LHR T5 First Wing Security 11 week closure [now reopened]
Feb 25, 2024, 10:42 am
#436
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,811
If there anything like the workmen working on a bridge in my father's home town, or most British people working on the roads (or HS2), then expect it to run over and cost an extra Ł3B when they find out a week before opening, that something is up with the floor, wiring etc.
Could be surprised though!
Could be surprised though!
Feb 25, 2024, 1:22 pm
#437
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: LHR
Programs: AA L/T Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 401
It is not supposed to be done until April..... which is extremely useful as it is AFTER the Easter peak!!!! If the process is anything like the area which is sectioned off in the main security area as being worked on, I would guess they are behind. I pass through weekly and nothing has happened in this area in the last few weeks.
Feb 25, 2024, 3:30 pm
#439
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 1,437
When I was in Austin, Texas last March they had just finished the timber frames of a new estate. I went back this January and people had already moved in. That's the difference between US and UK builders.
Since the pandemic, nothing gets constructed in the UK quickly and often goes well over budget too.
Feb 25, 2024, 5:55 pm
#440
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SNA
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1K (until it expires then never again), *wood Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 9,241
I'll just quote myself to answer your question:
I'd plan for and expect that it won't be done on time, and on the off chance it is be pleasantly surprised.
I'd plan for and expect that it won't be done on time, and on the off chance it is be pleasantly surprised.
Feb 25, 2024, 11:59 pm
#441
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL, BA Amex Prem, Amex Plat, Hilton Diamond, Sir Crazy8534 de l'ordres des aides de Pucci
Posts: 4,522
I think the official original date for completion was 19th March. I only remember because I happen to be flying that day and was feeling smug that it wouldn’t bother me if it was finished or not anyway as I was connecting from domestic.
Anyway, my flight was moved to T3 so serves me right I suppose.
Anyway, my flight was moved to T3 so serves me right I suppose.
Feb 26, 2024, 12:30 am
#442
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGL/GfL
Posts: 12,136
If you think how many months the T3 Fast Track was in the old location you might get an idea of how long T5 will take.
I suspect BA will be pressing people, although with all the 'it's not too bad except for having to scan my boarding pass' ;-) comments, I doubt BA are too worried that they lose business!
I suspect BA will be pressing people, although with all the 'it's not too bad except for having to scan my boarding pass' ;-) comments, I doubt BA are too worried that they lose business!
Feb 26, 2024, 8:18 am
#443
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,856
Before the security channel was built that area wasn't called the first wing, it was just the first class check-in area. So really the first wing is closed! But for the key passengers (first class travellers) it's not too bad because they can access the CCR easily enough (as can GGL). But for regular golds it means we're pretty much to how we were before the first wing. It's not really the end of the world though as silvers now tend to use north fast track as the J desks have been moved.
Feb 28, 2024, 4:49 am
#445
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,654
Makes some sense to aim for this, just in time for the Easter weekend and start of the IATA summer season and step up in number of both flights and passengers.
Presumably after this there will be a rolling programme to take other lanes out of use for conversion? There will definitely be some impact of that as I can’t see you can avoid all the busy travel days over spring and summer and finish the work on something like the timescale the DfT and CAA would like (given the deadline will be missed anyway).
Presumably after this there will be a rolling programme to take other lanes out of use for conversion? There will definitely be some impact of that as I can’t see you can avoid all the busy travel days over spring and summer and finish the work on something like the timescale the DfT and CAA would like (given the deadline will be missed anyway).
Feb 28, 2024, 5:04 am
#446
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 43,182
Presumably after this there will be a rolling programme to take other lanes out of use for conversion? There will definitely be some impact of that as I can’t see you can avoid all the busy travel days over spring and summer and finish the work on something like the timescale the DfT and CAA would like (given the deadline will be missed anyway).
Feb 28, 2024, 5:08 am
#447
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK - Hampshire & London
Programs: Mucci de Guardian des Celliers des Grands Crus 1e Classé, plus BAEC.
Posts: 2,758
Mar 11, 2024, 4:10 am
#449
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: Mucci Chevalier des Internautes Amables; BAEC
Posts: 979
This work looked considerably advanced today, with the scanners in place. Only two weeks ago (or maybe it was three? I lose track…) I noticed it by way of a completely cleared area without anyone knowing undertaking work despite it being what I would regard ‘working hours’.