So here I am sat in T1 for 4 hours because I followed BAA's advice to "please use public transport to the airport". Stupidly, I did.

Public transport is in a worse shambles than anything on the roads. So this afternoon T4 was closed, shouldn't be a problem because I am not going there and the Piccadilly Line train can go straight through - but no, it is stopped for 5 minutes at each station from Acton onwards, adding more than 45 minutes to the journey, all the time the Underground staff are standing round motionless and mouths agape.

Get to T1 and a huge queue at security as well. So I miss the flight.

Colleague has driven, no problems at all, shuttle from ParkOne car park puts him down somewhere different outside T1 but not a moment lost. He makes the plane but I didn't.

Incidentally, regarding any "enhanced security". Some hours later, at T1 domestic security at 2100, a quiet time, only one of the six security stations is staffed and it takes 20 minutes even at this time to get through. No extra personnel on duty at all. Staff completely laid back and whole queue held up a good while by screener gassing with a BA crew member about social matters. Delay is nothing to do with security and all to do with BAA saving on staff costs. Of course their managers do not see this because they have long gone home.

Having not brought my toiletries as they are over 100ml I find that all the Boots and similar places airside have closed. I can buy as many overpriced perfumes as I like, but nothing useful.

Next time I'll go by car.