A couple documented the staggering amount of time it took them to get to the front of Birmingham Airport’s security queue this morning (Sunday, June 9), calling it a ‘shambles’
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.
“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.”
Birmingham Airport has been contacted for comment.
