Passenger in traffic chaos videos his rant at charges
A PASSENGER caught up in traffic chaos in the pick-up area of Manchester Airport posted an angry video ranting at parking charges.
Chris Barrow was waiting for family to pick him up in the Terminal Three car park after a trip to Northern Ireland. He was surrounded by long queues of cars and frustrated drivers beeping their horns.
Chris, 64, took out his phone and filmed a live video of the ‘pandemonium,’ calling on airport bosses to sort out the mess. The businessman said the barriers letting cars in and out were moving too slowly, causing queues.
A spokesman for Manchester Airport said there is a transition period with all new schemes while people get used to them.
Filming himself on Facebook Live Chris said: “It is in utter chaos and complete pandemonium.
“I have never seen anything like it. Well done Manchester Airport for a complete and utter #fail.
“I have never seen anything so idiotic in my life, as you can see the rest of the people around me agree. You are just money-grabbers. You have no concern about passenger or customer safety.
“It’s just a big moneygrabbing operation by a load of suits that ought to be made to spend a few days here themselves.”
The airport introduced drop-off charges a fortnight ago, with drivers charged £3 for five minutes or £4 for 10 minutes in drop-off zones. Drivers picking up passengers must do so from a car park located in each terminal, with a fee of £4 for 30 minutes. The pick-up charges have been in place for a while, but the drop-off charges are a recent policy.
Chris’ video has since gone viral with thousands of people sharing the clip and commenting they have suffered from similar experiences.
A Manchester Airport spokesman said: “As with any new scheme there is always a transition period whilst it beds in and people become familiar with the new process. However, the scheme is working well and we have seen congestion on our forecourts reduce already.”
The clip states there are only two barriers, but the airport has five in Terminal Three. The spokesman added drivers are advised to validate tokens before going to barriers and to park in a bay to pick up passengers.