Post-Metal Detector Passport Control?

[preiffer]

Just got into the CH for VS11 this afternoon. (The new one has one or two camera/lighting rigs set up in it - presumably for publicity shots today. Still can't go in... [V])

Anyway, that aside - I haven't flown from T3 @ LHR for about 6-7 weeks. I was shocked today when we got through Security to be ushered towards another huddle of people. They've shut the Fast-Track exit off, and everyone now has to go through a secondary Passport Control line.

It's very much like the immigration setup - laptops, checking passports. Seemed weird (and certainly new). Does anyone know if this is a permanent feature, or if there's something "special" going on? [?]

The post security check immigration control been in place since the July 7th bombings in London, certainly in all the LHR terminals(T1/2 and I think T4, its all a bit of a blur) I have flown out of since 7/7.

Twas in the North terminal of Gatwick last Monday as well.

i didn't give it much thought to be honest, but that was probably because it only took a couple of seconds to get through.

When there isn't a queue (because they actually have enough desks/scanners etc open) additional security/checks are no bother at all.

When you have to queue to enter departures, then queue for metal detectors and then queue to have your passport check...it all starts to get a bit wearing. Especially when the person in front is surpised when asked to show their boarding card, then amazed they have to empty their pockets and then gobsmacked that the person at the desk with PASSPORT CONTROL written on it wants to see their....guess what...passport[}:)][}:)]

Vslf

I went through FT T3 on 18/07/05 and the was no additional checking then. Andy

I used the new passport control desks on the 5th of August. It was all a bit confusing as you could use any passport at any desk and I didn't realise that at first and was trying to queue behind people with british passports whilst having people with foreign passports queue behind me.

Cheers,
VS045

The additional check was in place at LHR T3 on 12/07/05 when I went through, but my boss who went through on 18/07/05 reported it wasn't then.

Looks like this is coming and going pretty randomly...

Regards,
Barry

not been through T3 for a couple of months but T1 and T4 have had no additional checks recently

Flew out on the Friday after the bombings and were probably among the first to go through it at LGW. It looked as it had just been put in place, as was all held together with fresh duct tape (another use for the makers to stick on the box)

regards

David

It's probably going to be a permanent feature.

I've seen them catch a lot of people out!