Priority Boarding [at MAN] is still such a joke . Why bother.
Jun 14, 2019, 2:49 pm
#17
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Manchester,UK
Programs: BA GGL, CCR, Hilton Diamond, MLife Platinum, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 45
Not really feasible due to logistics (gates needed/saved for larger planes) but the gates AA used before ORD and NYC were pulled may be better, the PHL gate has space to queue but is needed every morning from around 7-12 for that flight.
Maybe T2 would be the answer, then we can moan about the size, distances and same security experience on a bigger scale.
Jun 14, 2019, 3:41 pm
#18
Join Date: Apr 2017
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,387
Since the board-by-group thing started in my experience it’s been about
30% a pointless shambles
40% a slight improvement on before
30% a definite positive experience
so while I have been left shaking my head in disappointment plenty of times, overall I’m glad it’s in operation.
30% a pointless shambles
40% a slight improvement on before
30% a definite positive experience
so while I have been left shaking my head in disappointment plenty of times, overall I’m glad it’s in operation.
Jun 14, 2019, 4:17 pm
#19
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
Real question from someone who hasn't been through Manchester. Do the gate agents process everyone in the priority queue first, or are they separate gates?
Jun 14, 2019, 4:21 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2014
Programs: BAEC, Flying Blue, Eurobonus
Posts: 180
Watched an older couple at Aberdeen - Heathrow negotiate the pre-boarding process. They were a little anxious for sure, I saw their boarding passes and they were group 4. I intervened at one point to stop them going to the Manchester gate due to them mishearing an announcement.
When group one was called I heard the husband say come on to his wife and joined the group two line. She correctly said this is not for us, but he pointed to the sapphire priority logo and said this is us - blue. Can't argue with his logic!
When they carried on the gate staff let them board with the rest of group two.
They had no idea they boarding incorrectly and the gate staff didn't care enough to send them back. I just smiled at the blissful ignorance.
When group one was called I heard the husband say come on to his wife and joined the group two line. She correctly said this is not for us, but he pointed to the sapphire priority logo and said this is us - blue. Can't argue with his logic!
When they carried on the gate staff let them board with the rest of group two.
They had no idea they boarding incorrectly and the gate staff didn't care enough to send them back. I just smiled at the blissful ignorance.
Jun 14, 2019, 4:44 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, Marriott LTP/PE
Posts: 292
Not sure what was wrong with the old system of Business and Gold, then silver etc. I don’t think it’s just a Manchester issue. The priority line is frequently longer than explicable wherever in the world you are.
Jun 14, 2019, 5:11 pm
#22
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Brexile in ADB
Programs: BA, TK, HHonours, Le Club, Best Western Rewards
Posts: 7,067
Jun 14, 2019, 5:17 pm
#23
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,543
I've flown 40 plus legs on BA this year from a variety of airports and not one issue with PB. Even had just one bus for club passengers from a remote stand. Bit silly just 12 people on a bus, but seems to work fine in most cases
Jun 14, 2019, 5:51 pm
#25
Join Date: May 2010
Location: YLMQ
Programs: QF Gold, WY Gold
Posts: 682
There is a lot to be said for drinking an extra coffee and sitting and waiting for the masses to board. I regularly board amongst the last few stragglers, often taking a seat near the gate checking messages for the last 10 mins instead.
Jun 14, 2019, 6:41 pm
#27
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 494
A large part of the trouble boarding BA flights at MAN lies in the history of T3. It was originally the domestic pier of T1, which was then the only terminal. Then it was hived off from T1 to become T3, "The British Airways Terminal". This was in the days before BA retreated to become London Airways and it ran a substantial programme of European flights from Manchester, using mainly 99-seat BAC111-500s, Even then the corridors were a bit congested, having been built in the days when few aircraft had many more than 60 seats.
So the gates are operating at something over twice their designed queueing capacity. A greater propensity for passengers to carry bulky cabin bags doesn't help.
Perhaps BA does give some recognition to the problem by using the A319 for many services when, judging by the rate at which flights fill up, they could probably deploy an A321 quite profitably.
So the gates are operating at something over twice their designed queueing capacity. A greater propensity for passengers to carry bulky cabin bags doesn't help.
Perhaps BA does give some recognition to the problem by using the A319 for many services when, judging by the rate at which flights fill up, they could probably deploy an A321 quite profitably.
Jun 14, 2019, 11:27 pm
#28
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Surrey
Programs: BAEC - Gold
Posts: 882
It’s also the only airport where I’ve confidently strolled up to the gate agent, boarding pass in hand, only to be told “London’s over there sir”. Gate 142 autopilot. I blame the bad signage and the snaking queues...
Jun 15, 2019, 12:15 am
#29
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,991
MAN is one of my least favourite airports in the entire world (of the ones that I actually use), and I will go out of my way to avoid using it.
Jun 15, 2019, 12:41 am
#30
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: London, ARN, HEL, ..... or MAN
Programs: BA GGL / GFL, Mucci Diamond!, HH Diamond, Radisson Premium, IHG Gold, Hertz Gold
Posts: 5,894
As a MAN very very regular, I always go to the gate when it appears on my app, rather than wait for it to appear on the departure board. They could board by group number if they really wished to, but it would take committed, morivated staff to do so. Plus they’d need to train the non BA staff involved in the boarding.
I hope that, along with the lounge Wi-fi and priority security, these things will get fixed if and when BA moves to T2
I hope that, along with the lounge Wi-fi and priority security, these things will get fixed if and when BA moves to T2