Heathrow arrivals

Scam · 21 Apr 2011 at 05:58

So my girlfriend is arriving back from Oz tomorrow morning. I've initially told her I wouldn't be able to meet her, as she lands at 7.20am and I'm working nights and wouldn't make it there in time. However its now looking likely that I might get out of work early enough to get there, so I might go and surprise her. If she lands at 7.20 how early could she feasibly get through security and out to arrivals? Any tips on doing this? Is it clear when the flight has landed etc? All I'm thinking is tracking it online..? I'm also a bit worried as the same flight today is due to arrive 45mins early! Is there any easier way to meet someone apart from setting up camp for 2hrs?

Old Wino · 21 Apr 2011 at 06:16

Charlie Bravo · 21 Apr 2011 at 06:25

Track it using http://www.flightradar24.com

Scuzi · 21 Apr 2011 at 06:57

What terminal? Will she be coming through the EU or foreign passport line?

It can take anything from 10 to 90 minutes.

bsoltan · 21 Apr 2011 at 08:58

When picking people up I just plan to arrive at the time the plane will land. That way by the time you've parked and walked to the arrivals area of the terminal they should be out and at least at baggage claim.

antijoke · 21 Apr 2011 at 09:06

I'll pick her up.

h00fzilla · 21 Apr 2011 at 09:11

Is there any crossover time coinciding with incoming Romanian flights?

Edrof · 21 Apr 2011 at 10:44

OP's name and thread title made me click hoping for some Cheekykid news

Doggie2k · 21 Apr 2011 at 12:15

went through heathrow a little while back and it took 40 mins from stepping off plane to walking out the door and thats with an Oz passport so brits would be 30 mins max.

Wicksta · 21 Apr 2011 at 12:24

Doggie2k said:
went through heathrow a little while back and it took 40 mins from stepping off plane to walking out the door and thats with an Oz passport so brits would be 30 mins max.

On that particular day, in that particular terminal. As Scuzi says it can be anything from 10 minutes to over an hour, even for us Brits.

Cosimo · 21 Apr 2011 at 12:29

Wicksta said:
On that particular day, in that particular terminal. As Scuzi says it can be anything from 10 minutes to over an hour, even for us Brits.

Last time through Terminal 1 it took one hour. It is pot luck.

Wicksta · 21 Apr 2011 at 12:48

simulatorman said:
Last time through Terminal 1 it took one hour. It is pot luck.

Yeah sometimes I've just breezed through passport control, other times I've followed a couple of large flights and spent ages queueing.

Scam · 21 Apr 2011 at 17:09

Forde said:
OP's name and thread title made me click hoping for some Cheekykid news

Sorry to dissapoint

It's Terminal 4 and she's got a UK passport (not Romanian

)

I guess there really is no easy way apart from getting there pretty much when the flight arrives and standing around like a lemon. Bah. Sounds like a lot of effort when I could be tucked up in bed

I've now got to see if I'm actually going to be able to make it anyway. I'm at work in central London probably until 6-7am. TFL says it takes 48mins on the tube from Piccadilly so I'd say just over an hour to be sure. Hmn might be a bit tight!