Terminal 5

[richlear]

I fly a lot and have always made it a rule to avoid Heathrow whenever I can. However, yesterday I had my first experience of T5.

I arrived from CPH on BA813 and was heading out to Houston on BA197. I was very disappointed with the efficiency of the security and associated nonsense. It took nearly 1 hour to get from gate to gate, this is in the same terminal with the same airline! This is ridiculous. T5 is supposed to be the newest flagship terminal and it was a mess. The security team were having to hold groups on the ground floor and only letting them upstairs every now and again resulting in large queues for no apparent reason.

I talked to one of the security team and they agreed that it was poor but of course they are only doing their best.

Anyone else had similar experience?

It seems my policy of avoiding Heathrow is right......

Cheers

rich

[daz211]

T4

I have never used T5, however last week I took DL out of T4 it was the easiest flight I have ever taken the terminal was almost empty security took 3mins thats after a check-in the same time, I was very impressed.
Even the carpark was empty.

[ExXB]

T5 makes no difference

I continue to avoid Heathrow, particularly a T5 connection.

[747-436]

I don't think connections at LHR, particulaly at T5 are that bad, the problem described above seems to stem from the incompetence of BAA security!!

[silverstreak]

T5 isnt all that easy to get through either inbound or out.

Trains, escilators/lifts and walkways make it a very laborious task connecting the main T5 building with the satelite terminal.

[strake]

I went through T5 this morning on my way to Chicago. I decided to give the experience every chance and approached with an open mind. Security in Fast Track was ridiculous. People's trays were being mixed up before going into the x-ray machine. As you have to use a tray for everything, one pax can have three or four trays by the time you have a roll-on, bag, jacket belt shoes etc. The confusion at the other end of the conveyor was a sight to behold. The BA girl at the entrance to the Concorde Room had a fixed smile (or grimmace) as one after another, First passengers were ejected towards her .
Then there's the bussing..still the bussing. First to Chicago is £6500 return. For this, at the airport, you make your way downstairs and join a long queue..no priority boarding. After being bashed about and then driven for ten minutes, you fight with the scrum to get onto the plane.
As I took my seat, a person whom anyone who watches BBC F1 would recognise instantly, arrived at the seat just behind mine. "That, he said "was ridiculous....."
Sums it up really.

[Guest 112233]

The Bussing

Yep when I flew to SFO earlier this year through T5 , The security was not too badly organised but the long ques and the cramped rattling, spine giggling ride to the plane was totally crap. A BA gold card holder and his SWMBO who had just connected from GLA were not impressed at all. Has nothing changed ? Is the satillite terminal still under construction ?.

BA are loosing "Full and premium fare customers" both connecting and UK by the, day ! - OK I'm only a regular "World Traveller Ha Ha" - The cutting of the the USA baggage allowance is the last straw ! Idiots. Yes I know it was unusually generious but the Kg's came in handy on a long trip. Roll on connecting through flights by A380's from LHR to the US by Middle Eastern carriers with nice big baggage allowances.

CAT III

[Fargoo]

Is the satillite terminal still under construction ?.

Yes, T5C is still under construction. That's part of the problem which means bussing is required. I agree that it's not perfect but having flown through FRA several times recently I conclude that it's a problem not limited to LHR sadly

[Guest 112233]

Thanks Fargoo

To put it in context the bus was filty. The 25 min wait at the pier prior to boarding (the bus) without explanation really did annoy the pax big time - Copied yor mention about FRA though. KLM AMS/SFO next trip for me thanks.

CAT III

[Capot]

I came back through T5 yesterday evening.....no hold ups, met by bag on carousel, straight out to Bus Stop 22.

On the way to UKBA I did notice that transit passengers were milling about a bit, slightly confused.

As an aside, I arrived on a BA B777 after 7 hour flight....I haven't seen such a tired-looking cabin with so many seat defects in the cattle cabin since I last flew BAF. Nothing very serious apart from broken arms and faulty recline mechanisms, but the overall impression is poor, with frayed belts, worn-out cushions, stained plastics, toilet looking old, etc etc. The cabin service was fine; it was let down by the ambience.

[WHBM]

In a proper world BA would be having Heathrow's Guts For Garters if they in any way messed up services they provide (eg transit security at T5) to give anything other than a premium experience.

In fact Willie Walsh is more concerned with lining himself up to take over from O'Leary at Ryanair when the latter heads for nice early retirement, and this takes precedence over any effort on behalf of BA. The rest of the board are following his example as well. So nobody from BA says a word to Ferrovial, who continue in their merry extreme cash-saving ways to try and pay off the debt they voluntarily got into when they bought Heathrow in the first place.

[Ancient Observer]

Ferrovial "Bet the family" on their takeover of BAA and they could not have got their timing more wrong.
The cultural drivers are massively different - Ferrovial are cutting costs "to save the family" (the owners). Willy and Co are just managers, with no such motivation.

therefore, Ferrovial will carry on as they are and will ignore both BA and other customers.

[Jarvy]

I have used T5 a few times and always found it quite good, much better than T3.
As for the bussing remember T5 is only 2/3rds finished. Also did you want your own bus just for first???

[strake]

Also did you want your own bus just for first

Yes, why not? Maybe for First and Club World

If I or my company pay for "First", then it's reasonable to expect a "First" service. On the other hand, if we pay for World Traveller, we would expect a level of service comensurate with the cost of the ticket.

[Jarvy]

OK if first and club would all borad at the same time but I know from experience that they don't. If they held you till everyone was ready you would complain but there are not enough busses for you to have one each!!
Its not perfect every time we fly but we all expect it to be so. It matters not what you pay. You are paying for better food, bigger seat and a better lounge but the service should always be the same regrdless of class.

[Rusland 17]

You are paying for better food, bigger seat and a better lounge but the service should always be the same regrdless of class.

i disagree. If you're paying to travel in Club or First then you are paying for - and entitled to expect - a better service at every point of your journey, from fast-track security right through to priority offloading of bags. Bussing first class passengers to a plane - even if it were a bus solely for the use of first class passengers - is a shameful situation.

[Skipness One Echo]

Meanwhile in the real world....

Todays thought for the day is the BA Transit bus commessurate with a First Class Fare. We begin with a warm welcome from Eddy, your driver, followed by a complimentary seat, space permitting. Due to unforseen potholes, turbulence MAY be enountered and those not seated are advised to hold on tight. As this is a First Class transit bus, a fine wine will be served from a warm cup as you enjoy the famed BA handbrake turn. Thank you for choosing to drive with British Airways.

[ulxima]

however last week I took DL out of T4 it was the easiest flight I have ever taken the terminal was almost empty security took 3mins thats after a check-in the same time

You have been lucky.
Took KL out of T4, arrived at the terminal 45 minutes before the flight having already checked in via internet.
One minute to drop the baggage.
Then queue....and queue...and queue....until I heard my name being called, the last passenger to board the flight.
I do not know whether the Qantas A380 next to us was the reason of this long queue and huge amount of people through security, maybe yes....

The queue this morning at T3 (SK to OSL) was "normal". It did not take too long. But in OSL the queue at Passport control made me to miss the connecting flight.
I am looking forward to Wednesday at T2 (AZ to FCO).

Ciao
Ulxima

[Capetonian]

I posted this on a Gatwick thread but as it pertains to T5, here goes again :
It refers to two middle aged professional couples travelling together, in business class, transatlantic - we're not talking about a group of hooligans. This is an appalling indictment on BAA security and on BA since they, as the main customer at T5, ought to be able to use their influence to secure higher standards.

We reached the boarding gates and I was pulled aside for a random search. The rest of our party automatically stood aside to wait for me and the security officer decided this was not necessary and tackled them with a barrage of words demanding that they move on - well xxxxxx definitely felt that she was rude and told her so and refused to move but to take her name - she became incensed and became more rude and abusive and pulled xxxxxx out and made him be searched! It was all very upsetting and finally once we all boarded the plane xxxxxx reported her to the BA staff who were definitely unhappy about this and immediately followed it up by going to find this woman and get her name. She was rude to them as well and so an investigation/report was set in motion. Rudeness and victimization is not on!

[Rusland 17]

This is an appalling indictment on BAA security and on BA since they, as the main customer at T5, ought to be able to use their influence to secure higher standards.

Your conclusion is somewhat at odds with your own description of events. It seems to me that, far from being an "indictment", BA behaved quite properly in this situation. They can't be expected to be responsible for every action of every airport employee.