corporate-wage-slave

I think this post divides up into what ought to happen (that the process is vaguely consistent at least with other UK airports) versus what you need to know, thanks to FT, about tactically what you need to do at MAN very specifically.

For the UK, generally it's liquids, liquid containers, tablets, PCs, large electronic and electric items out and carefully segregated on the tray with nothing overlapping. You would also be well advised to take out large clumps of wires/cables/adapters, kindles, mobile phones, MP3 and similar devices, power packs, anything more than a single AA or AAA battery, anything with a wax, putty or cheese like consistency including deodorant. Not a formal requirement but it just saves hassle. Regular travellers will count N items into the tray, N items out at the other end. I see no evidence that MAN is trying to be like elsewhere, MAN is different.

In MAN, you are almost looking at this the other way round. The following causes no problem: clothes, books, stationary, shoes in the bags, cushions, blankets, consistently solid food such as biscuits, common fruits and vegetables. More or less everything else is best taken out and spread over as many trays as it takes. There is a strong case for not doing HBO at MAN, though everyone who knows me will appreciate how I would wish it were otherwise. By having a lot of trays it could increase the risk of secondary searches, but at least it will be quick, and just occasionally the staff will allow a tray with just a PC in it (or whatever) to jump the secondary queue. Always belts off, maybe shoes too.

If you are an HBO traveller this is a significant extra piece of work, but preparation does avoid some later hassles.

Misco60

If the staff had told me to take all electrical items out then I would have done.

(And the MAN website only says that large cameras must be removed).

Crampedin13A

Checking my rollaboard is definitely my strategy leaving from MAN these days. The only downside is how long domestic bags seem to take to arrive at LHR. I fortunately have only one departure from MAN to dread looking forward to this year and that is from T3. I refuse to deal with T1 anymore. Both the departure and arrival experience from there is so bad.

marcusm1

You can tell where the focus of Manchester is with anything to make money with the new Premiair terminal. I have to admit to trying it for a review but with a hint of shame knowing what the regular terminals are like. The investment has gone into that rather than improving the experience for the vast majority.
To be concise it is very impressive. Driven directly to the gate and escorted there in a BMW seven series. Nice experience. But the contrast between security is like night and day.
When the security staff are ready for you the lounge attendant will invite you to come to he screened. Automatic wooden doors opened and in front of me were six staff waiting just for me in a mini one lane security set up complete with one person to scan my boarding pass, one to assist with the trays, one to man the body scan, another to check the x- ray of the bag plus my driver and another member of lounge staff. I was so flustered to have six people staring at me as the doors opened they I forgot most of the security procedures and forgot my phone, belt and coffee in my flask. Not a problem as one of the staff went to throw it away in the toilet , wash my flask out and return it while everyone waited.
It's seriously impressive but you can't help feel guilty knowing how bad the terminal is

tuonopepper

Immigration and security are my only real complaints.

Immigration seems to have improved but hit it at the wrong time and it can be a nightmare.... T3 last night only 1 auto gate working, luckily I was off the plane quickly and it wasn't busy... If I'm in a rush I give in and buy fast rack.

A lot of the security issues would go away if they just dedicated the Fast rack scanner to the Fast track line, it's not really rocket science to be honest. It would be nice if the staff were more pleasant but I imagine it's a soul destroying job so I can li e with the suliness on the whole.

I generally provided constructive criticism through the surveys they send and Twitter and will also provide plaudits when it goes well. It's far from the worst airport I use but its more frustrating as its the one I use most often and it could be easily improved in terms of experience.

tuonopepper

Have seen this and wondered if it was again good, along with how I can get it through our expenses system, lol

ThatT1Feeling

So do you board the plane up the stairs or are you driven to the gate to join the usual 1-3 "priority boarding" scrum??

marcusm1

On long haul they try and time it so you end up being the last to board so they parked at the gate then took me up in the staff only elevator at the gate and both walked me to the ground staff supervisor then handed me over even waiting til I boarded. It

There were two guys there doing short haul and I noticed they left earlier relative to boarding time. So if it was BA I imagine there would still be a queue when you got there. I believe they have an agreement with most airlines that you will cut the queue which is why they take you to the supervisor desk fully escorted rather than just abandon you once you're at the gate but YMMV

It was very smooth but I can imagine the implementation of boarding will depend on how the ground staff treat pax using the service. As they're probably all mostly local ground staff rather than airline direct reports I think they've been briefed to make it smooth and not put people into the regular queue but board from the side.

Crampedin13A

But what about the idiocy in T1 where you come down one route and then the whole route is blocked because there is a crush of families coming off of a bucket and spade route from another direction who can't use the e-gates blocking everyone's ability to get in the e-gate line. It is an absolute gong show of an airport. It's sad that when you do a Lufty MAN-FRA-MAN and even FRA looks good in comparison and then you have the pleasure of the baggage hall that awaits

Crampedin13A

Anyone know what this is about and whom would be the interested party. Is this to prevent MAG from gouging airlines or all users of the airport?

https://www.caa.co.uk/News/Market-Po...ester-Airport/

corporate-wage-slave

The quoted link says the CAA is investigating whether to do a Market Power Determination on Manchester Airport.

To quote from the CAA's publications: Market power is the ability, profitably, to sustain prices above the competitive level or restrict output or quality below competitive levels. The assessment of market power involves an analysis of the competitive constraints faced by an airport to see whether they are strong enough to prevent it from harming the process of competition. Market power is not an absolute term but a matter of degree which varies according to the individual circumstances of the case.

I can't recall the CAA ever slapping down an airport for this, but certainly MAN seems to be sailing close to the wind. What I suspect the CAA will say is "well, you can always use LPL / LBA instead".

ThatT1Feeling

Data point this evening ... arrived at T3 security at 17.40. Queue of 4 ahead of me in Fast Track. Left the security hall at 17.52 and all staff interactions were friendly, even jovial! Can be such a variable experience!!