LEEDS BRADFORD AIRPORT

[CoolClaret]

No-one's giving me optimism for my American trip, Manchester to Chicago via Dublin.

I’m doing the same but onto Nashville after that!

& YeH I flew to Paris CDG last Wednesday

Took 2hr45 to get through security at Manchester it was truly a shambles.

Travelling really sucks these days

[Swizzlestick]

What is the actual issue? Are they just understaffed due to Covid absences etc? They can’t be near their usual pre Covid summertime peak.

[jrgbfc]

What is the actual issue? Are they just understaffed due to Covid absences etc? They can’t be near their usual pre Covid summertime peak.

Probably laid people off during lockdown and haven't replaced them properly.

[dandeclaret]

I fly from Dublin about 40 times a year. 2 tips. 1 pay for fast track, you’ll be through in 10 minutes max. If you don’t want to pay for fast track and terminal 1 is rammed, I’d be tempted to have a wander to terminal 2, as particularly in afternoons / evenings the security is much quieter. This only works for hand luggage only though.

[MT03ALG]

No-one's giving me optimism for my American trip, Manchester to Chicago via Dublin.

I flew with Aer Lingus to from Manchester to Boston via Dublin in 2019.
The plane into Manchester was delayed because of rain so the flight to Dublin was also delayed.
Although my plane to Boston was still in Dublin when I arrived there, there was apparently not enough time to allow me through the American Customs in Dublin so I had to spend a night in a Dublin hotel and missed my night in a Boston hotel. The next day I had to fly to Boston then almost directly on to Denver.

Just returned from 4 weeks in Tenerife via Leeds Bradford.
I flew out at 8 a.m. so made sure I was at the airport at 5.45 a.m. and went straight though security.
I also had 3 seats to myself on the flight out.

Tenerife South was very busy on Friday - queues everywhere and the plane was full.
Arrival at Leeds Bradford at 7.45 p.m. was ok except for the half a mile walk from the plane to the Customs - the same distance as on the way out.

[fidelcastro]

No-one's giving me optimism for my American trip, Manchester to Chicago via Dublin.

I'm worried about my trip from Manchester to New York after reading some of the comments on here. It's not until May, so maybe things will have settled down by then.

On the other hand, I guess it will be busier, so you have to hope preparations have been put in place. On the way back I'm flying from LA to Paris, and then onto Manchester again, so if it all goes without any issues I'll have surely done very well!

[dougcollins]

I think it's like hospitality. The more experienced ones found a different world of employment during lockdown - jobs that didn't have antisocial hours, and -sometimes -better pay.

They won't go back. The jobs they had are run by inexperienced kids, who probably aren't that arsed that you're in a rush.

[Pickles]

Haven't read all the thread but flew from Manchester and back this week and with no problems or waiting, especially the outgoing flight. Was through baggage drop and security within twenty minutes, barely queued at all.

[Tricky Trevor]

Daughter flying out from Manchester at 1005 arrived at 6pm and has thanked me and shared a video from security that is similar to the ones posted earlier in the thread. They really need to get their act together.

[Stockbrokerbelt]

I live in Spain & have a season ticket & fly in & out of Manchester, before Covid cheap & reasonably easy but always issues with security returning to Spain on the last flight to Malaga. Not sure if the security & gate staff were arsey because of the shift time but always confrontational whether they were right or wrong. Since Covid a complete collapse from customer service, security or operational point of view, just rude ignorant untrained aggressive staff, how you can have arrivals & departures coming through the same entrance is just a complete sxxx show. I’m lucky enough to travel to Italy on several occasions in the last couple of years which is so easy when in the EU, just been to Milan & traveled on my residency TIE card & so easy. It was a shame to see UK flights & flyers tucked away in separate areas of both airports.

[Tricky Trevor]

Follow up to my last post. They got there at 6pm got through at 9.30 and had an argument to board. She won and they are boarded. All her friends are commenting, as stockbrokerbelt did, on how rude and unhelpful Manchester staff are. They also heard that they were asking for firefighters to come in part-time.

[Loyal Supporter]

I'm flying from LBA next week, so it would be helpful if you can make it clear which airport you are commenting on. I'm a bit confused with some of the replies. Thank you.

[Stayingup]

I'm flying from LBA next week, so it would be helpful if you can make it clear which airport you are commenting on. I'm a bit confused with some of the replies. Thank you.

Its Manchester, the gateway to the NW thats getting most of the critisizm. And rightly so its awful. In fact its pathetic. Service is a redundant word at this third world airport.

[Devils_Advocate]

I'm flying from LBA next week, so it would be helpful if you can make it clear which airport you are commenting on. I'm a bit confused with some of the replies. Thank you.

My advice would be to get yourself to the airport a good 3 or 4 hours before departure. I have no idea how quickly you will get through security but it seems madness not to take the opportunity to spend some extra time in Yorkshire before flying off to your destination

[MT03ALG]

My advice would be to get yourself to the airport a good 3 or 4 hours before departure. I have no idea how quickly you will get through security but it seems madness not to take the opportunity to spend some extra time in Yorkshire before flying off to your destination

I spent an extra night in Yorkshire before flying out at the Travelodge at LBA and the same when coming back !!
Early flight on the way out late flight on the way back.

[Devils_Advocate]

I spent an extra night in Yorkshire before flying out at the Travelodge at LBA and the same when coming back !!
Early flight on the way out late flight on the way back.

It shows in the quality of your posts on here

[Loyal Supporter]

My advice would be to get yourself to the airport a good 3 or 4 hours before departure. I have no idea how quickly you will get through security but it seems madness not to take the opportunity to spend some extra time in Yorkshire before flying off to your destination

Thanks for the reply, but I live in North Yorkshire....

[Devils_Advocate]

Thanks for the reply, but I live in North Yorkshire....

Show-off

[LoveCurryPies]

Like many businesses thet are probably experiencing a huge shortage of staff following Brexit.

Going well isn’t it.

[Stayingup]

More chaos at Manchester airport today. Seems to be a daily occurence now. As usual they apologize and blame Covid. So I wonder how have Leeds Bradford, Gatwick, Stanstead, particularly East Midlands and other UK airports managed to avoid this mess?

[dandeclaret]

More chaos at Manchester airport today. Seems to be a daily occurence now. As usual they apologize and blame Covid. So I wonder how have Leeds Bradford, Gatwick, Stanstead, particularly East Midlands and other UK airports managed to avoid this mess?

In most cases (LBA, East Midlands) by not having many flights. Or in the others (Stanstead and Gatwick), by not being travelled through regularly by posters on this board. The last 10 days in most airports I've been in have been pretty poor (Dublin, Leeds Bradford, Manchester, Edinburgh, Heathrow) and Covid does appear to be causing reduced staffing levels in most. In most cases it was queue's for security, in Leeds it was an hour before the bags were unloaded from the flight we were already aboard waiting to depart, and then 20 minutes to put our bags on.

[beddie]

It’s easy to avoid, just don’t travel.

[Stayingup]

It’s easy to avoid, just don’t travel.

You mean don't do your job? It might not have ocurred to you but many people's jobs involve foreign travel.

[claret wizard]

I flew from Manchester this morning. 0700 flight, arrived at airport at 0310, check in opened at 0345, through security at 0430. 90 mins sorting out Spanish locator forms and working in the lounge. The main issue is that there’s not enough staff to open departures in Terminal 3, so all of T1 and T3 passengers are going through T1 departures. (Like it used to be way back, and they’ve reconnected the 2 terminals airside). Obviously signs of no staff, air bridges not being used despite planes being on stand, internal domestic security nonexistent so you had to check in at the desk rather than online, no signs out for boarding, wheelchair users waiting for people. Just as bad connecting at LHR, no stands free, buses took 40 minutes, long queues at every concession for food or lounge. Same in Madrid also, queues everywhere, but at least they had air bridges and a free stand. Can’t see it improving as people ramp up their holidays!

[jrgbfc]

I suppose even if they can get new staff, it's not a simple case of just getting them started. I imagine there's loads of security checks and vetting you need to go through to work at an airport.

[beddie]

You mean don't do your job? It might not have ocurred to you but many people's jobs involve foreign travel.

Yes I know that I was just trying to make a light hearted joke hence the smiley. Apologies if it offended.

[Newcastleclaret93]

More chaos at Manchester airport today. Seems to be a daily occurence now. As usual they apologize and blame Covid. So I wonder how have Leeds Bradford, Gatwick, Stanstead, particularly East Midlands and other UK airports managed to avoid this mess?

I am flying from Manchester airport on Saturday. A 2pm flight how long do you think I should give myself to check in and get through security.

[CoolClaret]

I am flying from Manchester airport on Saturday. A 2pm flight how long do you think I should give myself to check in and get through security.

If you don’t want to be stressed to the tits, I’d genuinely say minimum, absolute minimum 4hrs.

I’d probably opt for 5 - that’s how bad it is

[Stayingup]

I am flying from Manchester airport on Saturday. A 2pm flight how long do you think I should give myself to check in and get through security.

2 days!!! Hard to say but I'd allow 2.5 hours. I'm going myself soon. In future I might use Leeds again. Smaller and better run. Last time I went from there I was smong a big party of sports lads. They certainly knew how to drink but were fine all in all.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Wow that is concerning. What is causing the problem is it security or people that have to complete forms?

[Loyalclaret]

I checked in at Manchester terminal 1 (flight left terminal 3) last Thursday for 7am flight - the queues were horrific to be honest. We did skip most of it because we had a pram. My mother in law flew out on Saturday 11am and said it was pretty quick to get through!

Coming back I landed and exited through terminal 3 which was super fast. Noticed there were piles and piles of suitcases around the luggae carousels which I've never seen before.

I'd give yourself 3 1/2 hours. Id also check which terminal you're leaving from. If it is 3 then it is quite a walk from 1 and could catch a few 'one last drink' ers out

[Loyalclaret]

Had a look around the airport in general and standards in almost all areas are way below other cities

[dandeclaret]

I wouldn't be as worried. There are certain times of the day where it's horrendous. I'd say 40% of flights from Manchester depart in about a 90 minute period first thing in the morning - same for anywhere with Ryanair / Easyjet / Jet 2 etc style flights. I believem but stand to be corrected on this, that they can pay for shorter shifts if they depart all of those flights in a glut. Evenings, for business travellers returning home haven't been anywhere near as bad in my experience. I have however, started to arrive at the airport 80 minutes before my flights depart (and using Fast Track all of the time) and haven't had any stressful moments (arriving at Birmingham 35 minutes before the flight left on the way back from Cheltenham the other week excluded).

I would check and see how many flights are leaving at around your flight time, and assess it from there.

[Newcastleclaret93]

If you don’t want to be stressed to the tits, I’d genuinely say minimum, absolute minimum 4hrs.

I’d probably opt for 5 - that’s how bad it is

This might be a stupid question, but emirates desk does not open until three hours before the flight. I assume it will be open earlier than this too allow people to hand over suitcases etc…?

[CoolClaret]

This might be a stupid question, but emirates desk does not open until three hours before the flight. I assume it will be open earlier than this too allow people to hand over suitcases etc…?

I’m not to sure to be honest -

Are you checking a bag? If so after dropping the bag, you might be able to just merge the queue for the security checks if you’re sneaky enough. Or merge at the entrance to the airport

When I went 2 weeks ago the queue for security was spanning out of the airport… when I arrived on my plane there were 65 passengers missing - it was only the pilots generosity that he waited an hour for about another 30-40. The rest were left behind

[CoolClaret]

I wouldn't be as worried. There are certain times of the day where it's horrendous. I'd say 40% of flights from Manchester depart in about a 90 minute period first thing in the morning - same for anywhere with Ryanair / Easyjet / Jet 2 etc style flights. I believem but stand to be corrected on this, that they can pay for shorter shifts if they depart all of those flights in a glut. Evenings, for business travellers returning home haven't been anywhere near as bad in my experience. I have however, started to arrive at the airport 80 minutes before my flights depart (and using Fast Track all of the time) and haven't had any stressful moments (arriving at Birmingham 35 minutes before the flight left on the way back from Cheltenham the other week excluded).

I would check and see how many flights are leaving at around your flight time, and assess it from there.

Good luck getting a fast pass for Easter half term, I can’t find any availability for T1 departures on the 20th April (at literally every time slot) - I checked a few other dates around there and can’t find availability either

[dandeclaret]

Good luck getting a fast pass for Easter half term, I can’t find any availability for T1 departures on the 20th April (at literally every time slot) - I checked a few other dates around there and can’t find availability either

I have been known at times to buy a very cheap Ryanair flight and buy a fast track pass through their website, where they are often available to buy even when off sale, in order to get one.

[Stayingup]

I’m not to sure to be honest -

Are you checking a bag? If so after dropping the bag, you might be able to just merge the queue for the security checks if you’re sneaky enough. Or merge at the entrance to the airport

When I went 2 weeks ago the queue for security was spanning out of the airport… when I arrived on my plane there were 65 passengers missing - it was only the pilots generosity that he waited an hour for about another 30-40. The rest were left behind

Were you with Emirates?

[Stayingup]

If you don’t want to be stressed to the tits, I’d genuinely say minimum, absolute minimum 4hrs.

I’d probably opt for 5 - that’s how bad it is

But if you have a bag to check in the desk may not be open untill two hours before flight departure time. The hold ups are after that in security.

You shouldn't laugh but Manchester airport has now opened T3 but get this - you still have to go through security at T1. They really are unbelievabley useless the management. But no one will fire them. Its a good job these incompetents dont work in my industry. They wouldn't last two.minutes.

[CoolClaret]

Were you with Emirates?

No mate easyJet to Paris CDG.

The time from dropping my bag off to getting through to the gate through security was 2hr45

That’s why I’m saying if you wanna be super stress free

But if you have a bag to check in the desk may not be open untill two hours before flight departure time. The hold ups are after that in security.

You shouldn't laugh but Manchester airport has now opened T3 but get this - you still have to go through security at T1. They really are unbelievabley useless the management. But no one will fire them. Its a good job these incompetents dont work in my industry. They wouldn't last two.minutes.

Yeah they are a complete, sick joke.

I just advocate getting there super early rn if you don’t want to be stressed out and to have the time to have a sit down pint or whatever

[Inchy]

Just got through security at LBA. Took 30 mins with fast track. Well worth the 3 quid as the other queue was running the length of the whole terminal. Must take at least 90mins.

[Stayingup]

Just heard about a lady I know who was advised to go to Manchester airport yesterday at 5.00 a.m for an 11.00 a.m. departure to Turkey. She was still there last night at 7.00 p.m. Things are really working well. And when you stay at home you can stop in Colwyn Bay for £186/night in a very poor hotel. The people of this country are being cheated at every turn. We have our elected members telling us what to do. Dont eat so much save the NHS, dont travel, dont heat your home. I expect my MP to do what I ask him to do not the other way round

[Devils_Advocate]

The people of this country are being cheated at every turn. We have our elected members telling us what to do. Dont eat so much save the NHS, dont travel, dont heat your home. I expect my MP to do what I ask him to do not the other way round

[bodge]

Just got through security in 5 mins, no probs at LBA whatsoever.

[jdrobbo]

That’s because I called ahead and said that Karenbodge (and her luggage) were about to enter the building. Gosh, I’m so kind.

[Vegas Claret]

out of interest, as an example - what if you get there 4 hours before and still miss your flight, who is compensating for that ? SURELY something is in place ? (i'm not flying, just interested)

[ŽižkovClaret]

Just heard about a lady I know who was advised to go to Manchester airport yesterday at 5.00 a.m for an 11.00 a.m. departure to Turkey. She was still there last night at 7.00 p.m.

Cancelled / delayed flight?

[dsr]

Aer Lingus have thought up an added wrinkle to "help out". You can get your paperwork pre-cleared with VeriFly, except that VeriFly is a limited app that doesn't work for everyone (ie. if you have a covid recovery certificate, it doesn't work for the USA). So you can't use VeriFly. But Aer Lingus want you to use VeriFly, so they won't let you check in online if you haven't used it. That should add to the chaos, methinks.

[agreenwood]

LBA was busy yesterday morning. Queues back near WH Smiths. We paid £20 for fast track and probably skipped the equivalent of half the queue out. Took us 40 mins to get through. Reckon it’d have been 1.5 hours-ish non-fast track.

[wilks_bfc]

The MD of Manchester Airport has stood down

Not sure what difference it’ll make tbh

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-m ... r-61002096