BD772 CAI-LHR 23 FEB 12 (ECONOMY)

After some time hanging out relaxing in arrivals, I made my way up the stairs to departures. It meant I had to go through security again, but it isn't real security until you get to the gate, just a cursory check. I asked a man where the BMI desks were and pointed me in the right direction....but then began following me. I told him I was OK and didn't need his help but he kept insisting, following me to the initial security point. I knew he wanted some money for "helping me" but I wasn't going to play his game. As I was gathering my stuff from the belt, he said "Money for me?" I was about to tell him to p**S off (I hate being rude to people but he was so insistant I felt it was necessary), but he saw the EGY£1 coin (about 10p) I was about to put in my pocket and pointed to it. I shoved it into his and had told him it was all I have and he wasn't getting anymore. He said "Ugh!" with a look of digust and left. (Thank God.)

Checkin opened at 15:50 and was quickly seen at the desks as there was no queue. The announcement for the flight kept saying "BD771 leaving for LHR" but that was actually the inbound flight....

I spent some time in duty free, buying some cigars for a friend, and some jars of honey for me and a few more for my parents.

After that I made my way to the gate, where you go through security again, this time the real kind...

They asked me to drink my bottle of water before we boarded but didn't take it (or check again that I had in fact drank it). However they did take my gaffer tape (£20/roll) which is incredibly useful to photographers, saying I could bind someone's hands with it. They also took the souvenier .50Cal bullet keychain a soldier made and gave to me. It was just the copper part, no powder, no casing, nothing explosive, and had been hallowed out for the hook. There was no way you could make it fire again, even if you had a whole workshop, yet still apparently dangerous according to them and was confiscased.

Boarding was called at 17:01 and I was at my seat at 17:07. The plane had a newer interior with virgin sized IFE screens. The plane was about 2/3 full.

Pushback was at 17:34 with takeoff at 17:46. Drinks and a snack (the same pretzels VS serves) were served at 18:00. I asked what beer they had (only Stella) which I was fine with. I was asked if I would like a second one for later (yes please!).

Dinner came round at 18:48 with a choice of chicken or veggie pasta. I had the chicken with came with roasted potatoes, veggies, chocolate cake, a fresh roll, an orange juice box, chese, and galaxy chocolate. No salad though

I had already seen Moneyball but watched it again anyways. It was really nice to have real IFE again, even though the system is a bit cumbersome to work. Towards the end of the movie I fell asleep, missing the end!

We began our inital decent at 20:16, landing at 20:53, gate at 21:02.

I got of the plane and legged it to passport control, barely beating part of an El-Al flight. Passport control took about 10 minutes because of the queues, but wasn't too bad. Had the usual fingerprint and visa scan, and was asked where I had been. I replied Egypt (as I had technically entered, even though I didn't leave the airport) and Libya. When he heard Libya he paused for a second, but then shrugged, stamped my passport and I was on my way.

I waited another 10 minutes or so for my bag and then made my way to the HEX. I didn't use one of my VS first class free upgrades like I did on the outbound leg, deciding to save it for another trip.

I was soon at Paddington and onto the Bakerloo towards my girlfriend's house who was very happy to see me (she wasn't when I left for the trip on Valentines Day!)

All in all it was a successful trip, but I am happy to be home. See my previous TRs for the link to my blog post on my trip.

Glad you're safely home after another trip - also glad there are no Libyan flights to the UK after that security shambles!

Thank you for the great TR.

My 50 cal cuff links required a free from explosives certificate to bring them back- I hope they are!

These are excellent reports- thank you. Enjoyed your blog too.

Yet another great read - your job is so much more "interesting" than mine!

It must feel weird getting back to LHR/HEX etc after some of the places you visited, the contrast must be huge, but only separated by a couple of hours on a plane.

Are you used to it now, or does the contrast still strike you?

Yet another great read - your job is so much more "interesting" than mine!

It must feel weird getting back to LHR/HEX etc after some of the places you visited, the contrast must be huge, but only separated by a couple of hours on a plane.

Are you used to it now, or does the contrast still strike you?

Thanks Concorde. It sometimes feels a bit weird, depending on where I've been. It can take a few days to adjust.

After I got back from the war last February it took me a while to adjust. I was held up at gunpoint by pro Gaddafi soldiers and they took all my kit. It took me about two weeks to fully adjust after that trip...

Ohhh. I forgot to mention to HL and the other gin lovers here.... a 1L bottle of Hendricks is $21 at duty free! Yes $21! (£13!)