Heathrow security
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 191
Likes: 0
From: Bangkok, Thailand
As a matter of interest, does anyone have any statistics as to how many pax miss flights as a result of delays in processing them through the airport and what proportion of flights is delayed as a result? It must be a nightmare for an airline to be say, a dozen SLF short at the gate and not knowing where to look to find them.
Take the point about the cutlery, striperalla, (haven't eaten there for a while
) but this fact can't have been communicated to all the airlines who still use the bendy stuff when coming into LHR. Other airports have either relaxed this requirement for airlines, or never implemented it in the first place (like Singapore).
As for the gate vs centralised security, I would suggest that you probably haven't travelled through an airport that uses the "gate" method lately either - touche!
Take the point about the cutlery, striperalla, (haven't eaten there for a while
) but this fact can't have been communicated to all the airlines who still use the bendy stuff when coming into LHR. Other airports have either relaxed this requirement for airlines, or never implemented it in the first place (like Singapore).As for the gate vs centralised security, I would suggest that you probably haven't travelled through an airport that uses the "gate" method lately either - touche!
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Hendon
Travelled out of T1 on Wednesday, queues were a nightmare but in fairness only took 3/4 of an hour to get through security. Having read this thread before I left I was expecting the worst and thus was mentally prepared so amused myself by "people watching". Problem was as the queue extended in a snake out downtowards BMI check in desks BA passengers were leapfrogging and gaining a good 10 minutes or so. We Brits hate Q jumpers but lack the ability to complain, some of the comments were priceless but all muttered under the breath. Also lots of "I'll never fly out of here again" the predictable "this is a joke". All made the extra time pass very quickly for me.
To add some more it was an interesting trip as BA utilised a 757 for the flight to DUS with all of 58 passengers! (suspect return was booked out). Travelled back today and we landed a little late but it still took me more time from disembarking to driving out of Parking Express than it did check in and fly back from DUS - baggage took forever!
Living in N London I had got used to flying Luton-Dortmund and is definately my preferred route - nowt to do with the carrier but the whole LHR experience, including of course the M25!
To add some more it was an interesting trip as BA utilised a 757 for the flight to DUS with all of 58 passengers! (suspect return was booked out). Travelled back today and we landed a little late but it still took me more time from disembarking to driving out of Parking Express than it did check in and fly back from DUS - baggage took forever!
Living in N London I had got used to flying Luton-Dortmund and is definately my preferred route - nowt to do with the carrier but the whole LHR experience, including of course the M25!
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 92
From: south of Cirencester, north of Lyneham
It seems that BAA don't care, and for some reason, BA and the the other airlines aren't making a big public fuss. If they would only moan publicly.... I'll be using LHR again in a couple of weeks, so I'll see how bad it is. If it's as bad as last time, I'll try writing to my MP - he might be persuaded to ask a PQ of the Minister for Transport, which might stir things up a bit. Next Monday, I'm purposely avoiding LHR by going from Bristol......
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: London
I've often wondered where the airlines were in all this. I did once write to SIA and point out that T3 was letting them down. I got a response back to the effect that they were contstrained by the space and facilities available. That was about five years ago and it seems very much worse now.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
From: london
In the UK/Europe, policy varies with laptops. sometimes in, sometimes out. On some occasions I get it out, only to be told not to. I recently asked, at security, and was told, it depends how thick the case is that the laptop is in. That is, if it contains many other items on top of the laptop, then it may need to come out.
As regards security at any airport, what they need is more staff.
I have said it before, if everyone at LHR was 'ready' with laptop out and coat in hand, all that would happen is staffing numbers would be cut. The queue would till remain.
It's about maximising profits see...
As regards security at any airport, what they need is more staff.
I have said it before, if everyone at LHR was 'ready' with laptop out and coat in hand, all that would happen is staffing numbers would be cut. The queue would till remain.
It's about maximising profits see...
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: uk
candoo - just for your info an airline doesn't base its aircraft types solely on load factors! LHR is particularly complex and can sometimes simply be based on using whichever aircraft is available for the slot at that time. Eg a 767 arriving from LIS may be the next a/c immediately available in the right place for a MAD with only 55 passengers booked on it.
Obviously airlines try to operate types suitable for expected loads, but that is not feasible 100% of the time. Another factor is cargo load. BA's Tokyo services are hardly ever 100% full to warrant 2 daily 747-400s on the route, BUT the cargo revenue far outweighs an aircraft full of economy passengers! It sometimes means there is a heavy weight restriction on the route so to the passengers it seems as if the flight is empty, but little do they know the hold is full of valuable, high paying cargo! Food for thought.
Obviously airlines try to operate types suitable for expected loads, but that is not feasible 100% of the time. Another factor is cargo load. BA's Tokyo services are hardly ever 100% full to warrant 2 daily 747-400s on the route, BUT the cargo revenue far outweighs an aircraft full of economy passengers! It sometimes means there is a heavy weight restriction on the route so to the passengers it seems as if the flight is empty, but little do they know the hold is full of valuable, high paying cargo! Food for thought.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 341
Likes: 5
From: UK
I think that the basic problem is that BAA know that you're pretty well stuck with them, so no matter how bad Heathrow is, by avoiding it you'll only end up at one of their other shambles.
Maybe something should be done to break uo their position of virtual monopoly.
What annoys most is seeing only a few of the potential lines manned, with huge queues. More profit for BAA, more misery for their poor victims.
I too don't understand why the airlines don't object strongly, it's ridiculous that the airport passage often is longer than the flight.
Maybe something should be done to break uo their position of virtual monopoly.
What annoys most is seeing only a few of the potential lines manned, with huge queues. More profit for BAA, more misery for their poor victims.
I too don't understand why the airlines don't object strongly, it's ridiculous that the airport passage often is longer than the flight.
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 733
Likes: 2
From: Andalucia
Only just read this thread however back to Laptops, three weeks ago took my laptop through MAN T1 security, it remained in it's case and was not questioned.
Same at AGP last week for the return, although had to remove essential belt there !
My best trip ever through as a SLF, only took about 15 mins, can take longer as staff !
Same at AGP last week for the return, although had to remove essential belt there !
My best trip ever through as a SLF, only took about 15 mins, can take longer as staff !
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Snooky
[PEDANT]There is nothing 'virtual' about it - it IS a monopoly of the three major London airports. The quantity of traffic of LTN + LCY is insignificant by comparions. [/PEDANT]
The present UK govt is never going to tackle it. One can only hope that something like this on the BBC today may start things moving.
But I doubt it. BAA is a cash cow and other operators have learnt their tricks and are repeating them.
Maybe something should be done to break up their position of virtual monopoly.
The present UK govt is never going to tackle it. One can only hope that something like this on the BBC today may start things moving.
But I doubt it. BAA is a cash cow and other operators have learnt their tricks and are repeating them.
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 646
Likes: 0
From: London & Edinburgh
Just as an aside thru T1 Domestics yesterday, and noted that some people's laptops weren't being screened separately. Did however note the increase in signs and the space given to pax to unload their coats/laptops/etc before the scanner.
Jordan
Jordan
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,585
Likes: 0
From: UK
Last week, positioning on Air Canada @ LHR T3, two staff were working the queue before security, asking about laptops, and then handing out a clear plastic bag for the laptop to be placed in, which I did. I have to say that I was rather impressed.
Laptop removal now seems to be a standard at most airports through which I position: I remove mine now as a matter of course.
Laptop removal now seems to be a standard at most airports through which I position: I remove mine now as a matter of course.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: The bar of the Frog and Peach
I can't see how slowing down security helps BAA profits, surely the opposite is true. Pax have a fixed time between check in opening and boarding the flight so the more time spent in the queue, the less time spent in the airside shops and bars which do contribute to BAA income. Seems like an own goal to me.
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 128
Likes: 0
From: South England
Originally Posted by Bangkokeasy
As for the gate vs centralised security, I would suggest that you probably haven't travelled through an airport that uses the "gate" method lately either - touche!
I simply wouldn't want the BAA at my gate interferring with everything. They do enough of that as it is!!
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 421
Likes: 38
From: London, UK
It is not just security screening. In T4 at passport control you now you have to stand behind the line until you are called forward. They have just introduced a single queue, which means the hold point is even further from the desk. So the staff (same number as before) spend roughly half a shift looking at their nails waiting for people to walk up to them.
It is a measure of how low our expectations are that we tolerate Heathrow.
It is a measure of how low our expectations are that we tolerate Heathrow.