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I THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO HAVE TO STRIP

Dear Ed,

Notwithstanding airport authority's claims to have improved situation at airports be warned that if travelling from Heathrow you may be in for aching legs and a soaking. 

For a business trip recently my wife and I checked in on-line and printed our boarding passes at home before setting of to arrive at Heathrow well before our flight as advised. Upon arrival at Terminal 4 there were crowds of people in a fairly orderly snaking line outside of the terminal building. 

Clever clogs me said to the boss, "not to worry we have the technology" so armed with our boarding passes we strolled directly to Fast Baggage drop and put our suitcases through thinking we could then move on in to the departure lounge . This is where it fell apart ! 

We were stopped and told to join the snake outside. This we did and dutifully followed it under cover of the terminal canopy for about 45 minutes until being directed across the road to enter a couple of temporary marquees. Problem was that these were full and it started to rain before we could gain entry, fortunately for us we soon squeezed inside but other less fortunate people got a good soaking. 

This exercise had now taken about 75 minutes. We then shuffled through the two marquees for a further hour before being called back to the terminal about 45 minutes before our scheduled flight time. Once inside we queued again for the personal and hand luggage X-rays. 

I was allowed to carry my mobile phone and lap top but everything had to come out of the small laptop case to go through the machines. Everyone had to remove belts, jackets and shoes. One young lady had so much metal in her clothes that for a hopeful second I thought she was going to have to strip right off but no such luck plus my wife was watching carefully. 

After passing through the scanner I was subjected to a quick body search but not my wife who was disappointed as she thought the security guy was rather cute.

We had now been at the airport for three hours , most of it shuffling in queues and had no time for refreshments as our flight was being called.( Bonus here was that there was no time for airport shopping). Despite everything the flight was only 20 minutes late leaving and we arrived safely at our destination from where I am sending this. 

Next time I check in and print my boarding pass from home I will not go to the airport until about 1 hour before my flight because you are then let through without joining the snake! Of course if you can afford to pay for a business or first class ticket its a different story.

Throughout the inconvenience most of the people waiting were in good spirits and accepted the need for additional security. As a frequent flyer I welcome the efforts to protect me and will not be cowed by the terrorist threats but do wonder why brothers Blair and Bush do not realise that they have been instrumental in getting us all into this mess..............

David Godfrey