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Simon Phipps's personal commentary

Fast Track to Delay

Flying today from Heathrow (one of my least favourite airports, but we'll save that for another day), I thought I'd use the leisure of a delay to rant a little, live from the gate area.

Having upgraded to business class today on my flight with American Airlines, I had the luxury of using the 'premium check-in' area and whisking past the crowds. I was able to avoid the monster queue at security becuase I was also able to use the 'fast track' security line. I was able to rest in the Flagship Lounge and wait for the flight to be announced. And then...

And then there's the line at the gate. It's there every time, and the photo is not an exaggeration. I fly this route regularly and every time there is a huge, egalitarian, all-inclusive line to enter the gate lounge. Today's line was actually a little longer and of course there's always a reason (a friendly staff member told me today for example that the line was because we are all being taken to the gate by bus), but I have finally wised up to the fact that, whatever the reason, there is always a huge line to go through the gate lounge - "for your security" I am usually told.

I realise there are systemic problems (inbound passengers mix with outbound passengers requiring an extra security check, for example) but surely this isn't rocket science? Surely there is a way to check everyone on to the flight without getting all 250 people in all travel classes to stand in single file at the gate? What are American Airlines thinking? Who would want to travel this way, even at awful Heathrow?

posted at 11:51 AM (UK) | |