LONDON CITY - 2
Join Date: Sep 2003
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Limtied central search space - granted.
Add to that the general incompetance of security staff at LCY. They are cramming so many bags and trays in those scanners the screen reader has to keep stopping and starting the belt. I have been through a couple of times and all the AMDs are out of order, so 100% body search. While good security is appreciated - i have also experienced a few frisks at LCY that are so hands-on thorough they were almost full medical examinations of my muscle frame - beyond what DfT require. Which all slows down the queue even more.
LCY will tell you through their posters that a rejig and summer of construction and paradise will be restored - but unless they get some security superviors that can keep a handle on the situation with training then they are ruined.
Add to that the general incompetance of security staff at LCY. They are cramming so many bags and trays in those scanners the screen reader has to keep stopping and starting the belt. I have been through a couple of times and all the AMDs are out of order, so 100% body search. While good security is appreciated - i have also experienced a few frisks at LCY that are so hands-on thorough they were almost full medical examinations of my muscle frame - beyond what DfT require. Which all slows down the queue even more.
LCY will tell you through their posters that a rejig and summer of construction and paradise will be restored - but unless they get some security superviors that can keep a handle on the situation with training then they are ruined.
Last edited by egnxema; 7th Feb 2010 at 11:46.
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Until LCY security gets its act together I'm reverting back to using Gatwick where even south terminal is better than a 2 hour queue at LCY.
LCY used to be a dream airport to use, the last 3 occasions I have had the misfortune to travel home from there it has been a nightmare.
LCY used to be a dream airport to use, the last 3 occasions I have had the misfortune to travel home from there it has been a nightmare.
I arrived at 0530 for the 0630 Swiss flight to ZRH yesterday.
Security staff were only just arriving at that time, and the security area wasn't
opened until 0545 by which time people were queuing down the stairs.
Security staff were only just arriving at that time, and the security area wasn't
opened until 0545 by which time people were queuing down the stairs.
Thread Starter
It is exacerbated by management never being around at 0545 to see the issue. I suggest you take photographs of it and send them to Richard Gooding, the Chef Exec at the airport.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Do NOT pull a camera out in the terminal unless you want to explain why you are not invoved in hostile reconaissance to the jumpy and bored armed Police. It's a small building and they are everywhere.....as a spotter I have the odd terminal interior shot. I get enough hassle at LCY on the dock with the camera and they don't like them anywhere near the Terminal. Sad times we live in.
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I'm glad other people have noticed the slower security i thought i was imagining it.
mind you the last two times I've been through I've had a full back search done.
I'm not carrying anything that i haven't been carrying for the last 4 years (apart from the fact i can no longer carry a bottle of saline solution for my contact lenses thanks to the 100ml rule)
used to love the fact you could get through quickly, but now?
mind you the last two times I've been through I've had a full back search done.
I'm not carrying anything that i haven't been carrying for the last 4 years (apart from the fact i can no longer carry a bottle of saline solution for my contact lenses thanks to the 100ml rule)
used to love the fact you could get through quickly, but now?
Join Date: Feb 2004
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rallymania - I have been able to buy 100ml (or less?) bottles of "all in one" solution for contact lenses at the likes of Boots in so-called "travel packs".
I'm not sure if that is the same as, or a suitable replacement for, saline solution though, so don't know if that will help you or not? Anyway, just a thought.
I'm not sure if that is the same as, or a suitable replacement for, saline solution though, so don't know if that will help you or not? Anyway, just a thought.
Join Date: Jun 2001
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lcy
Recently there was a security audit and various checks ..........lcy failed miserably to detect a few "not nice" items. Having travelled thru there last evening I was appalled to see the queues and attitude to the travelling business and leisure community who have made this once fab airport do so well. If it continues like this Its the end of LCY as all people I talked to will never use this barn anymore. The futures LGW/LHR/STN/even LUT.
Got a nice massage tho going thru security having been asked some dense and stupid questions. Muppet Show
Got a nice massage tho going thru security having been asked some dense and stupid questions. Muppet Show
Thread Starter
Indeed. I went through outbound on Tuesday afternoon 27 Jan and although there was not much of a queue it still took a good long time to negotiate security. Also spoken to abruptly by a queue marshal (first time ever at LCY) as I put my things together again at the end, obviously I was not moving fast enough for him, it seems the staff are allowed to move slowly but not the passengers. He must have done his training at Stansted, the type who wish they were issued with electric cattle prods to move the pax as they want them. For an airport where most pax are paying substantial fares this is getting inappropriate.
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what a queue
Fortunately I was arriving, at 6PM tonight the security queue was down the stairs snaking round the entire check in hall and was only a few feet from being out of the door!
I have a photo but can’t uplift it. Helpfully there was a customer services person with a large "this is the end of the security queue" sign on a large pole. Maybe they borrowed the sign from Gatwick now they have fixed their problems of a while ago
I have a photo but can’t uplift it. Helpfully there was a customer services person with a large "this is the end of the security queue" sign on a large pole. Maybe they borrowed the sign from Gatwick now they have fixed their problems of a while ago
Thread Starter
What has happened to the "15 minute check in" ? I see it has just been deleted from the website in a very obvious edit of the relevant page. Couldn't even get the font to match.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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It takes impressive stupidity to torpedo a winnning business model so effectively. Why on Earth would I use LCY now, even though it is my local airport?
Are they annoying F and J passengers to recoup investment at Gatwick by undermining City? ( I don't htink so but dear God ! )
Are we security was lax beforehand and so dangerous it needed to be beefed up to such a ludicrous extent? Or are they still trying to cram a pint into a half pint pot and the Government frowned?
I wonder.
Are they annoying F and J passengers to recoup investment at Gatwick by undermining City? ( I don't htink so but dear God ! )
Are we security was lax beforehand and so dangerous it needed to be beefed up to such a ludicrous extent? Or are they still trying to cram a pint into a half pint pot and the Government frowned?
I wonder.
Join Date: Sep 2003
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The security bunch at LCY are a bunch of no-hopers.
LCY Ltd is losing track of what it is good at. I hear a fastrack lane is planned for the terminal. Great if you are in a business class fare - but it is clear evidence that LCY are no longer intent on being a different and exceptional London airport.
No wonder SWISS are cutting back and shifting flights to LHR - good on them.
With a queue as long as Disneyland, why should anyone use LCY anymore?
Let's hope someone at LCY Ltd reads this post.
LCY Ltd is losing track of what it is good at. I hear a fastrack lane is planned for the terminal. Great if you are in a business class fare - but it is clear evidence that LCY are no longer intent on being a different and exceptional London airport.
No wonder SWISS are cutting back and shifting flights to LHR - good on them.
With a queue as long as Disneyland, why should anyone use LCY anymore?
Let's hope someone at LCY Ltd reads this post.
Join Date: Jul 2004
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I couldn't agree more with the last post. LCY's one USP was the ability of pax to turn up, and virtually walk straight onto their flight. This advantage outweighed the fragile nature of the airport's operations, eg low viz and high wind vulnerability.
Take away that advantage, and pax will walk away. If something isn't done soon then LCY will become another disused uk airfield.
As crew I have had to take my shoes off every time i have gone through LCY security this week, have had a search which could virtually be classed as sexual abuse and have had my case subjected to a "random" search... Random disection more like.
But, let's face it, criticizing security runs the risk of being arrested and thrown in a cell for 28 days without charge...
So keep it up boys, you are doing a great job... Soon there won't be any pax that pose a threat going through LCY...I mean, any pax at all.
Take away that advantage, and pax will walk away. If something isn't done soon then LCY will become another disused uk airfield.
As crew I have had to take my shoes off every time i have gone through LCY security this week, have had a search which could virtually be classed as sexual abuse and have had my case subjected to a "random" search... Random disection more like.
But, let's face it, criticizing security runs the risk of being arrested and thrown in a cell for 28 days without charge...
So keep it up boys, you are doing a great job... Soon there won't be any pax that pose a threat going through LCY...I mean, any pax at all.
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fast lanes
That will only work if the high yield passengers can get to the security point. my experiance last week was that passengers could not even get to the check in desk because the security queue was blocking access.
Join Date: Sep 2003
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I think we are all united in our views about the situation on here. 
It is just absolute Sales bulls#!t to blame the increased use of Online check-in and the DLR.
LCY Ltd boast that THEY have encouraged the use of Public transport to the terminal, and LCY Ltd do pay subsidies to Serco - the operator of the DLR. LCY Ltd pushed the cost of the airports car parks to eye watering levels to been seen as "Green" and encourage more use of the DLR - yet who get's the blame to cover up their crap Security Teams?? The dastardly DLR that has snook up on them and suddenly started dumping hoards of pasengers at the termial's front door!!
Yes LCY - you may feel triumphant on your recent New york connection that a priveledged 32 passengers get met at the front door for - but the travellers airlines/routes that actually matter and deliver volume of passengers to your door you are starting to treat with contempt and herd them in to Disney style zig-zags.
I hope someone with a legal mind sues you for all the false advertising your website is riddled with - claims that you are "London's favour airport" "Stress Free: We leave cattle farming to other airports" "Stress Free: London City Airport has always put the emphasis on business travellers" - what an absolute pile of bulls#!t !! It makes me angry - who do you pay to write this rubbish?
Your Sales Director needs to get out of his little office - walk the floor in the terminal building, and witness the fact that the reality of the LCY experience bears little resemblance to the words promulgated by the website. Then go to LHR T5 and experience that....interestingly we have not got BAA terminals crying about "heightened state of security" at the moment???
It is just absolute Sales bulls#!t to blame the increased use of Online check-in and the DLR.
LCY Ltd boast that THEY have encouraged the use of Public transport to the terminal, and LCY Ltd do pay subsidies to Serco - the operator of the DLR. LCY Ltd pushed the cost of the airports car parks to eye watering levels to been seen as "Green" and encourage more use of the DLR - yet who get's the blame to cover up their crap Security Teams?? The dastardly DLR that has snook up on them and suddenly started dumping hoards of pasengers at the termial's front door!!
Yes LCY - you may feel triumphant on your recent New york connection that a priveledged 32 passengers get met at the front door for - but the travellers airlines/routes that actually matter and deliver volume of passengers to your door you are starting to treat with contempt and herd them in to Disney style zig-zags.
I hope someone with a legal mind sues you for all the false advertising your website is riddled with - claims that you are "London's favour airport" "Stress Free: We leave cattle farming to other airports" "Stress Free: London City Airport has always put the emphasis on business travellers" - what an absolute pile of bulls#!t !! It makes me angry - who do you pay to write this rubbish?
Your Sales Director needs to get out of his little office - walk the floor in the terminal building, and witness the fact that the reality of the LCY experience bears little resemblance to the words promulgated by the website. Then go to LHR T5 and experience that....interestingly we have not got BAA terminals crying about "heightened state of security" at the moment???
Thread Starter
I'm afraid it's all part of a typical cycle of ownership.
LCY opened in 1987, run for a while by Mowlem, they didn't really know how to market it, financally disappointing.
Sold in 1995 to Dermot Desmond for £23m, a fraction of what it cost to build. Ouch ! Poor old Mowlem. But Dermot did know what he was doing, and drove it on to be a great place. I am sure he came and looked at it very often.
Sold in 2006 to GIP etc for £1.2 billion. Wow ! Well done Dermot. But the new owners were remote international financiers whose only idea of development is ".... er ..... reduce costs .....um ..... increase revenue ..... er .... that's it". So our wonderful little airport goes down the skids, owned by those who do not know one end of a plane from the other. All those who were interested in high customer service get marginalised by the money men.
The new consortium will have borrowed the £1.2 billion, so now need to suck maybe £125m or more each year out of the place just to cover the interest, before anything starts. Sometimes I wonder if they expect to get this just from the car parking charges, which appear to have been tripled or more. "It's because we are green". Haha !
Before long the airport will be worth maybe half what the consortium paid for it. Wonder how they will explain that one to their shareholders.
LCY opened in 1987, run for a while by Mowlem, they didn't really know how to market it, financally disappointing.
Sold in 1995 to Dermot Desmond for £23m, a fraction of what it cost to build. Ouch ! Poor old Mowlem. But Dermot did know what he was doing, and drove it on to be a great place. I am sure he came and looked at it very often.
Sold in 2006 to GIP etc for £1.2 billion. Wow ! Well done Dermot. But the new owners were remote international financiers whose only idea of development is ".... er ..... reduce costs .....um ..... increase revenue ..... er .... that's it". So our wonderful little airport goes down the skids, owned by those who do not know one end of a plane from the other. All those who were interested in high customer service get marginalised by the money men.
The new consortium will have borrowed the £1.2 billion, so now need to suck maybe £125m or more each year out of the place just to cover the interest, before anything starts. Sometimes I wonder if they expect to get this just from the car parking charges, which appear to have been tripled or more. "It's because we are green". Haha !
Before long the airport will be worth maybe half what the consortium paid for it. Wonder how they will explain that one to their shareholders.