First flight in years and years, help me understand what I need, thank you

[TemuSussex]

Help! I haven't flown anywhere for years, not since 2019 I think and I have to go to Latvia for work soon. I've booked flights and my passport is well in date but I have loads of other questions, if anyone can please help. Thank you and I know these are silly questions, I would feel embarrassed asking anywhere but on an anonymous forum.

The new EES system, how much of a pain will it be?
Given that I haven't flown in years will it take longer?
How many hours before my flight do I really have to get there?
Can I still not take liquids?
What about a laptop?
What is the best way to get to Gatwick from central London?

I am flying from Gatwick and will have hand luggage only as I'm only there for 2 nights. So I know to check the size of my bag, which should be fine.

Thank you in advance for any help or other advice.

I am nervous about the distances as I have a painful knee so I'd also like to know how far I will have to walk from the train station to the gate.

Security Screening | London Gatwick Airport https://share.google/ZxgX40LQSBJALUkpd
Note that they may have different screening on your way back but you still might be only allowed 100mls.
The best way from central London is the Gatwick express.

Train from either Victoria, London Bridge, St Pancras, Farringdon is easiest You can check the liquids issue but even if you can go larger put you probably can’t back and for a few days just take smaller bottles. You are usually advised ti arrive 2/3 hours ahead.

There's a website called AccessAble which has detailed guides about each terminal in Gatwick with lots of information about how to get to and from various locations with maps and so on. That might help with working out how long a walk there would be from the train station part to your departure terminal.

https://www.accessable.co.uk/searches?query=gatwick&location_query=&g-recaptcha-response=

Laptop in your bag. You may be asked to take it out so have it on top so your not tootling through your pants to get it.

There’s always a fair bit of walking in airports. Make sure your know which terminal in Gatwick.

You might have to walk about a km (potentially with some standing around). Every time I’ve been through Gatwick recently it’s been very efficient.

Don’t get the express it’s a rip off, just get the train to LGW. I spoke to the airport and they arranged for me to be taken to check in in a buggy when I had a mobility issue. Depending who you are flying with it can be a long walk and even longer to the gate so booking assistance is well worth it if it will cause you problems.

Check your terminal: South or north. You might have to get the shuttle train. Signs v clear.

Look up trains to Gatwick on something like Trainline, just search Any London to Gatwick and loads of options will come up .There are many fast trains without using Gatwick Express which is an unnecessary expense.

Where in Central London will you be starting from?

Depending on airline there are 2 types of carry on bags: under seat and cabin bag. You generally have to pay for cabin bag. Some airlines are v strict about all this and won’t let you have any additional bags if you have under seat.

I came back from Athens last week so probably a different terminal but I'd forgotten that you hop on a free shuttle bus to get you back to the railway station.
You can tap and go with your bank card at the railway station.
I stood there in a sleep deprived daze thinking I had to buy a train ticket from a machine .
Coming back at Athens ( but not leaving from Gatwick ) I had to take my sandals off going through security because of the metal buckles.
And then they made me put plastic crime scene foot covers on my bare feet to go through .
Going through security at Gatwick you have to put everything in a tray - watch ,belt ,phone .

At Gatwick we couldn't work out where to check in ( we are VERY inexperienced) and doh! you look at a board ,look for your flight and it says check in at A or H or whatever.
And they have machines where you can weigh your luggage before you check in ,if you're unsure.

I hadn't realised that the seats id reserved were in line with the emergency exit and I wondered why the check in staff asked if that was ok .
It does mean that airline crew won't let you leave your underseat bag under the seat but remove it and put it in an overhead locker . They were very strict ,took my small hat that was on my lap as well .
It's only for take off and landing but it's hard to get out of your seat find where they've been put etc to retrieve them.

DOn't have liquids in your hand luggage. They seem to change the rules on a whim. Or just take stuff you're happy to lose...

Have electronics accessible in your bags in case you need to take them out. I had to take them out a couple of times last year but other times they say you can leave them in the bag. You just don't know till you get there.

The PP poster who got covers for her feet... you were lucky! I had to walk around on the manky floor in my bare feet and then they broke my shoes!

had to walk around on the manky floor in my bare feet and then they broke my shoes
😧😧😧

With the EES , I’ve been to a few places. There’s normally machines as you get off the plane. You put your passport on the scanner and it takes your fingerprints and picture if your eye. It will ask questions such as when your return flight is , if you have sufficient funds, purpose of your trip.
Then you proceed to the e gate.
Make sure you are at the gate in plenty of time so you can get your bag in the overhead locker.
If your knee is bad it might be worth checking a bag in , one less thing to manage.
With liquids , I’m not sure about Gatwick , but most airports you don’t have to remove them now.
Hope all goes smoothly.

Thank you all for being so nice to me. I've decided to get a cab from home to Gatwick and it's not that expensive. It's South terminal. That site is great, thanks.
I'm only taking a cabin bag so that's good.

You won't have to take any of the liquids out of your bag at Gatwick, they positively don't want you to. I think you have to take your laptop out still.

Many overseas airports still have liquids limits so anything above 100 ml, you might be able to take out of the UK but not bring back.

I haven't flown from Gatwick for a long time, so check on a terminal map (one showing shops etc) or someone else may be able to confirm. Most airports in the UK have a water fountain airside, ie after security, so you can take your usual refillable water bottle to the airport, drink the contents or empty it out, go through security with it empty, so it doesn't count as a liquid, and then refill. Saves buying single use bottles for ££££ at the airport.

You put your passport on the scanner and it takes your fingerprints and picture if your eye.

It's a photo of your face, not your eye. It's not an iris scan.

The facial photo is kept on the system for 3 years. Once the whole system is working automatic facial recognition will match it to your passport photo.

ETA missing word

Make sure you (or your work) have booked your cabin bag with the airline - only small handbags/backpacks are free, not the larger carry ons. Liquids used to be restricted to 100ml in your carry on - I myself havent flown in 3yrs so not sure current rules on this. With the current EES, the delays are when you land in eu country and when you return to UK. They advise going straight to security and passport control on your return - not dawdling in shops, in case of queues though I'd expect Latvia would be OK compared to other summer destinations.