Why Heathrow passengers wasted 4 years waiting at security in July — and how to solve the problem
Last month, Heathrow Airport (LHR) passengers wasted almost four years of their collective lives fussing with restricted items such as liquids in security lines, the airport has revealed.
In an appeal to travelers to arrive at security prepared, the airport said it had calculated that flyers, in total, spent an extra 2.1 million minutes at security because of banned items they had left in their bags.
The country’s busiest airport has been grappling with a staffing shortage that has engulfed the aviation industry, leading to delays, cancellations and massive lines as demand for travel has surged.
While Heathrow said it has hired some 1,300 new staff to help cope with the summer rush, delays are still happening — and according to the airport's appeal, passengers need to do their part to help things run more smoothly.
“Heathrow data shows that at least 60% of bags rejected at security checkpoints are subjected to time-consuming hand searches because passengers haven’t removed all of their liquids from bags before screening, as set out by the [British] Government’s rules,” the airport reports.
Related: Don’t check your bag until you read this — 7 tips to help keep an airline from losing your luggage
“Even now when all security lanes are open and fully resourced, these additional checks slow down the flow through security for all passengers. In July alone, passengers are estimated to have spent an extra 2.1 million minutes more in security at Heathrow because of leaving liquids packed in carry-on bags instead of placing all liquids into a sealed plastic bag.”
While some might question why Heathrow would blame its own customers for delays during a time of staffing issues, the airport maintains it's in everybody’s interests to work together to make the airport experience as smooth as it can possibly be.
So, in the spirit of working together, here are some of TPG's tips to consider before heading to the airport to ensure you aren’t held up at security any longer than you need to be.
Pack your liquids correctly
This is a big one for Heathrow (and other airports) — and the main reason why passengers have spent so much time getting their bags searched.
Some of the liquid culprits include makeup, hand sanitizer, lotion, lip balm, hair gel, toothpaste, sunscreen, eye drops and body spray.
“If you plan on traveling with liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, pastes or anything you think might fall into one of those categories, please ensure each item is in a container no more than 100 ml (3 ounces) and all items together fit within one resealable, one liter-sized transparent bag. We have bags available before all security check-points if you need one,” according to the airport.
Order your liquids from home, collect them 'airside'
In June, TikTok user Holly Louise shared a smart hack for taking liquids on vacation without having to check a separate bag or limit them to fit size restrictions.
Related: Which TikTok airport travel hacks work and which ones will get you in trouble?
The vlogger suggested UK travelers leave all their liquids at home and instead place an online order at Boots, the British pharmacy chain. You can then arrange to pick up the order at an “airside” branch of the pharmacy, past security.
Boots’ “click and collect” service is available at the health and beauty shop’s airport locations. The only downside to this hack is that you’d need to use all the liquids up before returning home or mail them back to your home address.
This is a hack that could work well for other departure cities and destinations as well, depending on what services are available at or near the airport.
Have your documents ready
Ensure your travel documentation is in order before you get to the airport. That includes your passport and your boarding pass — we recommend tucking them snugly in a plastic folder.
Related: How to (almost) never lose your luggage again
“Many countries still require COVID tests or vaccination certificates which will need to be verified by your airline at check-in before you are able to travel,” according to Heathrow. The airport notes that the UK's Foreign Office travel advice service is a good place to review the latest information on the entry requirements for your destination.
Don’t arrive too early for your flight
While there has been a lot of talk about getting to the airport as early as humanly possible to ensure you make your flight, Heathrow’s advice is instead to just arrive on time.
Related: Travel is back, and so are the crowds. How early do you need to get to the airport?
“Do not arrive at the airport any more than three hours before the departure time of your flight,” the airport says. “Airlines will not be able to check in your bags if you arrive more than three hours before departure.”
It adds that, if you’re concerned about your flight for any reason, look out for the staff wearing pink or purple Heathrow polo shirts (many of whom are from management but working in customer service to fill the staffing shortfall).
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.