Originally Posted by
Internaut
- Queue for boarding pass re-print (why don't they take your photo here?)
- Queue for immigration (why can't boarding pass re-print and photo be done here?)
- Queue for biometric security (well it certainly creates jobs)
- Queue to get to security where I was stopped for an explosives check (why not stop me just after security, instead of before, while several idiots who don't know how behave in a security queue sauntered past?)
- The queue for security (I was stuck behind Psycho Mr Bean who the BAA security staff dutifully micro managed by barking)
- The dash to the plane (with just a few minutes to spare)
I had a one hour and fifteen minute connection time and would not have made the one hour official minimum. I can't believe just how un-streamlined the domestic connection area is.
The international to domestic connection is indeed an issue and one that isn't as easy as it may seem. It is something that BA is very aware of and have been since day 1 but much of it isn't within BA's control.
Boarding pass check/re-print is a BA task.
Immigration is a UKBA task - they have to check everyone entering the UK. That can't be changed. They do not have access to BA systems and are not BA agents so can't check/re-print your boarding pass.
Biometric check is controlled by BAA who are mandated by UKBA/UK government to have process to ensure that only those who are allowed to be in the UK are the one who are indeed boarding domestic flights. Could this process possibly be combined with the immigration process.....possibly, but that would be for BAA and UKBA to determine and agree. Again, the agents who perform this are not BA agents.
Explosive check is again a UK government requirement and as is done for those checking in landside T5, this is done before the main security check.