Fly through security?
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Join Date: Feb 2006
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Fly through security?
East Midlands Airport offers one the opportunity to "fly through security".
For the princely sum of £3 per head, those SLF who wish to try and get ahead of the queues at security can use the fast lane.
However, please be aware of the fine print disclaimer........
"Please note:
Passengers that have an Express Lane ticket will be given a priority service to ensure that waiting at security is kept to a minimum. Please note however, we cannot guarantee a maximum or minimum queue length or time. All passengers are subject to the same security procedures and regulations and we therefore recommend that you allow enough time for the standard security and x-ray screening. East Midlands Airport is not responsible for any passengers who miss their flight because they did not allow enough time to go through the check-in and security process."
So, let's assume your flight is at 0900 so your check in time on short haul is 0700. To make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get through security you present yourself at the airport at 0600. But, you can't check in yet as check in does not open for your flight until 0700. You wait an hour then join the line at the desk. Eventually having shown your passport and ticket to assorted staff, you arrive at the security check point and see the lines snaking to the horizon.
But, you've been a clever little boy! Armed with your £3 "fly through security" ticket, you realise you can now bypass those lines to the horizon and you leap for the Fast Lane.
Oh bug*er, you say, as you find that a hell of a lot of other folks have decided to waste £3 as well. You join the queue, and eventually get to the gate not having had a chance for breakfast, duty free and 6 pints of eurofizz in the bar. As you reach the gate you just catch sight of your flight as it pushes back from the airbridge.
Now, who should be at fault? Is it you or the airport? Don't forget....
"East Midlands Airport is not responsible for any passengers who miss their flight because they did not allow enough time to go through the check-in and security process."
For the princely sum of £3 per head, those SLF who wish to try and get ahead of the queues at security can use the fast lane.
However, please be aware of the fine print disclaimer........
"Please note:
Passengers that have an Express Lane ticket will be given a priority service to ensure that waiting at security is kept to a minimum. Please note however, we cannot guarantee a maximum or minimum queue length or time. All passengers are subject to the same security procedures and regulations and we therefore recommend that you allow enough time for the standard security and x-ray screening. East Midlands Airport is not responsible for any passengers who miss their flight because they did not allow enough time to go through the check-in and security process."
So, let's assume your flight is at 0900 so your check in time on short haul is 0700. To make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get through security you present yourself at the airport at 0600. But, you can't check in yet as check in does not open for your flight until 0700. You wait an hour then join the line at the desk. Eventually having shown your passport and ticket to assorted staff, you arrive at the security check point and see the lines snaking to the horizon.
But, you've been a clever little boy! Armed with your £3 "fly through security" ticket, you realise you can now bypass those lines to the horizon and you leap for the Fast Lane.
Oh bug*er, you say, as you find that a hell of a lot of other folks have decided to waste £3 as well. You join the queue, and eventually get to the gate not having had a chance for breakfast, duty free and 6 pints of eurofizz in the bar. As you reach the gate you just catch sight of your flight as it pushes back from the airbridge.
Now, who should be at fault? Is it you or the airport? Don't forget....
"East Midlands Airport is not responsible for any passengers who miss their flight because they did not allow enough time to go through the check-in and security process."
Join Date: May 2009
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MTB, simples - it is you. Read the contract you have with the airline where it clearly sets out it is your responsibility to be at the gate on time. This means not in the duty free shop, not in the bar, not in the security queue, not in the check-in queue, not trying to find a parking spot, not stuck in traffic, not still in bed having a lie-in.
Many airlines will help you in some of these circumstances and put you on later flights but many will not. Some may charge you more money, some may not.
Now if the events you suggest actually did occur I would suspect that the courts would look closely at the conditions that EMA are imposing in their 'contract' and would attempt to determine if they are fair and if they are in compliance with British law on contracts; given the particular circumstances.
I would suspect that a passenger arriving at the security queue 2 hours in advance of departure and still didn't make the flight would have a claim. Likely similar for passengers arriving an hour or so in advance. If one arrives less than half an hour in advance they would likely not succeed in any claim.
Many airlines will help you in some of these circumstances and put you on later flights but many will not. Some may charge you more money, some may not.
Now if the events you suggest actually did occur I would suspect that the courts would look closely at the conditions that EMA are imposing in their 'contract' and would attempt to determine if they are fair and if they are in compliance with British law on contracts; given the particular circumstances.
I would suspect that a passenger arriving at the security queue 2 hours in advance of departure and still didn't make the flight would have a claim. Likely similar for passengers arriving an hour or so in advance. If one arrives less than half an hour in advance they would likely not succeed in any claim.
Fly with no luggage and online check-in, you can go straight to security and through. No problems.
Fly with luggage and arrive at check in on time you will be fine, because the airline knows you are there and will come to find you in the security queue, or page you in duty free, toilets, bar........At least that is my experience.
Fly with luggage and arrive at check in on time you will be fine, because the airline knows you are there and will come to find you in the security queue, or page you in duty free, toilets, bar........At least that is my experience.
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Thank you both for your posts. I've yet to fly, but it's imminent. I do know what I need to do and I may do any, or none of the events I've suggested.
My post was a tongue in cheek thing after I'd paid my £3 x 2 for my "fly through security" tomorrow. I may be, or not as the case may be, consuming 6 pints of EMA finest or stuffing a breakfast down me or merely spending time in the various shops attached to this airstrip. I could even be in the bogs venting various parts of my system.
The point I was trying to make was what would happen whilst I was trying to negotiate check in and security. What happens after is clearly up to me. I have flown before, as far as I can remember. The first time was on a 2 centre holiday from the UK, on a Dakota, to Munich for a stay in the Austrian Alps at Steinach, followed by a coach over the Dolomites to Lido de Jesalo for a further week. It was the princely sum of £38 each, food included! Yes, you heard me correctly.
Of course, That was not my first or indeed my last trip. I have flown an incredible amount of times since that trip, and indeed plan to continue as long as I'm able to get travel insurance. As I'm also not really a youngster anymore, I'm also aware of my land and airside responsibilities, thank you.
My post was a tongue in cheek thing after I'd paid my £3 x 2 for my "fly through security" tomorrow. I may be, or not as the case may be, consuming 6 pints of EMA finest or stuffing a breakfast down me or merely spending time in the various shops attached to this airstrip. I could even be in the bogs venting various parts of my system.
The point I was trying to make was what would happen whilst I was trying to negotiate check in and security. What happens after is clearly up to me. I have flown before, as far as I can remember. The first time was on a 2 centre holiday from the UK, on a Dakota, to Munich for a stay in the Austrian Alps at Steinach, followed by a coach over the Dolomites to Lido de Jesalo for a further week. It was the princely sum of £38 each, food included! Yes, you heard me correctly.
Of course, That was not my first or indeed my last trip. I have flown an incredible amount of times since that trip, and indeed plan to continue as long as I'm able to get travel insurance. As I'm also not really a youngster anymore, I'm also aware of my land and airside responsibilities, thank you.
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Having flown from EMA a few times first thing in the morning I've used the express lane every time. My personal experience is that very few people use the express lane and I have never had a queue longer than 3 or 4 people, once it didn't have any queue at all.
Queues for security at EMA are now FAR FAR better than they have been at times in the past and particularly now everywhere is on the more sedate Winter Schedule you would probably be just as quick getting through the normal lanes in winter as you would down the express lane in summer. You'll probably queue longer for check in than for security. The new security hall is much better too with new, faster equipment so I wouldn't worry about missing your flight due to security, I'd worry more about missing your flight due to being in the bar where you have to rely on checking the flight information screens as there's no flight announcement tannoys in the retail spaces so you need to keep checking the FIDS screens (which will give a countdown until the gate opens usually from an hour prior at that time of the morning)
Queues for security at EMA are now FAR FAR better than they have been at times in the past and particularly now everywhere is on the more sedate Winter Schedule you would probably be just as quick getting through the normal lanes in winter as you would down the express lane in summer. You'll probably queue longer for check in than for security. The new security hall is much better too with new, faster equipment so I wouldn't worry about missing your flight due to security, I'd worry more about missing your flight due to being in the bar where you have to rely on checking the flight information screens as there's no flight announcement tannoys in the retail spaces so you need to keep checking the FIDS screens (which will give a countdown until the gate opens usually from an hour prior at that time of the morning)
Paxing All Over The World
MTB
Shurly there must be shome mishtake?
the airstrip attached to the various shops.
... the various shops attached to this airstrip.
the airstrip attached to the various shops.
Ah, sho very true PAXboy 
Join Date: Jul 2011
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If paying £3 ensures that I'd only be in a line with organised people who know full well the security rules and don't faff around with belts, shoes and laptops then I'd pay it. I somehow don't see that being part of the deal so I won't part with my money to still wait behind those who leave their keys or mobiles in their pockets and require a full pat down or stand and argue about that half empty 500ml bottle of sun tan oil they refuse to part with.
Or perhaps the Airport operators should employ sufficient security staff and provide sufficient facilities to process people through security in an expeditious manner. Charging a fee to join a shorter queue is an admission that they cannot provide the necessary service level to begin with!
