I want to apprise you of new security restrictions at London Heathrow Airport.
When you are transiting, even from the same terminal (ie Terminal 3 to Terminal 3) you have to go through a full security check in again. You will have to allow almost 2 hours to do so. No more running from one place to another. If you are transitting to Terminal 1, 2 or 4, you go to the bus and you have to go through the same routine when you arrive at your designated terminal.
It is mass confusion as they implemented a procedure with no forethought or organization. (what a surprise!)
When you deplane, you are to go to a special line where you wait for more than an hour. No one is there to instruct or advise you. There is no signage, and the wait is interminable. When you finally arrive at the security gate, you are advised that you will only be able to carry on 1 piece of luggage (women, a handbag is your only carry on, and if you have another piece , you must consolidate.) People were panicked, and if you cannot consolidate, you will have to select which to bring on and then check in the additional piece. There are no tables to put your bags upon, no chairs, and no organization.
My client told me that there were people crying and asking for help as they missed their connecting flights. This nightmare is just in time for peak summer travel, and if you are going over, you MUST allocate enough time or else flights will be missed.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
17 comments:
I went through Heathrow coming and going last December and I was shocked at how easy and quick it was to get through customs going in and checking in to come back home. Arriving my passport was stamped in minutes and no luggage check. I could have smuggled in anything. A simple metal detector on the way back (I got to keep my shoes on)
The security at Dulles put us through the paces but Heathrow did none of that. Looks like that's changed now and they don't yet know what they are doing.
After reading this I'm staying away from that mess.
Sounds like something Chertoff designed.
Thanks Divajood.
How awful for those folks who have to go through this and how unbelievably stupid of Heathrow officials. This is an airport in a country that dealt with the IRA for years and they still can't figure this stuff out?
All the more reason to stay off airplanes.
Amazing the difference at Heathrow just since D-day's time there in December.
D-Day, last summer it was the ban on shampoo, lipgloss, liquids. This summer, it's another form of chaos. Just all designed to keep people in fear.
Larry, there are other countries to fly through - I'm just saying.
Tree, I smell the stinky hand of Homeland Security in all this.
Mirth, it's summer, and all they want to do is disrupt people and keep them afraid.
I agree.
Those now making the decisions use fear and chaos to further their plans.
Dang I'm feeling old, remembering the days when you could simply walk into an airport, purchase a ticket, bring your own food on the plane (theirs was good too then!) and never worried about anything.
As a youngster though, what scared me more than anything were the machines selling insurance before you flew. Did that mean they might crash or something.
I yearn for those days, 'cause taking your shoes off and not being able to bring your own water, among other things unless you purchase from the airport, is simply too stupid for mere words! ; (
Sorry.........
Hey Jood, I know what you mean about the airport there as I took my daughter there to see my mom and it was a mess
I stopped flying years ago, and now I just read about this stuff, and think I made the right choice.
I was last at Heathrow 3 years ago, and during my three hour layover I was able to hop on to the underground, get off on a couple random stops in central London and grab a very expensive bite to eat, and then jump back on my flight. I also recall that I had an itinerary which required me to jump from Gatwick to Heathrow which on paper sounded fine until I discovered that the 20 minute train ride cost 25 pounds (50 bucks).
Nice try cheney08. I've been there and they won't let you out of the airport, even if you have to wait 3 hrs. Oops, I forgot, you can do whatever the Hell you want, 'cause you don't have to answer to no one.
I'm going to stop flying for a while unless I have to fly overseas and then I will be very careful.
I thought by going to Iraq we would be safe... Just what are we doing there anyway?
And, the madness continues to grow worse!
Will it ever be normal?
Mirth, absolutely. It's just so fucking preposterous.
Coffee, I used to fly home "student standby" from Ithaca (Syracuse airport) for $25.00 per trip. You think YOU feel old?
Holly, a mess that just isn't necessary. But as long as people allow enough time - however, I now have to re-check ALL my clients going over for various cruises.
Robin, do you and Roger want to carve out a small corner for me to pitch a tent?
Dick, last time I was in London, it was smooth and simple. This is all new. ALL new.
Anonymous, remember, Dick is old and has a faulty ticker. Plus, he's a nation unto himself.
Let's Talk, we're in Iraq so Cheney08 can get rich.
Suzie-q, we sometimes mistake "normal" for healthy. This insanity has become "normal." It isn't sane, it isn't healthy - in today's world, those are abnormal. I'm hoping for abnormal, i.e. sanity, to win out.
like robin, i prefer not to fly at all anymore. we did last sept., but only to the big island. that was freaky enough, for me. i'll take my chances with the drunk drivers and such. sigh...
I'm glad I don't fly anymore! Back when I was in the military, I used be in uniform most of the time. Never had problems then.
Annie, Donnie - I still fly a lot. But there is a level of insanity involved in closing yourself off in a narrow metal tube with a lot of strangers, hurtling through the air at break-neck speed. Oh, well.
Post a Comment