Stirct new check-in requirements at Heathrow's Terminal 5 could lead to
thousands of passengers missing flights when it opens in March.
Travellers flying from T5 will be required to pass through security at least
35 minutes before take-off or else they will be denied access to go through
to boarding gates.
Machines will tell passengers that they are too late even if they are a few
seconds behind the cut-off, and even if airport queues or public transport
delayed them. Aviation experts predict a summer of complications as flyers
get used to the changes, which will include becoming familiar with the
check-in computers that replace traditional check-in desks and “fast
bag-drop” booths. Another change will be a requirement to have a fingerprint
scan at the security gate for domestic flights.
The system, and the cut-off times, apply to economy and business travellers
alike - and will probably hit last-minute celebrity “don't you know who am”
antics at the gates.
Jamie Bowden, a travel consultant who used to manage customer service at
Heathrow's T1 and T4, told Times Travel: “In time I think things will be OK,
but this summer could be quite challenging.”
Gary Noakes, an airline writer, said: “It's going to create aggro. People are
going to have to learn to turn up earlier.”
A spokeswoman for BA, the only airline using T5, said: “It's hard to speculate
what might happen.”
Details: www.terminal5.ba.com
Yeah, turn up 3 hours before your departure time and end up waiting 6 hours because your flight is delayed. Why do we put ourselves through this dehumanising drudgery year after year?
John Taylor, Coventry,
Turn up at the recommended time before departure as recommended by the airline. Tne trouble arises when people cut the time too short and are delayed.
Simon, London, UK
How long are you recommending people show up at T5 as we have flights booked this summer, or is it too early to say.
Graham Jackson, Twyford Berkshire, UK