Jan 20, 2015, 5:28 am
Last edit by: hillrider
LHR charges for the cost of this screening to the passengers. For example, if you transited LHR on a round-trip in economy class from the US, you paid GBP 54.39 (USD 83.10) for this (on the ticket under tax/fee "UB").
EU Regulations state that "transfer passengers and their cabin baggage may be exempted from screening, if: (a) they arrive from a Member State [...] or (b) they arrive from a third country where the security standards applied are recognised as equivalent to the common basic standards [...] [E.g. the USA]"
SECURITY CONTROL both ways:
NO SECURITY CONTROL either way (Schengen to USA or v.v.):
NO SECURITY CONTROL from Schengen to USA (control on the way back from USA to Schengen):
EU Regulations state that "transfer passengers and their cabin baggage may be exempted from screening, if: (a) they arrive from a Member State [...] or (b) they arrive from a third country where the security standards applied are recognised as equivalent to the common basic standards [...] [E.g. the USA]"
Security control when connecting between USA and Schengen flights (European airports competing for LHR traffic)
SECURITY CONTROL both ways:
- LHR
NO SECURITY CONTROL either way (Schengen to USA or v.v.):
- FRA (A/Z-gates only) [Lufthansa hub]
- MUC [Lufthansa hub]
- AMS (from mid 2015 when reconstruction works finish) [KLM hub]
- HEL
- ZRH [SWISS hub]
- CPH
NO SECURITY CONTROL from Schengen to USA (control on the way back from USA to Schengen):
- VIE
- WAW
- ARN
- OSL
T5 security is a total disaster! [inc Fast Track issues]
Nov 4, 2014, 3:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: in a cabin
Posts: 6,522
T5 security is a total disaster! [inc Fast Track issues]
Yesterday Fast Track at South took 45 minutes. Yes, 45 minutes. It is nothing short of a disgrace. 
Don't believe me:
Photo courtesy of fellow FT'er BA1A. And this is mid afternoon. Imagine the rush hours...
They close North Security to all except Transfer PAX due to extreme volumes, meaning South becomes a complete nightmare. Enough of the excuses BA. If you really cared about your customers, pressure and action against HAL would be taken.
Flying F tomorrow with a connection at T5. If our transfer includes a 45 minute wait just to clear security I'll ask for a partial refund. Just wait for that rant.
Don't believe me:
Photo courtesy of fellow FT'er BA1A. And this is mid afternoon. Imagine the rush hours...
They close North Security to all except Transfer PAX due to extreme volumes, meaning South becomes a complete nightmare. Enough of the excuses BA. If you really cared about your customers, pressure and action against HAL would be taken.
Flying F tomorrow with a connection at T5. If our transfer includes a 45 minute wait just to clear security I'll ask for a partial refund. Just wait for that rant.
Nov 4, 2014, 3:40 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,209
Last time I had to deal with a queue as bad as that was in the pre-T5 days. What was the problem, staff shortage or 'enhanced' screenings?
Nov 4, 2014, 3:41 am
#4
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Kyiv, Ukraine
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, TK Elite, HHonors Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 7,691
This is unbelievable and inexcusable...
I support the decision to close North security to originating pax as clearing security for connecting passengers was becoming worse and worse, but now originating pax are inconvenienced. Whoever designed the terminal should be fined... And BA should pressure HAL to do something about this - when I look at the breakdown of fees and charges on my tickets I feel that I should get private security screening with how much they charge...and yet they can't keep all lanes open and employ more staff.
I support the decision to close North security to originating pax as clearing security for connecting passengers was becoming worse and worse, but now originating pax are inconvenienced. Whoever designed the terminal should be fined... And BA should pressure HAL to do something about this - when I look at the breakdown of fees and charges on my tickets I feel that I should get private security screening with how much they charge...and yet they can't keep all lanes open and employ more staff.
Nov 4, 2014, 3:50 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Surrey, UK
Programs: BA Gold....er now Silver...er now Bronze....er now Blue
Posts: 3,507
I flew to LUX yesterday from T1. Took 5 minutes to get through security. Before that HEL from T3- fasttrack was empty.
As I have said before, T5 is is the worst terminal at Heathrow. Nightmare going in with security and coming back at passport control. Then of course you get the ridiculous shopping centre walk just to get to an overflowing Galleries lounge.
Sadly, I am back at T5 tomorrow - guess I better leave home early.
As I have said before, T5 is is the worst terminal at Heathrow. Nightmare going in with security and coming back at passport control. Then of course you get the ridiculous shopping centre walk just to get to an overflowing Galleries lounge.
Sadly, I am back at T5 tomorrow - guess I better leave home early.
Nov 4, 2014, 3:53 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: GGLfL
Posts: 1,127
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...-security.html
It was like this on Sunday afternoon, although there was a similar queue to get to the fast track BP scanner too.
I witnessed this this morning again too.
Nov 4, 2014, 3:56 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: in a cabin
Posts: 6,522
Ahem...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...-security.html
It was like this on Sunday afternoon, although there was a similar queue to get to the fast track BP scanner too.
I witnessed this this morning again too.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...-security.html
It was like this on Sunday afternoon, although there was a similar queue to get to the fast track BP scanner too.
I witnessed this this morning again too.
Ops! Missed that one. Thanks.
Nov 4, 2014, 3:58 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Oslo, Norway
Programs: BA Gold +++
Posts: 51
T5 disaster
Had the same experience yesterday, transiting from F. Fast Track is a joke, I jumped over the fence and went all the way South for a shorter line. Barely made my connecting flight.
I can not believe that a serious airline / landmark airport will be proud of this.
I can not believe that a serious airline / landmark airport will be proud of this.
Nov 4, 2014, 3:58 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: GGLfL
Posts: 1,127
This is unbelievable and inexcusable...
I support the decision to close North security to originating pax as clearing security for connecting passengers was becoming worse and worse, but now originating pax are inconvenienced. Whoever designed the terminal should be fined... And BA should pressure HAL to do something about this - when I look at the breakdown of fees and charges on my tickets I feel that I should get private security screening with how much they charge...and yet they can't keep all lanes open and employ more staff.
I support the decision to close North security to originating pax as clearing security for connecting passengers was becoming worse and worse, but now originating pax are inconvenienced. Whoever designed the terminal should be fined... And BA should pressure HAL to do something about this - when I look at the breakdown of fees and charges on my tickets I feel that I should get private security screening with how much they charge...and yet they can't keep all lanes open and employ more staff.
Fast track went nicely up the escalator, but ended up merged into a mass of bodies at the top. The far (left hand) lanes looked a better bet, but these appeared to be in use for departing passengers originating at T5, and we were barked at, not to use the far lane(s).
Security scanners were backed up because no one was shifting the empty trays.
On top of that we had a shift change, which took around 10 minutes, during which we were forbidden to change lanes. I have a feeling there is a conscious effort to cause this mayhem.
Nov 4, 2014, 3:59 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Canberra
Programs: BA Gold, Qantas Plat, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 86
And yet at Gatwick south this morning it took me 1 minute to to go through security, lots of lanes open and it was a refreshing change. Flying to SIN Friday night in FIRST, not looking forward to the Zoo!
Nov 4, 2014, 4:11 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2012
Programs: GGLfL
Posts: 1,127
As they say, expect a half hour wait, and if you get through any quicker, you will be pleasantly surprised.
If you pile up a dozen trays as you pass the scanner, it will speed things up a little for the crowds behind you, as the security staff don't seem interested in doing this.