[Nogbad01]

As MAN is my “home” airport I use it frequently. Usually T3 which is generally fine at 05:30 or earlier which is when I tend to be passing through.
On occasion I have walked into security to find the massive queues and staff pulling people to the front whose flight is about to board, but generally its been fine.
T1 and T2 are more hit and miss, but even when busy, are no worse the heathrow on a bad day.
I think the worst UK airport for queues is Aberdeen. When its busy, its dreadfull!
Wost european experience was Pisa about 2 months ago. Got airside fairly quickly, waited in the lounge till called and then found about 4 planes worth of passengers queuing for 1 passport desk which was manned by a guy who was slower than an arthritic snail.
End result, 4 planes delayed by 30 mins to an hour.

[canucklad]

Morning Nogbad01
A very robust and admirable defence of your local airport and since I’ve never used T3 nor Aberdeen so I’ll bow to your experience.

I can only comment on T1 as I regularly use it when flying to and fro with FlyBe……

My biggest bug bear……The train station: To advertise this as an airport station is akin to Ryanair claiming they fly to Frankfurt. At least Birmingham Airport provides a shuttle to the terminal from their station.

I’ve never had any real issue with security, although it’s never been a friendly, efficient experience . Functional and grubby best explains the process.

The most disappointing aspect of T1 for me was the departure lounge. Woefully overcrowded in the centralised area around the bar. My lasting impression is of tired people looking forlornly at the boards waiting for a gate to appear allowing them to escape the swathes of humanity.
Only then to be reminded of their youth as you disappear down corridors not seen since your high school days.

Apart from that , all’s good at Manchester, and I’m looking forward to experiencing T3 when I fly with CX , although that’s at the start of next year so a while away yet.

[FDOS_UK]

[quote quote=815223]Morning Nogbad01
A very robust and admirable defence of your local airport and since I’ve never used T3 nor Aberdeen so I’ll bow to your experience.

I can only comment on T1 as I regularly use it when flying to and fro with FlyBe……

My biggest bug bear……The train station: To advertise this as an airport station is akin to Ryanair claiming they fly to Frankfurt. At least Birmingham Airport provides a shuttle to the terminal from their station.

I’ve never had any real issue with security, although it’s never been a friendly, efficient experience . Functional and grubby best explains the process.

The most disappointing aspect of T1 for me was the departure lounge. Woefully overcrowded in the centralised area around the bar. My lasting impression is of tired people looking forlornly at the boards waiting for a gate to appear allowing them to escape the swathes of humanity.
Only then to be reminded of their youth as you disappear down corridors not seen since your high school days.

Apart from that , all’s good at Manchester, and I’m looking forward to experiencing T3 when I fly with CX , although that’s at the start of next year so a while away yet.

[/quote]

If you exit the station on the ground floor (to the left left), follow the pathway through the car park under/next to the footbridge, it takes <4 mins to enter T1.

[FDOS_UK]

[quote quote=815179]As MAN is my “home” airport I use it frequently. Usually T3 which is generally fine at 05:30 or earlier which is when I tend to be passing through.
On occasion I have walked into security to find the massive queues and staff pulling people to the front whose flight is about to board, but generally its been fine.
T1 and T2 are more hit and miss, but even when busy, are no worse the heathrow on a bad day.
I think the worst UK airport for queues is Aberdeen. When its busy, its dreadfull!
Wost european experience was Pisa about 2 months ago. Got airside fairly quickly, waited in the lounge till called and then found about 4 planes worth of passengers queuing for 1 passport desk which was manned by a guy who was slower than an arthritic snail.
End result, 4 planes delayed by 30 mins to an hour.

[/quote]

Nogbad01, well written. this has been my experience in using MAN for two years, since I returned from expat life.

[Rockhopper]

Just a gentle correction @canucklad – I use Manchester fairly frequently when I have no choice but to fly Flybe and they definitely use Terminal 3 – the crowded round bar in the middle also describes T3.

To add my own recent experiences coming back through T3 last night there was not a seat to be had and security were their normal grumpy selves but no different to say LGW and a lot better than the overcrowded sweatshop LCY has become.

[Rockhopper]

EDIT- double post – apologies

[esselle]

…..and CX fly from T2.

[canucklad]

Good TGIF to Rockhopper and a huge thanks for correcting me.
Why I thought I was using T1 only the deep recesses of my scrambled knows, probably all those years using a more famous T1 and associating it with a work commute.
Esselle, thanks as well, it’s one thing missing your flight for business, it’s far more serious missing a flight for pleasure.
And FDOS, is it the same short cut, weather dependant I’ll definitely explore that route, rather than via T2?

[bluemooner]

This week flew on Jet2 to Girona on Monday and back today.

Monday arrived 5.15am for 7.15am flight, automated bag check in was reasonably simple, security took only 15 minutes. There was air con on in the area. Nobody was grumpy, everyone seemed helpful. Maybe they had had the weekend off! Aspire lounge was pretty empty, but full service was available. Plane was ready to leave on time but got delayed 1/4 hour re Air Traffic.

Friday arrived back at 1.10pm about 20 minutes late due to Spanish Air Traffic. Plane had been ready to depart 10 minutes early! 5 minute walk to Automatic Passport check where process including queueing took a further5 mins, baggage on carousel took a further 5 minutes.
I was in a taxi at 1.30.

Everything worked pretty smoothly both ways both days, so have to give credit where credit is due.

Also have to say that the Jet2 flights and cabin crew were excellent.

[Ekond222]

…PatJ you have my deepest sympathies, Manchester Airport was once a cracking little airport..it’s focus and growth has been centred around the LCC/Chartered market (just like Stanstead/Luton and to an extent Gatwick), and has not catered for this growth adequately…just because the bulk of MAN passengers are consuming LCC/Charter services doesn’t mean the Airport Operator should short change the overall passenger experience especially when it is manageable due to its size…

[bluemooner]

[quote quote=815875]…PatJ you have my deepest sympathies, Manchester Airport was once a cracking little airport..it’s focus and growth has been centred around the LCC/Chartered market (just like Stanstead/Luton and to an extent Gatwick), and has not catered for this growth adequately…just because the bulk of MAN passengers are consuming LCC/Charter services doesn’t mean the Airport Operator should short change the overall passenger experience especially when it is manageable due to its size…

[/quote]

Manchester should become the Heathrow of the North concentrating on business and commerce and becoming the 2nd major UK gateway. In turn more of the LCCs and Charters could switch to Liverpool Leeds and East Midlands where there is plenty of spare capacity. Rather like Heathrow is compared to Luton Stansted and Gatwick. However a strategic approach will never happen as Manchester Airport Group (owned by the local Manchester Councils) has no interest in the greater good.

[goalie11]

MAG also owns East Midlands Airport (as well as Stansted and Bournemouth) though. OK a bit of a trek from Manchester to East Midlands but a fairly big catchment area.

[PatJordan]

two weeks have passed since this experience at MAN. During that time, I have sent a number of emails, and finally a handwritten letter to the CEO’s office. Thus far the response has been (to paraphrase SimonS1):Nowt. Not even an acknowledgement.

Last Sunday afternoon, a relative passed through MAN T1 (coming to visit us in Dublin!). On what one would expect to be a relatively quiet time, she spent 45 minutes waiting to clear security.

[Gin&Tonic]

Wednesday July 5 I drove a friend to Man T3 for a flight to Jersey.
All roads leading to the terminals were blocked and even back down the M56, no police or anyone trying to control the traffic.
I got eventually closer to T2 and dropped the passenger to walk to T3. This was at 12 midday.
It transpired a suspicious item was seen in a piece of checked luggage in T3 and the terminal was evacuated at 0900.
At 2pm after all clear passengers were allowed back into T3.
My friend managed to clear security at 1500 for a flight which now showed a 1620 departure.
However arriving aircraft had been parked at T1, at 1620 it left empty as no one had the ability to arrange airside transport to the aircraft.
At 2100 the passengers for this flight were eventually escorted back through immigration, there was no one available until then.

We need security and caution no doubt, but how can,

1. It take 5 hours to process a bag.Even if bomb disposal were required.
2. The airport handling agents not able to get a bus to the aircraft.
3. It then take 4.5 hours to take passengers out of the terminal to collect bags.

Manchester Airport and its handling agents , you surpass yourselves yet again.

[openfly]

Manchester Airport always takes great pleasure in making a crisis out of a drama. It gives the security staff such a feeling of power.

[Author]

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