We like to fly from Manchester as it is only an hour drive from Sheffield and car paring it not too expensive.
Having got the train to Manchester from the local Dore and Totley station a couple of weeks ago for a work meeting I realised how easy it was so decided that it would be a good idea to get the train direct to the airport. Our flight was 11.25am so that gave us plenty of time to get to the airport.
Initially everything went to schedule, our taxi arrived and in less than 10 minutes we were at the station. The 7.15am commuter train arrived very full but with our pre-booked seats we were able to politely ask people to move and settle down for the 1hr 15min journey direct to the airport. We arrived in Manchester Picadilly a bit late, 10mins but nothing to worry about as we had loads of time UNTIL ….
The train announcement that no trains were going to the airport due to a incident !. Fortunately Barrie has taught me to value comfort over cost and knowing Barrie would stress if we were running late I immediately said “lets no mess around waiting to see what has happened and just get a taxi”. After a few minutes wait for a taxi another man going to the airport joined us and the 3 of us were on the way for the short jounrney to the airport. Our flight was from Terminal 1 but our travelling companion was going from Terminal 2, The taxi driver noticed the traffic towards terminal 1 and decided it would be better for us to get out at Terminal 2 and go via the welkway to Terminal 1. We agreed and headed off.
Barrie headed off to the right confidently, “I know where I am going, I know Manchester Airport” turned it was the opposite direction. We then turned round to go upstairs to the walkway only to be told it was closed due the security incident but we could go back downstairs and outside and follow the path for about 10 minutes. This we duly did with a lot of other lost and confused people. It was not easy to follow as anywhere near the station was shut by police and even people walking were not allowed near. Finally we reached the check-in counter at 9.30am which was, considering the difficult journey really not bad.
So what caused the security issue? Apparently a naked man had been seen running on the walkway and this alerted security to decide to carry out a controlled explosion at the station! I hope they did not blow his clothes up 🙂
Barrie says next time we are driving 🙂