Originally Posted by Gatwick Alan
I believe that if fines are levied, the money does go back to the airlines using that terminal, where it gets interesting is if the airlines or their handling agents contribute to the queues, for example by not opening the check ins on time.
As a rule of thumb if the queues go beyond the first row of columns, the 10 minute rule is at risk. At this point you will see security staff out among the passengers trying to reduce the number of times the x-ray screens go off by getting passengers to remove all likely set off items from their person and onto the x-ray belt. You'd be amazed how quickly this reduces the queues.
I've noticed this a couple of times, primarily in the queues towards the left when I'm flying Y and don't get that Fast Track sticker. I probably have a few ticket jackets around with Fast Track stickers on them which can be re-used though
I find they're extremely efficient given the # of passengers that come through though -- and the screeners will do anything necessary to get you through the WTMD quickly. I once tried taking off a light zip up sweater and putting it on the x-ray (as required here in the states), "
Mate, it's just a jumper, you can wear it through"
It's also interesting watching them tell folks (Americans) they don't need to take their shoes off, leave them on and enter the WTMD. It really speeds things up. While removing a light zip-up sweater doesn't take much time, that is one extra item to go through the x-ray machine, which likewise won't beep at the WTMD.
Most mornings when I've entered the checkpoint at LGW, the queue usually starts immediately behind the ID/Ticket check counters. I find it's like this on Sundays/Mondays during the trans-Atlantic outbound push, which is when I typically depart the UK. By taking NW31, which is the last US departure (I believe) out of the S terminal, I find the queues are still built up, but not as bad. If I take the MSP flight or EWR on CO, it's usually more hectic as US, AA, and CO have other flights in the same window. Even though it's only a handful of flights between NW/CO/US/AA, I suspect it makes up a large % of the #'s in the mornings during that time frame.
SDF_Traveler