Stansted airport - security

[QueenOfWeeds]

I’m flying solo with DD (nearly 2) from Stansted in the next few weeks, and very aware that I truly hate it as an airport. Last time DD and I flew solo she was tiny, and I was waved through what I think was a family lane at security (but I was super stressed and maybe someone just took pity on me and popped me through their fast track?). I can’t find anything about it on their website - it just suggests pre-booking fast track (which I want to avoid if I can!).

Has anyone used it recently?

Never been to that airport but as your dd is still tiny, she's only 2! You will be waved through the family lane again

I just don’t know if I imagined the family
lane? Nothing about it on their website. But I’m sure that is what it was.

You can line up in the family lane OP. I flew solo with DS many times from stansted when he was a baby.

Travelled through Stanstead 6 weeks ago with a friend and our 2 x DD16, post GCSE girls minibreak. Security was absolutely dreadful, kept us for 20 minutes, insisting only 1 plastic bag each for liquids, creams, lipsticks and the bag had to seal closed. Required NHS prescription info for HRT gel. Friend and I are very regular travels and neither of us had experienced anything like it.

Roll on a few weeks and 2 x DD16 travelling alone with just hand luggage, I booked Fast Track in an attempted to avoid similar situation. Obviously no guarantee one would be treated any differently but it alleviated mine and DC’s stress. All went smoothly.

insisting only 1 plastic bag each for liquids, creams, lipsticks and the bag had to seal closed.
Those are the rules until they have the new scanners?
Use the family lane, OP. It can be slow getting through the actual scanners, but you shouldn't have to queue for too long if you use the family lane.

Thanks all - happy to queue in the family lane, but I just had a panic that I imagined it because I can’t see anything about it online.

Have to say, they were great with newborn DD when I flew with her last time. Significantly better experience than when I flew as an adult.

Is fast track very expensive? At Gatwick it's only about 6 or 7 pounds, worth every penny I think

I think (not sure though!) you follow the line on the floor for disabled passengers, but there should be someone to ask.

It isn’t, but I’m between jobs at the moment and the year of maternity pay hasn’t done my bank balance any favours. If I need to pay then I will, but would prefer not to!

Security was absolutely dreadful, kept us for 20 minutes, insisting only 1 plastic bag each for liquids, creams, lipsticks and the bag had to seal closed.
Those are the rules so why were you not prepared? Gosh, there must have been an irritated queue behind you!