BA Gold security fast track MAN?
Jan 20, 2019, 3:47 am
#31
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,618
I'm quite surprised by all the comments about Man t3 fast track security. I use this about twice a month at different times of the day and have done for several years. There's always multiple slots for FT and I'm generally through within 5 mins or so. On occasions when I've not used FT, it's sometimes been a long snaking queue and more like 20 minutes or so. Only time I has held up at FT security was when I stupidly forgot about the liquids in my bag.
Jan 20, 2019, 4:07 am
#32
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Dorset, UK
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 635
Longest I've ever taken in MAN fast track was 30 minutes, mostly due to the MAN airport staff holding back fast track "to help clear the queue". In non-fast track when flying Flybe before it has taken me just shy of an hour from the top of the ramp.
Jan 20, 2019, 4:19 am
#33
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Central London
Programs: BA Gold Guest List, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 512
The staff at Manchester security are consistently the rudest I've experienced across a lot of flying, including a lot in the USA. As has been said above, the fast track line is allowed to queue back substantially "to allow the regular queue to move", and the staff doing secondary seemingly just do whichever customer shouts loudest first, regardless of order.
After 2 (separate) horrific experiences being yelled at and belittled by their staff last year, I've vowed never to fly from Manchester again.
After 2 (separate) horrific experiences being yelled at and belittled by their staff last year, I've vowed never to fly from Manchester again.
Jan 20, 2019, 5:41 am
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
The staff at Manchester security are consistently the rudest I've experienced across a lot of flying, including a lot in the USA. As has been said above, the fast track line is allowed to queue back substantially "to allow the regular queue to move", and the staff doing secondary seemingly just do whichever customer shouts loudest first, regardless of order.
After 2 (separate) horrific experiences being yelled at and belittled by their staff last year, I've vowed never to fly from Manchester again.
After 2 (separate) horrific experiences being yelled at and belittled by their staff last year, I've vowed never to fly from Manchester again.
Still i got caught yesterday. Reason? The tube holding those pesky vitamin tablets was at the wrong angle in the tray, and it looked suspicious.
Fortunately a quiet time on a quiet day: and i had plenty of time. But on a bad day that could have been a 30 minute penalty.
Jan 20, 2019, 6:23 am
#35
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,927
In recent months I’ve not had bags sent to secondary screening save for one random selection for explosives swabbing. I only remove my iPad and liquids from my carry on, everything else (including cables, power-packs and phones) remain in the bag.
Jan 20, 2019, 6:33 am
#36
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
Yes, my experiences at MAN in recent times have been rather good too. Typically 8 to 15 minutes from drop off to lounge. I’ve even seen some smiling faces and the FT bottleneck mentioned above has been well managed. I don’t think there have been more than 3 people in front of me, sometimes straight in. It’s been a much better FT experience at MAN than that experienced at FT flight connections at LHR, the FT lane(s) there are almost always 10-20+ deep.
In recent months I’ve not had bags sent to secondary screening save for one random selection for explosives swabbing. I only remove my iPad and liquids from my carry on, everything else (including cables, power-packs and phones) remain in the bag.
As always the BA lounge staff were lovely and an excellent flight on the 321 followed with a nice chat the CC during take off (exit row seat opposite jump seat).
Jan 20, 2019, 8:50 am
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
Yes, my experiences at MAN in recent times have been rather good too. ....
....In recent months I’ve not had bags sent to secondary screening save for one random selection for explosives swabbing. I only remove my iPad and liquids from my carry on, everything else (including cables, power-packs and phones) remain in the bag.
Sadly, I was wearing my Senatorial robes, so it was a T1 experience. Which, for me has always been difficult.
There the merged priority lane + the something else lane often results in an unhappy mix of frequent travellers, holidaymakers and wheelchairs. And the remote inspectors of baggage images seem particularly keen.
Common wisdom has it down to the cock-up with a pipe bomb. Which terminal was that little farce played out in?
Jan 20, 2019, 10:16 am
#38
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,819
Jan 20, 2019, 2:08 pm
#39
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Cheshire / Wherever they send me
Programs: BA Blue, Marriott Plat Life, UA Silver (thx Marriott), IHG Gold, Accor Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 943
What I would add is that whilst fast track for departure is good, my last arrival experience at MAN T3 was awful - probably close to a 100m queue for immigration.
They do of course now offer paid fast track for that too - pity it's not paying for more border force agents.
T
They do of course now offer paid fast track for that too - pity it's not paying for more border force agents.
T
Jan 20, 2019, 5:32 pm
#40
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
What I would add is that whilst fast track for departure is good, my last arrival experience at MAN T3 was awful - probably close to a 100m queue for immigration.
They do of course now offer paid fast track for that too - pity it's not paying for more border force agents.
T
They do of course now offer paid fast track for that too - pity it's not paying for more border force agents.
T
Jan 20, 2019, 6:44 pm
#41
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA Lifetime Gold 1.8mm, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold et al
Posts: 4,350
While I have never found the security at MAN to be the best around, I concur with those who say that certainly of late at least it really isn't that bad at all. I was once subjected to a secondary check when the tuna sandwich in my bag activated the scanner alarm but, to be fair, I received a sincere apology for that. As an aside, I haven't bought Tesco own brand tuna since that day.
Jan 21, 2019, 1:43 am
#42
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,618
I may have already mentioned this, but I got stopped for secondary screening in T1 last year. The guy was looking through my bag for something that had shown up on the x-ray. He couldn't find it, so showed me the screen. Sure enough, there were 6 bullet like shapes showing.
I was quite puzzled, and a bit worried at this point. Until it dawned on my that they were the collar stiffeners in my shirts!
Damn you Charles Tyrwhitt.
I was quite puzzled, and a bit worried at this point. Until it dawned on my that they were the collar stiffeners in my shirts!
Damn you Charles Tyrwhitt.
Dec 15, 2020, 8:07 am
#43
Join Date: Mar 2020
Programs: British Airways GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond & Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,612
Hi All, since the move to T1, is FT still available? Ive never flown from T1.
Also, how late can I leave it. 7am departure on 27th Dec - me, no bag (day trip). I am thinking 6am
Also, how late can I leave it. 7am departure on 27th Dec - me, no bag (day trip). I am thinking 6am
Dec 15, 2020, 8:13 am
#44
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,968
I think arriving at 6am would be fine.