Gatwick Security etc

[Red-Snapper]

Can anyone who has been through Gatwick very recently confirm what the security queues etc etc are like at the moment please ??

 

[Shazzie B]

I'd be interested too-go in 19 days

 

[nursetibs]

I'd be interested too-go in 19 days

Me too, we're off in 16 days

 

[Twilight Terror]

Me too, we're off in 16 days

And I'm coming with you, so would really like to know how hectic the queues are. We went last year just after the suspected terror plot, and they had only just let you take tiny bags back on board as hand luggage. As a result, there were stupidly long queues to get through security/passport control, so would love to know how things are doing now.

 

[Greenday]

I was through Gatwick only recently but travelling back to Dublin and not to the US. The queues were reasonable enough considering it was summer season & it was only 3 days after the scare in Scotland.

The biggest problems were people who weren't prepared so didn't have all their liquids below the recommended size and in a plastic bag. Surprise, surprise! I've invested in a box of ziplok bags and I love these because nothing can fall out.

Don't forget to wear shoes that are easily kicked off and put back on again, don't lock your handluggage & smile. I did get frisked myself because the blasted metal detectors were set to sensitive and my underwire on my bra set the alarm off. Something to bear in mind......

All in all, it took me 20 mins to get through the queue, get frisked and get my shoes back and and walk into duty-free.

HTH

 

[Twilight Terror]

I was through Gatwick only recently but travelling back to Dublin and not to the US. The queues were reasonable enough considering it was summer season & it was only 3 days after the scare in Scotland.

The biggest problems were people who weren't prepared so didn't have all their liquids below the recommended size and in a plastic bag. Surprise, surprise! I've invested in a box of ziplok bags and I love these because nothing can fall out.

Don't forget to wear shoes that are easily kicked off and put back on again, don't lock your handluggage & smile. I did get frisked myself because the blasted metal detectors were set to sensitive and my underwire on my bra set the alarm off. Something to bear in mind......

All in all, it took me 20 mins to get through the queue, get frisked and get my shoes back and and walk into duty-free.

HTH

WOW! That was quick! Sounds much better than it was last year! I think it took us about 45mins to wind our way around the queue barriers and get to the scanner and walk through. Then, the guys at the ended up taking away my Vicks Sniff Stick and the remaining dribble of cough mixture :'( I suppose I should be grateful that they at least let me have one more dose!

 

[Greenday]

Well now just bear in mind that i was kidless that day & it really depends on what time you're going through security.

I went through at about 5pm on a Friday evening so it was busy enough but not crazy. I'm pretty sure that it will be a totally different ballgame for me going through security in Dublin Airport soon with dd & dh in tow.

 

[Beep]

That is quick. It took us nearly 1.5 hours last year on a Sunday morning, and about 3/4 hour the night before (we checked in and were delayed overnight so had to do it all again) and it was mainly due to people not having liquids in the correct bags.

 

[Twilight Terror]

See, we didn't have the liquid issue to deal with as such last year, because we were still a case of "no liquids at all", so everyone's were just taken out and thrown away. We were probably delayed more by people not having read the new bag SIZE restrictions, seeing as it was like half the size of what it normally is and then them having to decamp half their stuff into their main suitcase/check in an extra bag.

We're going on a Tuesday, first thing in the morning, so hopefully while it's August and will be busy, it won't be anything like last year!

 

[cocinelle]

Was there last Saturday around 9am- and it took around 45 minutes to get through to the departure lounge- which didn't seem so bad when the queue was snaking past the VA check in desks!

 

[DisneyJo]

The ziplock bags I've got have Tesco written on is that OK or do they have to be plain?

 

[Greenday]

I had no difficulty with mine which had that white shading & GLAD written all over them.......

 

[DisneyJo]

I had no difficulty with mine which had that white shading & GLAD written all over them.......

Thanks

 

[rpbert1]

We returned from Florida on Sunday, our bags where checked through to Belfast ,so we had to just go and checkin with Flybe.
The crowds and queues where horrendous, and a lot of people getting very irritable, the queues through security where very long [reminded me of the parks, only longer ]took about 25mins to get through security, took about 10 mins to try and get through the crowds after getting boarding ticket to get to security entrance.They where giving out the plastic bags on Sunday, but when we left for our holiday we had to buy them in the shop.
I think they need to have a look at their setup at Gatwick ,it was complete mayhem , a bit of organising at the airport could make everything so much easier.