Using Leeds Bradford Airport Questions & Reviews

[LBAYORKIE]

We arrived back from FUE this afternoon to LBA and rather wished we had`nt...Very pleasant, on time,Jet2 flight back. The place was heaving and obviously way beyond capacity and ability judging by LBA management.
We went onto stand 21C to wait until a Ryanair finished loading and pushed back so we could take the stand. We disembarked ok and the bus, driven by an airport fireman, took us to arrivals..WOW what a queue, stood outside.People with many disabilities, including my wife who was in agony and people with children left in a long queue outside.Not one employee of the airport anywhere to be seen.No one to assist using the lift, no one to advice, represent the airport to people massively inconvenienced by managements attempt to get a quart into a pint pot.
The comments towards LBA were very negative and understandably so....When we got to Border Force they were the jewels in the crown...Every desk manned and the organising, normally done by LBA staff was being done by the senior on duty officer of Border Force assisted by 2 Jet2 ground staff...FFS..
At no point anywhere was any member of LBA staff present.People were left to `follow my leader` It was appalling..Were they all on strike/holiday or just hiding. Where we the so called management???...

Well its time the lazy buggers got their sad arses off their chairs and get down and greet the people who pay their wages ,help assist and reassure. They know the pinch points and they know its here and now..Joe Public isnt interested in 2026...Their apparant abrigation of their duties shames them and make me wonder whether to avoid them in the future..
Sorry its a rant, but I make no apologies for it..We and others suffered today because of an epic fail that shoulkd never have happened...God knows what its going to be like in peak....It took longer than Heathrow today..

What a fiasco. If this is what a forum member and supporter of the airports view is I hate to think what the other passengers thought- probably 'never again'.

 

[LBA787]

We arrived back from FUE this afternoon to LBA and rather wished we had`nt...Very pleasant, on time,Jet2 flight back. The place was heaving and obviously way beyond capacity and ability judging by LBA management.
We went onto stand 21C to wait until a Ryanair finished loading and pushed back so we could take the stand. We disembarked ok and the bus, driven by an airport fireman, took us to arrivals..WOW what a queue, stood outside.People with many disabilities, including my wife who was in agony and people with children left in a long queue outside.Not one employee of the airport anywhere to be seen.No one to assist using the lift, no one to advice, represent the airport to people massively inconvenienced by managements attempt to get a quart into a pint pot.
The comments towards LBA were very negative and understandably so....When we got to Border Force they were the jewels in the crown...Every desk manned and the organising, normally done by LBA staff was being done by the senior on duty officer of Border Force assisted by 2 Jet2 ground staff...FFS..
At no point anywhere was any member of LBA staff present.People were left to `follow my leader` It was appalling..Were they all on strike/holiday or just hiding. Where we the so called management???...

Well its time the lazy buggers got their sad arses off their chairs and get down and greet the people who pay their wages ,help assist and reassure. They know the pinch points and they know its here and now..Joe Public isnt interested in 2026...Their apparant abrigation of their duties shames them and make me wonder whether to avoid them in the future..
Sorry its a rant, but I make no apologies for it..We and others suffered today because of an epic fail that shoulkd never have happened...God knows what it’s going to be like in peak....It took longer than Heathrow today..

While I agree fundamentally I must point out it’s not LBA staff role to escort inbound passengers from the aircraft through the airport, that is down to the handling agent either Swissport or Jet2.

The airport just needs to ride out the summer storm because there is absolutely nothing they can do about it until the new facilities are up and running!

 

[Len Fish]

2 in the main security hall. Plus another in a separate room for outsize and wheelchairs(I think?) The main2 were the new sort plus new person scanners and some sort of foot scanner as well. I got selected for this, put your foot on the machine and a big green tick mark shows up, repeat for the other foot. No idea what it's detecting.(explosives I guess just like the old swabs were)

The foot machines are for detecting smelly feet!

 

[LBAYORKIE]

While I agree fundamentally I must point out it’s not LBA staff role to escort inbound passengers from the aircraft through the airport, that is down to the handling agent either Swissport or Jet2.

The airport just needs to ride out the summer storm because there is absolutely nothing they can do about it until the new facilities are up and running!

But 'The Airport' have a role to play. Its in their own best interests to ensure standards are upheld and customers experiences are managed. It's one thing to predict growth in the future but it won't happen if customers aren't satisfied in the present- they will just go elsewhere.

 

[BarnsleyHolidays]

We arrived back from FUE this afternoon to LBA and rather wished we had`nt...Very pleasant, on time,Jet2 flight back. The place was heaving and obviously way beyond capacity and ability judging by LBA management.
We went onto stand 21C to wait until a Ryanair finished loading and pushed back so we could take the stand. We disembarked ok and the bus, driven by an airport fireman, took us to arrivals..WOW what a queue, stood outside.People with many disabilities, including my wife who was in agony and people with children left in a long queue outside.Not one employee of the airport anywhere to be seen.No one to assist using the lift, no one to advice, represent the airport to people massively inconvenienced by managements attempt to get a quart into a pint pot.
The comments towards LBA were very negative and understandably so....When we got to Border Force they were the jewels in the crown...Every desk manned and the organising, normally done by LBA staff was being done by the senior on duty officer of Border Force assisted by 2 Jet2 ground staff...FFS..
At no point anywhere was any member of LBA staff present.People were left to `follow my leader` It was appalling..Were they all on strike/holiday or just hiding. Where we the so called management???...

Well its time the lazy buggers got their sad arses off their chairs and get down and greet the people who pay their wages ,help assist and reassure. They know the pinch points and they know its here and now..Joe Public isnt interested in 2026...Their apparant abrigation of their duties shames them and make me wonder whether to avoid them in the future..
Sorry its a rant, but I make no apologies for it..We and others suffered today because of an epic fail that shoulkd never have happened...God knows what its going to be like in peak....It took longer than Heathrow today..

One worrying part of this sad summary is that an ‘airport fireman’ was driving a bus full of passengers from the aircraft to the terminal building. In the event of an aircraft emergency, how can this ‘airport fireman’ meet the requirements of the response time? There may be a simple explanation to this occurrence, but it cannot make a good impression to the bus passengers!

BH

 

[EX9]

Whilst you may not have seen any or many staff, there will have been staff from the handling agent to meet the flight. They will typically be with the first and last passengers of that flight or at the back of the others if the flights get mixed at arrivals.

You likely came back at a peak time with other flights and its no secret the current terminal is at capacity in its current configuration. The airport know the current arrival process is poor but there is nothing they can do about it. Hence the new extension.

It is not the role of the handling agent or the airport staff to organise the immigration process. Once passengers reach immigration it is UKBA's responsibility to process passengers.

I don't know what kind of direction you needed to follow the queue into immigration and into the baggage hall as you are only able to go the way you are supposed to go.

It is easy to be disgruntled that no LBA staff were present, or seen at the time however, you don't know what else they might have been dealing with. You will be stood in a line at many airports during peak summer hours when its busy.

in regards to a fireman driving the bus. The number on duty will have exceeded the minimum required to meet the airports fire category. Therefore they can assist with other duties and it is not compromising safety.

 

[Finger66]

And if you read other forums, LBA are clearly not alone in congestion and bottlenecks. And at least LBA has a solution coming. Yes I agree it doesn't help the here and now, but it's coming at least. LBA being a victim of it's own success just at the moment

 

[paully]

Whilst you may not have seen any or many staff, there will have been staff from the handling agent to meet the flight. They will typically be with the first and last passengers of that flight or at the back of the others if the flights get mixed at arrivals.

You likely came back at a peak time with other flights and its no secret the current terminal is at capacity in its current configuration. The airport know the current arrival process is poor but there is nothing they can do about it. Hence the new extension.

It is not the role of the handling agent or the airport staff to organise the immigration process. Once passengers reach immigration it is UKBA's responsibility to process passengers.

I don't know what kind of direction you needed to follow the queue into immigration and into the baggage hall as you are only able to go the way you are supposed to go.

It is easy to be disgruntled that no LBA staff were present, or seen at the time however, you don't know what else they might have been dealing with. You will be stood in a line at many airports during peak summer hours when its busy.

in regards to a fireman driving the bus. The number on duty will have exceeded the minimum required to meet the airports fire category. Therefore they can assist with other duties and it is not compromising safety.

I think you misunderstand the point I`m making...Its all about perceptions. Its all about managing and good customer service. Managing staff is a responsibility of management, that they didnt seem to have a handle on. Last time I went through there were at least 2 LBA staff at the bottom of the escalator there to assist the not so able into the lift..but not this time.
As for the new terminal nowhere did I see adverts for it on the way to Border Force..I couldnt believe how many people in the queue didnt even know a new terminal was being built. That staggered me more than anything, honestly...Whilst we are aware here, it seems there is a need for increased publicity. Interestingly I was questioned about it quite a lot and I told them what I knew. As a small cross section the news was well received I have to say..

 

[Aviador]

It has been suggested that advertising banners of some sorts are displayed near crunch points so people are made aware of the improvements coming. When this was originally suggested I don't think the airport had finalised it's plans but now they have they should be letting people know by displaying their plans around the airport. Knowing what is going on will make people more understanding of the situation. @White Heather

 

[SierraHotel]

In respect of the apparent lack of passenger awareness of the terminal upgrade, I have contacted LBA to suggest they improve their advertisement of the works. I await a response. You would like to think they would have implemented this without being prompted.

 

[Snackbar]

It has been suggested that advertising banners of some sorts are displayed near crunch points so people are made aware of the improvements coming. When this was originally suggested I don't think the airport had finalised it's plans but now they have they should be letting people know by displaying their plans around the airport. Knowing what is going on will make people more understanding of the situation. @White Heather

When I went through last week the plans for the new terminal were displayed on the multiple video advertising screens dotted around the terminal. Given there were amongst the adverts but they popped up on the screens multiple times.I suspect people probably don’t notice them…
The best advert for the new arrivals area will be when people can actually see the steel framework going up!!

 

[Sputnik1]

I've had to, on a few occasions recently, explain to STAFF that there is a terminal extension being built. They had no idea. If they don't know...

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I think you misunderstand the point I`m making...Its all about perceptions. Its all about managing and good customer service. Managing staff is a responsibility of management, that they didnt seem to have a handle on. Last time I went through there were at least 2 LBA staff at the bottom of the escalator there to assist the not so able into the lift..but not this time.
As for the new terminal nowhere did I see adverts for it on the way to Border Force..I couldnt believe how many people in the queue didnt even know a new terminal was being built. That staggered me more than anything, honestly...Whilst we are aware here, it seems there is a need for increased publicity. Interestingly I was questioned about it quite a lot and I told them what I knew. As a small cross section the news was well received I have to say..

I agree, I have stated many times in the past that its customer perception thats most important. Definitely need something on way to Immigration. I didnt see anything in the security queue either but that was a month ago- definitely needs an information board in that area.

 

[quik123]

in regards to a fireman driving the bus. The number on duty will have exceeded the minimum required to meet the airports fire category. Therefore they can assist with other duties and it is not compromising safety.

More likely the fireman was paid overtime to drive the bus. This has been happening for a number of years now in the summer season, they simply don't have enough bus drivers to cope. There is one particular fireman who is notorious for grabbing any overtime he can! PS They never have more on duty than required for the fire cat, that's just inefficient. Sometimes extra are there if a training exercise is taking place or similar, but not operational.

 

[SierraHotel]

There is currently a Customer Experience Officer role which involves both airside and landside bus driving and involves unsociable hours. The pay rate on offer is £11.60 per hour which is obscene. They will continue to be short of bus drivers!!!!

 

[BCFC]

I think you misunderstand the point I`m making...Its all about perceptions. Its all about managing and good customer service. Managing staff is a responsibility of management, that they didnt seem to have a handle on. Last time I went through there were at least 2 LBA staff at the bottom of the escalator there to assist the not so able into the lift..but not this time.
As for the new terminal nowhere did I see adverts for it on the way to Border Force..I couldnt believe how many people in the queue didnt even know a new terminal was being built. That staggered me more than anything, honestly...Whilst we are aware here, it seems there is a need for increased publicity. Interestingly I was questioned about it quite a lot and I told them what I knew. As a small cross section the news was well received I have to say..

Dont mention the escalator…

 

[quik123]

There is currently a Customer Experience Officer role which involves both airside and landside bus driving and involves unsociable hours. The pay rate on offer is £11.60 per hour which is obscene. They will continue to be short of bus drivers!!!!

Agreed. The rates of pay at the lower end are disgraceful. Upper management do very well and the likes of ATC, Fire etc got recent pay increases after threatening to strike. LBA (not long ago) advertised for an experienced chef to work in the lounges. Expected to work antisocial hours. The pay was less than Guiseley McDonalds, who didn't require experience and offered flexible working plus free food!

 

[EX9]

I think you misunderstand the point I`m making...Its all about perceptions. Its all about managing and good customer service. Managing staff is a responsibility of management, that they didnt seem to have a handle on. Last time I went through there were at least 2 LBA staff at the bottom of the escalator there to assist the not so able into the lift..but not this time.
As for the new terminal nowhere did I see adverts for it on the way to Border Force..I couldnt believe how many people in the queue didnt even know a new terminal was being built. That staggered me more than anything, honestly...Whilst we are aware here, it seems there is a need for increased publicity. Interestingly I was questioned about it quite a lot and I told them what I knew. As a small cross section the news was well received I have to say..

I get your frustrated, no one enjoys standing about in a line waiting for the world to go by when they want to be on their way. Those who have recently departed and arrived in the quieter period have been fairly pleased with the experience and its just unfortunate. We tend to be more annoyed when we are stood around waiting on other people but we are not always aware of the bigger picture.

Without going into escalator gate, the arrivals area into the building (when bussed) is separate to the area passengers with reduced mobility are taken. That's likely what many of the other staff are doing, along with other demands at the time neither of us could comment on. I doubt it is a case of leaving everyone to suffer for lack of care. They have recently installed air conditioning into those corridors in preparation for the summer heat should we be lucky to get any.

More likely the fireman was paid overtime to drive the bus. This has been happening for a number of years now in the summer season, they simply don't have enough bus drivers to cope. There is one particular fireman who is notorious for grabbing any overtime he can! PS They never have more on duty than required for the fire cat, that's just inefficient. Sometimes extra are there if a training exercise is taking place or similar, but not operational.

I am not able to comment on who gets paid overtime to do what as I don't know. All firemen/women eventually get trained to drive the larger category of vehicles as they also do snow clearing.

I don't know the source of your information but there can be differing levels of fire crews. Given they need to account for leave and sickness, its obvious there would be times where there are more staff. They need a specific number to meet the airports fire category and any over that are extra to the operating minima. This being the case when they also assist with the airside operations role. You just wouldn't know who was doing what at any particular time unless you are involved in the operation.

 

[Snackbar]

Just be glad you

And if you read other forums, LBA are clearly not alone in congestion and bottlenecks. And at least LBA has a solution coming. Yes I agree it doesn't help the here and now, but it's coming at least. LBA being a victim of it's own success just at the moment

They certainly aren’t - just be glad we don’t have to use BHX https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czq56gl964jo

 

[LBA4EVER]

Just be glad you

They certainly aren’t - just be glad we don’t have to use BHX https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czq56gl964jo

The BHX situation could be at LBA Next year when the current terminal works begin?