I can't recall the last time it's taken us more than 30 minutes from a plan landing in one terminal to get through FCC to the far terminal and into the lounge. Usually more like 20-25 minutes, and that includes all the walking.
Was just there this weekend. Customs line was so short on arrival that we didn't even use our FastTrack slips and saved them for another time. About 3 minutes in line. On the way back, from waiting at check-in to the lounge in about 15 minutes.
I do believe that it can get bad- just have not been experiencing that. it's been a piece of cake and very fast. Add to that that things are somewhat far apart and it gives great opportunities for a walk, and it can't be beat.
Yes, I am being serious. This has been our experience in about 6 or 7 trips the past couple of years, both connecting and O&D.
I'm sorry that others have not had the same experience
Cheers.
Well, let me list my last three experiences with LHR:
Monday - Heavy rain coming through roof of walkway at T4, such that walkway was flooded to depth of 2-3 cm, meaning my shoes and feet got drenched. Real Third World experience....
February - Luggage lost, only caught up with me at 10 pm on night before I returned.
December: Luggage badly damaged as well as misplaced.
This are just my three most recent trips to London, on some other previous trips I recall "black hole of Calcutta"-like conditions, multi-floor queues, etc, etc.