Terry Jones

I’ve flown in to the UK probably 30 times over the last 3 years. Here’s how
to cut a few corners:

1. It should go without saying – don’t check baggage unless you have to.
2. If you’re not checking baggage, print your boarding passes at home and
   go straight to the gate.
3. Take a seat at the very front of the plane.
4. Ask for and fill out a UK immigration form on the plane.
5. On Easyjet you can buy Gatwick or Stansted (etc) Express train tickets
   on the plane. It’s faster and 20% cheaper.
6. If arriving at Gatwick, take the stairs down to immigration –
   don’t folow the crowd walking down and around the gentle ramp – that’s
   about 4 times as long.
7. If arriving at Stansted, when you go down the escalator look under and
   behind the elevator as early as you can – the shuttle train may be there
   already. You may be able to run for it.
8. If arriving at Stansted, when you get on the shuttle train, position
   yourself in front of the crack between the doors on the far side of the
   train. That’s the side that will open when you arrive at immigration.
9. If arriving at Gatwick without bags, go up the escalator to the
   left to get to baggage. It’s slightly closer to where you’ll exit
   at the top.
10. If arriving at Gatwick, take the side lane “Arrivals from the European
    Union” out of the baggage area. It’s often empty.
11. If arriving at Gatwick, there’s a small train ticket desk on your right
    immediately when you get into the terminal. Even if you have a ticket,
    check their screen for the time your next train. You may need to run for it.

Perhaps the best suggestion is something I haven’t done yet – have an iris
scan that will let you skip the queues to enter the UK. I could have done
it today if I hadn’t been wandering aimlessly around the stores.

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