"Boarding gate to LHR was a madhouse, with a new present from 9/11. They now check your passport at the gate, never did that for a domestic airline, but the European ones always have."

It makes perfect sense to check id at the gate. it ensures that the passenger does have a valid passport and that the passenger is the person they are supposed to be. It is the *only* time to check id imo.

"The food was good. I had expected the cheap plastic as I was now back in coach and the beloved UK has a rule of all plastic on all flights, while they are doing full silverware, including the knives, within Continental Europe, go figure."

I was under the impression that it was the US that brought that stupid rule in

Dave