Security Xpress at EDI
Oct 13, 2009, 4:36 pm
#1
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
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Security Xpress at EDI
Only discovered the existence of this dedicated security lane this evening when booking parking on BAA's EDI website. Has anyone used it? Does it offer any significant time saving?
Oct 14, 2009, 12:45 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: near EDI
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Posts: 377
Well noticed Prospero!. I had a booking for Fast Track parking on Friday this week which I have just changed to include Security Xpress (why can't they spell it correctly?) so will report back whether it was worth 2 quid Xtra.
Oct 14, 2009, 1:31 am
#3
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not worth a penny IMO - witnessed it in operation Monday morning, and the left hand line was about twice as fast for a couple of reasons:-
1. The bag lady (she who asks if you want one
) diverting the left hand line into the middle scanning point
2. The right hand lane being held up by the Xpress line
1. The bag lady (she who asks if you want one
) diverting the left hand line into the middle scanning point2. The right hand lane being held up by the Xpress line
Oct 14, 2009, 1:45 am
#4
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is that as part of the new rejig they've done of parking at EDI?
(I think the person who went through the barriers before me at the weekend while collecting someone at the airport would be very pissed off, when coming to pay, to discover they had inadvertently (and in fairness, rather stupidly, since they were well signed) gone through the 'fast track' lane, and thus would be paying Ł21 for the priviledge of collecting someone at EDI
Their failure to use the empty car park bits they were entitled to does suggest that they had not intended to use it. And what a shame us RBS customers no longer get signed car parking at EDI 
)
(I think the person who went through the barriers before me at the weekend while collecting someone at the airport would be very pissed off, when coming to pay, to discover they had inadvertently (and in fairness, rather stupidly, since they were well signed) gone through the 'fast track' lane, and thus would be paying Ł21 for the priviledge of collecting someone at EDI
Their failure to use the empty car park bits they were entitled to does suggest that they had not intended to use it. And what a shame us RBS customers no longer get signed car parking at EDI )
Oct 14, 2009, 2:17 am
#5
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: near EDI
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 377
not worth a penny IMO - witnessed it in operation Monday morning, and the left hand line was about twice as fast for a couple of reasons:-
1. The bag lady (she who asks if you want one) diverting the left hand line into the middle scanning point
2. The right hand lane being held up by the Xpress line
1. The bag lady (she who asks if you want one
) diverting the left hand line into the middle scanning point2. The right hand lane being held up by the Xpress line
Oct 14, 2009, 2:32 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Glasgow
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 182
Not seen it in action at EDI yet, but if its like the one at LTN (an airport I shamefully had to use a few weeks ago after being landed with meetings in Buckinghamshire!) its certainly well worth the extra Ł3 there.
Pay Ł3 and go straight through security, or save Ł3 and stand in a 20 min queue with 200 other people. The only thing that surprised me was how few people chose to pay the Ł3. I would every time.
Pay Ł3 and go straight through security, or save Ł3 and stand in a 20 min queue with 200 other people. The only thing that surprised me was how few people chose to pay the Ł3. I would every time.
Oct 14, 2009, 4:12 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 2009
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Not seen it in action at EDI yet, but if its like the one at LTN (an airport I shamefully had to use a few weeks ago after being landed with meetings in Buckinghamshire!) its certainly well worth the extra Ł3 there.
Pay Ł3 and go straight through security, or save Ł3 and stand in a 20 min queue with 200 other people. The only thing that surprised me was how few people chose to pay the Ł3. I would every time.
Pay Ł3 and go straight through security, or save Ł3 and stand in a 20 min queue with 200 other people. The only thing that surprised me was how few people chose to pay the Ł3. I would every time.
Oct 14, 2009, 4:19 am
#8
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Fast track at BRS is either walk straight through the 200 metre walkway (which at the times I was flying was generally empty) or cut the walk down to about 15 m for the pricely sum of Ł5!
but you join the main queue for security - it's just you join it a lot closer to the front!
but you join the main queue for security - it's just you join it a lot closer to the front!
Oct 14, 2009, 12:18 pm
#9
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
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Bundled into the short term parking rate is fast track parking and Xpress security inside the terminal building. The fast track parking element, as far as I can gather, is permission to park on the ground level of the multi-storey car park.
I am trying to picture in my mind how the Xpress security works. Does the so called dedicated channel run all the way from the BP point to a single dedicated security screening machine? Does this allow you to short circuit the winding queue between the BP check and screening lanes?
From what you reported, it doesn't appear so.
I will be using these facilities on Saturday. At 5:30am security is usually chocka so I am interested to see how effective the dedicated lane is. WhyteIG, please do report back on your own experience if you can ^
not worth a penny IMO - witnessed it in operation Monday morning, and the left hand line was about twice as fast for a couple of reasons:-
1. The bag lady (she who asks if you want one) diverting the left hand line into the middle scanning point
2. The right hand lane being held up by the Xpress line
1. The bag lady (she who asks if you want one
) diverting the left hand line into the middle scanning point2. The right hand lane being held up by the Xpress line
From what you reported, it doesn't appear so.
I will be using these facilities on Saturday. At 5:30am security is usually chocka so I am interested to see how effective the dedicated lane is. WhyteIG, please do report back on your own experience if you can ^
Oct 14, 2009, 3:52 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 645
Yesterday morning at around 6.45am, there was a bigger queue at the Xpress lane than at any of the other lanes - I was glad I hadn't seen the Xpress lane until after I'd passed the BP check as I was through faster. When I saw it, it had a dedicated (and straight) lane from BP check (at the desk on the right - there's a sign overhead) up to the security machine on the far right.
I also believe that our boss went through it slightly earlier in the day while another staff member (who arrived at same time) opted for the normal lane - staff member made it through first.
I also believe that our boss went through it slightly earlier in the day while another staff member (who arrived at same time) opted for the normal lane - staff member made it through first.
Last edited by JamieT; Oct 14, 2009 at 3:55 pm Reason: add more info
Oct 14, 2009, 4:38 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: EDI
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Harumph,
All they will do is make sure there are ALWAYS long queues so that you feel obliged to part with the cash for Xpress Security. Why not just charge everyone 20p and offer a decent service!
I went through LBA the other week and the business parking included Fast Track Security for free. Thank goodness I was free as when I got to security there was just once scanner and no one around (apart from the security people!) so security took just seconds!
All they will do is make sure there are ALWAYS long queues so that you feel obliged to part with the cash for Xpress Security. Why not just charge everyone 20p and offer a decent service!
I went through LBA the other week and the business parking included Fast Track Security for free. Thank goodness I was free as when I got to security there was just once scanner and no one around (apart from the security people!) so security took just seconds!
Oct 16, 2009, 8:44 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: near EDI
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 377
Right, here's the score this morning.
Arrived Fast Track car park at 6.20, strolled over to terminal, purposefully strode to the operative guarding the entry to Security Xpress with my bit of paper in hand. He didn't look at it, as I arrived at the tensa barrier he opened it and said 'This way sir'. Either he had instantly recognised my importance (unlike BAEC) or was letting some folk through just to keep things ticking over. The guy behind me was also let through without a paperwork check so, sadly, I have to assume it was the latter.
Round the corner to the first scanner, dedicated to Xpress, one guy in front of me who remembered he had some liquids in his bag and was starting to search his bag for them. I dumped my bag and coat in a tray behind him and wandered through the metal detector. On the other side, my bag tray came through right away and I was off.
So, it worked well, only observations were why were they letting people through without checking entitlement (although it didn't really make any difference) and since the rest of security was fairly deserted anyway I could have save the 2 quid. but wasn't to know that till too late.
All in all I'm happy and will use it again.
It's a three month trial by the way.
Then remembered the BA Lounge is closed so wandered to the gate, sat down for about 20 seconds and they opened the flight for Gold and Silver only!
Took off on schedule, breakfast included a strange tomato thingy that wasn't sure if it was puree, paste or sauce.
Disembarked 20 mins ahead of schedule so all in all a great start.
If they get me back tonight on time it will round off a great trip.
Arrived Fast Track car park at 6.20, strolled over to terminal, purposefully strode to the operative guarding the entry to Security Xpress with my bit of paper in hand. He didn't look at it, as I arrived at the tensa barrier he opened it and said 'This way sir'. Either he had instantly recognised my importance (unlike BAEC) or was letting some folk through just to keep things ticking over. The guy behind me was also let through without a paperwork check so, sadly, I have to assume it was the latter.
Round the corner to the first scanner, dedicated to Xpress, one guy in front of me who remembered he had some liquids in his bag and was starting to search his bag for them. I dumped my bag and coat in a tray behind him and wandered through the metal detector. On the other side, my bag tray came through right away and I was off.
So, it worked well, only observations were why were they letting people through without checking entitlement (although it didn't really make any difference) and since the rest of security was fairly deserted anyway I could have save the 2 quid. but wasn't to know that till too late.
All in all I'm happy and will use it again.
It's a three month trial by the way.
Then remembered the BA Lounge is closed so wandered to the gate, sat down for about 20 seconds and they opened the flight for Gold and Silver only!
Took off on schedule, breakfast included a strange tomato thingy that wasn't sure if it was puree, paste or sauce.
Disembarked 20 mins ahead of schedule so all in all a great start.
If they get me back tonight on time it will round off a great trip.
Oct 17, 2009, 7:41 am
#13
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
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Well Seckurity Xpress* worked rather well this morning, at 5:45am. The usual queue was as straight as a die and extended back to the nasty neddy nook, you know that dreadful recess filled with arcade machines. Process probably shaved about 10 mins off the usual security shuffle.
Some finessing is in order. I was initially refused entry on the grounds I had hand luggage (one piece). A bit bewildering. I was eventually waved through after a short discourse on the practicalities of the pay for dedicated access concept. Meanwhile several random aunties were invited over, and then later escorted UMs.
* if BAA insists on dropping vital vowels, it is fair play to lob in a superfluous consonant of my own.
Some finessing is in order. I was initially refused entry on the grounds I had hand luggage (one piece). A bit bewildering. I was eventually waved through after a short discourse on the practicalities of the pay for dedicated access concept. Meanwhile several random aunties were invited over, and then later escorted UMs.
* if BAA insists on dropping vital vowels, it is fair play to lob in a superfluous consonant of my own.
Last edited by Prospero; Oct 17, 2009 at 9:07 am
Oct 21, 2009, 3:18 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Scotland
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Seems like BA has been bypassed in the rush to use the new facility.
Flybe - Is delighted to be the sole airline partner trialling fast track security at Edinburgh airport in conjunction with BAA.
For a trial period commencing Monday 19th October 2009, Flybe passengers travelling to Manchester and Birmingham will have exclusive use of the new ‘SecureXpress’ channel between 0500hrs and 0730hrs each weekday morning. Flybe passengers will commence their journeys with the smoothest possible start by heading to the right at the security gate into a dedicated, fast track channel.
As you can appreciate, this will be a tremendous benefit to passengers over those using existing security arrangements during this peak time at Edinburgh Airport. This pilot scheme is expected to last around 4-6 weeks and will be expanded to include more Flybe routes as the trial progresses.
For a trial period commencing Monday 19th October 2009, Flybe passengers travelling to Manchester and Birmingham will have exclusive use of the new ‘SecureXpress’ channel between 0500hrs and 0730hrs each weekday morning. Flybe passengers will commence their journeys with the smoothest possible start by heading to the right at the security gate into a dedicated, fast track channel.
As you can appreciate, this will be a tremendous benefit to passengers over those using existing security arrangements during this peak time at Edinburgh Airport. This pilot scheme is expected to last around 4-6 weeks and will be expanded to include more Flybe routes as the trial progresses.
Oct 26, 2009, 5:12 am
#15
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My report from 0900 on the same day as Prospero - security queues were nothing, no-one was paying the slightest bit of attention to the lanes, and the shortcut was closed.
If I was flying Flybe at those times, such a thing would be extremely valuable. But as someone who is all too aware of how bad the queue can be on a Monday morning at 0715 (usually back into the food hall, and not further only because it gets forcibly split into 2 by BAA around the neddy nook), then I have to think that this would only make the queue longer since now 98% of people flying will be going through the non-express lane - unless 'exclusive' in the Flybe announcement doesn't really mean 'exclusive'?
If I was flying Flybe at those times, such a thing would be extremely valuable. But as someone who is all too aware of how bad the queue can be on a Monday morning at 0715 (usually back into the food hall, and not further only because it gets forcibly split into 2 by BAA around the neddy nook), then I have to think that this would only make the queue longer since now 98% of people flying will be going through the non-express lane - unless 'exclusive' in the Flybe announcement doesn't really mean 'exclusive'?