daftboy

Had an unexpected experience arriving at LHR T2 yesterday

We parked at a remote stand unexpectedly (we were on an A330, our planned stand was still occupied on arrival and then we had an additional delay as paramedics had to meet our plane to attend to a passenger onboard) so I initially thought that the transfer bus had simply mistakenly brought us to the wrong entrance point, but then once through passport control the display screens showed quite a few EI arrivals with baggage arriving in the international hall (Dublin, Cork, Shannon) so it wasn’t a once-off, at least yesterday.

Is that standard practice at Heathrow T2? I can’t recall the last time I’ve done this arrival route as I’m normally on BA arriving in T5, where the CTA channel bypasses passport control. It struck me that it’s quite possible that passengers won’t have a passport as it is not required for CTA travel (I realise people need to be able to prove their identity, and I typically have my passport when travelling)

Overall was a very good flight all being said, it was nice to be on an A330, and the crew handled the unexpected medical emergency really well

ROKNA

Normally you are routed through a dedicated corridor which skips passport control, then belts 1&2 and you come out at the end of the arrivals floor not the middle

Brexit is probably at play here as we are no longer in a customs union so you need to pass through red/green

mailliW

Arrived into t2 yesterday from Shannon. Parked up at gate a20 or a21 though we did park up for a while waiting for an available gate
disembarked as normal without checks though wonder will that change from tomorrow with reintroduction of covid travel rules in the England

alserire

It won't. Passengers from Ireland will not require a PCR test due to the common travel area. Which only the British seem to want to observe

mailliW

There were checks in place earlier in this year. You would be met at the gate by border force on arrival at heathrow checking origin of journey and having a flick through your passport if you had it with you.

alserire

I was never checked. Always went the same as normal, both Heathrow and Gatwick. Strange

ROKNA

Those checks are not uncommon even in the days past.

Bear in mind they have the passenger list so are probably looking for someone and are trying to find them without making a fuss