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

117 replies

FluffySliders · 30/03/2024 18:38

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

OP posts:
Tallerandtall · 31/03/2024 09:19

@FluffySliders

You say it's poor they make families pay above.
i am sick of airlines allowing families to take the mick all the time

two ten year olds and four adults get on.

some people

exerciseshmexercise · 31/03/2024 09:21

FluffySliders · 31/03/2024 09:17

You see from my second post that I had never come across the concept of a paid fast track lane. It’s there in black and white. Go back and read it.

I have only ever seen a complimentary fast track lane at regional airports. I didn’t know it was called an ‘assistance’ lane, I just thought it was a fast track lane for families/SEN etc.

Apparently larger airports have both. And some people even pay to get through security quicker. Who knew! Not I, until yesterday.

So everyone piling on saying I want something for free have completely misunderstood or chosen to misunderstand my opening posts.

Some of the words people have used to describe a poster who asked in good faith, on Mumsnet, could she, being pregnant, be able to use an assistance lane at the airport, are quite nasty. I can only assume that typing such things has made you feel really good about yourself. I’m sorry this is how you get your kicks.

At Birmingham, there are literally machines you can't miss as you walk towards security where you pay for fast track. It's also part of booking car parking, at every airport where I've booked car parking, when booking they ask numerous times do you want security fast track. I can't understand how you've missed it - haven't you flown much in the past?

bradpittsbathwater · 31/03/2024 09:22

Pregnancy is not a disability.

PotatoPudding · 31/03/2024 09:26

EasterFox · 30/03/2024 20:18

You are pregnant, but not heavily pregnant or you wouldn’t be able to fly. If you have pregnancy related hip pain/spd I could understand you not wanting to queue but otherwise I am puzzled. You do know women have been having babies for ever don’t you?

Define heavily pregnant. I was a frequent flyer until the recommended cut off point. I was 35+5 when I took my last long haul flight.

Caravaggiouch · 31/03/2024 09:33

In the world some people seem to want where every pregnant woman, people with SEN, any disability and all families with children are “fast tracked” it sounds like the usual line would be the place to be to get through quickly.

Bbbbbbbby · 31/03/2024 09:34

OP,
Sorry you have got so many nasty pompous replies. I found queueing a pain when I was pregnant too. It really hurt.
I'd not be too worried about Heathrow but I would be worried about wherever it is you are travelling to. We've had to queue for ages and ages when we've arrived at various European and further international destinations over the last few years.
Where are you flying to?

ColleenDonaghy · 31/03/2024 09:46

Duckinglunacy · 31/03/2024 08:30

Am I the only person finding it completely hilarious that the family lane is in some way desirable? Often it is slower as it consists of groups of people with general faffing and children and then buggies. And then someone ahead will have undeclared medicine which takes time etc.

we are now at the stage where we will either use the normal queue, or if an airport wants us to use a family queue we separate and send one of us ahead to get a head start on whatever we need to do after the queue.

Right? I figure it's more about getting the faff of young DC out of the general queue so it keeps moving. We try to avoid it if we can but with smaller DC and epipens etc to bring with us sometimes the slower pace is welcome.

OP: pregnancy, young DC and disability are three different categories but your posts are conflating them. It's not likely that there will be any special arrangements for pregnancy but if you're not well because of your pregnancy just explain it when you get there. Although as everyone has said, Heathrow will be fine regardless. I'd be aiming for the standard queue personally.

Duckinglunacy · 31/03/2024 10:00

ColleenDonaghy · 31/03/2024 09:46

Right? I figure it's more about getting the faff of young DC out of the general queue so it keeps moving. We try to avoid it if we can but with smaller DC and epipens etc to bring with us sometimes the slower pace is welcome.

OP: pregnancy, young DC and disability are three different categories but your posts are conflating them. It's not likely that there will be any special arrangements for pregnancy but if you're not well because of your pregnancy just explain it when you get there. Although as everyone has said, Heathrow will be fine regardless. I'd be aiming for the standard queue personally.

Absolutely this. Separating the kids from the other people just getting on with things. A space where behaviour is not required to be as restricted, and putting similar passengers with similar needs together. Makes the queues flow better and the people with young kids are more accepting as they too have held up the proceedings at some point.

certainly, at this stage of life I live for the moments when I’m the one not in the family queue and just getting shit done. I’ll see them on the other side. (I don’t actually live for these moments but I’m sure you catch my drift)

Overthebow · 31/03/2024 10:04

You’re not going to get fast tracked because you don’t fancy queuing.

ColleenDonaghy · 31/03/2024 10:09

Duckinglunacy · 31/03/2024 10:00

Absolutely this. Separating the kids from the other people just getting on with things. A space where behaviour is not required to be as restricted, and putting similar passengers with similar needs together. Makes the queues flow better and the people with young kids are more accepting as they too have held up the proceedings at some point.

certainly, at this stage of life I live for the moments when I’m the one not in the family queue and just getting shit done. I’ll see them on the other side. (I don’t actually live for these moments but I’m sure you catch my drift)

I absolutely catch your drift. Solo airport me and parent airport me are two very different people.

Solo airport me is vastly superior.

hangingonfordearlife1 · 31/03/2024 10:26

yeh if you pay like everyone else. you aren't disabled

TakingAMenopause · 31/03/2024 11:01

The last two times I had fast track at T5 it was slower than the normal lanes tbh.

MillshakePickle · 31/03/2024 14:57

fixies · 31/03/2024 09:18

@MillshakePickle I think that's very sad that you felt the need to 'crack on'. This is why women's pain is not seen . We shouldn't just pretend everything is fine when it's not. We should be asking for that seat on the tube. We should be saying 'this sucks' and yes we should be ' entitled' to a bit of extra help when our bodies are going through a lot.

I don't agree with this at all. We want equality and to be treated as equals in society. To do so, we need to act like equals, not like simpering weak females.

Pregnancy and recovery can suck and are painful, fraught at times, and down right unpleasant. There's no denying that.

Pregnancy is ultimately a choice. Others should not have to suffer or be put out due to the choices we have made to be pregnant. I wouldn't ever dream of asking someone to move seats or stand on a train or tube. I can't possibly know whether their needs are greater than mine. And, if I found it difficult - I would stop doing it.

As with all things, if you're too unwell to do normal day to day activities, then obviously reasonable adjustments need to be made. But, never at someone else's expense.

I don't agree with the entitled behaviour coming from the op. Essentially, I don't fancy standing in a queue (who does?) Oh and I'm up the duff...and??? I want, I should have, I deserve etc

It's privilege seeking behaviour as well which just makes my skin crawl. We as a society have put things in place like family lanes, sen and disability assistance lanes etc because of the known issues that may be present. Because, you're pregnant and don't really fancy standing around for 30 mins waiting, shouldn't qualify you to use an assistance lane. Use to fast track if needed but fucking pay for it like the others have had to do.

Precious pregnant princesses, sometimes need a reality bitch slap from Ms Real World. This just reeks of entitled privilege. What about the men and women who have had to deal with pregnancy loss, loss of a child or infant death and illness. Should they not be better qualified to use the fast track lanes less they be triggered by pregnant women and children?

Where does it stop? I think greater sensitivity needs to be used. There are worse things in life than some swollen pregnancy ankles, while needing to wee so badly your back teeth are floating. Everyone just needs to use a little discretion and common sense.

Londonforestmum · 31/03/2024 19:02

FluffySliders · 31/03/2024 09:17

You see from my second post that I had never come across the concept of a paid fast track lane. It’s there in black and white. Go back and read it.

I have only ever seen a complimentary fast track lane at regional airports. I didn’t know it was called an ‘assistance’ lane, I just thought it was a fast track lane for families/SEN etc.

Apparently larger airports have both. And some people even pay to get through security quicker. Who knew! Not I, until yesterday.

So everyone piling on saying I want something for free have completely misunderstood or chosen to misunderstand my opening posts.

Some of the words people have used to describe a poster who asked in good faith, on Mumsnet, could she, being pregnant, be able to use an assistance lane at the airport, are quite nasty. I can only assume that typing such things has made you feel really good about yourself. I’m sorry this is how you get your kicks.

Most people aren't accusing you of 'trying to get something for free', they are trying to explain that the assisted lane (the one you were talking about) is only for disabled/ SEN families, not pregnant people, or even just families.

And if you did still want fast track they are pointing out that there is a service that you could pay for for this.

TinkerTiger · 31/03/2024 19:07

Businessflake · 30/03/2024 21:28

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

Right! The family queue (at Gatwick anyway) always looks longer and more chaotic!

SomersetBrie · 31/03/2024 19:09

Duckinglunacy · 31/03/2024 08:30

Am I the only person finding it completely hilarious that the family lane is in some way desirable? Often it is slower as it consists of groups of people with general faffing and children and then buggies. And then someone ahead will have undeclared medicine which takes time etc.

we are now at the stage where we will either use the normal queue, or if an airport wants us to use a family queue we separate and send one of us ahead to get a head start on whatever we need to do after the queue.

I went in the family lane by accident once with my teenagers (we were in Spain, it was allowed) because it was shorter.
We had all pretty much lost the will to live by the time all the people in front had dismantled their buggies and sorted out their 500 liquids.

user1471453601 · 31/03/2024 19:19

When I was able to travel I used passenger assistance and that used fast track baggage drop off and security. But it was more for the people providing assistance than for me. In my experience they were incredibly busy and needed to get you to the gate asap so they could go help other passengers.

And by joining the fast track when one didn't need to, just increases the pressure on those providing assistance.

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