Boarding Pass Checks
Jan 11, 2013 | 12:32 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 22
Boarding Pass Checks
We recently returned from a trip the the UK just before New Years. From Edinburgh to Heathrow our boarding passes were each checked a total of 12 times and passports 6 times. This included boarding passes and passports being checked 4 and 2 times respectively in the last 50 feet before entering the jetway for our final flight back to the US. We also passed through normal scanning once in Edinburgh and again at Heathrow. We changed terminals at Heathrow but no at no time did we leave a secure area. Everyone appeared to be scrutinized equally.
For you regular flyers to Heathrow, is this now standard UK/Heathrow security?
For you regular flyers to Heathrow, is this now standard UK/Heathrow security?
Jan 11, 2013 | 12:50 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,655
IME, I get checked a lot at Heathrow but I always chalk that up to the fact that it's a flight to the U.S.
We always get a wonderful secondary check (at many airports in the world) when leaving for the U.S. while entering the "secure" gate area.
The boarding passes are checked multiple times. Some airports do the annoying sticker on the back of the passport thing. Some love the inquisitive questions.
I do think some of the secondary boarding pass checks may be more related to getting you to the right place versus purely for security purposes.
We always get a wonderful secondary check (at many airports in the world) when leaving for the U.S. while entering the "secure" gate area.
The boarding passes are checked multiple times. Some airports do the annoying sticker on the back of the passport thing. Some love the inquisitive questions.
I do think some of the secondary boarding pass checks may be more related to getting you to the right place versus purely for security purposes.
Jan 11, 2013 | 12:58 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: south of WAS DC
Posts: 10,131
where are there 12 scanners between boarding and boarding? i have not been in heathrow for years, but just went through vce-vie, bcn-zhr or gva forgot which, and lys-fra. got lots of checks, but don't recall more than 3 or 4 pb scns. 2 for each boarding max. i showed my bp a few times, but it was not scanned. i really only recall scanning upon getting past the final gate.
Jan 11, 2013 | 1:16 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 314
I was in Heathrow last week, and my boarding pass and passport were checked 4 times. Once before checking my luggage, once during the luggage check in process, once going through security, and then finally once as I got on the plane.
So 12 times seems pretty excessive.
So 12 times seems pretty excessive.
Jan 11, 2013 | 8:46 pm
#6
Senior Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Programs: UA Plat/2MM [23-yr. 1K, now emeritus] clawing way back to WN-A List; MR LT Titanium; HY Whateverist.
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As this concerns airline security, please follow the thread to the Practical Travel Safety Issues forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.
Jan 11, 2013 | 9:20 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: PER
Programs: QF Platinum
Posts: 778
Odd, I flew LHR-IST last week and I only had my passport sighted at check-in, when you head through to security and when I was going through the gate for the plane.
Nothing out of the ordinary to what I usually get at Heathrow!
Nothing out of the ordinary to what I usually get at Heathrow!
Jan 12, 2013 | 11:10 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: DCA / WAS
Programs: DL 2+ million/PM, YX, Marriott Plt, *wood gold, HHonors, CO Plt, UA, AA EXP, WN, AGR
Posts: 9,386
12 is maybe a but much but half a dozen is not unusual. IIRC, LHR does it more often because the mix domestic and int'l passengers in some terminals & want to ensure exit controls. Last time through LHR it was at least 5 times for me, and more once you included lounge access.
Jan 12, 2013 | 6:09 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Scarborough, Canada
Posts: 616
I think the UK is heading the way of the US with regards to the multiple checks and un-necessary questioning tactics by security staff who get to pretend to be immigration officers.
I was questioned by staff at security screening checkpoint in VIE for a flight to LHR so I could connect/take AC to YYZ........nothing about US there.
Definitely less hassle when transiting in the Schengen zone. This is why Schengen zone countries/airlines/hubs get my money.
I was questioned by staff at security screening checkpoint in VIE for a flight to LHR so I could connect/take AC to YYZ........nothing about US there.
Definitely less hassle when transiting in the Schengen zone. This is why Schengen zone countries/airlines/hubs get my money.