V-Flyer

We have never used the LHR drive through before, could someone please tell us what to expect?

Do we have to get out and check our bags in? When do we hand our passports in? How far is the DTCI from the CH?

When will the new DTCI be ready for use?

Thank you

Thanks GJ

Having never had the pleasure of DTCI, I was wondering how you are checked in, what happens with your bags, is this all under cover? etc

It may seem a strange question to ask, but I do like to know what happens with my cases and what to expect when we get there.

Thanks again

Ian

The whole facility is undercover, and entrance is through a barrier which will open as you arrive. The agents there know who's in what car, by the details sent to them enroute by the driver (plus how many bags you have).

So, once "inside the compound", you'll remain in the car, the driver will put your window down and a security & check-in agent will approach.
You hand your passport through the window, and go through the questions. While this is happening, your bags are being removed from the back of the car and tagged (this is the last time you'll see them until arrival). You're then handed your boarding pass and baggage tags through the window.

THEN you get out of the car, and walk to the DTCI reception, through the doors and on into the main area of T3 checkin. (Now you're on your own!)

Walk upstairs (escalators at the far end of check-in) and head to fast track security. The Clubhouse is after security, follow signs for "departure gates" - once up the ramp and facing "The London Lounge", look to your right for a sign for "Lounge H" opposite a foreign exchange booth. Turn left at this sign, and you'll see the big stairs to the entrance of the Clubhouse. [y]

Awesome, thanks very much for your responses, it is appreciated.

End of questions.

No worries Ian - ask away, it's what the site's here for [y]:D

Originally posted by preiffer

THEN you get out of the car, and walk to the DTCI reception, through the doors and on into the main area of T3 checkin. (Now you're on your own!)

Walk upstairs (escalators at the far end of check-in) and head to fast track security. The Clubhouse is after security, follow signs for "departure gates" - once up the ramp and facing "The London Lounge", look to your right for a sign for "Lounge H" opposite a foreign exchange booth. Turn left at this sign, and you'll see the big stairs to the entrance of the Clubhouse. [y]

A little birdy tells me that the new VS check in / security system may be in operation as early as next month, meaning Virgin Upper Class (and possibly PE) passengers will have their own route upstairs to the departure level behind the current check in area, and their own dedicated security fast track. The details are a bit sketchy at this stage, and I understand it is going through limited trials at the moment. Hopefully I'll get a chance to try it myself when I go to LAX in a few weeks.

Pete

Originally posted by Pete

Originally posted by preiffer

THEN you get out of the car, and walk to the DTCI reception, through the doors and on into the main area of T3 checkin. (Now you're on your own!)

Walk upstairs (escalators at the far end of check-in) and head to fast track security. The Clubhouse is after security, follow signs for "departure gates" - once up the ramp and facing "The London Lounge", look to your right for a sign for "Lounge H" opposite a foreign exchange booth. Turn left at this sign, and you'll see the big stairs to the entrance of the Clubhouse. [y]

A little birdy tells me that the new VS check in / security system may be in operation as early as next month, meaning Virgin Upper Class (and possibly PE) passengers will have their own route upstairs to the departure level behind the current check in area, and their own dedicated security fast track. The details are a bit sketchy at this stage, and I understand it is going through limited trials at the moment. Hopefully I'll get a chance to try it myself when I go to LAX in a few weeks.

Pete

Yep, heard the same thing from a VAA supervisor at UC check-in last week at T3. Said that they expect the current building works to finish in November (2007!) and then UC check-in pax can go straight to the lift directly next to the UC check-in area and go up a floor to a dedicated security area, thus bypassing all the normal security crap.

Also, should stress that on the return on Sat last into T3 at 12;30pm there was a monstrous queue at immigration; went through the IRIS scan in less than 15 seconds....[}:)]

Thanks very much, really looking forward to Novembers trip now, in the hope that the new facilities are in use?[y][^]

Originally posted by preiffer
The whole facility is undercover, and entrance is through a barrier which will open as you arrive. The agents there know who's in what car, by the details sent to them enroute by the driver (plus how many bags you have).

So, once "inside the compound", you'll remain in the car, the driver will put your window down and a security & check-in agent will approach.
You hand your passport through the window, and go through the questions. While this is happening, your bags are being removed from the back of the car and tagged (this is the last time you'll see them until arrival). You're then handed your boarding pass and baggage tags through the window.

THEN you get out of the car, and walk to the DTCI reception, through the doors and on into the main area of T3 checkin. (Now you're on your own!)

Walk upstairs (escalators at the far end of check-in) and head to fast track security. The Clubhouse is after security, follow signs for "departure gates" - once up the ramp and facing "The London Lounge", look to your right for a sign for "Lounge H" opposite a foreign exchange booth. Turn left at this sign, and you'll see the big stairs to the entrance of the Clubhouse. [y]

To add... in the four occasions I've use DTCI since it got moved after being in the T3 carpark, I've got out of the car, or stepped off the limobike, get out and present my passport stuff. Then I usually have to wait two or three minutes seated inside the DTCI holding area before going through to the general melange.

Also, there's a lift on the left that I've been directed to before that you can take instead of the stairs, but it's frustratingly slow - just takes one other pax to push the button outside and you'll be waiting for another 30s. Stairs are my favourite.

In the old days, they'd take you up to the departures level in the carpark after doing the formalities without even getting out of the car, or indeed off the limobike.

Cheers, Howard

We really are looking forward to the trip now, just to see the DTCI and how it operates.

The new facilities really sound fantastic?

Thanks Howard.

Departing T3 a week ago I was advised the new security lane will be exclusively for UC / Au only.