LHR Fast Track Immigration pass
May 8, 2017, 8:12 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: CGX
Posts: 168
LHR Fast Track Immigration pass
When I fly J into London Heathrow T3 I always receive this card which allows Fast Track access. You follow the signs all the way to the right and then hand the card to the purple agent and you queue in the Fast Track lane. No one ever checks boarding passes.
Now that I am a Registered Traveller I can use the ePassport gates. So, can I give the pass to someone else to use? Any experience?
Now that I am a Registered Traveller I can use the ePassport gates. So, can I give the pass to someone else to use? Any experience?
May 8, 2017, 4:14 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: Chicago
Programs: United 1k, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat
Posts: 231
When I fly J into London Heathrow T3 I always receive this card which allows Fast Track access. You follow the signs all the way to the right and then hand the card to the purple agent and you queue in the Fast Track lane. No one ever checks boarding passes.
Now that I am a Registered Traveller I can use the ePassport gates. So, can I give the pass to someone else to use? Any experience?
Now that I am a Registered Traveller I can use the ePassport gates. So, can I give the pass to someone else to use? Any experience?
May 8, 2017, 4:19 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: DL PM, AA PLT, Marriott Titanium / Lifetime PLT
Posts: 206
May 9, 2017, 10:20 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: CGX
Posts: 168
May 9, 2017, 12:02 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors Diamond, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 125
I have had the opposite experience - the Fast Track lane always seems to be backed up and only have one desk open, makes me wish I had used the normal lane.
I now have trusted traveler as well and am a fan of the epassport gates. Remember to take off your glasses if you wear them!
I now have trusted traveler as well and am a fan of the epassport gates. Remember to take off your glasses if you wear them!
May 9, 2017, 2:08 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: DL PM, AA PLT, Marriott Titanium / Lifetime PLT
Posts: 206
I have had the opposite experience - the Fast Track lane always seems to be backed up and only have one desk open, makes me wish I had used the normal lane.
I now have trusted traveler as well and am a fan of the epassport gates. Remember to take off your glasses if you wear them!
I now have trusted traveler as well and am a fan of the epassport gates. Remember to take off your glasses if you wear them!
Sorry, just to be clear I was saying that the FastTrack invites are not passenger specific and that the relative speed of FastTrack vs. ePassport varies. Also, it may help the OP to know that multiple times when I have been travelling in coach as and EXP the FA has also given my no status companion a FastTrack invitation.
May 10, 2017, 5:11 pm
#10
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: RDU
Programs: AA LTP, Bonvoy Titanium; AA CK before I retired
Posts: 1,597
Without stating the mathematics of queueing theory, I will say that comparisons of timing through Fast Track vis-a-vis ePassport are tricky. Overall it's 50-50 as to which will get you through faster. However, my experience is that the ePassport queues are more predictable whereas on occasion the Fast Track queue is a bloody disaster. In other words, the mean time in queue for ePassport is lower. I always opt for ePassport (I am a Registered Traveller), but I do spot a fellow passenger who goes into the Fast Track queue to see who wins.
And yes, as a solo EXP in MCE when I could not upgrade, I have been discreetly offered a Fast Track pass. But many of the FAs on 173/174 know me (there are FAs who have worked those flights for more than 10 years).
And yes, as a solo EXP in MCE when I could not upgrade, I have been discreetly offered a Fast Track pass. But many of the FAs on 173/174 know me (there are FAs who have worked those flights for more than 10 years).
May 11, 2017, 3:16 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: CGX
Posts: 168
....I always opt for ePassport (I am a Registered Traveller), but I do spot a fellow passenger who goes into the Fast Track queue to see who wins.
And yes, as a solo EXP in MCE when I could not upgrade, I have been discreetly offered a Fast Track pass. But many of the FAs on 173/174 know me (there are FAs who have worked those flights for more than 10 years).
And yes, as a solo EXP in MCE when I could not upgrade, I have been discreetly offered a Fast Track pass. But many of the FAs on 173/174 know me (there are FAs who have worked those flights for more than 10 years).
Next time I will spot someone going through Fast Track as well and see who finishes first, maybe I'll start a tally.
May 11, 2017, 9:32 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SFO, SJC
Programs: AA - EXP 2MM+, Marriott PLT, UA, National Exec
Posts: 495
Without stating the mathematics of queueing theory, I will say that comparisons of timing through Fast Track vis-a-vis ePassport are tricky. Overall it's 50-50 as to which will get you through faster. However, my experience is that the ePassport queues are more predictable whereas on occasion the Fast Track queue is a bloody disaster. In other words, the mean time in queue for ePassport is lower. I always opt for ePassport (I am a Registered Traveller), but I do spot a fellow passenger who goes into the Fast Track queue to see who wins.
And yes, as a solo EXP in MCE when I could not upgrade, I have been discreetly offered a Fast Track pass. But many of the FAs on 173/174 know me (there are FAs who have worked those flights for more than 10 years).
And yes, as a solo EXP in MCE when I could not upgrade, I have been discreetly offered a Fast Track pass. But many of the FAs on 173/174 know me (there are FAs who have worked those flights for more than 10 years).
Cheers.
May 12, 2017, 1:18 am
#13
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: Alaska Gold 75K, AA EXP, United 1K
Posts: 472
May 12, 2017, 7:14 pm
#15
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: EWR
Programs: Mucci, AA EXP, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 587
This used to be a OWE benefit. Now, every time, I've tried, I've been turned down if I don't have the paper pass. On my last flight, I specifically asked the FA for the pass (I was in business). She said that she would find one. Closer to landing asked again,was assured it would be given. Final story, no pass. Was told to ask the FAs further in the cabin myself as I deplaned. (Try doing that as everyone is trying to depart!) No pass, was denied entry, quiet fume as I waited in the line.