LHR transfer

As I raced along the long walk (yes again NZ got the farthest possible gate in T3) I pondered whether to transfer via immigration or via FCC. Last time I arrived on this flight the FCC queues weren't too bad (an hour from gate to lounge is good for LHR) so I decided to head there. Bad move.

Someone else on our flight was connecting to the same onward flight. She would not have been walking as fast as me, had to clear immigration to pick up her checked luggage (I had none), change terminals, check in (with no status) and clear security. Yet she got through far faster than I did.

I had no wait for the bus transfer from T3 to FCC - it left moments after I hopped aboard - and I was first off. First sign of trouble was the pre-queue downstairs where the bus arrives. Eventually we are let upstairs to another pre-queue (where get yelled out - only 1 bag, liquids rules apply, blah). Finally get in the main queue. Yup only 2 screening stations manned. There are more BAA folk on queue control than there are on screening

It took more than an hour from getting off the transfer bus to the other side of FCC security. I did need to pick up boarding passes at FCC but as already checked in and no queue this was fast. A short wait at immigration. Nice to see the agent on the UK/EU line helping others when no UK/EU people waiting. My itinerary and answers had him baffled but let through. Then a fast walk to T1 domestic. In total it took 100 minutes from arrival to reaching the BD domestic lounge entrance.