Transit at LHR
Couple of years ago (just before T5 opened) family & myself returning from Bangkok to Manchester via LHR, cattle class on Qantas QF1. We had 1hr30min for connection, early saturday morning. Plane was late arriving at BKK, and left over 1 hour late. Arrival at LHR was 45 mins late, giving 45 mins or so connection, T4 to T3 (if I remember correctly). They had it sorted that day.
On landing announcment on QF1 was any transit passengers to MAN (etc etc) report to staff immediatley after leaving aircraft. A couple of guys there with placards, one with MAN, our flight no, passenger surnames. Once he got us together it was downstairs to a bus. On the way to T3 he asked us if we had any liquids. We still had water bottles from the overnight goodie bag QF gave us - chuck em away, he said, so we did. Anyway we get to T3 and we were behind several buses waiting to unload. Quick staff talk and we were off the bus & up an outside staircase, once inside he arranged fast track thru' security, and pointed us in the right direction to our plane, still a way off down a long, long corridor. Running down with wife & 3 kids, still half asleep, we got onboard with disgruntled looks from other pax as they shut the door.
We got to MAN on time, however our luggage was still at LHR. Again we were called over the tannoy in baggage hall, and off to see the baggage handlers. "Your luggage will be on a later flight, it will be delivered to your home tonight" - and gave us tracking details. Got home, phoned agent, yes, luggage is now in MAN, will be delivered by 7pm. @.630pm taxi arrives, all bags delivered secure and undamaged.
Well done that day to QF, BA, the cockney groundstaff at LHR (who went the extra mile), baggage handlers at Man and taxi driver. It's not allways bad news, even in cattle class !!
Flying Lid