Pregnant - can I used the security fast track lane at Heathrow?

[FluffySliders]

As in the title really! Don’t fancy standing for 30 mins in the queue!

Family lanes aren’t there to fast track people with kids. They are there to stop families clogging up the other lanes.

We went through terminal 3 a couple of weeks ago , no wait at all ( apart from having to take belt , watch , shoes , bangle etc off
the other end though ….ooof !

Just been through T3 last week at the busiest time of day. It was incredibly quick - 10 mins max

I flew home to Heathrow after a work trip when I was 7 months pregnant. I had bad PGP in pregnancy and was waddling quite badly, even at that stage. It had been a long tiring trip home, and the trudge to baggage claim seemed interminable.

I must have looked pretty done in because I was offered an escort to the front of the queue at passport control. Annoying thing was, that was the shortest id ever seen the queue!

Don't assume you're entitled to anything while pregnant, but I generally found that if you really need the assistance, people will help.

Fast track is different to family 🤦🏻‍♀️

Hang on a minute you can get fast tracked being pregnant? I've had fuck all being pregnant with two autistic kids, now three. We've just had to do the queues. What happens with 3 diagnoses?

Can you get sunflower lanyards for your children? That would entitle you to use the fast track at most airports as far as I'm aware.

Heathrow security is quick, there hasn't been a queue since I can remember. I'm mean it's maybe 1 or 2 minutes, whilst you weave round the dispose of liquids area but it's so efficient.

With young kids they do usher you through the business class queue if there is a delay but that must have been 20 years ago, it's a lot faster now

If you are well enough to go on holiday and have enough money to do so, I’m sure you have enough money to pay for fast track? So do that!

Just pay the £5 🙄

I’m guessing this is your first child

I think OP confused the two as she is comparing to Birmingham airport where it is one lane for both access and express (bloody confusing)
tbh @FluffySliders if you will struggle to stand and wait due to feeling unwell either consider getting special assistance (no waiting needed at all and you will be in a wheelchair) or not flying. if you are feeling too uncomfortable to get through security, how will you manage on the cramped, narrow seats on board?

Heathrow is saying Fast Track not available to book and only included for First or Business passengers or top tier airline loyalty cards

LHR security is usually pretty quick anyway

I’m always baffled by replies on threads where OPs request special assistance / queue jump etc. when pregnant. Some
posters seem more concerned by the perceived entitlement of a pregnant woman who dare expects ‘special treatment’ rather than acknowledging that pregnant woman (and the baby in utero) are vulnerable and often allowances are required to ensure everyone’s safety.

Pregnancy is of course not a disability and it is offensive to compare it to one. However, even uncomplicated pregnancies result in tremendous strain on the body, and many experience pregnancy complications (or normal side effects) that are certainly temporarily disabling. Refusing to acknowledge this and instead insisting that women who seek support are ‘entitled’ reeks of sexism. There is no prize for struggling through and no harm in asking what help is available when travelling. I think it’s very sad that some posters think the OP should either be fit to travel with no adjustments or should be staying at home. I think the more everyone acknowledges how difficult pregnancy can be and how pregnant women can be supported the better.

Can't recommend special assistance if you don't like queuing. A lot of the families that go through are disorganised when it comes to liquids, technology, etc. It can take longer to go through as it is usually only a couple of scanners so they can't actually process many people quickly.

The point is the OP thinks it should be free - getting pregnant is a choice; being disabled etc is not.

If you choose to get pregnant, you need to accept you’ll need to pay for fast track security as a consequence (or queue like everyone else)

£8 for Fast Track at Stansted.

Sorry but you have no idea what being pregnant is like for other people. I had hypermesis with my second and basically was sick and dizzy continuously for a majority of the pregnancy. I had to get signed off to wfh because I started to faint on my commute on the tube because it made me me so ill. I'm glad you 'managed' all these normal things but don't so ignorant about other people. Pregnancies vary and we should at least show a little compassion.

If I saw a pregnant woman at the airport there's no way I would resent her using the fat track at security. Why would anyone object?

Are you flying with your DH? I’d expect mine to have that booked and paid for if I was pregnant (and he would) 👸🏻

Why all this fuss about the security queue? That’s never been the only or longest queue when I’ve been through an airport. Check-in/baggage drop; food/drink; WHSmiths; boarding; passport control at destination; baggage claim; taxi/shuttle and then the same in reverse on the way back.

Gosh really! 😃

Some posters appear not to not understand the difference between a free assistance lane and a paid for Fast Track lane. I can understand that though, I didn’t know the latter existed until earlier this evening.

Those of you frothing about my supposed asking whether I can go in a paid lane for free perhaps need to read my posts again. I was asking about whether pregnant women can use the assistance lane, which is free to use for those who need it e.g. at Manchester. I’ve never come across the concept of a paid for Fast Track lane that is open to everyone, so clearly that’s not what my OP was referring to.

Disabled people don't have to pay? You're pregnant not disabled, big difference

The title of your post is literally “Pregnant - can I use the security fast track lane at Heathrow?” and the sum total of your OP is “As the title says. I don’t fancy standing in a queue for 30 minutes.”

Could you point out how we were supposed to know you didn’t mean Fast Track when you say Fast Track?

No point changing the narrative once everyone has decided you are a CF.

Well in that case you could book wheelchair assistance throughout, as it sounds like you'd qualify and would need it.

We can assume the OP isn't in the same situation as she'd have mentioned it. I'm pregnant too and have no need of a fast track lane or special treatment.

Being pregnant is not being disabled or requiring special assistance especially if you're fit to fly....