Manchester madness - security
 

New procedure in EGCC for us types. We’re operating in from London for the game on Sunday. They’re going to search and seal the aircraft. Quite what they’re going to search the aircraft for no-one seems to know. Then the crew has to traipse across to the airport pass office for a temporary airport pass. Then we go to the FBO, hang out there until the game is over and then go through security, back out to the aircraft, surrender our temporary airport passes, unseal the aircraft. I get that warm, fuzzy feeling that we’re going to be so much safer than in the past.

Is that only for "the game" ?

Security types and their "methods".... nothing achieved, but more idle work...

They doing this for all the cars in the car park, too?

Ahhhhh, Manchester madness.

Company I worked for had a medical team overnight in MCR following droping a patient off at a local hospital. Stayed in hotel and back to MR next morningto go out to retrieve another patient overseas. They turned up at security, then somone wanted to confiscate 500ml and 1ltr bags of intravenous fluids, supervisor called and informed in no uncertain terms if that happened and any unforseen emergency occured thatthey would all be called to give evidence in front of the Coroner.

Pity they never know what they are looking at when they x ray the bags.:eek::eek::eek:

Security at EGCC at the FBO is a clusterf*ck of the highest order. The FBO apologised before hand but oh boy... Cannot differential between hold luggage and cabin luggage. Ridiculous process of crew screening, cue numerous door closing/opening processes...

Principal was so incensed about their treatment they swore never to return. Considering they was there to donate money to a cause in Manchester, I'd say security scored an own goal.

Go down the road to Liverpool.

CAA have been doing the rounds and new procedures at Signature luton and Farnborough as well. I thought the DFT had security jurisdiction but what do i know.. Guess the CAA need to justify their existence till brexit

I. Hate. Manchester.

As a pax. When I was commercial crew. Now as private crew.

I. Hate. Manchester.

Luton got torn apart about 4 years ago for its security and immigration controls.

The DfT are still responsible for legislating and policy (as before), however the CAA took on the enforcement role around 3 years ago now.

Quite a few operators seem to use Hawarden (EGNR) now too

Developing situation - this is going to be interesting.

We’re operating from London; the boss going to the game, plan is for the crew to get some rest and then head to an Asian destination. All the crew agree its better to stay on board the aircraft as it will be the best rest.

As of this moment the authorities are insisting that even if the crew remain on board the aircraft they need to proceed to the Airport Pass Office for the issue of a Temporary Airport Pass. Handler advises that the process of issuing the Temporary Airport Pass typically takes an hour and a half.

The mind boggles.

This entire situation appears to be driven by the airport Compliance Officer.

Is issuing a temporary airport pass requirement in the power of this "gentlemen"?

Is there not legislation that would give license holders an exception ?

18 seat aircraft; 3 crew (remaining on the aircraft) and 3 pax (arriving & departing).

As is normal I have an airport security pass for my home-base and do not hold an airport security pass for any of the other couple of hundred airports we visit.

This gentleman is conducting this process under the pretext that he is ensuring compliance with current CAA regulations. If we are subject to being obliged to apply for temporary airport passes I intend to take up the matter directly with the UK CAA. I’ll keep you posted.

Happy to report (in a sense) that they have backed down and if the crew remain on board the aircraft no temporary airport pass is necessary. If the crew wish to proceed to the FBO then they will be required to proceed to the airport pass office for the issue of the temporary airside pass.

Which makes even less sense... is that procedure only "for the game" or will it be standard from now on ?

So a fixed wing air ambulance crew arrive at MCR with a patient on life support, are they and the transfering ambulance going to have to go through this procedure with a possible long wait in the pass office.

It's not really sensible to have a patient waiting in an ambulance for any period of time in such a condition and will they need an airside pass. THIS PUTS THE PATIENT AT RISK, or if a relative needs a toilet will thEy have to have a pass as well.

This does not look to have been thought through, but there again it's MCR, will the same be coming in at Stansted, if not why not, they are the same group, or is this a local manager trying to 'make a name' for themselves?

Theatre..it's just theatre....enjoy the performance, even if it is somewhat less well scripted than Shakespeare.

Security at UK in general is becoming insane. Last week, they removed my oversize toothpaste because the handling agent was not able to ''check the bag in'' and to ''put it in the aeroplane's hold''. My offer to squeeze half of it out was declined. The airplane involved was a 747F, and I can't remember the brand of my toothpaste.
It's a battle we will never win...

Typical 747 driver ... the size of my toothpaste has to represent the size of my fuselage ;-)