Life at MAN - Paul Edwards (Meet and Greet Driver)

Every day, thousands of Manchester Airport passengers leave their vehicles in the trusted hands of the official Meet and Greet service - which offers valet parking at a secure facility on or near the site, making journeys smoother and giving passengers peace of mind.

Paul Edwards is a driver for the Meet and Greet service, and here he explains what goes into the job, lets us in on his favourite cars to drive - and explains why Greece is top of his travel wishlist.

How long have you been working at Manchester Airport?

I started work as a driver at Manchester Airport back in 2022, after leaving my old job as an IT Network Manager.

What does your job involve on a typical day?

A typical day can vary greatly depending on which terminal we’re assigned to, whether that's T1, T2, T3, or the Drop and Go service which serves all three terminals. However, using T1 as an example, the job usually involves several key tasks. We transport customers' cars from the T1 yard to a couple of secure storage car parks, one of which is just a 2-minute drive away, and the other less than 10 minutes away. On the yard itself, we meet customers as they park, guide them on where to check in, and help them find the departures area in the airport. This mix of driving and customer interaction keeps the day dynamic and engaging.

Drop and Go is a self-contained multi storey car park and the passengers park on level 2, from where we move the cars to other floors according to capacity, but this time they stay within the car park and only move up and down the levels, so this equates to more movements per hour for each driver.

What skills and training are needed for the role?

Being a good and safe driver is essential, especially when you’re responsible for driving passengers’ cars. This is a skill that the training department looks for when hiring new drivers, and it’s not something you can learn on the job. You need to have these skills before joining the M&G team. Brendan and Brian from the training team do a fantastic job of bringing new drivers on board and familiarising them with what is required. 

However, one skill that is equally important is customer service. As a driver, you interact with passengers daily, providing parking advice, directions, and other assistance. Clear communication and a friendly demeanour are crucial. A smile can make a big difference in creating a positive experience for our passengers.

What do you enjoy the most about working at the airport?

There are many things I enjoy about my job, but the team I work with is a standout. We have a diverse mix of backgrounds, making each working day a pleasure. Whether it’s sharing a laugh, having a joke, or just a good chat, the camaraderie is fantastic.

The company values, which everyone at the airport adheres to, are evident from the top down through all the teams. This creates a sense of being valued and gives you a good feeling about working for an employer who genuinely cares for its staff. Every aspect is taken care of, from pastoral support to occupational health, and many other things in between.

Meeting and greeting passengers is another highlight. Helping them find the right terminal and being the smiling face that they see when they drop off or pick up their car makes their experience more enjoyable and it's always a nice feeling to know you've contributed to that.

If I leave my car with M&G, where will you take it to and how do you ensure it’s securely stored while I’m away?

Every driver handles the cars with utmost care. We transport them to three secure lockup car parks, all monitored by CCTV and secured with gates accessible only to our staff. These car parks are regularly checked and audited to ensure the cars are parked correctly and safely.

All the car parks are within a few minutes of the pickup yard, so the cars are not driven long distances. Once parked, they remain untouched until they are brought back for the passengers to pick up.

As drivers, we recognise how much a car means to its owner, so we handle each vehicle with the same care and respect as we would with our own. Because drivers are human and there are thousands of car movements every single day, accidents do very occasionally happen, but we have a robust system in place to deal with these incidents. We will investigate fully to see what can be done to avoid a repeat, and affected passengers will be notified of any damage and reimbursed for any repairs.

What kinds of vehicles have you driven as a M&G driver?

I’ve driven every make you can imagine, from the big Ford Rangers to the smallest cars. However, two cars stand out for me: one is my dream car, and the other left me in awe.

My dream car is the Bentley Bentayga. It’s like driving on air, and I’ve been fortunate enough to drive three of them so far. But the real awe came when I drove the high-end Aston Martin DB11. It’s an amazing car, and the roar when you start it up made me jump. Obviously we only drive short distances and at low speeds, but as a car lover it's still a wonderful experience to get behind the wheel of one of these vehicles.

What one piece of advice would you give to someone considering a career at the airport?

Make the leap and join us—you won’t regret it! This is a fantastic place to work, with employers who genuinely care about their workforce. Explore the role you’re interested in and make an inquiry. You have nothing to lose and so much to gain.

What do you like to do when you're not at work?

Spending time with my family is incredibly important to me. My son recently got married and is starting a new chapter in his life with an amazing wife who is the perfect match for him. I also cherish the time spent with my wife, who is the Education Manager at Manchester Airport, working on our outreach programme in schools and the AeroZone education centre. 

Another passion of mine is metal detecting, which I am absolutely addicted to. I love uncovering pieces of history and have found some incredible coins dating back to 1280.

Which destination that we fly to from Manchester do you most want to visit?

We love going on holidays, usually at least three times a year, with the Greek islands being our favourite destination. The small islands are just amazing, and we’ve visited 28 so far - so it would be great to see some more of them, and you can fly to many of them directly from Manchester.

If you're interested in becoming one of Manchester Airport's Journey Makers,  visit mag-careers.com.