LHR T3 fast track security
Mar 13, 2013 | 1:28 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Gold, Shangri La Golden circle
Posts: 65
LHR T3 fast track security
I've not been to LHR recently , but have read that the security fast track has sometimes been a little bit slow this winter. Has anybody any recent experience? We'll fly back Sunday evening. Thanks in advance!
Mar 13, 2013 | 1:33 am
#2
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY/OW Emerald (AY LT Gold)
Posts: 4,325
Usually very quick, if fast track is busy the normal lines aren't short either so don't worry..never spent more than 15mins in the priority lane at T3 at that's very long and unusual...most times trough in less than 5mins and I fly from T3 at least once a month on average.
Mar 13, 2013 | 4:48 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: SK/ALL/HH Diam, FB Ulti, AY/AX/Hertz/Melia Plat, GHA Titanium, TP Gold, LH FTL, Radisson Vip
Posts: 2,678
Problem is, as usual, the inexperienced users of fast track. It is often like bunch of cows wondering about a new barn door. Not knowing what to pack to cabin luggage, not taking the belt off, wearing burkha, etc. Has not taken more than five minutes most times though. This would be a perfect spot to punish those having too many pieces of hand baggage, by sending them back to check in to learn the basics of proper airport/aircraft behavior. The fast track keeper does not always believe what is printed on the boarding pass. Have to have the shiny card available.
Mar 15, 2013 | 9:54 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT Executive, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 10,238
I have sort of missed the fast track at T3 and always used the regular line.
Who is entitled to enter? Do you need a stamp on the BP or is a self-printed BP & OW Sapphire card enough? Where exactly is the fast track security queue?
Who is entitled to enter? Do you need a stamp on the BP or is a self-printed BP & OW Sapphire card enough? Where exactly is the fast track security queue?
Mar 15, 2013 | 10:43 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: KUO
Programs: SK/ALL/HH Diam, FB Ulti, AY/AX/Hertz/Melia Plat, GHA Titanium, TP Gold, LH FTL, Radisson Vip
Posts: 2,678
It is the first entrance to security when approaching from the BA/QF/AY check in. Clearly signposted. The line keeper has a BP scanner and computer should say no, if not eligible. Even lowly Finnair silver card holders should be able to use the line and eligibility is printed to the BP. If you get lucky, they have the short cut door open to help pass most of the stores enroute to lounging.
Mar 18, 2013 | 9:26 am
#6
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), SAS Diamond (*G)
Posts: 584
There is now also a self-scan line, which people seem strangely reluctant to use. Not that it helps much, newbies still slow the whole process down.
When I passed through last night the secret door bypassing the duty free was shut. How often is it open?
When I passed through last night the secret door bypassing the duty free was shut. How often is it open?
Mar 19, 2013 | 7:45 am
#7
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: London/Helsinki
Programs: BA GGL, AA Lifetime Gold, AF Silver
Posts: 10
That's because the self-scanners don't recognize BPs from economy class (although the traveler may have a shiny card), or so I'm told. I transit T3 once a week, and I'd say that the "secret door" is open about 60% of the time. When they do random secondary screening, it's closed.