First Wing Security closed tonight (23/5)
May 23, 2017, 1:35 pm
#1
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First Wing Security closed tonight (23/5)
Apparently due to "yesterday's incident". There was a 5 minute queue at south fast track instead, which seemed to be on a general go slow.
May 23, 2017, 3:17 pm
#2
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May 23, 2017, 3:37 pm
#4
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Unless the First Wing has less secure security than normal lanes (I don't think it does), I don't understand why it should be closed due to "enhanced screening" or whatever their reasoning is. Being short staffed or it being a quiet travel time seem like better excuses. Or are normal lanes overstaffed so everyone working can have someone watching over their shoulder?
May 23, 2017, 4:14 pm
#5
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May 23, 2017, 4:19 pm
#6
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Tonight, T3 had a closed off barrier *after* fast track security, so everyone was directed to exit security via non fast track, where there were police (plain clothed and uniformed) and UKBA people manually checking passports. So maybe same reason at T5? (extra passport exit checks)
May 23, 2017, 5:02 pm
#8
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If this is likely to go on for a while would BA be able to reopen the CCR door? I'm sure someone said they were going to physically remove the door and replace with a wall, did that happen?
Of course the CCR door is no use for me and the first wing was but in times like this all BA can do is minimise the inconvenience and presumably as the first wing is closed the BA staff there will need to be allocated somewhere else.
Of course the CCR door is no use for me and the first wing was but in times like this all BA can do is minimise the inconvenience and presumably as the first wing is closed the BA staff there will need to be allocated somewhere else.
May 23, 2017, 5:32 pm
#9
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I got the impression it was due to redeployment of the security team elsewhere - perhaps the first effects of the raised security level. The X-ray machine on the south fast track seemed *really* slow (even compared to normal) - possibly related too.
Summary - glad I'm not flying anywhere tomorrow! If this is what it will be like, queues will be very long. I sincerely hope to be wrong.
Summary - glad I'm not flying anywhere tomorrow! If this is what it will be like, queues will be very long. I sincerely hope to be wrong.
May 23, 2017, 9:17 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2011
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It was open for me going through about 19:30 but they did say it was closing at 20:00.
i asked at check-in and they said it was a UK border force staffing issue, and apparently BA had to pay extra for it to be open at all on the 23rd as it originally wasn't going to operate it at all that day.
Hope it doesn't become a regular thing
i asked at check-in and they said it was a UK border force staffing issue, and apparently BA had to pay extra for it to be open at all on the 23rd as it originally wasn't going to operate it at all that day.
Hope it doesn't become a regular thing
May 24, 2017, 12:20 am
#12
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May 24, 2017, 12:31 am
#14
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As mentioned, Border Force have been started exit checks following the Manchester incident. The closure was likely about the available resources last night.
First Wing is open again this morning, but expect additional checks so allow extra time.
First Wing is open again this morning, but expect additional checks so allow extra time.
May 24, 2017, 12:33 am
#15
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