Heathrow T5 Arrivals Pickup point?
 

Just dropped off my wife at Heathrow T5 Departure drop off. However noticed they say "No Pickup for Arrivals Penalty £40"

I have always picked up in the past from the Departure drop off making timing so arriving person is waiting so no delay.

The instructions now seem to direct to the short term car park with the ensuing extra hassle and delay.

Any advice welcome even if it is to confirm this new arrangement.

Mike.

The problem is, traffic permitting, I only live 30 mins drive away. She telephones and, in the past, would be waiting kerbside at the Departure drop off.
Now it looks as if I have to drive in the Short Term Park and meet her there. Looks like I will have to use the taxi driver's system.

Unless you are parked there, empty and obviously waiting for an arriving passenger, you will probably be OK. If you've dropped off there before, you will know that it helps to agree where your passenger will be waiting (i.e. which of the parallel lanes and how far along).

Interestingly, Heathrow's own website doesn't seem to have caught up with any penalty charge. In fact it doesn't even say that you can't pick up from the drop-off, only that you're not allowed to wait under the Traffic Regulation Order and will be moved on:

https://www.heathrow.com/transport-a...ng-to-heathrow

Yes, it is a problem. I have done the 'Loiter and Swoop' to collect from the Drop Off - which is what I always did in the old T1. I have also used the grace time collection on (I think) the Ground floor. But as I live 45 mins away (inc the M25 :*) I am usually there early and just park up. Not free but no probs if there is a delay. I expect we shall increasingly see this kind of set up as terminals get redeveloped.

There's your answer.. People "loitering" in the drop off area to pickup causing problems for people using it for the designated function.

Guess you'll just have to go elsewhere or drive around a nearby traffic circle until your arriving pax calls to say they're kerbside

doesn't LGW have a large pickup and dropoff area??

I have just seen the short stay cost is £4.20 (up to 30 mins),- for some reason I had thought it was only £2.30, but not sure how she will find me (thank goodness for mob phones!)
I am tempted to risk the swoop procedure (thanks wiggy) but cannot rely on my wife being in the correct pickup point.
So I risk £40 (not to keen on that on principle) or wait in the Short Term while she tries to find me.
Will give an update on how it goes for future reference.

Let her wait where she wants - all she has to be able to do is to describe to you where she is. :O

Agree with DRUK. Park up and then walk into the arrivals hall with mobile in hand, it is the least hassle and the cost is minimal by comparison. I agree that there should be no cost but it is all part of the 21st century pricing model of pay-as-you-use, as per South West Air and all who followed.

When I 'loiter' for a collection at any airport, I usually choose a petrol station or layby outside the perimeter and wait for the call. However, you sometimes have people making their first visit to the UK, or elderly relatives so I just pay the parking cost. Air travel is expensive and Life's too short.

Not sure this is a 'new' arrangement, it has been in place for some time. Its the same at T2, and has been the case since T2 opened, so I think the same rule for T5 has been in place for several years at least.
Wasn't this rule done at the behest of the black cabbie's against Uber pickup's...?

Update.
I got in touch with a couple of people who collect from T5 several times a year and they both said no problem with the "quick pickup".
However, I decided to try the Short Stay car park pickup (Yes,I know - a little too cautious!). Anyway it worked well. My wife said she prefered it as it was more civilised for her to just go to the Short Stay car park level 2. When I arrived she was waiting there in the dry. The only slight inconvenience was while I loaded her suitcase she had to nip back to the machine to pay the charge (£4.20!)
Mike

If I may make so bold, if Mrs M657 liked it for being more civilised, it was worth the £4.20!

No expense spared for "Her Indoors". If it made her happy it was worth it..

On Monday, I had to meet some folks at T3 arriving on the QF non-stop from Perth. I went early to avoid delay on the M25 and then waited whilst they queued through passport control. An hour and ten minutes in the T3 Short Stay = £12.00

I wish we'd implement the "cell phone lot" that you see around so many US airports.

Thanks G-ARZG. Can you narrow that down a little? I see that there is a petrol station with a well known fast food establishment alongside it next door to the Premier Inn. As you get further west, there are a couple of pubs of course.

I wonder if the large yellow M G-ARZG refers to is the giveaway? For a moment I thought M might mean mobile phone but then the yellow (on a red background?) caught me eye.

The problem here is 'loitering with intent.' I travel through LHR on a reasonably regular basis (2-3 times per month) and either of the junior members of the Duchess Clan drop or pick up. I have an arrangement that they stay outside the terminal area until I text. I do that approaching passport control so I am always waiting outside for them to pull up. I am reluctant to say it but never been caught yet - in 7 years.... Luton on the other hand...money grabbing b*S*ard5****.

My argument is what's the difference between me doing that and someone dropping off? In my case the car is stationary only long enough for me to throw my hand baggage in the back and jump in myself. I've seen people carriers parked up and take 5-10 minutes to unload so I am definitely causing less of a problem.

I would imagine the signs threatening a fine for picking up are there principally as a deterrent.

While I accept that there are drivers who have been ticketed, I would assume that if you chose to challenge a penalty then, like any other parking infringement, it would have to be backed up by photographic evidence, in this case to prove that you stopped but didn't drop anyone off.

As I posted earlier, I believe the issue has nothing to do with length of time, its linked to stopping the likes of Uber and such doing quick pickups for hire in the same way, and the only way is to say no pick-up at all.