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Original poster

Has anyone travelled through Manchester Airport recently?

48 replies

BlueSpottedGiraffe · 17/03/2022 08:55

And can advise what the queues for security were like?

We are due to travel from T2 the week after next and I'm reading lots of horror stories about the queues for security in recent weeksConfused. At first it was just local newspapers posting articles on social media which I always take with a pinch of salt anyway but in the last few days I've been seeing lots of complaints on Twitter too.

We always arrive 3 hours early for a flight anyway but seeing it's taking people 2+ hours to get through security is making me worry! And purchasing fast track doesn't appear to get you anywhere either.

So just wondering if anyone has travelled through recently and can advise? I'm not too bothered about the queues on the way home at border force, obviously it's not what you want after a long flight but I'm mostly worried about the queues for security on our way.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 17/03/2022 22:05

@notacooldad

I'm guessing it's slightly easier hand luggage only? We are cabin bags. Are the queues horrendous for that as well or is the hain hold up at dropping cases.
Was still 2.5 hours today for hand luggage only
Rainbowshit · 17/03/2022 22:24

Just as a headsup we also flew from Newcastle recently and it was a total breeze. Not a single person in front of us. Will always choose Newcastle over Manchester from now on. No difference for us in terms of driving time.

Original poster
BlueSpottedGiraffe · 17/03/2022 22:27

We do normally try and avoid Manchester and go from Liverpool instead but wasn't an option for the flight we needed Sad.

OP posts:

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Flying Holidays
Frazzled2207 · 17/03/2022 22:32

Sounds awful. Can’t wait 🥴.

What gets me is that their Twitter account seems to blame passengers as “more people than we expected turned up”. They know in advance which planes are turning up and how many seats are on each so, yeah, not buying that sorry.

Original poster
BlueSpottedGiraffe · 17/03/2022 22:40

@Frazzled2207

Sounds awful. Can’t wait 🥴.

What gets me is that their Twitter account seems to blame passengers as “more people than we expected turned up”. They know in advance which planes are turning up and how many seats are on each so, yeah, not buying that sorry.

Yeah it's BS, most people are booking months/weeks in advance they will have a very good idea of expected passenger numbers... it's clearly a lack of staff which I would assume is due to COVID but Manchester airport were shockingly incompetent for years before COVID too, hence why we try to fly from Liverpool as much as possible.
OP posts:
MissDollyMix · 17/03/2022 22:47

Gosh! This looks awful! My sympathies for anyone caught up in this! We’re due to fly out of Manchester next month. We normally fly form Doncaster which is such a breeze. Im really nervous about flying from Manchester now. Just looking into security fast track passes but there doesn’t seem to be an option to buy them for children? Has anyone successfully managed to buy an adult fast track pass and used it for a child? (We’re not going to be taking children’s travel paraphernalia)

vanessalightyear · 28/03/2022 18:05

Bumping, wondering how it’s looking now?

FairyCakeSprinkles · 28/03/2022 21:36

@vanessalightyear, DH is due back from a work trip this week so I'll try and remember to update this thread, that would be arrivals though.

His departure trip was appalling. Plane had to be held back, no baggage etc.

Original poster
BlueSpottedGiraffe · 28/03/2022 22:04

Was just coming back to this thread to say we are travelling tomorrow and will report back. I had a quick look on Twitter earlier today and regretted it instantly as there were lots of horror stories still...

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Janif · 28/03/2022 22:12

Flew out of Manchester on Sunday - T1. BA check in desk quiet and quick. Security, unorganised chaos with rude workers to boot. We got through in about 45 mins which wasn't too bad but time could've been halved with proper organisation.

Original poster
BlueSpottedGiraffe · 29/03/2022 10:20

So we aimed to get here 4 hours early but traffic was better than expected and we arrived 4.5 hours early, had to wait an hour to check in and we have just got through security in 7 minutes!! This was T2 but reports on Twitter suggest waiting times are still hit and miss.

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 29/03/2022 10:25

Oh OP that’s good!
I have read that the first new lot of 400 new staff are stating in time for the Easter hols, gotta hope they get their act together quickly otherwise it will be a summer of misery there

Original poster
BlueSpottedGiraffe · 29/03/2022 10:26

There were staff being trained as we came through security so fingers crossed they are working soon.

Now sat in San Carlo with a glass of Prosecco and 3 hours to relax before our flight Grin

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vanessalightyear · 29/03/2022 15:05

Amazing OP thanks for the update. Have a lovely holiday.

Aposterhasnoname · 29/03/2022 15:09

Flew out a week ago, the queue for tui check in extended right down the plexiglass walkway almost to the raddison, at 4am in the morning!

And as for security, don’t even get me started. Ludicrous. And to cap the lot we then delay on the plane for almost two hours waiting for the bags loading and the pilots paperwork. And in one of the crews many announcements apologising for the chaos they said that was actually a good day.

RedPandaFluff · 30/03/2022 08:45

Oh my goodness this sounds horrendous. We're flying out from Manchester with Jet2 from T2 the third week in April - I'm really hoping the situation has improved by then because waiting for hours with a toddler is going to be really stressful Sad

GoofyIsACow · 30/03/2022 08:51

Just following this, due to fly on Monday!

Starisnotanumber · 30/03/2022 09:05

Jet2 are great they have staff on to help no real issues with baggage drop.
Security on Sunday 20th took around 20 minutes no worse than before covid coming back on 27th was absolutely no problem the biggest issue was the walk to passport control which took around 10 minutes bags on the reclaim belt when we got throughout

Original poster
BlueSpottedGiraffe · 30/03/2022 09:22

I really hope everyone else has as smooth a journey as we did.

@RedPandaFluff the Jet2 check in area in T2 looked absolutely fine (we were sat opposite it for a while whilst we waited to check in) and as PP said as they are a big company with lots of flights they had quite a few staff hanging about to help, so hopefully it will be the same once they are in T3.

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RedPandaFluff · 30/03/2022 10:47

Oh thank you, that's heartening! I'll try to be optimistic in that case . . . but also give ourselves lots of time!

Starisnotanumber · 30/03/2022 12:26

Just for information about terminal 2 there is no pharmacy after you check in there is a sign that said Boots will be opening shortly but no idea how short shortly is.
There is a very limited supply of shower gel and deodorant type items in Smiths but more shelf space given to overpriced Toblerone.
There are no cheap chain eating places either a breakfast is around a tenner with a drink another couple of pounds, there are meal deals available at Smiths and pret
Terminal 2 is very big and usually jet 2 are at the far end takes a good few minutes to walk to gate.

RedPandaFluff · 30/03/2022 14:35

Thank you, @Starisnotanumber!

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