Early Check In and Lady Penelope

Hi Guru's

Have become a total addict to this mine of information on this site!

Wondered if someone could tell me about early check-ins at LHR. I live about 10 minutes away, and wondered if I'd be able to beat the crowds by checking in the night before? If so, what are the chances of my luggage getting lost?

Also, I wondered if Lady Penelope is in for her refit and if so, do you think she'll be ready in time for my flight July 8th to MIA? (now I've read about VPort I'd be so disappointed if we're not lucky enough to get it)

Thanks everyone

Shelley

[mitchja]

LHR doesn't offer a 'twilight check-in' service the night before, however, why not arrive at LHR first thing in the morning to check-in early (check-in opens at 06:30), receive boarding cards etc and then leave LHR and return a few hours later heading striaght for security [?] I dont think there is anything stopping you doing this other than all members of your party will need to be at check-in.

Regards

Hi James

Thanks for that advise, unfortunately we tried that when we went to California a few years ago for our honeymoon. I explained to the check in attendant, after we'd checked in, that I needed to leave the airport for an hour. She told me that that I couldn't leave for security reasons, when I'd checked in.

I wouldn't have minded but as usual our flight with Virgin was delayed (this time by 6 hours)!

Anyway, I didn't do as I was told and did what I had to do and then came back - no-one was the wiser and we still had another 5 hours to wait for our flight!

We haven't been very lucky with Virgin when it comes to delays, but we still think they're the best to fly with transatlantic.

Thanks

Shelley

p.s Pity about not having 'twilight' check in at LHR.

Shelley

quote:LHR. I live about 10 minutes away

OT, but you're in a prime location to attend the social on the 12th [8D]

Cheers

Michael

What does OT mean Michael?

quote:Originally posted by ShelleyB
What does OT mean Michael?

Off Topic (i.e. away from the original subject)
Note, if you see an abbreviation in a post that's got a dotted underlining, hover your mouse over it - there should be a yellow tag appear that gives the explanation from the glossary

Cheers

Michael

Dear Shelley,

I am like you - come her every day now to get a fix!!!

I think what the check in staff told you in California is complete TOSH!!!! At several US airports we have gone to the check in at opening - got our boarding passes and then left the airport to get something decent to eat. I guess there is always a chance that they could be scanning your luggage and need to talk to you about something - but this is rare - and aven if you did come back and there was a problem they would continue to page you right up to departure!!!

[Nottingham Nick]

I agree with Mark.

How does anyone know what you do between checking in and going to the gate?

We have got into the habit in the US - esp Fla. of going to the airport (we are are always too early[:I] ) parking up in the short stay car park, checking in, and then taking the car back - that way the time you are sat in the airport is cut down and you don't have to lug your cases onto and off the courtesy bus.

The downsides are firstly, that you still have to lug them from the car park - this is usually very close if you know where you are going. Secondly you have to be careful of the time the car is due back at the rantal plaza - don't go over the time or the caost can be quite punitive.

Nick

Agree with you Nick

We do the same at MCO - my tip here tho is to let off mrs Nick and any nickettes you have at the Departure zone along with thew cases and then drive round to the short stay on your own.

Then you get the lift up from the car park to the departure area where you can meet your loved ones - check in and then head back to the car and out to a nice meral or whatever.

I read somewhere that Virgin was going to or already had re-instated Check in at Downtown Disney - we used this service last time and got a full day in the parks ( staying at a Disney Hotel the room key is your park access too and its valdi from day of check in all the way thru day of check out!!)

Thanks for your replies Mark and Nick, and I agree with what you both said. The airports in the US seem to be much more flexible regarding check-in, everytime I've been to US I've managed to check in very early, leave and then go off for several hours. The problem is back here in the UK. They don't seem to offer this facility, and the trouble I had was at Heathrow. You're right, what do they know you're going to do inbetween check-in. Maybe they should start tagging us, so we can't escape!!!! The downtown Disney early check in was a great bonus, I hadn't realised they'd stopped doing that.

quote:Originally posted by ShelleyB
The downtown Disney early check in was a great bonus, I hadn't realised they'd stopped doing that.

Its been up & running again since April 2003.