Nanook

In know that on the BAA website it says all terminals are smoke free and one must enter the UK and go outside to smoke in designated areas then re-enter through security. How much time would this take up if my husband is desperate for a cigarette? He arrives on AA50 at Terminal 3 at 7:40 a.m. and departs same day out of T5 on BA at 10:55 a.m. I'm thinking there won't be enough time...any experience with this?

The _Banking_Scot

Hi Nanook,


With a three hour window that should be enough time to allow a coonection and a smoke break.

However, I would not go airside from T3 to T5 as it is very hard to get landside from T5 departures.

I would clear immigration at T3 ( this may take a little time) then take the Heathrow express to Terminal 5 ( free) then go outside for a smoke then reclear security at T5.

Regards

TBS

grahampros

There should be plenty of time for a smoke if the inbound AA flight is on time. I did this back in late Oct and had plenty of time for a smoke (several actually).

Advise him to first transfer to T-5 airside (it's a bus). As you enter T-5, he can go to the left and clear immegration into the UK. Security at T5 is relatively quick. Imigration may ask why he's clearning as a transfer passenger (as they did me), but once he mentions that he's going for a smoke that will end that discussion.

grahampros

I see we have differing views here. I did not find it at all difficult to get landside from T-5. The bus from T-3 drops you off very close to immigration. Go up the escalator, turn left, and you're there in immigration. Short lines in my two experinces in the last 30 days. Clear immigration, go down stairs, walk to the far end ( a left) and walk out to the landside. Took all of about 5 minutes from time of entering T-5 on both of my recent occassions.

If you're husband does decide to do this option, just tell him that after he finishes his smoke(s) to take the elevator up to the departure level.

I'm an advocate of getting to T-5 first and then having a smoke because you get the transit variable out of the way in case of delays etc. Once he's at T-5, and hour and half (max) should be plenty of time to get on his onward flight. After making it to T-5, he'll know how much time he has on his hands and decide accordingly. My back up trick is to always take nicotine gum on a long trip.

The only warning I will give you is that the Brits have different carry on size standards than the US. If he has a carry on, it must fit in the sizzer before security and it's smaller than typical in the US. I had to check my bag at LHR that was acceptable on AA at JFK. Wasn't a big deal as I had plenty of time, but it could have been an issue if I cut it closer in time.

luvtofly4me

Have your husband buy an e-cig, and he can get his nicotine fix anywhere (even on the plane).

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/

zman

After u clear immigration and customs at any LHR terminal, u can smoke outside Not sure how many meters u must be from the terminal.

benzguy80

there are designated areas complete with receptacles outside T5

at T5 upper level one goes out to the drop-off point, well away from the doors

lowel level of T5 there are areas on either wing. this is my preference as there's more shelter from wind/rain, also less traffic noise.

I too advise getting to the terminal one will be departing from before clearing immigration etc. to go landside

as previously mentioned the immigration officers understand why transit pax would want to exit for this purpose

Swiss Tony

I don't believe they legislated for that in the UK, unlike notifications I have seen in N. America.

It'll be easy enough to figure out though as there will doubtless be a bunch of like-minded addicts huddled near any exit.

mad_rich

It depends where you find yourself in the system. If you know your way around, you can take the bus to T5, then work your way into the arrivals stream (back out into the real world), rather than the connections stream. It's only once you've gone through conformance and security at T5 that you find yourself imprisoned at the mercy of BAA.

Aviatrix

I believe you are correct about the legislation (i.e., there isn't any) - though land owners are, of course, free to ban smoking on their land, and I have seen "no smoking" signs appear near airport entrances and in other outdoor places. Many if not all train operating companies now prohibit smoking on station land.

sk03rsv

Wrong! There is legislation and it is quite explicit (unlike some USA towns & cities!!) Smoking is banned INSIDE public buildings or buildings to which the public have access, there is no blanket ban outside. If a landowner asked you to stop smoking and you didn't, there's diddly-squat he or she could do except apply to a court for an order to ban you.

stut

That's not quite accurate.

Naturally, IANAL, but if you are on private land (that is not specifically a public right of way) then you are there by permission, and that means abiding by the owner's rules and regulations (which, themselves, are subject to other laws).

If you don't abide by these rules, then you are trespassing, and can be fined. If you use abusive words or language when asked to leave, then you are committing a criminal offence.

If you're on an airport or railway station, however, then you're subject to additional byelaws, and can be fined and escorted off the premises.

MAN Pax

That's not quite accurate......

In England and Wales trespass is a civil matter (Unless you are a squatter, raver or hunt saboteur) and you cannot be fined. The most you can hope for is damages, which would be minimal.

You are quite right that if you "kick off", then the Public Order may well apply and it becomes a criminal matter and may well get to come and see me and a couple of colleagues for a formal discussion..... :-)

rwoman

I'm pretty sure most (if not all) US-flagged carriers banned e-cigarettes.

stut

As this thread is way out of date and has been superseded by this newer thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/u-k-i...oking-lhr.html

it's time to stub it out and place it in the ashtray provided.

stut
Moderator
UK & Ireland