staff car park at man

[groundcrew100]

i have heard that staff west car park
is to be used for the PAYING PUBLIC!
as T2 LONG STAY is too small
and that the new staff car park will be
off site ARE YOU READY FOR THE GOOD NEWS!
NEAR THE TRAFFORD CENTRE!!!
and all staff will be brought by the staff
bus (only a rumour but who knows)

[Positive Climb]

There has been an on-going rumour at MAN for many years that the majority of staff parking will eventually be in 'satellite car parks' as far away as Heald Green and Wythenshawe.

------------------
"After V1, we'll take the emergency into the air - You call 'Positive Climb' and I'll ask for the gear up. We'll climb away at V2 +15"

[BillTheCoach]

Right now the T3 short stay car park has been closed all morning and everyone going there is being directed to T1 with the result that T1 is virtually full and my staff for whom we pay a lot of money to park in T1 short stay cannot find spaces !

I myself have been out at a meeting and have had to drive around all 13 levels of t1 short stay in order to find a space !

Why is T3 short stay closed ?

[Sledge]

Re staff west,have you been crammed on the bus first thing in a morning,standing room only,with still more people trying to get on?
Take a look at the seating/standing restrictions printed near the driver.If the bus is involved in an accident you may well be uninsured if this number is exceeded.

[FL370]

Isn't it about time that the issue of staff car paring ant MAN was addressed seriously.

For years airport staff (not just aircrew) have been shuffled from pillar to post while major effort have been made to provide very convenient facilities for 'Joe Public'.

Now befre you all jump down my throat - consider this. The majority of 'Joe Publics' use the airport infrequently, perhaps once a year even, but those that make the airport work are there every working day. Is it not about time that Mr Muirhead and his cronies considered who is assisting him/them to their Knighthoods and OBE's (Other B*****s Efforts)or whatever they are aspiring to?- the airport staff? Mr Muirhead and his executives park their Jags at the door to Olymic House - no satellite parking for them.

Creating 'satellite' staff car parks adds an enormous time factor to an individuals working day. In the case of pilots and other aircrew this has Flight Time Limitations and Flight Safety implications.

Consider the example of a flight deck crew on minimum rest between night flights - on chocks, to the crew room, walk to bus stop, wait for a bus, travel to satellite car park and then drive home. Then reverse the process 10 hours later. Need I say more. All this adds to the ever-present problem of fatigue.

It is about time that the airline operators -who pay the MAN Aiport Authority vast sums to use the ever-sprawling edifice - took a stand on behalf of their employees. It is time aslo that BALPA and the TGWU and Engineers unions got involved and presented a united front to force the airport management to think about the very people that make the place function - and stop treating them like they don't matter.

Perhaps a 'sit-in', by the staff that use the staff car parks, blocking the roads around the airport might focus the minds of the high and mighty on the issue.

Let's not let this issue die.

[qrh]

There is an imminent BASE CAPTAINS (Pilot Technical Working Group) meeting:

PLEASE petition your Base Captain to bring up the issue at the meeting. We all have to make our opinions known NOW before yet another decision is railroaded.

[groundpounder2]

The staff parking policies at MAN are riddled with inconsistencies. The T1 MSCP is currently home to the majority of MA PLC office based staff who over the years have obtained the right to park here through calling in favours and knowing the right people. This has recently caused animosity as those individuals with less influence have been moved to Staff West with the resultant increase in journey times.

The car rental companies occupy vast swathes of all three short stay car parks further reducing capacity for crew and pax.

I agree that the show of ostentation represented by the parking spaces of Mr Muirhead and his colleagues outside of Olympic House is entirely representative of the current management style at MA PLC and totally at odds with the flannel given to the R2 inquiry concerning public transport usage.

One can take a small degree of comfort from the fact that come April 2002 those Mercs, BMW's and Jags are going to command a much heftier personal tax liability.

[groundcrew100]

thanks for all your views,i agree the service
(or lack of it) must be improved.
i asked one of the drivers if the bus would
be more frequent his answer
dont think so, not enough staff they wont
tell us anything!.all staff in the rail station car park that are left will be all
moved to staff west (were ever that may be)
but due to mess it's in at the moment
this has been put on hold

[411A]

"Joe Public" pays the bills. Staff have the option of.....taxi, rail, bus....or looking for a parking space. Very simple really.

[SandLat650]

411A

You really are a jerk!

[FL370]

411A - with your apparent attitude it is no wonder that UK workers get trampled on the way we do.

Obviously you either don't work at MAN airport or have no understanding or care for the very real problems faced by peple who work long hours and who report for work at all hours of the day and NIGHT.

Add to the above the matter of vehicle, and more importantly, personal security. You don't need much imagination to see the problems and the concerns of, for example, females having to use remote and isolated car parks - especially inthat area of Manchester - at all hours of the night.

Not only that Mr 411A, many of the airport employees live ong distances from the airport. So it is not a matter of a taxi, bus or a train.



[This message has been edited by FL370 (edited 23 May 2001).]

[Whiskey Zulu]

They should build a staff only multi storey on the pay & display area between the petrol station and the bus station. But how they could be persuaded to coff up the readies for such a project is another matter altogether. Bright ideas anyone? A petition? Protest march? Perhaps this issue should be brought up at airline board level, or has it?

[qrh]

411A - your previous postings on this and other topics suggest that you are part of the MAN airport Junta who believe that it is a shopping centre with a runway and if you could make the same amount of money without a runway and no smelly noisy aircraft you would.

Your comments elsewhere about staff using the train show your utter lack of undertsanding of how aircrew work.

Remember, WITHOUT the aircrew, and WITHOUT the airlines, you would have NO PASSENGERS in your beloved joke of an airport!

[Positive Climb]

Groundcrew100

In reply to your last posting, the aiport have agreed to make the following improvements to Staff West before our company moved the rest of its employees over there:

1. Increase frequency of bus service (every 10 mins. ?)

2. Higher capacity buses to be used - the airport are investing in the stretched 'bendy' buses

3. Better security - more CCTV etc.

4. Sufficient bus shelters to be built in the car-park.

5. Better walkways / pavements to be constructed.

Allegedly, the lack of the last two, currently means Staff West does not comply with Health & Safety requirements.



------------------
"After V1, we'll take the emergency into the air - You call 'Positive Climb' and I'll ask for the gear up. We'll climb away at V2 +15"

[BillTheCoach]

Yet again the T3 Short Stay is closed with all cars being re-directed to the T1 MSCP. So anyone coming on shift this afternoon has not got a hope in hell of finding a parking space.

[massive 3007]

My friend's father works for MIA, and talk is of purchasing land near IKEA Warrington and bussing people in from there..

[Sledge]

If that is true,then the airlines should point out to MAPLC that Liverpool has suddenly got a lot closer to where their staff are parked.Therefore they may as well consider operating out from Liverpool.
Afterall Joe Public will travel from whichever airport his holiday starts from,and that will be designated by the tour operator/carrier.
Lets see how long it would take the car parking problem to be resolved if 2 or 3 main carriers moved ops from Manchester to Liverpool.
(Parking spaces !! I've had bigger lumps of sweetcorn in ma cr@p !!!)

[chiglet]

I am "fortunate" enough to park in T3 on "afternoons" and "nights". The other day, I arrives at 1.30pm to find all ALL the circular system access blocked by "Joe Public". When this was pointed out to MA Plc car park staff, the reply was "Well, If they get hit, it's THEIR fault". What about the poor so and so who comes round a blind bend and finds a big Merc where it shouldn't be?

[mantug01]

Some of you may have noticed that GlobeGround have moved all staff to the Carminder 2 car park just down the road from staff west.

[E cam]

Flight Safety is the only thing that might get some action:
Next time on min rest, file an MOR about this safety hazard.

[Backtrack]

Working for a T2 based operator, I'm currently fortunate to park in Area 7 (next door to T2) although it gets overfull especially in the summer. A lot of space is taken up by offices - JMC HQ although they operate from T1. BA buses, based at T3 etc.
I've tried using the train - brilliant if you work 9 to 5, Mon to Fri - but over a 2 year period, I reckon it worked 25% of the time for me.
The airport is run as a virility symbol for the local councils - the owners - & not for the benefit of their customers, which include us as users & sevice providers to the general public.
I hope the base captains meeting (or whatever it's called) can produce something sensible, but I won't be holding my breath! Time for the masses to revolt! :mad: :mad: :mad:

[KADS]

I agree, it's time for revolt!!!!
In this case, I believe action will speak louder than words.... :mad: http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/eek.gif :mad:

[MrTrigger]

What are you all worried about just park in the multi storey T1,T2 ,T3 4 or five,When you follow the car infront within 5-10cms you will be out,And free

[ShotOne]

I bet it doesn't take Mr Geoff Muirhead 40 ish minutes to park his car and get to his office. Perhaps if he did, the parking arrangements would get a bit more attention.

Oh and another thing, the world's favourite airport are planning to ban flight crew from using the "fast track" entrance when it re-opens.

[Silkman]

I understand that area 2 (by the railway station) will be closing in September to make way for yet another Manchester airport labour party money earning scheme. Those residents of area 2 will be going to staff west,which is,as we're probably all aware by now,a complete joke.Sorry Mr.Positive Climb, but no bendy busses- Only told last week that they will cost too much and eat into Geoff Muirheads cake allowance.
A colleague of Mrs.Silkman came off a flight in the early hours of Friday morning,and,when she requested an escort to her car in area west,as she was on her own, it was extremely rudely turned down by the coach driver.This is after she had waited 40 minutes for a bus to show up.I'm afraid that it may take someone being assaulted before Maplc do anything about this.
Lets do something before this happens.Our employers are paying a lot of money for the privilage of us parking on rubble and they are not getting anywhere.I understand that there is an AOC meeting coming up shortly.I will speak to the chairman of the AOC tomorrow(who is not employed by the Maplc) and get him to once again express our concerns and displeasure.
May I also suggest we hold a meeting ourselves,perhaps at the Airport hotel or the Romper.Any other suggestions ?

[groundcrew100]

i found out today that MIA have now
8 new buses each costing £167,000 each!
but these are for moving joe public
to remote stands etc. and MIA have only
used the new white longer buses for
staff west because they are too long to
get around T2 LONG STAY ETC.(TO MANY MUPPETS
IN CHARGE THAT'S WHAT I THINK)
AND THEY SAY THEY CANT AFFORD IT!
also missed the bus this morning due to
YES YOU GOT IT --- FULL AGAIN!
INFORMED THAT IT IS UPTO THE DRIVER
WHEN HE THINKS THE VEHICLE IS FULL

IT'S NOT GETTING ANY BETTER!

[SQ7000]

Hey 411A, A-holes like you should take a bus, or perhaps you already do.
------------

I think we should have Manchester Plc carparks have a look at this website. Anyone know a way in!!

------------------
The road of life is rocky and you might stumble too, but as you point your finger someone else is judging you.

[Lapsus linguae]

Riveting stuff, for a "Rumours and News" Forum. Is there not somewhere more suitable for this one ?

[chiglet]

When I had a motorcycle, [BMW K series, no rubbish] a certain Mr "T" stopped ALL m/cs from parking on Tower Road. The rumor was, "it spoiled his view".
BTW, of the 10 or so bikes, one was a "hack"

[411A]

The train needs to run 24 hours for the "disadvantaged" crew. When I operated there two years ago the airline sent a limo. BillTheCoach should expand his service. It is excellent.
'Course, would the cheap UK pilots use it?
Only if he offered give-away prices, I suspect. Airline "discounts" anyone?

[This message has been edited by 411A (edited 24 May 2001).]

[LargeJet]

Since the parking is getting so awful now we all need to ensure that we have our full one hour pre flight briefing time. If the bus is full - tough, wait for the next one; if you get diverted elsewhere and drive around for ages to find a space don't get up tight. When you arrive twenty minutes late have your full hours brief and delay the flight. I'm sure after a couple of these occurences senior airline management might take a bit more notice and be banging on MAPlc's door a bit harder!

[FL370]

411A - I think you are one sad S.O.B.

This is a very real issue which is of great concern to a great many people. Your apparently cynical, caustic and self-centred views are unnecessary and entirely out of order.

Go find a thread on another forum where you might find someone who will play your silly game.

[BillTheCoach]

411A - We are not the S****** people ! Have you experienced our services ? If so, thanks and we look forward to welcoming you aboard cos "we realise you had a choice of .....".

Or should we look at taking over RHS bus services on behalf of MAPLC and show them how to run it properly ?

[411A]

BillTheCoach--
Have used YOUR service, and indeed it was superb. Notice how I try to find a solution for the "disadvantaged crew" but they can only criticize.
If you were to open your own carpark for crew & staff and provide transport, it might work altho some would find it hard to accept reasonable costs, knowing how tight crew can be. But they should consider the need to have an "airport" car, it ain't cheap. Or you could pick them up at their home. Then again...probably will not work as most only want to moan and complain. They all want to park within a stones throw of dispatch but it just ain't gonna happen. Sure enjoyed riding with you folks.

[This message has been edited by 411A (edited 25 May 2001).]

[sapco2]

411A, do you have the slightest notion of what you are talking about?

[Bally Heck]

Gentlemen.

Ignore 411A. He is no more aircrew than I am Buzz Aldrin. He tried to wind up a similar thread a few months ago about GLA car parking. 411A is the number of the corporation bus from Barrhead to Paisley. That is the heaviest bit of metal he has driven

To the pub....and beyond...:-)

[SQ7000]

Lapsus linguae, you are obviously not a Manchester based person who was sent to Staff West, if you were then you'll know exactly why this is important to us all. If not I say you take a swift Exit Stage Left.

------------------
The road of life is rocky and you might stumble too, but as you point your finger someone else is judging you.

[bittern]

Only a month ago, MAPlc saw fit to charter two DC10 flights to take a selection of workers on a tour of MAN HUM and EMA. A friend was on this,- didnt see much, but enjoyed the butty and bottle of wine.
Now how much does it cost to charter a DC10?
Probably about the same as two new busses.

[ShotOne]

How about some of us writing to Mr Geoff Muirhead at Manchester Airport to let him know what we think rather than posting here.

[FL370]

ShotOne - good idea but unfortunately he has already received quite a few letters and ignored them. I fear the time is fast approaching when those effected are going to have to demonstrate just exactly how they feel in a more positive manner.

[ariel]

What REALLY annoys me, (as mentioned earlier in the thread), are the problems concerning FTL. Unfortunately for us, this is calculated approx. one hour from 'chocks off' and does NOT take into consideration the time it takes an individual to return home.

If our car parks become satelite ones, God knows how long it will take some people to get home; currently, the buses only run every 12 - 15 minutes or so - are they planning to stick to this system if we move? or will buses run every 5 minutes? Even if they do, it will still add hours to the average day.

Crew on minimum rest could easily find themselves knackered; safety WILL be compromised - but who will get the blame?

My suggestion, should this idiotic idea go ahead, is an increase to minimum hours rest for crew. After all, would YOU like to be a passenger on an aircraft whose crew are likely to make errors of judgement, (or even fall asleep!), simply because they all have to endure extra time put onto an already demanding day?

Think on, Manchester.....

[411A]

Ariel---
Ah...poor baby. Life is a bitch, isn't it?
Airport management always has the space next to their office, what makes YOU think you deserve the same? RHIP!

[E cam]

I've said it before, but that's what the MOR system is for - exposing safety risks. Just stick to the facts and state the case. What we could really do with is a decent union!

[poohbear]

Unfortunately nothing will be done to prevent the ever increasing transport times from the staff car parks at most major airports to your place of work until there is a major flight safety incident or road traffic accident where lack of rest / fatigue caused by travel times is a factor.
I'm still amazed that the CAA is happy for crews to spend upto 90 minutes of a 11 hour min rest period traveling to and from the staff car parks(LGW), and then have to travel to and from home.Have the CAA ever discussed the subject? If not why not!
An article in one of the major national newspapers might get some action.


[This message has been edited by poohbear (edited 26 May 2001).]

[Silkman]

Following a 'discussion' on Friday representatives from the three largest handling companies contacted the GMB and the TGWU.The main problem is that our employers are 'piggie in the middle' here.They pay the MAPlc for us to use the staff car parks.Any 'action' taken will affect them and then we could end up paying to park on even worse rubble in Warrington.
If this situation is to improve,more people need to know about the rumblings and they will then jump on the bandwagon.
Start to file MOR's and write to your Station Manager,Fleet Manager and BALPA/union.
MAPlc basically treat us as a hinderance.If we sit back and do nothing then they are going to walk all over us and nothing will be improved.

[Whiskey Zulu]

A member of cabin crew died recently Ex LGW after crashing her car driving home from a night flight. Hysterical ain't it 411A? Ya prat.

[Chutney]

Those of you who have been to IKEA Warrington recently may have noticed the new Wythenshawe Municipal Airport Staff car park being prepared to the west on part of the old Burtonwood Aerodrome.

I believe that those of you with post codes east of Manchester will find a satellite car park being excavated somewhere in the moors on the Yorkshire-Derbyshire borders.

Dontcha just lurve a good rumour. :rolleyes:

[ariel]

411A

Get a life, my sweet.... you remind me of the Grim Reaper prowling around cyber space, with nothing of any interest to report, just wandering aimlessly.

This is the one and only time I will deam it worthwhile to respond to or acknowledge you, so reply as you see fit

ariel

[411A]

Whiskey Zulu----
All the more reason to take a taxi, limo, public transportation....to the airport. Land around airports is very valuable so staff carparks are a low priority, at any price, and this is not likely to change anytime soon. What parking there is available is reserved for the paying customer, the passengers. Is public transportation inconvenient or not available at late hours? Of course, and again all the more reason for a private limo service to invest in transport for crew and staff. All it takes is a little imagination. There is a huge market just waiting to be developed.

[sapco2]

Whiskey Zulu, you are right, he is a prat!

[AOG-YYZ]

What's the problem? I don't know of any major airport that doesn't have "remote" staff parking. If our employee parking (YYZ) was any further east we would be parking in Dorval or Mirabel. At least we have a decent shuttle bus service, but never the less it can add 30 minutes to your working day.

[411A]

Of course, "pilots" want:
1.Parking close to dispatch
2.Low parking prices for their Beemers and
Jags
3.Snob appeal (for those same Beemers & Jags)

These same "pilots" would not think of using taxi, limo because they would "cost too much" and they want the public airport authorities to provide "reasonably priced" car parks for these (again) Beemers & Jags. Hey guys, think you will not find that rate payers will support your lifestyle. Money talks, BS walks.

[The slug man]

18 months ago it was mentioned as a possibilty of re-locating staff parking
to Carrington just off the spur off the M60.
Also the possibility of moving some staff over to Adswood Nr Stockport next the tip.What ever next,

[FL370]

I suggest we just ignore 411A he is obviously a simple jerk who gets a kick out of winding people up.
_____________________________________

The MAN parking problem is now bordering on becoming a major issue in terms of Flight Time Limitations. The operators will have to become involved, preferably sooner than later.

Aircrews (not just pilots) many of whom are required to operate on minimum rest cannot be expected to add all that aditional commuting time and not have it taken into account their duty time.

Long haul crews could be effected worst.

However take the following for example a crew reporting for an 0500z departure. Report time 0345z (at the crew room). Take into account the drive to the 'satellite' car park, waiting for a bus (say 20 mins.) ride to airport (20 minutes) drop off at each terminal (at least 15 mins) - there is the best part of an hour before reporting. Then complete a 14 hour duty day - say MAN-LCA-MAN (or worse), get back to MAN and reverse the commuting process. We are now talking about an 18 hour day. Flight Safety issue undoubtedly._

I think it is time that everyone started filing MOR's, ASR's, Chirps and writing to their respective employers.

Every available avenue should be explored before taking any form of direct action.

Personally I would like to see a 'sit-in' on all the approach roads to the airport at peak times - hindering access to all, and hopefully Mr Muirhead and his cronies. That would have the effect of drawing attention to the issue very quickly.

The sad reality is that like every other issue in this country that people get steamed up about, there is lots of hot air but when an opportunity arises to do something positive people just cave in - like the petrol price protests last year. Maybe this is an opportunity to show what Northerners are really made of!

So let's do something positive.

[OC41]

At LHR, Bmi Crews have an adjustment for minimum rest + parking + getting to / from work. I think their min rest is 13 hrs.
I was at MAN the other day and parking at long stay next to the Excelsior. I was given a chit and told to park in short stay @ the terminal. Didnt make sense at the time as had to park on top floor due lack of spaces

[VH-SYD]

411A - Beemers and Jags' ?? Is that cause you drive around in a ( whats the U.K version of a Ford ? ) one of them !. ( Bad english I know ).

These gentlemen here are trying to sort out a sour issue with airport management , yet your contribution keeps on delaying the real message they are trying to convey.

Stir up some where else.

[Spoonbill]

http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/confused.gif Have the airlines/companies affected investigated the possibility of a joint purchase of some land in the vicinity and operating a bus shuttle from there?
Expensive I know, but the long term costs of paying for premium spaces in the airport car parks must more or less equate to this. http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/confused.gif


------------------
It wasn't me.

[BEagle]

Things do seem to be pretty unreasonable oop there in clogs and whippets land. It seems that the mentality of 't Victorian mill owner is still alive and kicking and keen to run roughshod over the workforce. If you can't get to work in a reasonable time frame, then perhaps some contract requiring you to live within a radius of 'x' miles from the designated staff car park should apply - and that your CDT starts and stops from the time you 'clock in' to the car park until the time you 'clock out' from it. Perhaps that might encourage 't mis-management to provide a car park reasonably close - or lose your effective duty time.

[zfw]

Hey Slugman...i live next to the tip..still wont get in on time...
And Beagle...yes the MAN PLC is just plain money orientated,they dont give a monkeys as to how the money at there little aerodrome is made...as long as they are making it.
And until such times as something major happens,due to staff car-parking being miles away,they wont do anything to change it.
Acceptable daily risk.

[411A]

Spoonbill has the right idea, land purchased by airline(s), reliable transportation provided by someone who knows how to do it right (BillTheCoach, for example)and viola...problem solved. It might be of interest that most airlines in the USA provide their own shuttle busses to and from their own staff parking lots at their home base. If you wait for the airport to provide same, it will be a LONG time and cost large coin.
Wake up guys (and gals) and DO something.

[160to4DME]

Why don't you get on to your companies and press them for getting you annual passes for the multi-stories?

I believe they are about £350 per year per pass.

Little outlay for a helluvalot of convenience.

Perhaps I am reigniting the embers, but is the airport really obliged to provide premium parking for non-MAA plc staff ?
I spent 6 months working in Oklahoma, where the airlines had their own carpark facilities..if you aint satisfied with what MAA are proposing ( and I agree, the facilities at Manchester AND Gatwick are dire), perhaps this is the route the airlines should go down ?

[Positive Climb]

160to4dme,

you are very mistaken - two of my colleagues have recently resorted to 'buying' a space in the T3 multi-storey.

The cost ? A cool £1000 per year - payable up front in a single lump sum.

------------------
"After V1, we'll take the emergency into the air - You call 'Positive Climb' and I'll ask for the gear up. We'll climb away at V2 +15"

[mutt]

411A,

Are you still planning to use a Gulfstream for positioning your L1011 crews to Manila? Does this mean that you will also be offering chauffeurs to drive crews from the car park to the aircraft?

Mutt

[qrh]

I think you will find that the airport already charges airlines about £350+ per car per year in the staff car parks........

[160to4DME]

Oh bugger :)

[AOG-YYZ]

Seeing as MAN and LPL are only 40 minutes apart, why not pave one or the other and use it as a parking lot for the other?

------------------
Every man has his price and the incorruptible man the highest price of all.

[411A]

Mutt--
The Gulfstream is out, but a JetStar II is "in" (stage III certified) and we will use it to transport crews between BKK and Davao/General Santos, as well as other corporate flights. And yes, we provide ALL crew transportation from home/hotel to the airport and return. First class treatment keeps crew satisfied, training new guys is expensive.

[Bus429]

Some of you make me laugh (cynically). Those amongst you claiming to be professional are unable to put together a reasonable argument to back up your complaints. Pilots are not the only ones affected.

Time spent on the road means less time in the bar http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/tongue.gif


------------------
Bus429 - the pilot's pal!

[Sledge]

Well it is a pilot forum, funnily enough.

[BillTheCoach]

Well they're at it again - T1 Long Stay closed and all cars re-directed to T1 MSCP - result : nowhere to park in T1 MSCP ! MAPLC are now parking cars on the Coach Park cos there is nowhere else !

Why ?

As soon as one member of our team is unable to park in T1 MSCP I will be on to Hale Top demanding Reserved spaces since my company spends a fortune on car parking for T1 MSCP and they will certainly not be parking in T2 and walking !

[The slug man]

I think that somewere along the line we are all missing the point. Cast your minds back to a few months ago. There we where all busy beavering away doing our little bit (For the good of the company). MAPLC that is, When out of the blue came the good news that Manchester Airport God bless em had gone to the shareholders for a quick sub approx £240
millon give or take a £5er or so to purchase
a couple of car parks in the Midlands and down in Bournemouth, Plus not forgetting the
recently aquired car park up on the Humberside. And as a jesture of good will a
few weeks ago a joint venture between Airtours and the Airport was set up and a lot of people had a trip out to the new car parks on the new staff bus, Which just happened to be a AIH DC10. Not bad for somebody who does not care about their staff.But beware changes are afoot.

[BillTheCoach]

This morning the T1 MSCP is closed completely ! Why ?

Well the Car Park Supervisor explained to me that it was full of cars which should have been parked in T1 Long Stay but these could not be accommodated there as a huge part of it is closed off for maintenance works during half term. (Now which idiot planned that?)

I was informed that I could park my car on the Coach Park (to which I replied where are u going to park coaches ?) and when I declined his invitation to park there, I was met with a "take it up with Geoff Muirhead" attitude.

I added that my company pays an awful lot of money to park in T1 MSCP and that as such MAPLC Car Parks should remove
(a) the various 'Operations' vehicles scattered around and
(b) all MAPLC 'staff' who do not pay for their parking
since MAPLC are in breach of contract in failing to supply the contracted parking !

No doubt this situation will continue by my next e-mail is to Mr. Muirhead to see if I can park beside him in Area 20 !

Watch this space !!!!!

[Ticker]

411,

Your knowledge of French is on a par with Del Trotter, mon brave.

A viola is a stringed musical instrument.

Obviously you have no problem parking your Robin Reliant.

[411A]

Ticker---
Well, we spell it that way here, don't know about the French, and don't care.

BillTheCoach---
Manchester Airport has given you the finger as well as everyone else. Would the concerned staff that use the staff carpark use your service (pilots anyway)? Suspect that they would not, even though it may well be LESS expensive than parking their cars at the airport. Certainly less stressful. All they seem to want to do is complain and mill around like a herd of sheep, looking for that elusive parking space. :rolleyes:

[Ticker]

Mon cher 411,

I suspect even in red-neck Arizona, those individuals who paid attention in school would know the difference between viola and voila. Cut the bulls**t, nobody spells voila your way.

[OzDude]

Geez! It's irritating enough to have to put up with some of 411a's one-liner snipes but the 'oiks' that rise to the bait and then lead a topic off course with their pathetic responses are even worse.

At least 411a tends to stick to the subject matter even though his/her style may be a bit irritating from time to time, but to actually respond to something and argue the toss just proves that there are enough gullible ones out there who can't even understand what the red writing actually means! Try counting to ten after reading one of 411a's posts before jumping in and trying to slag him/her off and do us all a favour and just ignore it if you don't like it.

No doubt the same people are going to jump on me now for straying off topic too but then I suppose it is in their genes that they don't have the faculties to realise that they are being 'baited'. Give us all a break and just ignore 411a if you don't like the attitude and stop wasting space here with pathetic tit-for-tat responses which are, frankly, as pathetic as handbags at twenty paces!

http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/tosser1.gif

[This message has been edited by OzDude (edited 30 May 2001).]

[Sledge]

Good speech Ozdude,I for one will not get drawn into calling 411A a tosser.He probably knows it anyway.

[Golliums]

The Question of parking in staff and the nightmare it is, has been mentioned in a meeting. The Managements respond was that..... it's a fact of life..... they are only interested in how much money they can make from joe public and sod the employees who make the airport operational.

[This message has been edited by Golliums (edited 01 June 2001).]

[This message has been edited by Golliums (edited 01 June 2001).]

[dallas dude]

There you have it, six pages of opinions to realise the car park's owners are just saying "bo**ocks to anyone getting in the way of us making an extra farthing!".

Look on the bright side. The time on the bus will give all the opportunity to receive additional education from that night's chip wrappers. I feel a group moan coming on.

dd

(Still think if Colin Bell showed up with his boots, he'd get a game for City)

[411A]

The limo option looks better all the time. Many times, cheaper than the private motorcar. Someone in MAN could make a fortune provided of course, that those concerned "crew" could see the light. Said goodby to my "airport car", have used a limo to the airport for the last 12 years, never a problem, and much more relaxing.

[BillTheCoach]

We're ready and waiting - our e-mail address is here !

We will look after crews like no others - crews even get escorted to their waiting transport !

[Scottie Dog]

My initial reaction when I saw this thread was one of amazement. As a regular commuter into Manchester - albeit for normal office hours - I think nothing of having a 20 minute walk to the departure station, and then another of the same distance from Piccadilly to the office. Why, I thought could all of these highly paid people be complaining about having to wait for a coach from the west car park, when they could be having what probably will be the most exercise that they get in a day walking to their 'office'.

As time as gone on, the waters seem to have become slightly murky, and 411A has been attacked for his feelings on the subject. I am no wizard when it comes to figures, but surely there would be a lot of financial sense for flight-deck crew, I appreciate that cabin-crew are not paid quite so well, to make use of taxis - or limos for want of a better description - rather than have their car sit on a carpark doing nothing but depreciating. It might sound silly, but apart from the convenience of being able to drive from home to work, is there really any need for all those cars to be filling carparks? Would you not be better off leaving the motor at home, or even to sell it and use the money for another purpose?

Certainly, having spent 15 minutes cruising T1 multi-story yesterday afternoon looking for a space, it would help if MA plc were to provide an indication of where spaces might be found. At the end of the day it is the public who pay for all of our salaries, and they have as much right - if not more - to parking spaces as those who are employed at the airport.

I will now sit back and wait for all the flak to fly around. It's one of the fun things about an open forum - everyone is entitled to their own opinion as long as they do agree with everything that I (meaning you) think!

Time to do some more gardening, before the weeds get so high that they become a menace to navigation in the Dyane hold.

Edited for grammatical purposes only - and still not perfect! http://www.pprune.org/ubb/NonCGI/tongue.gif

[This message has been edited by Scottie Dog (edited 01 June 2001).]

[BillTheCoach]

Scottie Dog - well said couldn't agree more !

I ended up yesterday parking in the Refuge at the end of T1 MSCP in Tower Road and waited for someone to call me to move my car. It never came !

Today it's slacker but I cannot help feeling that someone needs their bottom kicked for the shambles which has resulted from deciding to re-surface a major car park in the middle of the May Bank Holiday half term break when the airport is potentially at its busiest.

Why didn't the contractors do it during the winter when they were laying down T2 ?

You want to try renting an office in the new Ground Transport Interchange !

[kriskross]

Scottie Dog,

We must remember that the car parking problem does not only affect the Flight Deck. Yes a twenty minute walk will not hurt any of us, even at 3 o'clock in the morning. But what about cabin crew, are we advocating this for the young ladies, and chaps, who also form part of the crew. I know for a fact that there has been at least one assault on the way to the Staff car Park in the early hours at LGW, and I think also at MAN. There is a safety issue here as well, but I suppose it is more dark unsupervised car parks that are the problem, rather than the distance from the office.

[dallas dude]

Scottie Dog,

You make a fair point about office workers walking to their places of work.

How many office workers also have to drag around a 40lb kitbag and a suitace with enough clothes for their trip?

Not everyone does turns. And not everyone can get away with a pair of flip flops and a speedo!

Exercise is great but be a little reasonable.

dd

[BusBoy]

Dallas, good point. Some are lugging a large case and a work bag about and upon returning to MAN after positioning in from a flight terminating somewhere else, often having been up for 24 to 30 hours the journey to the car park begins. MAN is the worst base I have been to for staff parking. LGW is not ideal but at least the bus service is more frequent has 'proper' shelters etc.
However, I am please to see that the 1/2 hourly timetable seems to have given way to every 15 mins at 0400 but it is still very frustrating to arrive at the carpark in plenty of time only not to be able to get on the bus as it's full so you have to aim at the earlier one and some of us do not live locally, in fact upto 80 miles is common thus a taxi is also out.
Additionally I have found that the drivers are courteous and friendly, no complaints there but I agree that this has become a FDP issue, more so for those on Min rest.

[BEagle]

Perhaps the Victorian mill owners who run Manchesterr Airrporrt should employ Swampy and his loathsome kin to do some more digging - and construct a large, well lit underground car park?

[alosaurus]

So who is going to bite the bullet?
More frequent services can be provided by contacting the local Dept. of Transport Office or the plods re. overloading on public roads.

[160to4DME]

MAA plc, in response to issues raised by various companies operating at the airport, have announced that the bus frequency to staff car parks will be increased from every 15 minutes to every 7.5 minutes.
Those people still utilising car park 2 will not have to change car parks until the improved frequency is introduced.

The fact that they need the land car park 2 is on for the rail station extension suggests to me that the new frequency will be introduced sooner rather than later.

ps. BillTheCoach, was that your flash BMW I ended up parked next to down by the pay booths ?? :)

Regards

[Greek God]

Out of interest is there a Staff Council or similar representative group who is able to interface with MAPLC with regard to staff parking? I for one am incensed at the lack of forethought and commonsense when it comes to parking. I am not normally mililant or a whinger who expects to be able to park right outside the office but there are many safety issues involved as well. It started with the ridiculous placing of the bus stop at Staff West when it first opened & how long did it take to move it to its existing spot at the apex of the turning circle. Why does the bus not pass around the perimeter of the car park to aid those who are now a significant distance from the stop. Why do they insist of having the exit flow of traffic pass throught the middle of the Long Stay park instead of around the perimeter. It just all smacks of inefficiency and poor planning and implementation. There are good ways and bad ways of achieving the same goal.

[chiglet]

A certain ATCO went "live" ie, tx'd the following comment to a rather irate pilot.
"You know what MIA means, don't you?"
"No, what?"
"Monkeys in Anoraks"
He got a right rollocking
This was 10+ years ago......

[The slug man]

Re Greek Gods comments,

After years of observation the only working forum that exist's between the Airport and it's staff consists of a giant bulldozer and 10 forward gears. Anybody that gets in the way of the mighty machine is run over. You try to voice your opinions and concerns and you WILL be gagged. You try to put forward reason and you will be re-buked. Many 1000s of people work there on a daily basis. And yes we all understand that many millions of people fly out every year. The Airports most
valuable ASSET is its WORKFORCE.So lets try to treat the workforce with the respect that it deserves and dont treat them like a bunch of Schoolchildren. WITHOUT PILOTS, GROUNDCREW PLUS ALL SUPPORT SERVICES WE WOULD NOT HAVE AN AIRPORT.

BUT LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE. WE WOULD HAVE A BIG CARPARK.

[This message has been edited by The slug man (edited 03 June 2001).]

[This message has been edited by The slug man (edited 03 June 2001).]

[late pushback]

I am sure that the airport has plans to improve things for us when they close Staff West by 2005 to convert that area to an apron for the T2 extension.....trouble is, I am not sure that the Airports definition of "improvement" matches that of the staffs!

[411A]

TheSlugMan---
Typical reaction by a "pilot". Well now, if it was not for the airport, there would not be a need for the pilot. And the airlines and passengers provide business, it is not just "pilots" that lead the parade, altho some like to think so.

BusBoy---
80 miles away....ever thought of moving closer? Or is this idea beyond your small mind? Oh forgot, probably another pilot.

[BillTheCoach]

160to4DME,

I don't drive a BMW so it was probably a captain's car !

Anyway I park in T1 MSCP (MAPLC permitting) altho that last week I very nearly handed the security guy my keys and told him to park it.

It's much quieter this week altho T1 was brought to a standstill by the guys fitting the new fire alarms setting them off and ruining Wythenshawe and Cheadle Hulme Fire Station's lunches !

[Sledge]

Maplc were carrying out a survey on customer satisfaction in staff west yesterday (4/6/01).I also noted the driver using a hand counter as each person got on the bus.Maybe someone has been reading this post.

[BillTheCoach]

Sledge,

You would be amazed at who reads this !

Blackbush,

Good to see u last nite and put a face to the name - does it qualify as a pPrune bash ?

I agree with your comments about security - will there be a new delay code for

" Flightdeck delayed at Security Point " - suggestions please for the 2 letter code

[Albireo]

In all the postings on the topic I have to say Largejet on 25 May has best got his head around it. I go to whichever car park the Airport Mafia send me to a resonable time before departure & if their people can't get me to the crewroom in time for my report time then 'Airport Facilities' is the delay code.

[staff west]

The next rumour is that they charter a white tail 747/MD11/DC10 and taxy it round to the various terminals to drop every one off. Good idea I thought. The only problem would be getting a tug from Globeground/ Servisair/BA to do the pushbacks. Tee hee.

Any more sardines for the can

[slizer]

411A

I see from your profile that you are not so close to Manchester either! Indeed your seem to be quite some way from the UK. If you have ever tried to find work as a pilot in UK you might know that it is rarely a sensible move to 'up family and home' to follow the job. Many of us have suffered job losses of one kind or another and the choice we have for re-employment seldom takes into account where we live. As a consequence we accept lengthy journeys to and from work a necessity.
I work from Manchester which is 100 miles from home, and, in the last 12 years its the shortest distance that I've had to travel!
I accept it as part of the job, but it would be nice if the airport that I operate from, (and therefiore help to bring revenue back into) might just help me with a little matter like car-parking.

[Shanwick Shanwick]

I always just park in T2 long stay. There's always lots of space, the bus runs every 6 mins, you never have to stand and as long as you remove the pass from the windscreen no-one will ever know!

------------------
hhhiiisssssccrrrraaaacckkkllesssshhhhhh

[alosaurus]

Shanwick I tried it once but the bus driver recognised my uniform.Fill in the June staff west questionnaire by the Manchester met.The last page gives you the opportunity to soundoff.
Occasionally try the walk,this time of year it can be quite pleasant(twenty mins to Olympic House) and better chance of passing your next medical.