Originally Posted by
antichef
If you remain airside and go through the FCC right hand side you will get a passport check (with the new e-gate) and then a self-scan biometrics and then straight upstairs for the security check which pops you out at North departures and close to the lounge at that end. There are also manual check desks before heading upstairs, but I have not used them recently as I have a UK passport. If you want to go to the South end lounges you have to go downstairs and back up the far escalators unless you have access to the magic door for F passengers into the CCR in which case you just turn right and keep on walking!
Oh yes, this is the part we're very familiar with. We have done this a bunch of times, except for the e-passport check. We had a person look at it after using BP at an automated gate. Then up the escalator to Security, which can be a wait, even in Fast Track. Then, as you say, the slog down, across and up. We do have a flight in February were we are flying LHR-SFO in F, so will avail ourselves of the magic door. Sadly, it's a morning flight, so the experience may be less interesting than later in the day. But the upgrade was about 22K Avios and no additional case, so worth it.
Cheers.