TRAPPED! Arriving passengers locked in T5 domestic baggage hall
Jun 21, 2018, 8:00 am
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2017
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TRAPPED! Arriving passengers locked in T5 domestic baggage hall
Landed very late last night at T5 domestic to find the exit doors to the meet and greet area had been locked. The usual guard at the bottom of the escalators on the land side of the glass doors was nowhere to be seen. After ten minutes of the entire plane load of passengers pushing and pulling at anything that looked like a secret escape tunnel, I picked up a red phone and got connected (there was no dial pad) to the UKBA helpdesk. The lady told me it wasn’t a UKBA problem and to try airport security. “How do I do that?” She wasn’t sure. Eventually we found a walkie talkie and someone was able to radio a message. Within about another 15 minutes a slightly bemused security guard appeared and unlocked the doors. I shall be sending HAL my Addison Lee waiting time bill.....
Jun 21, 2018, 8:08 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
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I think after 15 minutes you could reasonably have pushed through the fire escape doors.... If there are no fire escape doors in that area then a call to the Daily Mail news desk may be in order 
Jun 21, 2018, 8:10 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: UK
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Similar at Gatwick the weekend before last. Arrived at around 0200 onto an airbridge, but there was no-one to open the door at the top of the airbridge into the terminal.
The guy who positioned the jetway wasn't allowed to - it has to be a BA host who does that job. Similar from the crew - whilst they could open the door, processes meant they had to wait for a BA host to open it. As we were an hour late, there was no BA host. We waited for 30 minutes on the airbridge while responsibility between those who remained was agreed.
The guy who positioned the jetway wasn't allowed to - it has to be a BA host who does that job. Similar from the crew - whilst they could open the door, processes meant they had to wait for a BA host to open it. As we were an hour late, there was no BA host. We waited for 30 minutes on the airbridge while responsibility between those who remained was agreed.
Jun 21, 2018, 8:14 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2017
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I'd report both BA and HAL to both the London Fire Brigade and the Health & Safety Executive. For an industry focused entirely on safety, this seems somewhat lacking to put it mildly.
Jun 21, 2018, 8:27 am
#6
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: SW London
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It doesn't say that does it (apologies if my multiple reads have missed it)?
I think I'd be a bit reticent to open such a door if not knowing how long it might further delay my journey due to security and fire teams arriving.
I think I'd be a bit reticent to open such a door if not knowing how long it might further delay my journey due to security and fire teams arriving.
Jun 21, 2018, 8:54 am
#7
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I should clarify - the fire doors were NOT locked. We did consider opening them but decided it was better to wait. It would have triggered alarms and they led back onto the airside part of T5, so we would still have had to find a way to the meet and greet area. It was tempting just to make a point, but it didn't seem a sensible option....
Jun 21, 2018, 9:33 am
#11
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We checked the doors into the meet and great area (very thoroughly!!) and there were emphatically no emergency releases visible.
Jun 21, 2018, 10:01 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2014
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Posts: 927
the north exit channels of T5 always close around 10pm so totally unrelated.
Jun 21, 2018, 10:13 am
#14
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: BHD
Posts: 133
I would say one or two activations by passengers in your circumstances would prevent a staff shortage in the future...
Jun 21, 2018, 10:14 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2010
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