09 June 2024 , 09:06
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A couple have documented just how long it takes to get through the "shambles" of a queue at Birmingham Airport.
Joining the security check queue stretching out of the main entrance at 5:18am, Twitter/X users Wes and Pete shared footage of the mass of holidaymakers. They wrote in their first post: "Let’s see how quickly we get through."
It took them so long, in fact, that they nearly missed their holiday to Cyprus. By 6am, they revealed they had made it to "the tent by the terminal, which is slow to get through". They were in the building by 6.07am, but said "there’s more of the long queue" inside.
At 6.18am, one hour after joining the Birmingham Airport security line, the couple found themselves "queuing to get to the lifts to get up to the bag check area". Every part of the process saw passengers shoulder to shoulder, and by the time they had "just about made it" Wes and Pete had queued for a total of one hour and 45 minutes.
The final post in their thread read: "Well we’ve just about made it. Got through Birmingham Airport security queue with the boards telling us ‘final call’. No time to buy anything, get food, go to the loo, make use of the lounge I’ve paid for or sit down after being on our feet for well over two hours. Absolutely shambles and a terrible, stressful, exhausting start to the holiday.
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"When bag drop doesn’t open until two hours before the flight, and it takes one hour and 45 minutes to clear security, it’s just absolutely the most stressful start to the holiday. My advice to everyone is get here three hours before, drop your bag as early as you can, wrap up, make sure you have drinks and food for the queue - and vow to yourself never to fly from this dump until they sort their s**t out."
Fellow holidaymakers thanked Wes and Pete for their photos and videos from the scene. One wrote: "Thanks for posting. I’m flying Tuesday morning so kind of hoping this is for a weekend day & not reflective but if you chance it you’re b*ggered."
Birmingham Airport has received criticism this week as long queues were shared on social media. Airport bosses claimed passengers not following baggage rules could be adding 20 minutes to each person's journey through security. This follows a new government directive that has temporarily reintroduced rules preventing people from having liquids over 100ml in hand luggage.
Nick Barton, the chief executive of Birmingham airport, said: "It is now imperative that all customers comply with the nationwide rule, to ensure a smoother and simpler transition through the airport. A non-compliant bag with liquids over 100ml can add up to 20 minutes to each passenger’s journey through security."
A Birmingham Airport spokesperson told us today: “Following the Government ruling effective June 9th the 100ml temporary rule is now enforced across all UK airports. Our new security area was designed, and resourced, to accommodate the increase to two litres being carried in cabin baggage, this currently cannot be operated with the temporary restriction.
“In order to have full compliance to this new directive we have further amended our operating process. We now have ‘liquid check stations’ at all entrances to the terminal where colleagues are directly assisting passengers to ensure liquids containers over 100ml are removed.
“With these additional checks we have seen a large proportion of customers still arriving with liquids over 100ml in their bags and these have to be regrettably removed and disposed of. Containers that can carry more than a 100ml are permitted but, need to be completely empty. Our security flow rate has been continuous today, helped by these extra checks and we welcome and appreciate the co-operation of our passengers in eliminating oversize liquids from their cabin baggage. The outdoor queues seen today are from ‘liquid check stations’.
“Since our new security area opened in May, we have seen continuous non-compliant bags coming through security causing unnecessary queues and delays to customers’ journeys. This new step in the process is to remove the issue before customers proceed.
“It is now, more than ever, imperative that customers abide by the 100ml rule. This additional layer of control risks slowing down the security process without the support of passengers.”
They added: “For customers who are less able to stand for durations we advise they book the assisted travel service. However, if a customer is queueing during our peak periods and feels they need assistance then our customer ambassadors are in the area and can assist them without losing their place in the line.”
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