Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Destinations > Europe > U.K. and Ireland
Reload this Page >

LHR T2 exit immigration

Community
Wiki Posts
Search

LHR T2 exit immigration

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 7, 2017, 10:36 am
  #1  
Suspended
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
LHR T2 exit immigration

I flew through T2 yesterday and was confronted by a row of (permanent?) desks in the area after security but before the shops. Where the BF were checking all passports and ID cards. When did that go up, and is it likely to be permanent? What is the precise reason? I asked while my details were checked and was sternly told 'yes, it's new.'
LondonElite is offline  
Old Feb 7, 2017, 2:02 pm
  #2  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,196
Did they just look at your passport or scan it?

if the latter then it could be because they want to record your exit from the UK themselves rather than rely on the airline systems?
UKtravelbear is offline  
Old Feb 7, 2017, 2:18 pm
  #3  
:D!
Hilton Contributor BadgeIHG Contributor Badge
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
T3 occasionally has exit checks by UKBF officials but they are just standing around and don't have a computer, unless they detain you and bring you to their office.

Did these desks have a full set up like the entry desks?

T3 also has some exit desks but I have never seen them manned.
:D! is offline  
Old Feb 7, 2017, 3:02 pm
  #4  
Suspended
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Just a quick look and 'you're good sir'. Yes, I knew that, thanks. The desks form a barrier across the 'funnel' from security to the shops and look reasonably permanent. I didn't notice any laptops, but I'm sure they are there for a non-EU document scan.
LondonElite is offline  
Old Feb 7, 2017, 3:26 pm
  #5  
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: London
Posts: 1,117
A quick google around (based on the term "exit checks", which is what the UK gov refers to the new-as-of spring 2015 system), and I can't find any mention of Border Force setting themselves up permanently to do this. Maybe the desks will be left in place unmanned most of the time.
Mizter T is offline  
Old Feb 7, 2017, 6:31 pm
  #6  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,435
That's new. And an annoying development as the manned desks in T3 were quite a bottleneck. Brexit Britain
Swanhunter is online now  
Old Feb 8, 2017, 4:06 am
  #7  
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stockholm
Programs: Various
Posts: 3,369
How does this work for people who are just in transfer? For now this isn't a problem but in the post-Brexit world it could mean hassle for us EU citizens who want to transfer at LHR.
Fredrik74 is offline  
Old Feb 8, 2017, 5:04 am
  #8  
Suspended
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
You would not be going through that security channel so it doesn't affect transfer pax.
LondonElite is offline  
Old Feb 8, 2017, 11:23 am
  #9  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
They weren't there a few days ago when I left the UK through T2. But I'm doing it again on Friday, so we'll see. I do remember some years ago seeing it in T3, but it was a very cursory inspection, at least for UK passport holders, and didn't cause any delays.
lhrsfo is offline  
Old Feb 8, 2017, 11:29 am
  #10  
Suspended
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
It wasn't there last Thursday when I went through, but Monday morning 5am it suddenly was.
LondonElite is offline  
Old Feb 12, 2017, 4:11 am
  #11  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,224
On Friday, the desks were there, but unmanned and unmarked. They were not permanent fixtures but looked like they were just placed there.
lhrsfo is offline  
Old Feb 16, 2017, 1:36 pm
  #12  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,214
How does this work for passengers who are not carrying passports, as might be the case at T2?
stifle is online now  
Old Feb 16, 2017, 2:29 pm
  #13  
Suspended
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Originally Posted by stifle
How does this work for passengers who are not carrying passports, as might be the case at T2?
Pardon? This is T2 and unless you're carrying an EU ID card, you'd better have a passport!
LondonElite is offline  
Old Feb 16, 2017, 2:33 pm
  #14  
Moderator: UK and Ireland & Europe
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Biggleswade
Programs: SK*G, Lots of Blue Elsewhere
Posts: 13,611
Originally Posted by LondonElite
Pardon? This is T2 and unless you're carrying an EU ID card, you'd better have a passport!
For EI flights too..?
stut is offline  
Old Feb 16, 2017, 10:37 pm
  #15  
Suspended
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
True, but for those a flash of the BP should probably be enough.
LondonElite is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.