The stupid thing is that it is actually in BAAs interest to get people through security as quickly as possible.
I used to turn up 2 hours before each flight, check in, make my way through security and then sit down to a spot of breakfast/coffee/shopping etc while I waited for my flight.
Now I turn up 2 hours before each flight, check in, stand in a queue for a minimum of 1 hour (never had it shorted than this in a BAA airport - and once managed a pretty amazing 2 hours - luckily the flight was delayed). Once through I have no time for a meal or shopping as I have to go straight to my gate and board.
If everyone else has this experience they must be losing a fortune through not having enough staff to open up all of the aisles.