First check-in LHR
May 18, 2012, 8:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 130
First check-in LHR
Just got back from London yesterday on BA275 in F. The experience as a whole was very nice. The one real sour note of the whole trip was the check-in at LHR. The impression I got was that the employees could have cared less whether my wife and I were there or not. They were not surly, they simply lacked (a least the woman we dealt with) any personality whatsoever. No smile, no welcome. Every other employee we came in contact with was great, in the lounge and on the plane, but first impressions are important and BA failed on this one.
May 18, 2012, 9:46 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: TLV/LHR
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Posts: 12,948
Agree.
It's been discussed a number of times here and the overall consensus is that it's really nothing to write home about.
I don't really use it very often, but I did Thursday morning as I had some cases to check in and yet again I very unimpressed.
Nothing about it feels special.
It's been discussed a number of times here and the overall consensus is that it's really nothing to write home about.
I don't really use it very often, but I did Thursday morning as I had some cases to check in and yet again I very unimpressed.
Nothing about it feels special.
May 18, 2012, 9:59 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, EK Silver, ABP ;)
Posts: 1,631
Not even the grumpy women who says "First class or gold card?" *scowl*
http://download.lardlad.com/sounds/season11/tap23.mp3
http://download.lardlad.com/sounds/season11/tap23.mp3
May 18, 2012, 1:11 pm
#5
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Another forum
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Posts: 2,005
I didn't think to offer to trade it for an upgrade
May 18, 2012, 1:25 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,046
I do not really see what advantages the F check in area offers.
It is more private and offers some seats, but I do not care about that. It is also further from Security, which is annoying.
Why anybody would insist on using it when there is no queue for a CW or WT/WT+ desk nearer to security is a mystery to me!
It is more private and offers some seats, but I do not care about that. It is also further from Security, which is annoying.
Why anybody would insist on using it when there is no queue for a CW or WT/WT+ desk nearer to security is a mystery to me!
May 18, 2012, 1:43 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 130
I do not really see what advantages the F check in area offers.
It is more private and offers some seats, but I do not care about that. It is also further from Security, which is annoying.
Why anybody would insist on using it when there is no queue for a CW or WT/WT+ desk nearer to security is a mystery to me!
It is more private and offers some seats, but I do not care about that. It is also further from Security, which is annoying.
Why anybody would insist on using it when there is no queue for a CW or WT/WT+ desk nearer to security is a mystery to me!
May 18, 2012, 1:47 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
The OP's experience has alsom been mine on a number of occasions.
Recently, however, I have had friendly, pleasant staff. ^
Recently, however, I have had friendly, pleasant staff. ^
May 18, 2012, 1:51 pm
#9
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Another forum
Programs: Good Riddance FT!
Posts: 2,005
I do not really see what advantages the F check in area offers.
It is more private and offers some seats, but I do not care about that. It is also further from Security, which is annoying.
Why anybody would insist on using it when there is no queue for a CW or WT/WT+ desk nearer to security is a mystery to me!
It is more private and offers some seats, but I do not care about that. It is also further from Security, which is annoying.
Why anybody would insist on using it when there is no queue for a CW or WT/WT+ desk nearer to security is a mystery to me!
May 18, 2012, 1:59 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,046
But no matter, these passengers can use CW or WT/WT+ desks if the queue is expected to be quicker than at the F desks.
I remember once when I arrived there was a massive queue at CW desks and no queue at WT/WT+ next door. So I checked in at the 'lower' desk and went through Fast Track, which strangely given the number of people waiting for CW bag drop was empty!
May 18, 2012, 2:37 pm
#11
Join Date: May 2010
Location: FSD
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Posts: 1,884
It seems very clear to me that passengers arriving from the HEX and wanting to do things themselves are not who the F check in area has been designed for!
But no matter, these passengers can use CW or WT/WT+ desks if the queue is expected to be quicker than at the F desks.
I remember once when I arrived there was a massive queue at CW desks and no queue at WT/WT+ next door. So I checked in at the 'lower' desk and went through Fast Track, which strangely given the number of people waiting for CW bag drop was empty!
But no matter, these passengers can use CW or WT/WT+ desks if the queue is expected to be quicker than at the F desks.
I remember once when I arrived there was a massive queue at CW desks and no queue at WT/WT+ next door. So I checked in at the 'lower' desk and went through Fast Track, which strangely given the number of people waiting for CW bag drop was empty!
May 19, 2012, 5:40 am
#13
Formerly known as McLovin'
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, Starwood Plat, HHonors Diamond, Hertz Gold
Posts: 121
It is very hit and miss, I tend to use it if I'm checking in a bag because, like BizFlyin, my car service always drops me at that end of the terminal. I have had some excellent check-in experiences there (for example when I got an op-up all the way to WT from CW on a LHR-DFW) and the check in staff were a lot of fun and got me in a great mood to start my journey. I tend to be quite chatty with the check-in agents anyway and most of the time they are great. However, especially recently, I have not had the best run of luck with the check-in staff there who have been quite short and matter-of-fact with me, not every time, but more often than not. Maybe some retraining wouldn't go amiss?
May 19, 2012, 6:35 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: BA GGL/CCR
Posts: 384
Used the First check-in last week. The one lasting impression I had, which I remarked upon to my wife on walking to security, was how grubby the BA staff member was. His shirt collar was freyed and the knot of his tie badly stained. A very poor first impression. This was compounded by him failing to do a proper document check which meant that we were unceremoniously sent back to check in by the security staff. This time I just used the nearest Club check-in desk where the lady was charming and couldn't have been more apologetic. The crew on the flight were excellent, as usual. It's clear that you have to stand out to be selected for First cabin crew. First check in, however, IMHO is a different story!
May 19, 2012, 6:51 am
#15
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, AA EXP
Posts: 1,140
It seems very clear to me that passengers arriving from the HEX and wanting to do things themselves are not who the F check in area has been designed for!
But no matter, these passengers can use CW or WT/WT+ desks if the queue is expected to be quicker than at the F desks.
I remember once when I arrived there was a massive queue at CW desks and no queue at WT/WT+ next door. So I checked in at the 'lower' desk and went through Fast Track, which strangely given the number of people waiting for CW bag drop was empty!
But no matter, these passengers can use CW or WT/WT+ desks if the queue is expected to be quicker than at the F desks.
I remember once when I arrived there was a massive queue at CW desks and no queue at WT/WT+ next door. So I checked in at the 'lower' desk and went through Fast Track, which strangely given the number of people waiting for CW bag drop was empty!