MAN Base

[Okavango]

I'd be grateful for any info on how easy/difficult it is to get a base at MAN and who has the largest crews there (assuming that makes it most likely to transfer)? Any other advice on benefits/drawbacks - traffic, parking, security etc. For personal reasons I'd eventually like to be based there.

[macdo]

Thomas Cook, TUI, JET2, VS, BA, RYR. I would guess that TC is the biggest UK pilot employer at MAN. MAN is the UK HQ. Company seems to be centralising the operation to fewer bigger bases with MAN being the largest by far. Jet2 have expanded recently too. TUI are/have been recruiting for UK bases, but I don't know if MAN is on offer.
As regards working at MAN, much the same as everywhere else. Parking is currently a major pain due to airport expansion, don't see that changing. Security has improved to a standard where it doesn't stress you too much. If you do come fresh to MAN consider carefully where you live, the road network from the SW and NW is a daily nightmare. Closer to the staff carpark the better.

[ETOPS]

macdo

I'm certain British Airways is based at LHR and LGW. Flights are operated in and out of Heathrow and the Cityflyer subsidiary has rotations away from LCY but none of this constitutes a base..........

[EMB-145LR]

BA don't have a MAN crew base I'm afraid.

[wiggy]

I’ll admit this is probably an old fashioned “lived the dream” POV but given the flux in the industry I’d suggest to the OP that it is a bit optimistic trying to finesse one’s choice of employer based on their current bases....it would certainly be well down my list of desirable criteria, certainly below the likes of “are they actually employing anybody”, “how much do they pay”..etc....

Actually as has been mentioned BA is a classic example. It had a popular base there for years...not any more...

[macdo]

BA don't have a MAN crew base I'm afraid.
Sorry, my bad! I forgot that BA closed MAN. It is a good point though. If you are particularly keen to live in a certain part of the UK, choosing an airline with the head office on site is about as good a protection as you can get. Having been evicted from my cosy single aircraft base some years ago, it is a factor that I would put a lot of thought into if I were to do it all again.

[Johnny F@rt Pants]

I would think Thomas Cook would be 4th on the list of pilot numbers at MAN, they will be eclipsed by Jet2, TUI and probably Flybe I would think.

As for operating from MAN, it’s a typical large airport. Staff come down the pecking order, so you have many drawbacks.

[Jet Set Willie]

Mini BA, ie Cityflyer are at MAN


...........but no base!!!!!!

[Okavango]

Thanks all - looks like there's potential for Flybe, Thomas Cook, TUI, JET2, VS, RYR which is good info.


Wiggy - I'm fully on board with initially going wherever any opportunity might arise and similarly when command is offered. It's just MAN would be the ideal so I wanted to gauge how difficult that might be (the other half needs to be kept briefed!) Cheers.

[wiggy]

Thanks all - looks like there's potential for Flybe, Thomas Cook, TUI, JET2, VS, RYR which is good info.


Wiggy - I'm fully on board with initially going wherever any opportunity might arise and similarly when command is offered. It's just MAN would be the ideal so I wanted to gauge how difficult that might be (the other half needs to be kept briefed!) Cheers.

Fair enough, hope you get something that works for both of you...good luck:ok:

[Johnny F@rt Pants]

It took me 10 years from getting my CPL to getting a job based at MAN!! Having said that others are lucky and get their preferred base straight away.

I’d forgotten about Valdermort Airlines, they’re probably bigger than Thomas Cook too now, not that I’d touch them with a barge pole.

[byrondaf]

easyJet has a decent sized base at Manchester. Less than 12 months wait for FO's and about a 4 year wait for captains on the transfer lists...

[PA28161]

MY son got MAN with TCX after just 12 months being based at GLA.

[macdo]

I would think Thomas Cook would be 4th on the list of pilot numbers at MAN, they will be eclipsed by Jet2, TUI and probably Flybe I would think.

As for operating from MAN, it’s a typical large airport. Staff come down the pecking order, so you have many drawbacks.

Thats interesting, any idea of a rough number for J2 or Tui?

[macdo]

J2, 220+ flight deck.

Manchester is a total dump to operate from, the car parking is a farce, the airport is a mess, pilots are treated like the lowest of the low, etc etc etc.

If you have a house within the local area then its probably not to bad but there are lots of better airports to operate from in the UK

Ah, Ok, then TC pilot establishment at MAN is considerably greater than that of J2.

Yes, staff parking and the bus service are a disgrace. Wythenshawe and a bike is the sensible option.

[Ivan aromer]

Ah, Ok, then TC pilot establishment at MAN is considerably greater than that of J2.

Yes, staff parking and the bus service are a disgrace. Wythenshawe and a bike is the sensible option.

Difficult to get a flight case/ CC wheelie bag on a bike though!

[macdo]

Difficult to get a flight case/ CC wheelie bag on a bike though!

Actually. you (and I am) would be surprised how many pilots do pitch up on 2 wheels. Showers and lockers are provided for cyclists. Motorcycle parking is a short walk from the terminal.Tricky for long haulers though, but one or two do it. I have to say that I have never seen CC arrive on 2 wheels, but I bet there are someone who does.

[back to Boeing]

Manchester security really has to be the worst in the UK. Whether it's the queues at T3 for pax because every bag gets pulled or flippant comments from security at staff specific searches "all liquids and iPads must come out of the bags" gee thanks I haven't done that 100's of times for the last few years.

U.K. Security has a lot to learn from the rest of the world. In the USA at most airports flight crew everything can stay in the bags and you just whisk through. I had an oversensitive scanner that beeped on me once in the states and the machine went off. TSA official to me "gee sir. I'm not quite sure what to do I've never had to search flight crew before. Would you object if I gave you a search. I'll tell you exactly what I'll be doing when and if you have any objections to what I'm doing I'll call my supervisor to make sure I'm doing it correctly so I don't cause any offence. I'm really sorry sir I know you have a very long night ahead of you".

[Flightlevel001]

- The constant yelling at passengers to take liquids out, belts off, laptops and iPads out, jackets off BEFORE getting to the trays. How many pairs of hands do you think I have, or shall I kick it along the floor?

- Aggressive, confrontational staff that seem to want to start an argument with anyone unfortunate enough to pass through the system

- X-ray machine operators that appear to send an unmanageable amount of bags aside for further searching by the above staff (operating at snail's pace) - never seems to happen anywhere near as often at other airports

- In T3 I've never seen more than 2, possibly 3 lanes open, despite there being many more of these expensive scanners sat there doing nothing.

There's no point in questioning anything either - like trying to reason with a nightclub doorman! I truly hope that once the new terminal building is done and dusted, the security process is improved markedly, as it's a miserable start to any journey from MAN at the moment and has definitely got worse. An airy and modern environment with new equipment might inspire the staff that work there to improve their customer service too, here's hoping. I notice that they don't have any of those little instant feedback smiley/unhappy face buttons on the way out of security either... hmm.

Add that to the list along with the car park saga, poorly laid out terminals, the stained concrete buildings falling apart and every entrance being wafted with cigarette smoke, it's glorious. At least they are addressing it finally. Roll on 2 year's time!

[macdo]

Oh well, while we are having a moan. What about the new OOG luggage belt recently installed in T1? Twice the size of the old one and unbelievably twice as slow!!!! Even the poor old operator had his head in his hands. MAG really are in contention for most useless airport operator in the UK.

I hadn't applied much thought to this before, but going thru security, as crew, is easier anywhere in the world than Manchester. But, as I said earlier, it has improved :-)

[Wodka]

Agree with the security comments - sad little jobsworths enjoying the 30secs of being able to lord it over you. Truly pathetic.

UK security should all take a field trip to AMS, FRA, etc and witness the random button and swap technique that makes the security process a pleasant 2min formality.

[zero/zero]

Worst airport in the UK. Hate it

[Alsacienne]

UK security should all take a field trip to AMS, FRA, etc and witness the random button and swap technique that makes the security process a pleasant 2min formality.

Suspect MAN's security staff have their 'awayday' at STN and vice-versa!

[makster66]

Said it before and I’ll say it again, I’m sure most of these staff security types failed the multiple choice traffic warden exam!!
Having been in MAN for two years and especially recently the hardest part of your day is getting to the crewroom, and the people on security seem to make it even harder, I wouldn’t mind if they were consistent with it that’s the infuriating part!

[Flightlevel001]

The most infuriating thing about the whole sorry affair is that it doesn't need to be like this. LHR/LGW are pretty slick now (presumably they play by the same rules, if not, why not?) and like a previous poster said, passing through security in the USA of all places is a breeze!

No, it's uniquely a MAG culture problem in which this behaviour has been drilled into them from day 1. Treat everyone with contempt, even crew. This culture can also be extended to nearly anyone that works there, bus drivers, border agents. No-one seems to be happy. Couple that with inadequate staffing and overcrowding then everyone loses their rag quite quickly.

From the perspective of someone that must pass through this place many times a week this embarrassment compared to everywhere else is plain to see. Welcome to Manchester.

Glad I'm getting this off my chest, it's quite cathartic!

[mackey]

Staff Far East is a joke but to be fair, if there were no road works it wouldn’t be so bad but there are and it is! The security is a farce, enough said! :ugh:

[TURIN]

What about bringing a frozen meal then? Don't be so silly, all frozen foods apparently now banned as from today as the security don't have time to asses whether they will be mostly solid or mostly liquid when thawed.

Not true.

I take frozen food through regularly. (i'm not flt crew by the way).


For a bit of balance. The security staff at MAN seem to be run through a culture of fear. Several staff have recently been sacked for missing items or letting them through. I know who they are and they were the most pleasant of the lot who used a touch of common sense and good humour. What is now left are a security staff frightened to miss a tiny sachet of mayo.

The management really need to sort themselves out as this is not working. :mad:

[macdo]

Next time I go through security I am going to ask if they require me to comply completely with that instruction or if they would like to demonstrate a little common sense!

Mate, that form of protest has already been tried at BHX and didn't have happy results!
https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/pilot-strips-off-in-protest-over-security-28709

[Skyjob]

Bloody pilots, a bunch of terrorists who are going to use an Asda curry to blow an aircraft out of the sky!

Where's the LIKE button mods?!?!?!
:ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok::ok:

[toratoratora]

What pisses me off is that the airlines are the airport's customers, and we are their employee representatives.
Without airlines, there would be no airports, and ergo no jobs for security staff.
Tail wag dog...

[Flightlevel001]

I suppose their's been a few 'head-in-hands' moments in the past where things have gone wrong. I remember a few news reports and TV programs about the airport's failings in the past, staff putting suspicious finds in their pockets; they even let a young lad through who managed to fly all the way to Italy.

Whatever the *real* stories were doesn't matter, it's what gets reported and sticks in people's heads that counts.

Perhaps there's a bit of closing of barn doors after the horses have bolted action going on, as a result, it has now become unbearable. So "Separate Trays Susan" and "Liquids out Linda" now must suspect everyone and make it obvious to the boss who's watching on the cameras! :ugh:

[Three Lions]

Following my refusal to enter one of the new capsule type body scanner recently, and I have to be factual and say, the following "polite and friendly" discussion that I had with the security supervisor on duty during my period behind the curtain I was fully enjoying the joys of being frisked, probed, and made to read and sign a clip boarded form, then turnover of security staff was cited as a major issue for the security teams.

Generally high turnover is caused by either/or singular or in any combination
- poor wages
- poor departmental management style
- poor contracts

One can only surmise if security operatives at MAN are affected by any of the above.

On another note if you are serious about MAN as a base, one of the most remarkable anecdotes available, and one that ought get you into the zone into how the airport is managed, is the one detailing the closing of the taxiway to the threshold of the nearest runway to the terminal, (for accuracy backtrack was available for the first 330m of the runway affected by this notamed taxiway closure).

This section of taxiway was closed for the height of summer last year and fenced off and unbelievably used as a carpark. Yes that's right read it again incredibly the entrance to the runway was closed and used as a carpark - this actually happened around the same time that crews were transferred to a carpark even further away than the previous staff carpark.

I won't even go into the absolute shambolic management of staff far east and the related roadwork saga that airport management appear have zero interest in. You do have to question the sanity of allocating possibly the trade group most linked to fatigue to the furthest carpark, the route to which for motorway network arrivees navigates through a quite outstanding bottleneck "24 hour traffic control system"

I strongly suspect that that it is safe to say the people making decisions on car parking do not have the benefit of the motorway to staff east section of road in their commute into and out of work.