I went to the UA checkin counter today at LHR T1 for a flight to the USA, but before you can reach the counter there is a security officer checking your passport and apparently your story. He asked me how long I'd stayed in London and I said one day. This it seems flags you as a potential terrorist in the U.K. I had arrived from BUD the previous day and decided to overnight in London. This explanation did not seem to satisfy the officer who demanded I produce proof of my hotel stays in BUD. His supervisor came over and agreed. I have never been asked to produce proof of prior hotel stays before. I said I had email print outs of my hotel stays in BUD, but they were at the bottom of my luggage and I would need to empty my bag to access these records. The officer then insisted I do this, which mean spreading all my clothes and travel purchases out on the floor in front of the UA check in area. After I did this and showed him my hotel confirmations for the previous few days, he seems content, and I was allowed to proceed to the UA check in desk.

I imagine these ubiquitous and aggravating security agents are paid by the airport or the U.K. government, rather than UA. I think they are out of control. No wonder taxes are so high for U.K. airports. What Heathrow needs is more staff manning the luggage X-ray posts, and fewer standing around demanding proof of my prior hotel stays. When I went through flight connections T1->T3 a week and a half ago, there was a 3/4 hour wait for luggage screening at Flight Connections, due to inadequate staffing at 8 am.

I really think, for UA pax, it is better to transit through FRA and avoid LHR, and I plan to do this.