FastTrack Customs Arriving at LHR
Mar 5, 2016, 6:46 am
#16
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Silver
Posts: 143
Simply put, the British Civil Service does not think in those terms and would never conceive of something so commercial.
The airlines already pay a hefty sum for fast track but that does not translate to the officer level. The money is siphoned off way before then and the people on the front line neither know nor care that you are paying extra. You are a non-EU citizen and therefore you will be scrutinized at the same level as any other non-EU citizen, as ridiculous as that seems.
If anything, it is more likely that someone at some level has decided that it is unfair for someone to get ahead of the queue by paying extra, and has determined to impose a higher level of checks as a kind of "punishment".
But personally I suspect it is just coincidence.
Statistically, South Africans are among the most likely to breach their visa conditions while in the UK.
The airlines already pay a hefty sum for fast track but that does not translate to the officer level. The money is siphoned off way before then and the people on the front line neither know nor care that you are paying extra. You are a non-EU citizen and therefore you will be scrutinized at the same level as any other non-EU citizen, as ridiculous as that seems.
If anything, it is more likely that someone at some level has decided that it is unfair for someone to get ahead of the queue by paying extra, and has determined to impose a higher level of checks as a kind of "punishment".
But personally I suspect it is just coincidence.
Statistically, South Africans are among the most likely to breach their visa conditions while in the UK.
Do you have a source for that bit on Saffers?
Mar 5, 2016, 10:41 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
Yes, http://www.publications.parliament.u...90209m0001.htm
Slightly more digestible source here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7879850.stm
Slightly more digestible source here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7879850.stm
Last edited by Calchas; Mar 5, 2016 at 10:51 am
Mar 5, 2016, 2:35 pm
#18
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, SPG Gold, Club Carlson Gold, Hilton Gold, Priority Club Platinum, Best Western Diamond
Posts: 444
[QUOTE=Calchas;26285471]Simply put, the British Civil Service does not think in those terms and would never conceive of something so commercial.
The UK Border and Immigration system (which includes Border Force) has to be self-funding by 2020 - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/h...ng-review-2015
At the moment, Border Force is not self-funded so we can probably assume we will see more opportunities for Border Force to raise additional income from passengers/airlines.
The UK Border and Immigration system (which includes Border Force) has to be self-funding by 2020 - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/h...ng-review-2015
At the moment, Border Force is not self-funded so we can probably assume we will see more opportunities for Border Force to raise additional income from passengers/airlines.
Mar 12, 2016, 11:26 am
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: USA
Programs: IHG/Spire Amb., Hilton/Diamond, SPG/Gold, Marriott/Gold, AA/Plat, Southwest/CP
Posts: 270
I'm here with an UPDATE on what ended up happening with this. Spoiler alert: it was awesome.
BA 680 from IST to LHR on their little A320 was to be the least nice part of this trip: cash ($60) which meant no frills whatsoever.
That said, I got AA to give me the FastTrack passes on our First Class flight of DFW-LHR-IST a few days prior and just pocketed those since we didn't plan to leave the airport on our connection (CCR was way nicer; thanks again Filthy Monkey!)
Getting out of IST turned out to be incredibly easy: FastTrack wouldn't have been any quicker. The check-in for BA was empty and with OLCI, we simply dropped our bags and were done vwithin 5 minutes. Same for passport control and security. Incredibly easy; ended up with an hour and a half to kill in the PrimeClass lounge (thank you Citi Prestige).
The flight was great; no difference from our Business Class on the way down. Empty seat between us, same size seats, great meal and beverages, etc.
Arriving at LHR I decided to try my luck handing my AA FastTrack passes to the woman at the FastTrack counter. Worst case scenario she'd say no, but given the MASSIVE line for standard and the 4 people at FT, I definitely had to give it a shot.
It threw her for a moment and she read over the thing with a long "ummmmm." Ultimately, moment of truth, she said, "okay, I guess that's fine!" and let us through. We made it out of LHR arrivals within 15 minutes of deplaning.
All in all, a successful journey! Now to wrap up this 72-minute Underground ride into the city...
BA 680 from IST to LHR on their little A320 was to be the least nice part of this trip: cash ($60) which meant no frills whatsoever.
That said, I got AA to give me the FastTrack passes on our First Class flight of DFW-LHR-IST a few days prior and just pocketed those since we didn't plan to leave the airport on our connection (CCR was way nicer; thanks again Filthy Monkey!)
Getting out of IST turned out to be incredibly easy: FastTrack wouldn't have been any quicker. The check-in for BA was empty and with OLCI, we simply dropped our bags and were done vwithin 5 minutes. Same for passport control and security. Incredibly easy; ended up with an hour and a half to kill in the PrimeClass lounge (thank you Citi Prestige).
The flight was great; no difference from our Business Class on the way down. Empty seat between us, same size seats, great meal and beverages, etc.
Arriving at LHR I decided to try my luck handing my AA FastTrack passes to the woman at the FastTrack counter. Worst case scenario she'd say no, but given the MASSIVE line for standard and the 4 people at FT, I definitely had to give it a shot.
It threw her for a moment and she read over the thing with a long "ummmmm." Ultimately, moment of truth, she said, "okay, I guess that's fine!" and let us through. We made it out of LHR arrivals within 15 minutes of deplaning.
All in all, a successful journey! Now to wrap up this 72-minute Underground ride into the city...
Last edited by LaphroaigAndRibeye; Mar 12, 2016 at 1:48 pm
Mar 12, 2016, 1:48 pm
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: USA
Programs: IHG/Spire Amb., Hilton/Diamond, SPG/Gold, Marriott/Gold, AA/Plat, Southwest/CP
Posts: 270
Mar 12, 2016, 2:05 pm
#22
Join Date: Jan 2012
Programs: QFF Platinum (OWE) VA Gold
Posts: 56
Actually anything Gold often fools them because of BA Gold being Emerald
Prior to getting QF Platinum 5 years ago, I used my Gold a few times and got away with it.
Mind you I did ask if Gold entitled me to Fast Track and they said I think so......
Prior to getting QF Platinum 5 years ago, I used my Gold a few times and got away with it.
Mind you I did ask if Gold entitled me to Fast Track and they said I think so......
Mar 12, 2016, 2:21 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver, Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles Platinum
Posts: 2,375