Manchester-2
Join Date: Aug 2017
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That would be fair and equitable if LHR referred to itself as the Gateway to London and the South East.
In any case you miss my point - it's all about positive marketing and perception. Accuracy too - make a dart board out of a map of the UK and MAN is more or less a bulls-eye.
People in all the other countries that I work in don't see Manchester as a 'northern' this or that. When I show them where it is on my phone they always say 'oh right in the middle'. You would be surprised how many people think London is in the middle of the country - including people who live in London.
In any case you miss my point - it's all about positive marketing and perception. Accuracy too - make a dart board out of a map of the UK and MAN is more or less a bulls-eye.
People in all the other countries that I work in don't see Manchester as a 'northern' this or that. When I show them where it is on my phone they always say 'oh right in the middle'. You would be surprised how many people think London is in the middle of the country - including people who live in London.
Join Date: Jul 2007
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"You would be surprised how many people think London is in the middle of the country - including people who live in London".
Including the present Secretary of State for Transport perhaps??
I can see MAN might be pushed to refer to itself as a hub, so "International Gateway" does seem to fit the bill. What adjective should precede it is a moot point and "Central" does maybe have a slightly stronger sound to it. Of course, BHX might take a dim view of that.
On e-gates, I've been rejected the last 2 times and along with a dozen others was re-directed to the staffed desks. At least there was a MAN staff member allowing us to filter in the main queue rather than going to the back of it. Nevertheless, it would be frustrating if you'd had a wait for the e-gates first.
Including the present Secretary of State for Transport perhaps??
I can see MAN might be pushed to refer to itself as a hub, so "International Gateway" does seem to fit the bill. What adjective should precede it is a moot point and "Central" does maybe have a slightly stronger sound to it. Of course, BHX might take a dim view of that.
On e-gates, I've been rejected the last 2 times and along with a dozen others was re-directed to the staffed desks. At least there was a MAN staff member allowing us to filter in the main queue rather than going to the back of it. Nevertheless, it would be frustrating if you'd had a wait for the e-gates first.
Join Date: Aug 2017
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On e-gates, I've been rejected the last 2 times and along with a dozen others was re-directed to the staffed desks. At least there was a MAN staff member allowing us to filter in the main queue rather than going to the back of it. Nevertheless, it would be frustrating if you'd had a wait for the e-gates first.
Once, when I mentioned that my passport never worked in the e-gates, a very helpful Border agent suggested that it could be something to do with the thicker 32 page passport that a lot of us frequent flyers use. Because the spine is thicker it doesn't fold back quite flat. Also the attempt to do so pulls the scan page slightly out of line. Try it if you have one. It seems quite a plausible explanation.
If this is the case then perhaps people with 32 page passports can go directly to the line instead of wasting our(and other people's) time?
Join Date: Apr 2010
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Heathrow Harry, what utter rubbish about the e-gates. Border staff are definitely not causing queues to increase numbers, (although 40% cut in staffing levels since 2015 hasn’t helped workloads welcome to austerity) if Border Force staff wanted to cause queues they’d work to H&S rules, take their required breaks but the staff don’t as they want to process passengers as quick as possible to get on with the casework that everyday generates.
The reason that the experience passengers get from gates around the world depends on databases that they use. U.K. database is different from Europe, which is different to US which is different to Canada. The gates reject people with similar names so that officers can confirm the persons identity. In U.K. some names are more common ie John Smith and that can mean people with common names having to use the manned desks. The e-gates are just another tool to aid the quicker processing of passengers that aren’t of interest to Border Force. 95% of the rejection at the gates is an automated response that the gates software has decided that forever reason that person or document requires a check by an Officer to confirm that they can be admitted to the U.K.
Please remember Border Force is Law Enforcement, they monitor Sex Offenders, Counter Terrorism, Immigration Crime, Customs Crime, Human Trafficking, Forged & Counterfiet Docs this is on top of the role at the Border to identify wether that person should be admitted under the Immigration Act 71 or wether they require leave to enter. If they require leave to enter are they entitled to leave to enter.
The reason that the experience passengers get from gates around the world depends on databases that they use. U.K. database is different from Europe, which is different to US which is different to Canada. The gates reject people with similar names so that officers can confirm the persons identity. In U.K. some names are more common ie John Smith and that can mean people with common names having to use the manned desks. The e-gates are just another tool to aid the quicker processing of passengers that aren’t of interest to Border Force. 95% of the rejection at the gates is an automated response that the gates software has decided that forever reason that person or document requires a check by an Officer to confirm that they can be admitted to the U.K.
Please remember Border Force is Law Enforcement, they monitor Sex Offenders, Counter Terrorism, Immigration Crime, Customs Crime, Human Trafficking, Forged & Counterfiet Docs this is on top of the role at the Border to identify wether that person should be admitted under the Immigration Act 71 or wether they require leave to enter. If they require leave to enter are they entitled to leave to enter.
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My passport is always rejected at the e-gates. Despite me telling the staff at entry, they still make me go through the inevitable rigmarole - three swipes and you're out - wasting my time and the time of the people tutting behind me.
Once, when I mentioned that my passport never worked in the e-gates, a very helpful Border agent suggested that it could be something to do with the thicker 32 page passport that a lot of us frequent flyers use. Because the spine is thicker it doesn't fold back quite flat. Also the attempt to do so pulls the scan page slightly out of line. Try it if you have one. It seems quite a plausible explanation.
If this is the case then perhaps people with 32 page passports can go directly to the line instead of wasting our(and other people's) time?
Once, when I mentioned that my passport never worked in the e-gates, a very helpful Border agent suggested that it could be something to do with the thicker 32 page passport that a lot of us frequent flyers use. Because the spine is thicker it doesn't fold back quite flat. Also the attempt to do so pulls the scan page slightly out of line. Try it if you have one. It seems quite a plausible explanation.
If this is the case then perhaps people with 32 page passports can go directly to the line instead of wasting our(and other people's) time?
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Manchester, UK
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Still talking? At least they're talking. Question from yesterdays #AskMANTP Q&A session:
Is US pre clearance still on the cards, as it’s gone very quiet on that front.
1:12 PM - 14 Jun 2018
Conversations about US Pre-Clearance are very much ongoing both with the US authorities and the airlines who fly from Manchester to the states#AskMANTP
Is US pre clearance still on the cards, as it’s gone very quiet on that front.
1:12 PM - 14 Jun 2018
Conversations about US Pre-Clearance are very much ongoing both with the US authorities and the airlines who fly from Manchester to the states
On the Q & A I noticed this question was not answered:
What's the reason you build about 30 security bays for screening travellers then only man five causing misery for everyone flying out?
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Just on the Egates.......
My newish Passport fails 100% at Manchester gates.
I have one of the most uncommon surnames in the UK. That and the fact my previous passport worked fine leads me to believe I'm not being pulled due to surname (also, when my other 4 family members sail straight through the machines, it's a strong hint). Without being funny, I'm unlikely to be terrorist profiled either!
My passport works multiple times per year at both DXB and AUH airport Egates amongst others.
The Egates at AUH are even the same machines at Manchester from what I can make out.
Every time I roll up at Manchester, tell the queueline jobsworth it won't work and he/she are wasting both my time and every one else behind me sending me to an EGate.
Every time, I end up at the manual desk.
Every time I ask the Immigration Officer, is the chip working - yes it's fine.
Either UK Passport Office are issuing shoddy passports (which they don't like replacing free of charge), or the machines at MAN are shoddily setup / maintained.
As the Passport works elsewhere, I believe it's the latter.
I now make my feelings loudly known every time mine and other peoples time is needlessly wasted...........
The rigid "Everyone must attempt to use the Egate" 'rule' is what frustrates me.
My newish Passport fails 100% at Manchester gates.
I have one of the most uncommon surnames in the UK. That and the fact my previous passport worked fine leads me to believe I'm not being pulled due to surname (also, when my other 4 family members sail straight through the machines, it's a strong hint). Without being funny, I'm unlikely to be terrorist profiled either!
My passport works multiple times per year at both DXB and AUH airport Egates amongst others.
The Egates at AUH are even the same machines at Manchester from what I can make out.
Every time I roll up at Manchester, tell the queueline jobsworth it won't work and he/she are wasting both my time and every one else behind me sending me to an EGate.
Every time, I end up at the manual desk.
Every time I ask the Immigration Officer, is the chip working - yes it's fine.
Either UK Passport Office are issuing shoddy passports (which they don't like replacing free of charge), or the machines at MAN are shoddily setup / maintained.
As the Passport works elsewhere, I believe it's the latter.
I now make my feelings loudly known every time mine and other peoples time is needlessly wasted...........
The rigid "Everyone must attempt to use the Egate" 'rule' is what frustrates me.
Last edited by GEB74; 15th Jun 2018 at 13:00.
Same here, no problem with e- gates anywhere else, Hong Kong and even Funchal for instance.Reject rate at MAN about 80%.
T1 security today queue back to beyond Etihad check in. Using” Fastrack “managed the process in just under 50 minutes- heavens knows how long the others took.
unsurprisingly most of the shops were empty & the lounges quiet as few people had time to use them. New services maybe a pleasure for spotters but for pax it’s nothing short of an endurance test. Sigh.
anyway I won’t comment on this again,
T1 security today queue back to beyond Etihad check in. Using” Fastrack “managed the process in just under 50 minutes- heavens knows how long the others took.
unsurprisingly most of the shops were empty & the lounges quiet as few people had time to use them. New services maybe a pleasure for spotters but for pax it’s nothing short of an endurance test. Sigh.
anyway I won’t comment on this again,
Join Date: Sep 2010
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T1 Fast track is a joke. It took me over 30 minutes the other week. I have given up complaining now, nothing seems to happen.
At least I've been lucky inbound lately, often through the border in just a few minutes, but then my passport always seems to work in the e-gates.
At least I've been lucky inbound lately, often through the border in just a few minutes, but then my passport always seems to work in the e-gates.
In Sydney the Qantas airport staff say they always know when the BA flight has arrived at the gate because when the engines shut down they can still hear whining
Mind you, the rigmarole to clear CIQ, security, or change terminals there some days make MAN look like an oasis of calm in comparison
Join Date: Dec 2011
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In Sydney the Qantas airport staff say they always know when the BA flight has arrived at the gate because when the engines shut down they can still hear whining Mind you, the rigmarole to clear CIQ, security, or change terminals there some days make MAN look like an oasis of calm in comparison
Mind you, the rigmarole to clear CIQ, security, or change terminals there some days make MAN look like an oasis of calm in comparison
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Manchester
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Join Date: Mar 2009
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https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/justine-greening-government-must-rethink-heathrow-airport-expansion-plans-1-9208924
Manchester front and centre so why is MAG so timid ?
Manchester front and centre so why is MAG so timid ?
Last edited by Navpi; 18th Jun 2018 at 09:22.