Check in Times!

Just had details about our flight to Barbados from Manchester in February.

They have the check in times as 4 hours before the flight!

I know when we've flown before its been 3 hrs - but 4 hrs seems very extreme!

Is this a new policy or has anyone experienced this before and for what reason has it gone to 4 from 3?

Last time we flew with P&O to Barbados was Feb 2012 and it was definitely 3hrs then. We flew to LA in May this year and it was only 3hrs before then too.

I can't see the point in February, but our last two visits to MAN prove the staff are very keen on ensuring rules are followed and they don't rush even if you are late.

Last July we arrived just over three hours to check in. We had no hold baggage. The T1 check area was like a football stadium at final whistle. Barely enough room to get to check in.

Check in took an age, even though we self checked as for some reason the system didn't want to print boarding passes. Scanner for the boarding cards prior to security didn't work. Security queue was huge and they were using the new automated scanners which took ages. They went through every bag and made everyone without the 'official' style of plastic see through bag buy 'official' ones, or throw stuff away.

We arrived in the airside lounge and went straight to the gate as they had just began boarding. Total time 2.5 hours!

We used Manchester this year, but it was much better as we were in T3. Very quiet, but boarding card scanners didn't work as the boarding pass paper was like fax paper and too thin fornthe laser reader. Security screening still took a while. They also wouldn't take one of our bags at check in as it was a soft holdall. We had to go to another check in desk just for that one bag! Total time was down to about 90 minutes.

So whilst 4 hours may be excessive, three hours may not be.

We always go from Gatwick and certainly our last check in time earlier this year was 4 hours. Sometimes it's the security that takes a long time. We booked an airport lounge for the first time and it was lovely - we'll certainly do that again next year.

I do feel for people when they have done a long journey to the airport and are being asked to check-in 4 hours before, we are very lucky we live 15 minutes away from Manchester airport so always used to leave at the last minute.

UNTIL one Xmas, we were off to the Maldives, pre-booked seats, checked-in on line what could be the problem??

First traffic problems, then check-in desks & luggage drop off's like a football match, security a nightmare, having to run to the gate to find we were last on board, no where to store hand luggage. Not the ideal way to start a holiday I cannot tell you how stressful that 2.5 hours were especially when you know it is all your own fault just trying to pinch a bit more time.

We now stick to the requested times and once checked in just take everything slowly