Car arrived early and driver was definitely on a mission and we were at the airport at 5:35! BA check in only opens 2 hours before the flight and the queues were unusually long with 14 people in the Club queue where normally I might see one or two. As I’m HBO I decided to skip the checkin and the paper lounge invite and try my luck with just my boarding pass.

Into the pit of madness that is Otopeni security screening and passport control! This is such a complete free for all that you have to keep your sense of humour at the craziness with people jostling and dodging all over the place. I wish photography was allowed, it has to be seen to be believed.

I did find a naughty short cut. Once through security next stop is passport control and there is a completely empty lane to the right for crew and it is also labelled (unclearly) EU biometric passports which I thought I would try my luck with. No such luck and passport duly rejected I was directed to manual check which was right in front of me. This cut at least 15-20 minutes off the queueing wait time! Even with that dodge it was still a full forty minutes to get airside. Coming through here always reminds me how lucky I am to have Newcastle regional airport.

Up to the lounge and phone boarding pass worked a treat. Food and drink offerings are the same day and night with the same gnarly sandwiches and multiple bowls of crisps guarded by the lounge dragons. There was a guest appearance by a tray of mini croissants but I think I’ll settle for a coffee or three.

Out of the window I can see this fine looking tin can which I am guessing is my ride home this morning so it will be a very short stroll to the gate.