Can anyone please tell me what it's like leaving from here now?
We're going next Saturday afternoon and I'm wondering how soon we need to be there.

I flew on the 9th April (a Saturday) to Florida from T2 and flew through. We got their at 6 expecting it to be awful, but we were sat having breakfast in departures before 7 and then had three hours to kill!

Its pot luck at the moment, apparently.
I know someone who's breezed through, but friends of friends have been stuck in long queues.

Don't know what determines it, though.

Went through T3 last Friday - I think it had only been open a week but check in was very quick ( Ryanair) and security took 20 mins. Last week T1 was having issues particularly for the early morning flights with queues outside T1 at 3:30am. I’m back to airport this Friday but an evening flight this time. Passport control on the wa back ( landed at 0020 hrs ) was very busy but family’s with young kids ( under 12 ) were being pulled out and directed through fast rack.

I think it's T1 we're using so that doesn't sound promising

As Electroclatet said think it is pot luck at the moment.

We flew Ryanair out of T3 early morning a couple of weeks ago and security queue only took about 45 mins (we'd booked and paid extra for fast track but it was closed!)

My sister and her hubby flew out to Turkey on Friday and security took hour and a half.

Went through recently. Afternoon flight. No problems whatsoever. Took everyone’s advice and got there very early to check in. Desk check in opened earlier than anticipated. But waited an hour early to make sure - not necessary. Security quicker than I’ve seen for a while. Good luck.

This on skynews.com today.
https://news.sky.com/story/manchester-a ... y-12609201

My wife back back through Manchester around 2pm, no problem with collecting baggage

T1 its terrible.

The Duchess of Bar flew out of T3 this morning, queue was about an hour for security!

Too many flights and not enough staff. It also seems to be the most stringent security with a tray for electronics, a tray for hand luggage and another tray for coats, belts and shoes.

Burnley Ace wrote: ↑

Tue May 10, 2022 7:33 am

Too many flights and not enough staff. It also seems to be the most stringent security with a tray for electronics, a tray for hand luggage and another tray for coats, belts and shoes.

Yep it’s either they’re pedantic or their system absolutely sucks.

In the past year or so I’ve been in quite a few airports and Manchester’s security system is easily the most annoying.

For example in Chicago you don’t need to all put your liquids into a clear bag and take them out of your luggage, and you don’t need just one tray for iPad/laptop etc.

As a solo traveller carrying quite a lot of carry on gear - packed cabin bag, small airport safe toiletry’s, laptop w external hard drive etc, the security process at Manchester honestly leaves me needing around 4 trays (why does my cabin bag need a tray?!).

Maybe it’s old scanners they have, who knows. Either way it’s a horrific airport

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Tue May 10, 2022 7:45 am

Yep it’s either they’re pedantic or their system absolutely sucks.

In the past year or so I’ve been in quite a few airports and Manchester’s security system is easily the most annoying.

For example in Chicago you don’t need to all put your liquids into a clear bag and take them out of your luggage, and you don’t need just one tray for iPad/laptop etc.

As a solo traveller carrying quite a lot of carry on gear - packed cabin bag, small airport safe toiletry’s, laptop w external hard drive etc, the security process at Manchester honestly leaves me needing around 4 trays (why does my cabin bag need a tray?!).

Maybe it’s old scanners they have, who knows. Either way it’s a horrific airport

The problem I've found is that a lot of passengers still don't realise they cannot take big bottles of water through, or take their ipads etc out of their bags... They all must be first time travellers, or just thick as mince

The problem is usually caused by the number of flights before yours. More flights means more passengers. I'm flying out in 3 weeks on an afternoon with few flights before mine. My daughter flew from T1 last week at 7.20am and there was around 16 flights before hers. She was queuing outside the building!

Nori1958 wrote: ↑

Tue May 10, 2022 7:52 am

The problem I've found is that a lot of passengers still don't realise they cannot take big bottles of water through, or take their ipads etc out of their bags... They all must be first time travellers, or just thick as mince

I agree with that there are a lot of numpties that, you know, have had over an hour in a queue to figure out if they’ve got anything in their luggage that’ll cause a rejection but don’t even bother looking then give it the ‘ooh I forgot it was in there’, casually as ever whilst there are queues snaking out to the car park - so inconsiderate for others in the queue!

I must say even though it’s still bad, the process is much better than when I flew out to Paris in mid March - that really was horrific, there were no liaison staff in the terminal and it was just a sea of people with the queue snaking out of the door.

Two weeks ago when I flew out of Manchester the queue was the same length but less populated due to better management & more liaison staff, as well as more security lanes open scanning bags etc - still not acceptable but a lot better.

Still lots to do for that airport and I don’t know what’ll make it better, no matter what I wouldn’t want to be an elderly traveller having to walk and snake around T1 security and departures.

Take Chicago again, each terminal has a tiny queue for security and bag check and a relatively small terminal - you do Manchester airport and if your gate is far away you’re racking up a significant number of steps

CoolClaret wrote: ↑

Tue May 10, 2022 8:09 am

I agree with that there are a lot of numpties that, you know, have had over an hour in a queue to figure out if they’ve got anything in their luggage that’ll cause a rejection but don’t even bother looking then give it the ‘ooh I forgot it was in there’, casually as ever whilst there are queues snaking out to the car park - so inconsiderate for others in the queue!

I must say even though it’s still bad, the process is much better than when I flew out to Paris in mid March - that really was horrific, there were no liaison staff in the terminal and it was just a sea of people with the queue snaking out of the door.

Two weeks ago when I flew out of Manchester the queue was the same length but less populated due to better management & more liaison staff, as well as more security lanes open scanning bags etc - still not acceptable but a lot better.

Still lots to do for that airport and I don’t know what’ll make it better, no matter what I wouldn’t want to be an elderly traveller having to walk and snake around T1 security and departures.

Take Chicago again, each terminal has a tiny queue for security and bag check and a relatively small terminal - you do Manchester airport and if your gate is far away you’re racking up a significant number of steps

I use Manchester Airport regularly, and a few times during the current problems, I always use terminal 2, and there hasn't been horrendous queues. On one occasion they opened another security gate whilst we were in the queue, within 5 minutes of it being opened they announced that 10 people had already required extra checks because they hadn't removed items from their bags..... It doesn't take much more of that to create large queues coupled with the staff shortages

Nori1958 wrote: ↑

Tue May 10, 2022 8:17 am

I use Manchester Airport regularly, and a few times during the current problems, I always use terminal 2, and there hasn't been horrendous queues. On one occasion they opened another security gate whilst we were in the queue, within 5 minutes of it being opened they announced that 10 people had already required extra checks because they hadn't removed items from their bags..... It doesn't take much more of that to create large queues coupled with the staff shortages

Both times recently I’ve gone using T1, I used T2 September last year and that was great, although I don’t think as many people were travelling as there were still restrictions on travel.

I agree people shouldn’t be numpties BUT an airport that’s reliant on travellers and also knows the amount of people roughly that will be heading through the airport should account and have contingency for bag rejections due to traveler error.

It’s all well and good blaming the traveller but that being said it should be a given that a certain % of travellers will be like this - in any system design one has to account for the weakest link/critical processes and give extra discrepancies

Going a week tomorrow and absolutely dreading it.

Went to Jamaica at the end of December, would’ve missed our flight if it was delayed by an hour. The TUI queues were outside the main doors.

Flying through covid was heaven compared to now.

No lines for security, taxis and plenty of space to spread out on the plane

Will be back to UK in June for the first time in 3 years, can't really afford to miss my flight back, considering booking a night in the Radisson Blu to be able to start queuing early - things might have changed but the Singapore Airlines check in desks at T2 were next to the airbridge to the hotel and then paying for fast track which probably will be the same as non fast track pre covid.

Just gone through T3 and there were very heavy queues at security and although it wasn't too bad in the scheme of things, in hindsight the Fast Track would have been a good option as they were sailing through there, with a lucky few getting directed out of the massive queues and into Fast Track whilst it was quiet.
All sorted now but I'm certainly pleased that I gave myself that extra hour this morning.

Went through this morning at 7 terminal 1 No queues anywhere. Drop off to coffee 15 mins. Problem is came early and now 3 hrs to wait for flight.

Manchester T2 this morning.
5am arrival for 9am flight.
45 mins queue to check in the cases.
10 mins to get through security with fast track which I think saved us 30-45 mins of additional time.
As expected many flights leaving in the morning so expect the queues for security we’re going to get bigger over the next hour.

How much is fast track to purchase?

£5 per person but they weren’t selling online when I looked originally (about 6 weeks ago).
But it was an optional extra when I purchased meet & greet parking on the airport website

I think it's about a fiver. It pops up as an optional extra on the Ryanair website, so I assume the others are the same.

I’m flying out of T1 on Friday night (7pm) you can’t book fast track if you are travelling with a pram / buggy which is a pain. Hope someone pulls us out of the queue as I’m travelling with our 3 yr old granddaughter.

My son went through terminal 3 this morning at about 5.30am. He says there were no queues at all.

Just got through T3 at 3:30am, took an hour but the queue for coffee or a beer is an hour as well.

I went for the WH Smith meal deal instead

Flixtonclaret1 wrote: ↑

Wed May 11, 2022 11:40 am

I’m flying out of T1 on Friday night (7pm) you can’t book fast track if you are travelling with a pram / buggy which is a pain. Hope someone pulls us out of the queue as I’m travelling with our 3 yr old granddaughter.

We travel with a pram regular, you will be directed down the fast track or just ask a member of staff where to go whilst with the pram (even if you know where to go) and they will send you through fast track.

We went through terminal 1 end of March/start April when the queues were outside and were directed to assistance entrance far left of the terminal and was through pretty quick.

Loyalclaret wrote: ↑

Fri May 13, 2022 7:19 am

We travel with a pram regular, you will be directed down the fast track or just ask a member of staff where to go whilst with the pram (even if you know where to go) and they will send you through fast track.

We went through terminal 1 end of March/start April when the queues were outside and were directed to assistance entrance far left of the terminal and was through pretty quick.

Loyal …. Thats encouraging …. thanks for the heads up!

We all need a pram!

Not sure if this would this work!!!

Just a word of warning, I took my daughter, setting off of at 1 o'clock in the morning, and the roadworks, closures and diversions were numerous and absolutely horrendous. One diversion took us through Stockport.

Please make ample allowances

****, I'm flying from Manchester on Thursday, flight at 11:20am - I'll have to make allowances for Manchester traffic with Roadwork as well as all the queues

Manchester Airport has gone to the dogs in recent years by the way.

You#ll be fine at that time CTU, the real hotspots are before 8am, when there's a glut of the holiday / low cost carrier flights departing. I fly pretty much every week, from Dublin, to various places, but most regularly Manchester. I can honestly tell you, I've never aimed to be at the airport more than 80 minutes before my flight (it was 60 before these queue's started), and haven't had a problem (even with the big queues). I book fast track for every single flight, and if time is tight, I am quite happy to walk past the tut's, sighs and comments to go to the front of the security queue.

Fast track is a good deal slower, as people highlighted above, families with prams are being diverted to fast track, and infrequent travellers are buying it, and then blocking the belts with bags having liquids and electronics left in them.

I spent 15 years flying out of Manch, and if I never set foot in the place again, I'll be happy. I hate flying and will always drive, if that is an option.

Fast track currently unavailable online. I am flying next Sat 6am thinking of dropping bags evening before, something Tui is offering.

claptrappers_union wrote: ↑

Fri May 13, 2022 12:23 pm

****, I'm flying from Manchester on Thursday, flight at 11:20am - I'll have to make allowances for Manchester traffic with Roadwork as well as all the queues

Manchester Airport has gone to the dogs in recent years by the way.

Its third world level. Has been for some time. Horrible airport. No competition. Its a pity Blackpoil closed. Thats what we need more smaller efficient airports.

Anyone gone through Liverpool John Lennon lately?
Someone said its not as bad, and quite a few operators go from there.

To add salt to the wound, Manchester charged me £5 for the 5 minutes it took
to drop them off and say our goodbyes.

Daylight robbery.

Stayingup wrote: ↑

Sat May 14, 2022 5:26 pm

Its third world level. Has been for some time. Horrible airport. No competition. Its a pity Blackpoil closed. Thats what we need more smaller efficient airports.

Blackpool was ok for a while, but at busy times you ended up parked on a muddy field, then they started charging every passenger to use the airport.... Not really sure we want more of that

Flew out from Gatwick at 12:30 pm. Was asked to be at airport by 10 am because possible delays in security. Turned out to be the easiest imaginable. Longest part was 15 minutes at bag drop. A good re-introduction to flying since early 2020.

Hope Manchester sorts things out quickly.

Flying out of Manchester T2 next Saturday. My flight is at 12.45pm. I've allowed myself around four hours. Will this even be enough?

Nori1958 wrote: ↑

Sat May 14, 2022 6:08 pm

Blackpool was ok for a while, but at busy times you ended up parked on a muddy field, then they started charging every passenger to use the airport.... Not really sure we want more of that

They charged every passenger? How much and for what?
Manchester charges for drop off and pick up
We need decent efficient smaller airports to give Manchester some competition.

Stayingup wrote: ↑

Sat May 14, 2022 9:31 pm

They charged every passenger? How much and for what?
Manchester charges for drop off and pick up
We need decent efficient smaller airports to give Manchester some competition.

I know Newquay used to charge all passengers £5 too, don’t know if the still do, and last year I went to knock in Ireland and they charged €10. They charge you at small airports to go through security as they don’t get a lot from the low cost carriers as they don’t pay many fees. If you refuse they you don’t get to go through security.

Thanks for all the advice and discussion for my enquiry.
We got there 3 hours early and sailed through check in and security. It took about 45 minutes so we had a good time in the bar (apart from the prices)

Stayingup wrote: ↑

Sat May 14, 2022 9:31 pm

They charged every passenger? How much and for what?
Manchester charges for drop off and pick up
We need decent efficient smaller airports to give Manchester some competition.

It was either 5 pound or 10, you had to buy a ticket from the machine, and show it before going through security. There were no real catering facilities etc, and we once waited at the end of the runway for a road sweeper to clear puddles before take off. Give me Manchester any day. I use it 5 or 6 times a year and don't really get the comments on how bad it is... I just see airports as a means to getting on holiday and find them all much of a muchness to be honest.

RickyBobby wrote: ↑

Sat May 14, 2022 10:11 pm

I know Newquay used to charge all passengers £5 too, don’t know if the still do, and last year I went to knock in Ireland and they charged €10. They charge you at small airports to go through security as they don’t get a lot from the low cost carriers as they don’t pay many fees. If you refuse they you don’t get to go through security.

Hate Knock for that reason alone , the €10 is towards the airort upgrade which they have charged since 1974 ( whatever ) i try to fly out of Shannon for that very reason alone