Luggage Scanner - Has anyone travelling through Heathrow Airport recently...?

[Nancery]

I am a pain in the arse when it comes to scanning and security for travel as I am a Type 1 diabetic. I have to carry various medical liquids, and devices - some of which cannot go through the scanner, along with the more usual electronics and toiletries.

Hence, I was delighted when travelling from a smaller airport in the UK to hear that I just had to put my bag through rather than messing about getting various things out that I really cannot lose (and scanning areas can be a bit chaotic!) or simply don't want to lose.

I have just looked at Heathrow as travelling long haul from there in January and, on the website at least, I get the impression you still have to get everything out and in 1 or two trays. Can anyone update me as to whether this is still the case? I am hoping that, as it wasn't the case in the small airport, then it won't be the case at Heathrow either!

At Heathrow you still have to remove liquids, aerosols, gels and pastes (in containers up to 100ml in a 1-litre clear plastic bag) and electrical items from cabin baggage and put them in the tray to be processed through security.
https://www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/security-and-baggage

Medications can be exceptions to the 100ml rule:
"Liquid medicines: You are only permitted to carry quantities of liquid medication in excess of your personal liquid allowance where it is needed during the course of your flight. All medication should be accompanied by documentary proof of authenticity, such as a prescription or letter from a medical practitioner confirming that you need them for your journey. Liquid medication that is not required on the flight should be carried as hold luggage."

What you're supposed to do if you don't have hold luggage is not clear to me.

Last time I flew from T5 I didn't have to remove anything. The whole bag went through in the new scanner.

@GreenSedan Marvellous! That was the case when I flew earlier this year from a smaller airport, it just looks like the website hasn't been updated. Thanks for replying.

I flew 3 weeks ago t5 and t2 and still had to remove all liquids and electronic devices bigger than a mobile.. What about booking fast track as it’s a separate queue? Last year we didn’t have to remove anything so not sure what the deal is now.

The Department for Transport announced in mid June this year that the 100ml liquids limits had to be re-introduced where they had been dropped, and retained where they had not.

So it's best to take it that the Heathrow website is up to date on this, and also to check the rules at whichever airport you're returning from.

I'm flying Business so I don't need to book fast track, but it is still a lot easier sticking a bag through and just having to remove my blood glucose sensors from the bag rather than everything else (and I have to be patted down rather than x-rayed myself - as I said, I'm a pain in the arse!)

Looks like it might be a bit hit and miss then if you've had recent experience with both. I'm flying from T4.

@Chersfrozenface The liquids element isn't the issue, it's the fannying around taking things out of my bag then being security scanned myself that's a pain.

I went through security at T5 on 16th September. They operate both systems! We were sent through to the queue where you don’t need to remove anything but they still have queues operating where you do. So it’s luck of the draw which queue you get!

We did T3 in August and had to remove things.

Ahhh.... With a bit of luck, by January, it might be all of the scanners. Far easier to get just the boxes blood glucose sensors out but leave everything else in the bag, than getting out a bag of medical stuff, a bag of toiletries AND the wallet with my electronic stuff in.

@Nancery the deadline for having the scanners in keeps getting extended. The Dept of Transport individually reviews cases. It was meant to be in place by summer but clearly wasn’t. I suspect you will need to keep checking nearer the time.

from LHR website: “Heathrow is in the process of upgrading its security equipment. This next generation security will transform the passenger experience by making it simpler, safer and more accessible to travel through security”.

the site also says that airports abroad may or may not have new scanners in place (not very helpful).

I flew out of Heathrow on Monday and only had to separate the plastic bag with liquids. Was a bit put out as I had already removed my iPad in preparation and had to stuff it back in.