

[Ray Finkle]

New pre-screening area to be set up with around 100 external staff being drafted in.

More than half a ton of liquids rejected yesterday.

A few words from Nick Barton, full article linked at the bottom.

CEO Nick Barton said he’s frustrated the airport’s next-generation security scanners, which were installed in time for 1 June as part of a £60 million investment, have not been able to be used to their full potential. He described the problem as ‘like having a sports car and having to use it in first gear’.

He told Travel Gossip: “We ordered an approved product which was installed in the airport in January, all ready for 1 June. We have met that deadline. In the run up to this we found that the machinery was not going to be allowed to be used to its full design capacity, around which we have based our schedule.

“We can’t use the machines other than the approval directed by the Government. Up until Friday we haven’t been able to talk about it because it’s a security issue. It’s a temporary issue. But until it is resolved we can’t use it at the capacity that it was meant, for reasons that are not in our control.

“This is the most complicated alteration to our airport ever taken. We can’t use it as it was designed to be used. Quite when it will be, we don’t know. We are hoping and praying it is soon. In the meantime we have to plan for it not being available.”

Birmingham Airport to set up new pre-screening area to cut passenger queues

Birmingham Airport is planning to introduce a large pre-screening facility within days in a bid to help cut passenger queues. Social media posts over the

www.travelgossip.co.uk

 

[Nibbles]

This may be the case but it's not something Nick has highlighted. Indeed, just a few weeks ago the airport was advising people to arrive early at the airport as it was "naturally busy" at this time of year.

Yes, but that really only ever meant arriving when it was suggested by your airline e.g. 3hrs tops. As i mentioned previously, someone in front of me in the queue last week was queuing for a flight that left 2hrs after me and passed the e-gates 4hrs before the flight.

Given we had a ~45 minute wait, and there was no queue behind us when we reached security, if they'd arrived an hour later they wouldnt have queued at all.

It does seem like quite a big problem with the system though that you would have expected the manufacturer to be on top of before installing in an airport in the sole security area.

This manufacturer is, as i understand it, the sole provider of this system around the world (British too, i believe). It works elsewhere, which suggests something else is a problem. I may be making 2 and 2 equal 5 here, but i'd suggest it might be that the CAA want it to do something special, beyond its stated 'out of the box' capability and it is not able to do so, yet, for whatever reason.

If the airport knew of the risks it does actually make the suggestion that the old hall was kept open quite a sensible one from a continuity point of view. This is definitely something that is recognised as best practice from a project management point of view. It seems that someone has chosen the big bang, it'll be alright on the night approach over a soft launch.

Yes, i agree. Soft launch effectively operated up until June 1st.

Though there comes a point where you have to commit to the new system eventually. Where would that queue be accessed from? What could you usefully put in the space that queue takes up? Do you have staff trained to operate it? And do you also have enough staff to manage the new system in full flow?

I remain of the view that this whole shebang is a result of a multitude of factors some in and some outside of the airports control. But thats the fun of transport infrastructure projects, particularly on operational assets 🙂

 

[MB1]

"his is the most complicated alteration to our airport ever taken. We can’t use it as it was designed to be used. Quite when it will be, we don’t know. We are hoping and praying it is soon. In the meantime we have to plan for it not being available.”

Not sure I can agree with that Mr Barton! More complicated alterations have taken place to BHX even in recent history.

Complicated in as much as it's gone pretty wrong perhaps! Not being able to use the machines to the planned capacity is obviously an issue. I still think compounded by the physical alterations to the building not being ready.

"Half a ton of liquids" rejected in a day. Sounds impressive. But that's 500kg which is 500L of water. So, 250 pax turned up with 2 litres, or 500 pax with 1L, or 1000 pax with 500ml etc.

I'd argue that shouldn't be enough to create the security backlogs seen.

 

[TM3]

Yes, but that really only ever meant arriving when it was suggested by your airline e.g. 3hrs tops. As i mentioned previously, someone in front of me in the queue last week was queuing for a flight that left 2hrs after me and passed the e-gates 4hrs before the flight.

🙂

I don't agree that this ever was the airport's line. People were missing flights and they were saying "you need to get there earlier". At the end of the day you can't dictate the precise time passengers arrive at the airport, they should be able to arrive at their convenience, be that 4 hours before departure or 1 hour before with a realistic chance of boarding. You've also got to accept that passengers may be delayed for reasons beyond their control and the airport then needs to do all they can to get people on the flight.

I read one case in the press where the passenger was denied boarding for Ryanair because the gate had closed at the specified time but he could see the plane was still boarding and it was still on the ground an hour later whilst he was trying to arrange alternative flights. This is a situuation where the passenger could be saying, the airport pulled out all the stops to get me on the flight rather than talking about jobsworths not letting him board.

At the end of the day with no-recourse to passengers missing flights because of airport delays people are going to be very cautious and arrive early rather than risk losing their annual family holiday. No-one wants to explain to their kids they why they aren't having a holiday this year after standing in a queue for 2 hours. A family holiday is a big outlay for most people, maybe one of the most expensive thing's they'll buy in the whole year.

This manufacturer is, as i understand it, the sole provider of this system around the world (British too, i believe). It works elsewhere, which suggests something else is a problem. I may be making 2 and 2 equal 5 here, but i'd suggest it might be that the CAA want it to do something special, beyond its stated 'out of the box' capability and it is not able to do so, yet, for whatever reason.🙂

As I understand from your earlier posts, and Mr Barton's comments, there is a specific problem with the AI that means it is not identifying liquids correctly. Is this fact or is it speculation?

Yes, i agree. Soft launch effectively operated up until June 1st.

Though there comes a point where you have to commit to the new system eventually. 🙂

This isn't a soft launch. Otherwise they would have the old system to fall back on. You don't necessarily need to permanently and irreversably close the old system before the new one is up an running.

Aside from the airports where the new equipment seems to be working fine, other airports have delayed their switch over without any real consequences and that now looks rather sensible.

The airport has created a lot of press around being ready by this deadline but it now seems they are not, you can blame the government / the CAA or whatever but the airport has had the new equipment in place for at least a couple of months before the 1 June deadline and this was surely enough time to determine that it wasn't allowing passengers to get through in the times that were expected.

"Half a ton of liquids" rejected in a day. Sounds impressive. But that's 500kg which is 500L of water. So, 250 pax turned up with 2 litres, or 500 pax with 1L, or 1000 pax with 500ml etc.

I'd argue that shouldn't be enough to create the security backlogs seen.

This is a good example that put the soundbite into perspective. How much stuff was abandonned at security by passengers on a typical day before the new rules. Having seen the bins in the drop off area it wouldn't surprise me if the amount was similar.

 

[Nibbles]

As I understand from your earlier posts, and Mr Barton's comments, there is a specific problem with the AI that means it is not identifying liquids correctly. Is this fact or is it speculation?

I know nothing more than is written in the press. Though I recall a similar statement from DfT when they announced the role change last week.

Anyway, update on today (drumroll please)

Had the lounge booked (2:15pm departure), and wanted to maximise time so booked express. Need'nt have bothered.

Arrived at airport at 11:00. Straight into security (have luggage only, didn't have to go downstairs). Express lane queue a grand total of about 15m, and despite taking a while to get through the (human) scanner itself (a few reduced mobility people, a couple of hand searches), had cleared security by 11:11.

What about the rest of the line, I hear you ask!? Handful of people at the e-gates, and back of the queue some way short of the e-gates. Two back and forth rows before the scanner. The disadvantage of the express lane is that it only feeds 1 or 2 scanners (combined with reduced mobility passengers), whereas the rest of the queue feeds the other 5 or 6 scanners, so moved fairly quickly at that point. The point being ultimately that the queue wasn't back to the e-gates so the people coming out of the lifts had plenty of time to disperse before the next one arrived.

No idea what it was like downstairs but there was no queue outside that we could see from the air rail link, but given they were letting anyone join both queues upstairs I presume there was none.

I'd guesstimate total security wait for those in the standard line at this time to be no more than 15 minutes.

I spoke to someone helping out directing people to scanners who said that this was the end of the busier period, but not empty by any stretch. And in any case, that Twitter etc. is not showing the full picture (surprise surprise!

Very impressed, to be honest.

The new security area itself is very nice, only held up when people insist on getting re-dressed after the body scan immediately adjacent the machines. There is loads of room. 1 scanner not in use.

Also, there were some walls that had been removed (workers were drilling as we passed through) since we went through last week, so the area upstairs felt bigger. Mightve imagined that, though.

Interesting to know how @rollo got on...

 

[TM3]

So the software works fine after 11am?

Arrived at airport at 11:00. Straight into security (have luggage only, didn't have to go downstairs). Express lane queue a grand total of about 15m, and despite taking a while to get through the (human) scanner itself (a few reduced mobility people, a couple of hand searches), had cleared security by 11:11.

I spoke to someone helping out directing people to scanners who said that this was the end of the busier period, but not empty by any stretch. And in any case, that Twitter etc. is not showing the full picture (surprise surprise!

Regarding the press, Twitter etc, no-one has ever said the queues last all day.

The airport clearly struggles to deal with the amount of flights scheduled in the morning.

 

[andrew.clarkson]

Hi there all, regarding this security scanner situation, why were these scanners only set up for 100ml liquids, the sensible approach, would have been to reconfigure them to any size and not just one size. Then the airport wouldn't have had all this very bad publicity which will cost them dearly.... AndyC

 

[Nibbles]

So the software works fine after 11am?

Could be. Or reduced passenger numbers. Or everyone being sensible Vs being numptys in the morning. Or they created some more space to hold the queue, or or or.

Regarding the press, Twitter etc, no-one has ever said the queues last all day.

The airport clearly struggles to deal with the amount of flights scheduled in the morning.

Hmm. No they haven't, but the implication has been that it is chaos all day long. It clearly isn't. Can't comment on whether they have enough capacity in the morning to manage flights, it might appear not - but as previously it is IS an ongoing construction site.

Hi there all, regarding this security scanner situation, why were these scanners only set up for 100ml liquids, the sensible approach, would have been to reconfigure them to any size and not just one size. Then the airport wouldn't have had all this very bad publicity which will cost them dearly.... AndyC

Any size can go through the scanner. The problem as I understand it is that liquids larger than 100ml were being flagged incorrectly by the AI system, sliding everything up. A software fault. But that wasn't the case at Birmingham. When they get the CAA approval, no physical changes will be necessary to the machines!

 

[TM3]

Any size can go through the scanner. The problem as I understand it is that liquids larger than 100ml were being flagged incorrectly by the AI system, sliding everything up. A software fault. But that wasn't the case at Birmingham. When they get the CAA approval, no physical changes will be necessary to the machines!

I can't see this in any of the press articles, are you able to post this one please?

Could be. Or reduced passenger numbers. Or everyone being sensible Vs being numptys in the morning. Or they created some more space to hold the queue, or or or.

Hmm. No they haven't, but the implication has been that it is chaos all day long. It clearly isn't. Can't comment on whether they have enough capacity in the morning to manage flights, it might appear not - but as previously it is IS an ongoing construction site.

Having looked at the news the queues definitely happened day after day for months. I agree the situation is better later in the day but no-one had indicated the time to book your flight if you want to avoid the queues altogether.

I don't think it's fair to call the passengers numptys, no-one wants to lose their annual family holiday. 2 hours is an unacceptably long time to wait in the security queue, as is 1 hour really, 15 minutes is ideal and should be the target, even more so at peak times. I imagine most tourists would prefer a later flight, avoiding the queues, if that was possible.

 

[MB1]

Hmm. No they haven't, but the implication has been that it is chaos all day long. It clearly isn't. Can't comment on whether they have enough capacity in the morning to manage flights, it might appear not - but as previously it is IS an ongoing construction site.

Nobody, not even the most clickbait of the press have ever said it's chaos all day long. It's been clear from social media that peak hours are the worst times which obviously isn't a surprise. Early mornings most days of the week, afternoons on busier days and generally worse Thursday-Sunday. The BHX operation is waves of departures, which will create peaks and troughs in pax numbers.

I'm glad your experience was good, and obviously plenty of pax will be having trouble free experiences. Middle of the morning is a quiet time, and Wednesdays one of the quieter days so it was to be expected.

 

[TM3]

What about the rest of the line, I hear you ask!? Handful of people at the e-gates, and back of the queue some way short of the e-gates. Two back and forth rows before the scanner. The disadvantage of the express lane is that it only feeds 1 or 2 scanners (combined with reduced mobility passengers), whereas the rest of the queue feeds the other 5 or 6 scanners, so moved fairly quickly at that point. The point being ultimately that the queue wasn't back to the e-gates so the people coming out of the lifts had plenty of time to disperse before the next one arrived.

How many scanners were there in the old hall vs the new one, I'd be surprised if there were less than 8 before?

 

[rollo]

Quick report.
Arrived at 3am hand luggage only straight to lifts then into security hall then about 40minutes to clear only three maybe four working the area does seem small and cramped but there is a lot of partioning up so need to see how it pans out

No complaints 40min just about acceptable but only just as it was 3am.so three hrs before the airports first departures.

Flight by TUI (Fly4) departed on the button.

Now on holiday 😃

 

[TM3]

Now on holiday 😃

Enjoy!