flown out of Heathrow lately
 

Has anyone flown out of Heathrow since the terror scare? What kind of wait was there in the security lines? How much extra time should you give yourself?

I flew out of LHR this past Sunday 01/07/07....I had a flight at 1155 and arrived via the tube at 0845...check in queues at AA were horrific but luckily I have AA gold status and could use business class queue...took about 10 minutes...long queue approaching departure lounge...had to deposit my water bottle I took for trip on the tube (expected that)...took oh about 15 minutes to get to first security point (where you put your hand luggage (only 1 allowed and they are very very strict about that..no additional brief case or laptop allowed)....got through that and then were a passport check (instituted usually when there is an alert on to keep the terrorists from leaving the country) followed by take off your shoes and through a machine...oh about another 10 minutes so for me, it was 30 minutes although it was early on a Sunday morn...then the usual wait in the departure lounge for gates to be posted and a long walk to the gate where AA has that imbecilic random check which occurs only on flights to the USA. (wasn't selected for this on this trip).

A friend flew through Heathrow this week. He told me that it was business as usual. He noted that the trek between terminals is tiresome.

Really only one piece of carry on there is nothing on the BA website stating that. My son is flying out tomorrow hopefully they wil tell him that when he checks his bags!!

<<< Really only one piece of carry on there is nothing on the BA website stating that >>>

In REALLY BIG RED LETTERS -

Passengers departing from or transferring through the UK may only take ONE piece of Hand Baggage

http://www.britishairways.com/travel...n/public/en_gb

Got it thanks I was looking at the security warnings!!

I have taken my roller carryon case and a small shoulder bag through UK security many times (last time: July 3) and never once stopped or challenged.

What happens to the person if he gets to the security check with more than one carry-on bag? What happens to the excess carry-ons?

Put it in a larger bag and hope it fits the sizing box

If it doesn't then you check it, dump it or find another means of transport

<<< I have taken my roller carryon case and a small shoulder bag through UK security many times (last time: July 3) and never once stopped or challenged. >>>

And exactly HOW do you do that - do you put the small shoulder bag into the roller carryon by any chance?

Alec: do you mean July 3 -- like yesterday -- or July 3, 2006?? (one would think if you meant yesterday, that is what you would say)

Because one bag through security has been in effect for quite some time. You can still take 2 bags on the plane (depending on the airline) - but only ONE bag is allowed through the security queue.

Yes, having stuffed my handbag in my rollaboard to get through Heathrow security, I pulled it out while we waited for our gate to be posted. I went to stuff it back in when boarding the plane; they said no need. The one bag only is for security only.

By the way, our gate (in Terminal 4)was a long way off. We had to walk and run to get there. Allow plenty of time.

Flew back from T3 today (July 4th) - arrived at 1015 for 1230 flight.

Everything was completely normal, including drop off in front of the terminal, which is removed by 3 lanes from the front door (baggage carts available).

There were NO security line-ups outside the terminal (which I was told to expect). I flew BC, so used the "Fast-track" into the baording area; economy security looked lighter than usual.

I would still build in extra time, just in case, and check-in on-line beforehand.

And DON'T forget the one-bag rule: Ladies, if you have carry-on AND a handbag, you must be able to stash your handbag into the carry-on.

I flew from LHR to Amsterdam on July 1. No problems at all aside from the usual Heathrow scrum. I took the Tube to the airport. There were no cars allowed in the drop off zones the day I travelled.

My newspaper had some suggestions for coping with possible disruptions (particularly where there are children to placate):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2117012,00.html

Yes, it was two days ago at Manchester (and also in the middle of June). I walked into the security area with my roller case and my small shoulder bag in full view (I didn't hide it under a coat or stuff it into the case) without being challenged or spoken to. When I got to the scanner, I just put my shoulder bag in one tray and another for my laptop and liquid bag, and put my case on the conveyor belt. Again not a word. I have noticed a few other people with shoulder bag, handbag or bum bag in addition to their carryon and again they were let through without a comment.
Of course, I know about the 'one-bag' rule and am prepared to stuff my bag into the case, but I'm just relating my experience.

My wife and I connected thru LHR on Monday on our way home from Paris. I was carrying hand luggage and pulling my wife's roller. "No way" they said "One bag". I said, "One is my wife's." But, they said "She is carrying a purse." (And walking with a cane.) Stuffed it back in the roller as we had to do at CDG.

Am I correct to assume:

the one handbag rules applies only to security posts only?

Does check-in and gate check-in also enforce the one handbag rule?

No, just security - the one bag rule should be named one container as there's nothing stopping you putting all your normal bags in a big plastic bag and saying that's one bag