Heathrow Airport seven-hour queues 'inhumane' at arrivals
#76
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 7,168
Took me more than an hour for the e-Gates. There were four (as in 4) agents processing the main queue, another sort of standing there getting abused by passengers, one or maybe two for “all other passports” and one for the PRMs. 8 UKBF agents in a hall with space for 40 if not more desks.
When is Priti getting the P45?
When is Priti getting the P45?
#77
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: HKG, BHX, MAN
Programs: Qatar Gold (OWS), Asiana Diamond (*G)
Posts: 1,493
Arrived yesterday in T5 on QR. Went through the UK/EU line, egates were open, the queue was about 10 minutes. The other passports queue was double the size and much slower though.
#78
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,045
As a datapoint, I arrived this morning at 0955, T5, on AA. There was literally no queue at the E-Gates at all. Total clearance time was 30 seconds. In fact, when we went to customs (nothing to declare) there were desks where customs people would normally be sitting, and there was nobody in the room. Everybody just walked straight through. Not even anyone to wave you on or anything. It was like they were all on lunch break.
#79
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: 17,832
As a datapoint, I arrived this morning at 0955, T5, on AA. There was literally no queue at the E-Gates at all. Total clearance time was 30 seconds. In fact, when we went to customs (nothing to declare) there were desks where customs people would normally be sitting, and there was nobody in the room. Everybody just walked straight through. Not even anyone to wave you on or anything. It was like they were all on lunch break.
Hi,
To be fair, I have often gone through customs without seeing anyone in the green ( or the old blue eu channel) but I assume that you are being watched all the way through.
Only on a few occasions have I seen people having their cases examined.
Regards
TBS
#80
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,846
T3 arrival this morning, a Wednesday, just before 8 am. Queues stretched out of the immigration hall, as far as the moving walkways. Reached the e-gates 24 minutes after joining the queue at the end of the moving walkways. Those who weren't eligible for e-gates were waiting significantly longer.
#81
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: LAX and LHR
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire Elite, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 230
(I was on the trusted traveler scheme until it ended a few years back, then told I could keep using the e-gates - but found it hit and miss if the steward would let me into the queue upon seeing my American passport in hand!)
#82
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: 17,832
By chance do you know, are those that used to be eligible for e-gates on US passports still allowed to use them in pandemic times? I'm coming in on AA to T3 this Sunday.
(I was on the trusted traveler scheme until it ended a few years back, then told I could keep using the e-gates - but found it hit and miss if the steward would let me into the queue upon seeing my American passport in hand!)
(I was on the trusted traveler scheme until it ended a few years back, then told I could keep using the e-gates - but found it hit and miss if the steward would let me into the queue upon seeing my American passport in hand!)
Hi,
I believe they are.
Regards
TBS
#83
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA- EXP UA - Silver SPG- PLT Marriott- PLT
Posts: 751
T3 arrival this morning, a Wednesday, just before 8 am. Queues stretched out of the immigration hall, as far as the moving walkways. Reached the e-gates 24 minutes after joining the queue at the end of the moving walkways. Those who weren't eligible for e-gates were waiting significantly longer.
#84
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,045
By chance do you know, are those that used to be eligible for e-gates on US passports still allowed to use them in pandemic times? I'm coming in on AA to T3 this Sunday.
(I was on the trusted traveler scheme until it ended a few years back, then told I could keep using the e-gates - but found it hit and miss if the steward would let me into the queue upon seeing my American passport in hand!)
(I was on the trusted traveler scheme until it ended a few years back, then told I could keep using the e-gates - but found it hit and miss if the steward would let me into the queue upon seeing my American passport in hand!)
#85
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA
Posts: 14,658
If your AA flight is from JFK youll arrive at T5, all other AA flights use T3
#86
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: LAX and LHR
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire Elite, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 230
Just as a Data Point:
Arrived T3 at 1pm yesterday from LAX.
US passport worked fine at Egates; showed zero paperwork (booked Day 2 test, vax card, etc), spoke to no one. (I uploaded all data in Verifly the night before departure.)
Border was empty - I was the 5th person off the plane, and there were a total of 4 people in front of me at the E gates. There were maybe three or four parties standing in the queue for the "all others" line.
From aircraft to baggage belt was a total of 10 mins including walk time.
(Four belts running including our flight in the baggage hall... be aware, luggage trollies were not stocked at both ends - only one... so it was a hike to go get a trolley and bring it back to the belt.)
YMMV
Arrived T3 at 1pm yesterday from LAX.
US passport worked fine at Egates; showed zero paperwork (booked Day 2 test, vax card, etc), spoke to no one. (I uploaded all data in Verifly the night before departure.)
Border was empty - I was the 5th person off the plane, and there were a total of 4 people in front of me at the E gates. There were maybe three or four parties standing in the queue for the "all others" line.
From aircraft to baggage belt was a total of 10 mins including walk time.
(Four belts running including our flight in the baggage hall... be aware, luggage trollies were not stocked at both ends - only one... so it was a hike to go get a trolley and bring it back to the belt.)
YMMV
#88
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
Landed T5 at 17:00, no queue to the e-gates, like 25 of them were working (first time during pandemic i saw so many open!). Luggage on the other hand, took an hour as there was a 'shortage of baggage handlers' and no gate staff to meet the gate so we waited some time to even get off the plane in the first place!
#89
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: SW WA
Posts: 3,876
Landed Sept 11 at 3:15 pm. No one available to work the ramp, so we didn’t deplane until around 3:40. No lines - cruised right up to the e-gates. E-gates had a very high failure rate - both my husband and I failed, but the stewards told us to try different machines rather than sending us to the very long failure line. Luckily we both had better success at the second machines. Little tip that the steward gave me - remove your mask entirely (don’t have it hanging off one one ear). That, plus a new machine, did the trick.
I think it’s all highly variable - we landed early, ahead of a few large long haul BA flights. Others later in the day who were stuck amongst those flights may not have been as lucky.
I think it’s all highly variable - we landed early, ahead of a few large long haul BA flights. Others later in the day who were stuck amongst those flights may not have been as lucky.
#90
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
Landed Sept 11 at 3:15 pm. No one available to work the ramp, so we didnt deplane until around 3:40. No lines - cruised right up to the e-gates. E-gates had a very high failure rate - both my husband and I failed, but the stewards told us to try different machines rather than sending us to the very long failure line. Luckily we both had better success at the second machines. Little tip that the steward gave me - remove your mask entirely (dont have it hanging off one one ear). That, plus a new machine, did the trick.
I think its all highly variable - we landed early, ahead of a few large long haul BA flights. Others later in the day who were stuck amongst those flights may not have been as lucky.
I think its all highly variable - we landed early, ahead of a few large long haul BA flights. Others later in the day who were stuck amongst those flights may not have been as lucky.