Latest News

Liverpool's fast track causes problems for crew

Page last updated: 20th Aug 2008 - 02:39 PM

The dedicated fast-track lane at Liverpool John Lennon airport may be good news for passengers who are willing to pay £2 each to get through security quickly, but airline crew are up in arms about it and their union has called for a rethink by the airport operators.

Prior to the introduction of the fast-track facility, crew members had a dedicated channel at security. This has now been withdrawn in order to free up capacity for fast trackers, and crew members now have to queue with them in order to clear security. Airlines have issued pilots and crew with priority passes, which means in theory that they can queue-jump.

This has not, however, endeared them to those who have coughed up for the privilege of speedy clearance, and pilots and stewards have been subjected to shouts from members of the public telling them to wait their turn.

BALPA (British Airline Pilots’ Association) have called the set-up “ridiculous” and pointed out that their members do not want to get into an argument with passengers before they even board the flight. On the other hand they can sympathise with passengers who have paid extra for a service which they do not feel is delivering.

Robin Tudor, spokesperson for the airport, has, however, defended the scheme and said that there have been no formal complaints made by passengers. Members of an aviation industry forum have meanwhile complained that at Gatwick North terminal security staff are moving passengers from the normal channels to the fast track since the queues there are shorter, much to the irritation of Business and First Class passengers.

Comments - 6

1. Malcolm Nicol

8th Nov 2008 - 01:11 PM

I am a frequent traveller through the airport and I think that it is very unfair that we should have to pay £3 to join a shorter queue. Over the last month or so there have been quite long queues on the "Fast Track" route. Also, i don't see why people should have no choice but to pay this charge when they are on an early flight irrespective of how early they arrive at the airport. It seems that this a charge that is imposed due to the relatively slow processing of passengers through security area.In effect, we are being expected to pay for the inefficiency of the airport security system. It appears to be one of those "clever money-making schemes" that in fact just makes you angry every time that you have to pass through it!

Report Comment

2. Allen Thompson

4th Jan 2009 - 02:44 PM

I've just been sc***ed by Liverpool Airport again...

My 82 year old mother and myself travelled to Norway recently from Liverpool Airport. We were one of the first in the queue at check in and hence we had our boarding cards in hand TWO HOURS prior to the flight departing. We then joined the queu for security, absolutely refusing to pay up £3 each to be "fast tracked". Why does Liverpool Airport need a Fast Track when all of the other airports I have used - and I travel by air regularly, do not need this facility?

I would hazard a guess that this is another means, by Peel Holdings, of squeezing a few more quid out of their customers by ensuring that their customers queue for over an hour in the "normal" queue. When we finally arrived at the security check there was only ONE scanner open for what must have been in excess of 300 passengers.

Needless to say by the time we got through we didn't have any time left for a bite to eat or a browse through the shops but had to go straight to the departure gate. I wonder if the store holders are aware that the airport management are preventing their customers from accessing their businesses due to time pressure.

Not only did they s***w me on this but I flew out on Frodat afternoon, returning on Sunday evening and had to pay THIRTY NINE POUNDS for parking in the long stay car park wich involved a long walk to the car - no buses there as with other airports.

I flew yesterday from Stansted and let me tell you it was worth travelling down there ( a 2 hour drive ) in order to avoid having to use Liverpool Airport where the staff were helpful and there were numerous security gates.

If Newcastle Airport can manage without a Fast Track AND get their passengers through security quickly and efficently then why can't LJLA? The parking is cheaper AND they have a bus service from the Long Stay.

Liverpol Airport - You are a disgrace!!! I won't be using you again any time soon - I promise!!

Report Comment

3. Phil

27th Mar 2009 - 07:19 AM

I have now stopped using Liverpool Airport. I am a regular business traveller The problem is the security arrangements. Liverpool is just not geared up for the amount of passengers going through it. The fast track takes three pounds off passengers to get them in a queue that is put through just one scanner. The staff are generally dozy and sluggish. I have often witnessed them messing around rather than trying to clear the queues. I witnessed on male security staff member deciding to do a full search of a male passenger who must have been over 80 years old. He had obviously had a stroke and could not take his shoes off very quickly. While he struggled to do this, the queue stopped. The security staff member actually smiled and winked at his colleague. He seemed to be enjoying the whole thing. I spoke to a supervisor about the incident. They were not even slightly interested. I am a Company Director and know how to improve problems. Having observed the reasons for the delays at Liverpool, I can catagorically say, the prime reasons are not enough security staff and general bad attitude by those staff. I have not experienced in any of the other airports I use. For example, Belfast International Airport is a pleasure to use. The security is fast, efficient and friendly. The Supervisors direct staff to prevent logjams. They do not at Liverpool. I have decided that the extra drive to Manchester is worth the while. I will not use Liverpool Airport unless I really have to. I feel so sorry for the holiday makers with children who struggle to get through security despite having arrived in good time. I often see the stress on their faces because of the unreasonable delays and I know that it has probably marred the holiday. I know one or two staff there personally. They are fine professional people. I have discussed the problems with them and they say complain. It causes them stress because of the hostile reactions from passengers. What I say to Peel Holdings is this. Get the security supervisors attached to somewhere like Belfast International or Manchester airport, to see how it should be done. Employ 'Mystery Passengers' to go through the security at varying times. Identify the problematic security staff. Sack them and replace them with customer friendly staff. Use the CCTV to support any tribunals for unfair dismissal. Get that security situation working smoothly and effectively by proper management and maybe people will not take the steps that I have taken.

Report Comment

4. Kevin Mullin

13th Oct 2009 - 04:55 PM

My wife an I recently returned from Liverpool to Derry - On arrival at the airport security line, we were told approx 4 times that we can only have 1 bag going through. My wife kept her liquids gels etc in a plastic bag but inside her 1 bag to be scanned. It took approx 30mins to get to top of security line - The bag was held back and after approx 10 mins a member of security eventually began to open it and take everything out. He spent approx 10 mins taking everything out of the bag, he appeared to be just wasting time - and all the time asking questions about the contents of the bag. when he found the clear plastic bag with the liquids he told my wife to read a notice on the desk. He continued to probe through the bag for approx another 5- 10 mins and told my wife approx 5 times to read the notice. Then he asked if she under stood the notice. All this was in front of a number of other people who were also waiting. This was the most horrible humiliating experience but we felt that we could not say anything as we would probably have been locked up in a room and interrogated. We ended up being the last to board the plane and were lucky not to have missed our flight. We will never forget this horrible person and what he did to us.

Report Comment

5. sharon hamilton

5th Jan 2010 - 05:06 PM

I am a frequent flyer from Liverpool airport and on a number of occasions have purchased fast track ticket. I have to say that on a recent visit and running late I again bought a fast track ticket after seeing the queue on the stairs. I was angry when I took the lift down to see to cut down the other queues that they were asking people to use the fast track gate, I actually watched as people that were already downstairs were put in front of me.... what was that about.

Report Comment

6. philip Burton

15th Apr 2010 - 05:27 PM

I wish to know how to purchase fast track tickets online

Report Comment