Paying for Fast Track Security

[LNW-GW Joint]

Fast track outbound is only one of four passes through security/immigration on a round trip, though.
In some places you can book fast track arrivals but it's still quite rare.
The LCCs just ignore the problem overseas, where they often use grim LCC-only terminals with long bus rides which dump you at the back of the immigration queue (eg Lisbon).

Was watching a documentary last week which demonstrated that the passport checks could soon be done while you walk through the terminal, by scanning your passport chip remotely.

 

[Southsider]

Paying for FT is probably money well-spent at EDI, and it's usually incorporated into the cost of my car parking which always feels like a bit of a bonus.

GLA.. not sure it's worth it. I've never spent more than ten minutes in the standard line even at busy times.

GLA security works pretty well, EDI is another matter…

 

[peteb]

BHX security this morning was chaotic, 45 minutes to get through "fast track" whilst "slow track" was about 35 mins! Reason: latecomers allowed to queue jump into lane 1 the fast track lane. Usually it's 5mins max so no idea how it went so wrong this morning. Interestingly duty free, shops and cafes very very quiet given numbers travelling!

 

[Butts]

BHX security this morning was chaotic, 45 minutes to get through "fast track" whilst "slow track" was about 35 mins! Reason: latecomers allowed to queue jump into lane 1 the fast track lane. Usually it's 5mins max so no idea how it went so wrong this morning. Interestingly duty free, shops and cafes very very quiet given numbers travelling!

Was this early doors ?

The queues are often quite heavy first thing.

As you alluded to they normally pull people out when their flight times are nearing.

Hopefully it will improve when the re-development is completed - this summer ?

 

[The exile]

As @Bletchleyite said, most airlines (particularly low cost carriers) tend to schedule all their departures at the same time so they maximise the usage, which means they all come back at the same time for the second wave of departures.

Also, take-offs and landings will tend to be flighted (no pun intended), which will mean departures planned in waves.

 

[peteb]

Was this early doors ?

The queues are often quite heavy first thing.

As you alluded to they normally pull people out when their flight times are nearing.

Hopefully it will improve when the re-development is completed - this summer ?

This was at 0815am, two weeks ago on a Monday at 10am queue was fast track 2 mins, non fast track 10 mins.
I think a load of people booked fast track as it's a busy Monday after Mother's Day, but there was 100 in front of us....
Then only one machine for fasttrack and they kept inserting latecomers into our queue. If we'd simply gone in the normal queue we'd have saved 10+ minutes queue time....Doh!

 

[Harpers Tate]

The US TSA has a scheme called "Trusted Traveler" and if you have this (as I do) then your boarding card is printed with the letters TSA PRECHK. Applicable only to you entering "airside" at US airports, it allows you to join a dedicated security line where (importantly) the actual screening process is streamlined. No removal of belts and shoes; no removal of liquids, laptops, etc., from hand baggage and so on. Like our own fast track this is highly variable. At MCO (Orlando), the initial lines for entry to this channel were longer than the regular lines, and were only specially signed areas of the general area/scrum. So initial entry wasn't that quick - but the actual screening was streamlined as it should be. In contrast at MIA (Miami) a year or so earlier, there was a wholly separate doorway into a wholly separate screening area and practically no lines at all. Shame we don't/can't have anything similar.

 

[yorkie]

The US TSA has a scheme called "Trusted Traveler" and if you have this (as I do) then your boarding card is printed with the letters TSA PRECHK. Applicable only to you entering "airside" at US airports, it allows you to join a dedicated security line where (importantly) the actual screening process is streamlined. No removal of belts and shoes; no removal of liquids, laptops, etc., from hand baggage and so on. Like our own fast track this is highly variable. At MCO (Orlando), the initial lines for entry to this channel were longer than the regular lines, and were only specially signed areas of the general area/scrum. So initial entry wasn't that quick - but the actual screening was streamlined as it should be. In contrast at MIA (Miami) a year or so earlier, there was a wholly separate doorway into a wholly separate screening area and practically no lines at all. Shame we don't/can't have anything similar.

While not quite the same, we are getting new scanners at UK airports:

CT Scanners at Security

What a nice surprise it was going through Security at Jersey this morning as they have installed the latest kit. Not having to take anything out of your bag is fantastic, if only the scanners were everywhere. Are UK Airports not supposed to convert by next year ?

www.railforums.co.uk

From the list of things you mentioned, the only onerous thing we have to do is take off things like belts.

 

[Tetchytyke]

The new scanners really are fantastic, it has to be said. I’ve had the pleasure of using them at City and at Dublin T2 and the speed difference is really noticeable.

 

[pitdiver]

Sadly my wife has to use a wheelchair if she has to walk some distance. Because of this we always request special assistance. This gives us free fast track access. However she says she would willingly give it up if she could not use a wheelchair

 

[sprunt]

I'm flying out of Manchester Terminal 2 at 14:55 on Sunday June 2nd - can anyone offer a view on whether Fast Track is likely to save me significant time - say half an hour or more - at that time? Thanks.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I'm flying out of Manchester Terminal 2 at 14:55 on Sunday June 2nd - can anyone offer a view on whether Fast Track is likely to save me significant time - say half an hour or more - at that time? Thanks.

Manchester Airport's web site has a ticker at the top showing the wait times at security - currently 0-15m in all terminals:

Welcome to Manchester Airport (MAN) | Official Website

Official website for Manchester Airport. Find flight details, browse shops and facilities, book airport parking and more. Plan your journey with us today.

www.manchesterairport.co.uk

Although it doesn't differentiate between normal and fast track, and you've no means of knowing any better until you get there.
My impression is that newly expanded T2 is faster than congested T1/T3.
I've booked fast track in T1 on June 10 at 1035, but I expect to discover it wasn't necessary.

 

[sprunt]

Manchester Airport's web site has a ticker at the top showing the wait times at security - currently 0-15m in all terminals:

Welcome to Manchester Airport (MAN) | Official Website

Official website for Manchester Airport. Find flight details, browse shops and facilities, book airport parking and more. Plan your journey with us today.

www.manchesterairport.co.uk

Oh, thanks - I'll check it at lunchtime on Sunday.

 

[Butts]

Not being cossetted with my usual BA Perks on an EasyJet trip from GLA-SOU out Friday and back Monday I opted to pay for FT Security.

£6.99 at GLA on way out negligible queue at around 1700.

£4.99 at SOU on way back - only person in EITHER queue on entry around 1400.

Only consolation Easyjet Fare was sub £60 return

 

[Mojo]

I note that Heathrow, at the start of the month, have started to allow customers to buy Fastrack security again at all terminals, this option having been suspended at the start of the Covid-19 lockdowns.

At £12.50 it is not exactly cheap, but if you were planning on taking the Heathrow Express then it’s cheaper to pay the extra £7 for First class as that also offers access.

Given how Heathrow normally doesn’t have long queues and is quite efficient, I’m not sure of the advantages.

 

[nlogax]

Given how Heathrow normally doesn’t have long queues and is quite efficient, I’m not sure of the advantages.

Personally I'd be wary. I often find Fasttrack at LHR (T5 at least) to be slower than regular.

 

[Butts]

In Edinburgh this Morning around 11am it would certainly have been worth it as the Regular Queue was massive compared to the FT Walk Through.

Luckily Flying BA it was free FT with the added bonus of the new scanners where you have to take "nowt out"

 

[GRALISTAIR]

The US TSA has a scheme called "Trusted Traveler" and if you have this (as I do) then your boarding card is printed with the letters TSA PRECHK. Applicable only to you entering "airside" at US airports, it allows you to join a dedicated security line where (importantly) the actual screening process is streamlined. No removal of belts and shoes; no removal of liquids, laptops, etc., from hand baggage and so on. Like our own fast track this is highly variable.

Like this