My last couple of trips through LHR haven't been the best.

Coming in from LAS last Monday we were an hour early. I should have gone landside and back through via TFW before heading up to MAN but as I had a 6-hour layover and time wasn't of the essence I decided to use Flight Connections and see how that was. Getting into Flight Connections was bad enough. BA staff were inspecting everyone's BP before letting you through. I have no idea why. I said I was going to MAN and knew this was UK Flight Connections. However, she was adamant she needed to see my BP. Immigration was a breeze with just one other person using the e-gates. Both sets of escalators up to north security (i.e. where Fast Track used to be) were closed. So it was up the other escalators to south security, through endless miles of seemingly pointless tensa barriers (to the extent that I felt that I was on a slalom course) and then into the heaving masses that were queuing for security. I suppose that the fact that the tensa barriers weren't needed was actually a good sign, and that security wasn't too bad, but the queue moved at a snail's pace.

After clearing security I asked why Fast Track was closed. According to the HAL staff I spoke with it was BA's decision to no longer fund Fast Track for connecting passengers. Not sure how true that is, or whether it was HAL just deflecting blame. Either way it's a poor show.

Leaving for LAS last Sunday I took the train from NCL to KGX, and then HEX from Paddington to Heathrow as BA's connecting flight options onto the BA275 were paltry. I decided I'd try the First Wing. I've already mentioned elsewhere that I had issues with the document check, but then came security. Only a single machine working and the queue was backed up to the gates and then looped around some. BA were saying it was because of a shift changeover, but there was no sign of anyone coming or going while I stood in line. Another lacklustre experience if I am honest. At least it brings you straight into the lounge, and the champagne and the ham and pea pie(s) were enough to lift my spirits a little