Birmingham-7
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Baggage
Met some UK friends at BHX yesterday afternoon from a L O N G SYD - DBX - BHX haul.
EK39 arrived 30 mins early which i thought was great BUT why does it take 90 minutes to get luggage?
Is there a developing problem at the airport?
In 10 mins of the A380 landing, there were also 2 Jet2 arrivals, 2 TUI, and 2 Flybee. Maybe BHX s at max capacity now and can't cope any more.
EK39 arrived 30 mins early which i thought was great BUT why does it take 90 minutes to get luggage?
Is there a developing problem at the airport?
In 10 mins of the A380 landing, there were also 2 Jet2 arrivals, 2 TUI, and 2 Flybee. Maybe BHX s at max capacity now and can't cope any more.
Airport Management - no Problem
Passengers - big Problem
This is an irritation to a lot of enthusiast using BHX as arrivals seems to be the Cinderella of areas when it comes to investment and it appears it is not restricted to BHX in the UK but there seems to be a consistent approach from many - if you have any money spend it on shops (occasionally stands) to get the money in (also means security to get the pax through quickly) but it does smack of a couldn't care less attitude. The counter argument would be large baggage areas in winter when traffic decreases cost to heat and light but I would call that an occupational hazard and if necessary close area off in winter - used 10 belts instead of 15 (fantasy).
BHX arrivals has been way too small for about 5 years and the next bout of expansion doesn't seem to address this but I could be wrong. Baggage was mentioned in the press release but I got the impression it is baggage sorting area that is expanding. However you can have the smartest, biggest, state of the art arrivals area but without the staff to get the bags from the plane to the belt it is all a waste of time.
I know some would say it is up to the Airport Management to pressurize the handlers to employ the staff but it is not as easy as that as we all know and I am sure Emirates will have something to say if this continues but unsurprisingly you are not the first to mention this during the summer. I arrived at BHX in July on EK37 and incredibly we were the only arrival at that time on a Saturday and the crew bags arrived as we got to the belt and the rest not long after but still between 30 and 45 minutes but acceptable.
Personally I would hang the expense and go for it but there again it is not my money. However cramped arrivals areas are a bad first impression for arriving non-UK passengers (let alone home based ones) but as I said you need to sort the handling issues out first which is a really emotive subject at BHX and I for one will refrain from trashing the baggage handlers as they appear to be constantly under pressure.
By the way BHX will be back in growth next summer with 11 based Jet2 in high summer, 9 TUI all summer and despite the transatlantic gloom the arrivals experience area is only going to get worse.
Pete
You get what you pay for - passengers want low fares, airlines put the squeeze on handlers and airports to reduce costs (and then airports get the blame for shops and drop off charges 
)
)
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You get what you pay for - passengers want low fares
"Get what you pay for"
A ridiculous statement because I believe everyone is paying the same for airport services in their airfare, regardless of fare code - on an Emirates A380, the airline will be paying the most no doubt (fee per passenger). It should never take 90 minutes in the UK to get baggage or anywhere in the world for that matter. It shouldn't even take 60 minutes.
A ridiculous statement because I believe everyone is paying the same for airport services in their airfare, regardless of fare code - on an Emirates A380, the airline will be paying the most no doubt (fee per passenger). It should never take 90 minutes in the UK to get baggage or anywhere in the world for that matter. It shouldn't even take 60 minutes.
Wouldn't be popular with people that want something for nothing though.
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That model (of a designated LoCo terminal) does already indeed exist at some airports around the world. The problem with BHX is that the majority of operators are in the Loco genre. Consequently, T1 should become the Loco terminal and T2 the "all others" terminal. Unfortunately, that just won't work because of T2's limited pax capacity and required space for "Heavy" stands.
That model (of a designated LoCo terminal) does already indeed exist at some airports around the world. The problem with BHX is that the majority of operators are in the Loco genre. Consequently, T1 should become the Loco terminal and T2 the "all others" terminal. Unfortunately, that just won't work because of T2's limited pax capacity and required space for "Heavy" stands.
Whatever, the only way I could see a Lo Co terminal working at BHX would have been to build a cheep passenger processing warehouse (terminal) on the Elmdon side, but that space has of course been taken by MAEL et al.
Join Date: Jan 2007
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No way Elmdon could be a low cost terminal area
The A45 /Damson Parkway/Elmdon junction is already chaos especially when Land Rover kicks out.
Can you imagine throwing another 4 million passengers plus into that mix !
The A45 /Damson Parkway/Elmdon junction is already chaos especially when Land Rover kicks out.
Can you imagine throwing another 4 million passengers plus into that mix !
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Elmdon
Pete
Surely it was much easier when we had BA's Eurohub and the main terminal as two seperate terminals. How much would it cost to make the Eurohub a low cost terminal with its one belt whilst maintaining a decent level of service for other carriers in the main terminal?
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With regard T2 it would be nice if a single airline used and managed it and I would not rule this out in the future.
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90 minutes is extreme - was it 90 to delivery onto the belt or to exiting the building and meeting them? But I have waited over fifty minutes for luggage from an EK arrival at BHX. You do need to allow for the fact that there will be 550 passengers if the flight is 90% full, and with Emirates' generous luggage allowance many of those passengers will have multiple items of baggage. No, I don't think luggage handling at BHX is tip top, and find I usually wait less time at Heathrow, but BHX has few full widebodies arriving, and therefore can't afford to have staff available all day and under-employed for much of the time waiting for the few arrivals which have more bags. I find I usually don't wait too long for bags from TK flights at BHX, so I really think it is just those few pressure points in the day.
Incidentally, having had a similar but not as gross experience in May when Jet2 landed early early Monday am along with a couple of other holiday carriers. It took an hour from landing to getting bags, not what you want at stupid o'clock, we have booked out of EMA for our next trip to give it a Go.
the loser - BHX. minus 4 pax on their Stats that everyone holds so dear if nothing else.
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Baggage
It was 90 minutes to greeting them in Arrivals.
Incidentally, having had a similar but not as gross experience in May when Jet2 landed early early Monday am along with a couple of other holiday carriers. It took an hour from landing to getting bags, not what you want at stupid o'clock, we have booked out of EMA for our next trip to give it a Go.
the loser - BHX. minus 4 pax on their Stats that everyone holds so dear if nothing else.
Incidentally, having had a similar but not as gross experience in May when Jet2 landed early early Monday am along with a couple of other holiday carriers. It took an hour from landing to getting bags, not what you want at stupid o'clock, we have booked out of EMA for our next trip to give it a Go.
the loser - BHX. minus 4 pax on their Stats that everyone holds so dear if nothing else.
By the way not excusing the delay which is clearly an ongoing problem at BHX which if is being addressed is not working.
Pete
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I'm not sure today where Jet2 fits into the Lo Co spectrum. They were certainly a product of the Lo Co revolution, but with their 22kg baggage allowance and other frills perhaps they have crossed the line, in the same way that I wouldn't lump TUI in with the Lo Co.
I assume you're talking about the Tour Operator arms of Jet2 and TUI, with the inclusive baggage. Both are just a holiday company who use a certain airline and have the full/some of the bag cost already included.
We're not yet into the realms of Easyjet being there with their 'holidays' offering, but if theirs did come with a hold bag included, would they be classed as the same as Jet2/TUI?
Last edited by Plane.Silly; 17th Sep 2018 at 07:35.
Met some UK friends at BHX yesterday afternoon from a L O N G SYD - DBX - BHX haul.
EK39 arrived 30 mins early which i thought was great BUT why does it take 90 minutes to get luggage?
Is there a developing problem at the airport?
In 10 mins of the A380 landing, there were also 2 Jet2 arrivals, 2 TUI, and 2 Flybee. Maybe BHX s at max capacity now and can't cope any more.
EK39 arrived 30 mins early which i thought was great BUT why does it take 90 minutes to get luggage?
Is there a developing problem at the airport?
In 10 mins of the A380 landing, there were also 2 Jet2 arrivals, 2 TUI, and 2 Flybee. Maybe BHX s at max capacity now and can't cope any more.
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Poznan/Ryanair
Wizz closing Poznan base and BHX ends Saturday 5th January 2019
Ryanair summer 2019
Some time changes but too early to pass judgement - two mornings have 5 based but this will probably change.
Modlin is usually BHX based in summer remains Modlin based but Corfu become s BHX based.
One less Las Palmas (Wed) the extra Tuesday Girona is not showing which started mid June and Vilnius is the only destination missing. Extra Monday Krakow as previously mentioned.
Pete
Ryanair summer 2019
Some time changes but too early to pass judgement - two mornings have 5 based but this will probably change.
Modlin is usually BHX based in summer remains Modlin based but Corfu become s BHX based.
One less Las Palmas (Wed) the extra Tuesday Girona is not showing which started mid June and Vilnius is the only destination missing. Extra Monday Krakow as previously mentioned.
Pete
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Flew into Birmingham last Tuesday evening, arriving a few minutes early around 9.00pm. Arriving on Easyjet from Belfast. Had to wait a few minutes for buses, but not long. Almost full aircraft loaded onto 2 buses. Airport quiet.
As a passenger from Belfast, Birmingham has a unique ability to treat you and make you feel like a 10th class citizen. We arrive at T1, but are always bussed to T2. We drive over to T2, where we are then forced to wait about 25 minutes, until an employee from the handling agent arrives to open the doors, walking casually down the stairs and enjoying a joke with other employees who are standing in there, but who didn't seem to have the authority to open the doors. About 150 people lost about 30 minutes each of their lives, that cannot be reclaimed, because a handling agent can't organise themselves to get an employee over to open a door. And they are not in the least concerned. So we arrive at T1, are then bussed to T2. Imagine the waste of this. Is it not beyond the wit of man to make an access route at T1, no it's not, just no desire. Hide behind various rules/laws to avoid having to do anything. Or why not park Easyjet at T2? And this happens on a regular basis.
I spoke to the staff as I passed by, they weren't too bothered, in fact one gave me some cheek back. I was not rude in any way. There were 2/3 I assume dispatchers standing inside with the person who opened the doors. They had been there all that time we were waiting.
Returning home Wednesday evening, took about 30 minutes at least to pass through security. 4 of 14 lanes open. Imagine the difference one more lane open would have made.
I find Birmingham one of the most objectionable airports to use, sadly on occassions I have to use it.
As a passenger from Belfast, Birmingham has a unique ability to treat you and make you feel like a 10th class citizen. We arrive at T1, but are always bussed to T2. We drive over to T2, where we are then forced to wait about 25 minutes, until an employee from the handling agent arrives to open the doors, walking casually down the stairs and enjoying a joke with other employees who are standing in there, but who didn't seem to have the authority to open the doors. About 150 people lost about 30 minutes each of their lives, that cannot be reclaimed, because a handling agent can't organise themselves to get an employee over to open a door. And they are not in the least concerned. So we arrive at T1, are then bussed to T2. Imagine the waste of this. Is it not beyond the wit of man to make an access route at T1, no it's not, just no desire. Hide behind various rules/laws to avoid having to do anything. Or why not park Easyjet at T2? And this happens on a regular basis.
I spoke to the staff as I passed by, they weren't too bothered, in fact one gave me some cheek back. I was not rude in any way. There were 2/3 I assume dispatchers standing inside with the person who opened the doors. They had been there all that time we were waiting.
Returning home Wednesday evening, took about 30 minutes at least to pass through security. 4 of 14 lanes open. Imagine the difference one more lane open would have made.
I find Birmingham one of the most objectionable airports to use, sadly on occassions I have to use it.
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Flew into Birmingham last Tuesday evening, arriving a few minutes early around 9.00pm. Arriving on Easyjet from Belfast. Had to wait a few minutes for buses, but not long. Almost full aircraft loaded onto 2 buses. Airport quiet.
As a passenger from Belfast, Birmingham has a unique ability to treat you and make you feel like a 10th class citizen. We arrive at T1, but are always bussed to T2. We drive over to T2, where we are then forced to wait about 25 minutes, until an employee from the handling agent arrives to open the doors, walking casually down the stairs and enjoying a joke with other employees who are standing in there, but who didn't seem to have the authority to open the doors. About 150 people lost about 30 minutes each of their lives, that cannot be reclaimed, because a handling agent can't organise themselves to get an employee over to open a door. And they are not in the least concerned. So we arrive at T1, are then bussed to T2. Imagine the waste of this. Is it not beyond the wit of man to make an access route at T1, no it's not, just no desire. Hide behind various rules/laws to avoid having to do anything. Or why not park Easyjet at T2? And this happens on a regular basis.
I spoke to the staff as I passed by, they weren't too bothered, in fact one gave me some cheek back. I was not rude in any way. There were 2/3 I assume dispatchers standing inside with the person who opened the doors. They had been there all that time we were waiting.
Returning home Wednesday evening, took about 30 minutes at least to pass through security. 4 of 14 lanes open. Imagine the difference one more lane open would have made.
I find Birmingham one of the most objectionable airports to use, sadly on occassions I have to use it.
As a passenger from Belfast, Birmingham has a unique ability to treat you and make you feel like a 10th class citizen. We arrive at T1, but are always bussed to T2. We drive over to T2, where we are then forced to wait about 25 minutes, until an employee from the handling agent arrives to open the doors, walking casually down the stairs and enjoying a joke with other employees who are standing in there, but who didn't seem to have the authority to open the doors. About 150 people lost about 30 minutes each of their lives, that cannot be reclaimed, because a handling agent can't organise themselves to get an employee over to open a door. And they are not in the least concerned. So we arrive at T1, are then bussed to T2. Imagine the waste of this. Is it not beyond the wit of man to make an access route at T1, no it's not, just no desire. Hide behind various rules/laws to avoid having to do anything. Or why not park Easyjet at T2? And this happens on a regular basis.
I spoke to the staff as I passed by, they weren't too bothered, in fact one gave me some cheek back. I was not rude in any way. There were 2/3 I assume dispatchers standing inside with the person who opened the doors. They had been there all that time we were waiting.
Returning home Wednesday evening, took about 30 minutes at least to pass through security. 4 of 14 lanes open. Imagine the difference one more lane open would have made.
I find Birmingham one of the most objectionable airports to use, sadly on occassions I have to use it.
We are fortunate to have BHX and EMA in our catchment area and have de-camped to EMA for our next two trips. It can't be any worse. Surely?!
Best of luck; as with all things it depends when you're travelling, but in the experience of Mrs ATN it's not that much better.
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Looking for AGP-BHX 01 November on Skyscanner Ryanair 248GBP and Jet2 299GBP The cheapest was SAS via CPH at 166GBP. Does anyone know why it's so expensive? In over 5 years of travelling this route intensively multiple times p.a. never seen fares like this in winter.