01Section
Working back from the deadline
Forget the departure time; it isn't the figure that helps. What counts is when the airline stops taking bags or shuts the gate, and that changes with the carrier, cabin and terminal. We count back from that point, allowing for the security queue, the walk to the gate and how long the roads take at that hour of the morning.
Pick someone up in Belgravia at 05:30 for one of the first flights out and the roads are empty, so the drive goes as expected. At 07:45 the same run won't. For a traveller with status and hand luggage only, we can reasonably trim the margin. Once a bag needs checking in, we can't.
