Bedlam at LHR - Terminal 3 Check In

Does anybody know why Check In was so chaotic last Thursday evening (15th March) at LHR? People were streaming out of the Virgin Check in area but desperately trying to reach the desks to check in for their flights. [:?][:(]

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by P-L-U
People were streaming out of the Virgin Check in area but desperately trying to reach the desks to check in for their flights.

Sorry, I don't understand what you mean. Had the people streaming out already checked in? If not, where were they heading?
When you say chaotic and use the phrase 'bedlam', do you mean it was disorganised, or just very busy? was it the economy check in area, bag drop or everywhere?

Could you supply more detail, please?

And, a warm welcome to the site. :D

Nick

Hi Nick,

Thanks for the reply. Passengers were in large queues everywhere for economy, online bag drop and the DIY kiosk's waiting to check in. A lot of passengers were getting quite angry with VAA staff. Did anything happen at LHR on Thursday 15th that could have caused a slow down in check in, or were Virgin just short staffed that evening.

Staff in red polo shirts were also sticking small red and green stickers on peoples tickets. What does that mean?

And by the phrase "bedlam" - it was very disorganised aswell as busy.

[Nottingham Nick]

I am not aware of anything special that happened that evening, though I would often describe the economy check in area as very busy, it has always seemed reasonably well organised - even when the queues snake round the corner.

The whole area is about to undergo a re-vamp - see here for brief details.

I think the red and green stickers and the people in polo shirts are dealing with the unpopular APD (Air Passenger Duty), which is explained here. Though I stand to be corrected on that one.

Some friends of mine flew out to Delhi that evening, so I may find out more when they return, if no one else chips in before then.

Nick

Oh yes, the dreaded APD. I forgot about that little treasure from Gordon Brown. [n][V]

Thanks for your help Nick.