LHR - Hell
Nov 28, 2018, 3:25 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
LHR - Hell
I must confess, it's been a while and I decided to ignore all the warnings. It can't be that bad!
Well, I was wrong. It's not "that bad", it's worse. Heathrow is by far the worst airport in the world.
Last week I had a connection T3->T5 and back (Virgin->BA). I though I had plenty of time - 2 hours.
What I witnessed is simply a shame to any "civilized" country.
Outside of unusual BA delays (unusual - who am I kidding), a broken bridge (20 minutes waiting for the stairs
to show up) etc, it is an absolute complete mess. Unsupervised crowd of lost lunatics waiting for the transfer bus
without any sense or direction. Not a single employee around to help. With my flight already boarding
I simply walked around the line (looking like at least a 2 hour wait) and nobody said anything. When I was waiting
for the bus downstairs I told a single employee there my flight is already boarding and she let me go around again,
knowing probably everybody else was in the same situation. They don't care there is that many people
transferring, who needs more buses! A ride from hell, with traffic at 6AM, trucks and some weird VIP cars must
use the same roads. Arriving and seeing a workable "fast track" security line I though I made it,
but of course they found something in my bag and a SINGLE lazy angry security woman
did everything she could to delay me. A demonstration of laziness and angriness - 20 extra minutes.
Exactly the same story on my way back.
I honestly don't know how you guys do it. I will never fly Virgin or BA ever again.
Well, I was wrong. It's not "that bad", it's worse. Heathrow is by far the worst airport in the world.
Last week I had a connection T3->T5 and back (Virgin->BA). I though I had plenty of time - 2 hours.
What I witnessed is simply a shame to any "civilized" country.
Outside of unusual BA delays (unusual - who am I kidding), a broken bridge (20 minutes waiting for the stairs
to show up) etc, it is an absolute complete mess. Unsupervised crowd of lost lunatics waiting for the transfer bus
without any sense or direction. Not a single employee around to help. With my flight already boarding
I simply walked around the line (looking like at least a 2 hour wait) and nobody said anything. When I was waiting
for the bus downstairs I told a single employee there my flight is already boarding and she let me go around again,
knowing probably everybody else was in the same situation. They don't care there is that many people
transferring, who needs more buses! A ride from hell, with traffic at 6AM, trucks and some weird VIP cars must
use the same roads. Arriving and seeing a workable "fast track" security line I though I made it,
but of course they found something in my bag and a SINGLE lazy angry security woman
did everything she could to delay me. A demonstration of laziness and angriness - 20 extra minutes.
Exactly the same story on my way back.
I honestly don't know how you guys do it. I will never fly Virgin or BA ever again.
Nov 28, 2018, 3:34 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: near Heathrow
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL (OWE), SA LifePlat (*G), BD Gold to the end, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,910
More about Heathrow issues and OP failing security check due to bag contents so probably not for the BA board?
Nov 28, 2018, 3:38 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Nov 28, 2018, 3:39 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2004
Location: LAX
Posts: 1,849
You clearly deserve what you have LOL
Nov 28, 2018, 3:54 pm
#5
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,760
What did they find?
It's certainly the case that the T3 to T5 bus link isn't the most amazing piece of the transfer experience but usually it's tolerable enough, and takes me around 30 minutes all in. There are normally HAL staff in the bus area (both possibilities appear in your post!), but I must admit apart from one Russian lady at the T3 end they tend not to be terribly pro-active. But it's all well labelled, I'm not sure what help passengers would get there.
It's certainly the case that the T3 to T5 bus link isn't the most amazing piece of the transfer experience but usually it's tolerable enough, and takes me around 30 minutes all in. There are normally HAL staff in the bus area (both possibilities appear in your post!), but I must admit apart from one Russian lady at the T3 end they tend not to be terribly pro-active. But it's all well labelled, I'm not sure what help passengers would get there.
Nov 28, 2018, 4:05 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 3,059
I can step off a train at Heathrow and check in my bag, pass security (I don’t and am unlikely ever to have First Wing) and be sitting with a coffee all within 10-15 mins. Or if I arrive late I know I can rush to any gate within 15 mins if I have to, assuming I pass conformance if in T5. Admittedly it helps that I tend to know where I’m going, though they try hard to make sure I do.
On arrival, I am regularly wheels-down to train/bus in 20 mins, even with bags to collect. I know of few other major airports where I can do this.
And all in an airport with plentiful reasonably decent food options (Leon, Pret) and good coffee (Nero).
Worst airport in the world? Not even close.
On arrival, I am regularly wheels-down to train/bus in 20 mins, even with bags to collect. I know of few other major airports where I can do this.
And all in an airport with plentiful reasonably decent food options (Leon, Pret) and good coffee (Nero).
Worst airport in the world? Not even close.
Nov 28, 2018, 4:16 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,578
I would agree with OP to some extend: The connection experience at LHR (especially international to international with a terminal change) is not the nicest.
The perspective of quite a few people on this board may be clouded by use of the first wing, followed by the CCR.
The perspective of quite a few people on this board may be clouded by use of the first wing, followed by the CCR.
Nov 28, 2018, 4:16 pm
#8
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,227
I have to say I can empathise a little with the OP here. I flew into T3 on Thursday of last week and they had signs up at the new Flight Connections Centre advising of delays to the bus service. There was no explanation given and the one member of HAL staff was totally disinterested. We had probably a 15 minute wait for the bus, and then we trundled to T5. Having had to jump the queue at immigration (authorised by the BA staff there otherwise we would have missed conformance for our NCL flight, and where there were only two immigrations officers working) we then got stuck in the Slow Track security where we endured a staff rotation, and then a staff change. My suitcase came through unchallenged but my liquids bag went off for secondary screening, and ended up in 6th place behind other bags subjected to the same fate.
The single member of staff doing the secondary screening was perhaps the slowest person I have ever witnessed at T5 security to the point where I am convinced it was a deliberate attempt to frustrate or punish those passengers whose bags didn't make it through unscathed. After the staff change things were absolutely no better, to the point where I asked if it would be possible to have someone else assist with the secondary inspections otherwise we would miss our flight. I was directed to one of the managers who insinuated it was my fault that I hadn't allowed sufficient time but, once I had told him I'd actually flown into T3 from PHX and was delayed because of HAL's inability to run a regular bus service to T5, went and pulled my tray out of the queue and tested my liquids before sending me on my way!
Contrast that with the arrivals experience at LAX on Sunday where with a combination of GE (me), and APC (the missus) plus PreCheck we were back on US soil, through security, and in the Qantas lounge within 15 - 20 minutes of landing. There was an overall air of efficiency with plenty of staff (CPB, TSA and airport) making the process as smooth as it could be. There is definitely significant room for improvement at LHR.
The single member of staff doing the secondary screening was perhaps the slowest person I have ever witnessed at T5 security to the point where I am convinced it was a deliberate attempt to frustrate or punish those passengers whose bags didn't make it through unscathed. After the staff change things were absolutely no better, to the point where I asked if it would be possible to have someone else assist with the secondary inspections otherwise we would miss our flight. I was directed to one of the managers who insinuated it was my fault that I hadn't allowed sufficient time but, once I had told him I'd actually flown into T3 from PHX and was delayed because of HAL's inability to run a regular bus service to T5, went and pulled my tray out of the queue and tested my liquids before sending me on my way!
Contrast that with the arrivals experience at LAX on Sunday where with a combination of GE (me), and APC (the missus) plus PreCheck we were back on US soil, through security, and in the Qantas lounge within 15 - 20 minutes of landing. There was an overall air of efficiency with plenty of staff (CPB, TSA and airport) making the process as smooth as it could be. There is definitely significant room for improvement at LHR.
Nov 28, 2018, 4:21 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,907
Hi,
The T5-T3 transfer is not the best ( generally ok given the volumes) and occasionally I have had to wait 20minutes but the staff when I have been there have been trying to get more busses.
Waiting 20mins on stand to get the bridge or stairs would bother me slightly especially with a tight ish connection.
At security I do try to remove and place in a separate tray any items that could sent it to secondary ( ie charger cables, camera bag, tablet, toiletries, bag of coins)
Regards
TBS
The T5-T3 transfer is not the best ( generally ok given the volumes) and occasionally I have had to wait 20minutes but the staff when I have been there have been trying to get more busses.
Waiting 20mins on stand to get the bridge or stairs would bother me slightly especially with a tight ish connection.
At security I do try to remove and place in a separate tray any items that could sent it to secondary ( ie charger cables, camera bag, tablet, toiletries, bag of coins)
Regards
TBS
Nov 28, 2018, 4:30 pm
#11
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,732
Nov 28, 2018, 4:33 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,600
Nov 28, 2018, 4:34 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,981
It sounds like a bit of mare for the OP, and admittedly I very rarely transfer in LHR, and have never done T3 to T5, but no way is Heathrow the worst airport. It's improved a lot in recent years.
Nov 28, 2018, 4:34 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,189