Originally Posted by
ffay005
I have once (albeit some years ago) changed planes at MAN. AY->AA. We were force-escorted through the process (we meaning all transfer pax from the AY flight), first to a transfer desk where you get the AA BP and go through the "when did you last send your cell phone to be serviced" interrogation theater, then, when everyone was through, as a group all the way to the gate, without permission to leave the group en route "because there is no time". When we got to the gate, I walked back to the lounge for something to eat and drink and then went to the gate again when the flight started boarding.
I did AY->AA at MAN about a year ago. We had to wait after transfer security after everybody had got through – IIRC, there were also connecting pax from other flights. Of course someone was carrying something not allowed onboard but instead of making them discard it, the security called AA to negotiate.
There was nowhere to go as all the doors to the gate area were locked and every two minutes the guy responsible for us said "not much longer now, we're only waiting for one or two more." I was a mere silver then so it's not like I had anywhere else to be but still...
I recall they finally gave up waiting and then took us (maybe three people) through. We got our AA BPs at the gate after the traditional interview.
If I can help it, I'm not going to transfer at MAN again.