MAN airport security disaster
Apr 7, 2019, 1:30 pm
#16
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Dublin
Programs: BA Bronze! Avis PC
Posts: 312
In the last 4 weeks I've had secondary screening 2x DUB, 1x EDI, CWL & LCY. I've concluded there's something not in the public domain.
Apr 7, 2019, 2:37 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,624
But we diverge from the topic...
Apr 7, 2019, 2:51 pm
#18
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Dundee
Programs: BA Plastic. HH Diamond. Speedwell Bar Lifetime Platinum.
Posts: 1,424
Poor use of words considering the close proximity of an actual disaster.
Apr 7, 2019, 2:54 pm
#19
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, Bonvoy Platinum, HH Diamond; others
Posts: 740
Apr 7, 2019, 3:00 pm
#20
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, Bonvoy Platinum, HH Diamond; others
Posts: 740
But the key thing is that at peak times - which is when fast track is supposed to offer its most critical / valuable benefit - the shared scanner layout cannot cope and fast track (and indeed the whole of T3 security) is dreadful.
Apr 7, 2019, 3:14 pm
#21
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
One issue with Ryanair at MAN is that the old location meant long queues down the narrow corridor near the desks. Anybody coming up the lift or escalator at that point in the terminal could easily become trapped in a bottle neck as people queue for the very few desks they had open. The new location is much wider and should, hopefully allow for a more effective wiring system. Whereas BA used a decent amount of space but rarely had queues.
Many reports of MAN security being problematic with some very odd secondary searches. I had one recently and they had no idea why it had been put through (not random). I was travelling light and only a few clothes in the case as everything else was in different trays. They are a law unto themselves and the layout does not help anybody.
Many reports of MAN security being problematic with some very odd secondary searches. I had one recently and they had no idea why it had been put through (not random). I was travelling light and only a few clothes in the case as everything else was in different trays. They are a law unto themselves and the layout does not help anybody.
Apr 7, 2019, 3:27 pm
#22
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Scotland
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, BD Blue (RIP)
Posts: 1,977
But that's the thing. The last six months have been outside of MAN's peak travel times. Now that it's summer again, it looks like we're at serious risk of going back to the previous rolling shambles.
Apr 7, 2019, 3:30 pm
#23
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: MAN
Programs: None anymore
Posts: 220
People doing a repack (non-bagged liquids usually) at the tray line seems to have become commonplace - they need to move people away whilst they repack. The other week two of the five positions at T3 fast track were occupied with repackers who took at least 10 mins to sort themselves out - I queued for 30 mins in fast track so I had plenty of time to observe.
They could abolish fast track completely and just have two types of lane for everyone:
- People who haven't got a clue
- People who know what they're doing
Apr 7, 2019, 3:37 pm
#24
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Scotland
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, BD Blue (RIP)
Posts: 1,977
One issue with Ryanair at MAN is that the old location meant long queues down the narrow corridor near the desks. Anybody coming up the lift or escalator at that point in the terminal could easily become trapped in a bottle neck as people queue for the very few desks they had open. The new location is much wider and should, hopefully allow for a more effective wiring system. Whereas BA used a decent amount of space but rarely had queues.
Many reports of MAN security being problematic with some very odd secondary searches. I had one recently and they had no idea why it had been put through (not random). I was travelling light and only a few clothes in the case as everything else was in different trays. They are a law unto themselves and the layout does not help anybody.
Many reports of MAN security being problematic with some very odd secondary searches. I had one recently and they had no idea why it had been put through (not random). I was travelling light and only a few clothes in the case as everything else was in different trays. They are a law unto themselves and the layout does not help anybody.
Apr 7, 2019, 4:15 pm
#25
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester
Programs: BA Gold, VS Gold
Posts: 289
Apr 7, 2019, 4:42 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: LHR / BHX / MAN / ATL
Programs: DL DM 2MM - IHG Diamond
Posts: 4,052
When I was at MAN on March 17, I watched the number of carry-on bags sent for secondary. Approx 1/3 of carry-on bags went through directly and approx 2/3 were sent for secondary. Including mine. Secondary search on my bag turned up nothing. Literally nothing. Agent that conducted the secondary had no explanation. So entire process takes 1+ hours, even though I've done EVERYTHING that I should.
I am convinced that those monitoring the screens at MAN don't know what they are doing. BHX has just as many infrequent travelers as MAN, yet the staff there seem to get the job done with a minimum of inconvenience.
Apr 7, 2019, 4:59 pm
#27
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: LON
Programs: BA Gold; LH FTL; IHG Diamond; Marriott Gold; ALL Gold
Posts: 1,758
I've never been to Manchester (the city or the airport) and have no plans to, but this thread has put me off.
It really does sound grim up north...
It really does sound grim up north...
Apr 7, 2019, 5:07 pm
#28
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,881
Apr 7, 2019, 6:05 pm
#30
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 220
I'm led to believe that the Security staff behind the screens are constantly under the threat of disciplinary action for missing potential dangers, especially when the mystery shoppers from the DfT are playing their games. "If in doubt, throw it out" is a saying within the Security department.
