It's official, I HATE HEATHROW!

[chrisinhouston]

I had a 12 hour layover last month at Heathrow enroute from Houston to Cape Town. I arrived at 8am and decided to go into London for the day. I took the train which is a bit of a challenge to find and opted for the steerage compartment instead of first class which was fine. While in London I had lunch, did a little shopping and visited a favorite of mine, The National Portrait Gallery.

I took the tube from the NPS to Paddington to get the train. When I got to the airport I had to go to terminal 4 outside security to get my stored carryon luggage, then pass through security to get to the Holideck lounge so I could get on to the internet to do some business and hang out for awhile. Quite a walk to the end of the terminal with no moving sidewalks (not many and the ones there were being worked on). Then I went to terminal 3 where Virgin Atlantic was taking off from. This is no easy task and somehow I ended up on a bus that made the rounds of the airport. I had to go back through security and then to the check in desk. I had wanted to take a shower as I had now been on the road for a day and a half and the Heathrow website says there are pay showers in # 3. Seems that they are wrong and had to buy a one day membership to the AA club for $60 so I could shower and freshen up. As my flight time grew near I was directed to the terminal 3 holding area. Seems like gate assingments don't happen until just before boarding so everyone sits and watches the electronic signs until you see a gate posted for your flight. Then you walk like hell for another mile or 2 until you get there. And then you wait in a cold dreary gate area.

And they want to build another run way!