Heathrow Security Queues

I have heard reports that since the introduction of new security measures that there are long queues for security (including fast track) at Heathrow. I would be interested to know if this is true as I will be travelling UC next month and would hate a long queue for security to reduce the amount of time I have in the clubhouse. Any comments or advice would be appreciated.[y]

It appears to be a bit variable to me. I have queued for 20 minutes through non-fast track security, and other times been just a couple of minutes. Fast track has normally been fine for me, but I do recall once getting in a queue there for quite a long time. When I looked through to the ordinary security it was queue free. I even tried to getback out of fast track, but they wouldn't let me!

If you allowed 20mins, I am sure you would be OK. Another 10 mins for UC check in or DIY check in (Much more for Y check in though).

[Nottingham Nick]

I don't think there is anything you can do about it.

There is a huge element of pot luck. The only adivce I would have is to have a read of the UC trip reports, and see if you can spot good times, and bad times.

Even then, I would think they vary from day to day depending on loads and how thorough the staff are if different people are on duty.

Nick

[mitchja]

Duncan

All I can say is check-in as early as you can. 40 minute queues are now pretty much the norm at security, even for fast-track. I contacted BAA at LHR after my recent experience and part of the response that came back was, and I quote:

Following the introduction of our new screening processes, we have worked on a number of options to help improve passenger flow rates through our search areas. These options include PA announcements and posters to prepare passengers for search, extra tables to help passengers to repack following screening, extended roller beds and we are also currently recruiting staff to re-enforce the message. From next week, we will also have the help of the Operational Solutions team who will be working with us to review and agree what works most effectively in each area.

So it does seem BAA are well aware of the problems. I did mention to BAA that it would help if both security channels were in operation in the fast-track area as there only ever seems to be one channel open [:(!]

Regards

Nick - I am sure you are right about the pot luck. I always flew same time, same day of the week. But the queues were always different. However if Jaydun is flying UC, I would always advise allowing extra time - the worst that can happen is that you end up having to suffer extra time in the clubhouse, having more and more food and booze forced on you.:D[:$]

Maybe someone fancies doing a trend chart? Or maybe not, as Jeremy (from memory) travels at the same time and day and has noticed variation.....

From my experience, it seems worse between about 9am and 12noon, as that's when most people will arrive to check-in for the hoardes of flights heading westbound across the Pond.

You'll probably find that it has a lot to do with that particular traffic flow, because of the massive number of US-bound flights which use T3.

Cheers,
Mike

[preiffer]

Last month, VS19 - the 2 (yes, two) regular security queues must have been 30-40m long before even getting to the BP checker.

Fast - Track was 6 people deep... [:I]

Whatever reasons are behind the recent increases in the waits, I have little sympathy with BAA when they try and foist the blame on passengers being slow taking coats off, emptying pockets and removing laptops from bags. Whilst all these things do irritate me when I'm queuing and see people look suddenly surprised when they get to the front of the queue, that is not going to change. A lot of people travelling only do it a couple of times year, are excited/tired and may well not have English as a first language. Posters & announcements aren't going to change this behaviour.

The answer is very simple, open more scanners! How many times have you queued for half an hour, for one or two scanners, when there are five of six not being used. That is the issue, BAA not recruiting enough staff to open all the scanners at busy times.

Vslf

Seems to be much worse at T4 than VSs T3,and to make matters worse BA do not give you fasttrack access with a BA Au card.

Couple of saturdays ago at 11.00am the standard security line(T4) was enormous,fasttrack was empty.

BAA are up to something, taking a laptop out of your bag does not bring about all this chaos,BAA are total s****[n]

Originally posted by Vslf
Whatever reasons are behind the recent increases in the waits, I have little sympathy with BAA when they try and foist the blame on passengers being slow taking coats off, emptying pockets and removing laptops from bags. Whilst all these things do irritate me when I'm queuing and see people look suddenly surprised when they get to the front of the queue, that is not going to change. A lot of people travelling only do it a couple of times year, are excited/tired and may well not have English as a first language. Posters & announcements aren't going to change this behaviour.

The answer is very simple, open more scanners! How many times have you queued for half an hour, for one or two scanners, when there are five of six not being used. That is the issue, BAA not recruiting enough staff to open all the scanners at busy times.

Vslf

Wow, more scanners, that's a radical idea![:0]

But wait - that'd cost more money, so not gonna happen...[V]

Originally posted by jaguarpig
BAA are up to something, taking a laptop out of your bag does not bring about all this chaos,BAA are total s****[n]

My understanding was that in a "critical review", aka spot-check by the DFT's Transec where items were smuggled through security at Heathrow. So what to do? Yes, BAA coach in screeners from Gatwick and Stansted and perform 'extra' checks on, for example, laptops.

What confuses the hell out of me is why they do they not need to do these extra checks at LGW and STN. And yes, why do all those scanning stations remain closed?

Guess what the reaction is today? On BBC Breakfast this morning they were reporting going back to being more stringent with carry-on baggage like they tried five years ago. Oh joy. So rather than waiting to go through security we have to wait for our baggage to arrive - or not.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/04/04/nluggage04.xml

Cheers, Howard

In a recent edition of the airport newspaper, it explained that as the BAA had been severly criticised for poor security checks, they have now tightened up, together with financial incentives for the security staff if they detect the regular undercover attempts by the inspectors to pass through the checks. The BAA is suffering financially from these delays, not only due to the lack of time passengers have to spend their money in duty free, but the BAA has to pay compensation to the airlines if they have to delay flights due to passengers stuck in long quees, and believe me this is a common occurence. The BAA also pays if the aircraft does not get a proper gate on arrival! (but that is another subjest!)

I was travelling back to Dublin last week and the security was ok , max 10/15 mins. T1 is for some reason always bad but last week was fine.