Which PCR Test Provider

jimi_man

I'm pretPixie5740 said:

@Butts, my flight times have changed so I’ll only have 2 hours and 45 minutes between arriving in T3 and getting to T5. Do you think that’s enough time to nip out to Sofitel if I can get through fast track security at T5? 

Fast Track is shut at the moment.

Butts

Pixie5740 said:

@Butts, my flight times have changed so I’ll only have 2 hours and 45 minutes between arriving in T3 and getting to T5. Do you think that’s enough time to nip out to Sofitel if I can get through fast track security at T5? 

It's all about variables the main one in your case being the queue for UK Border in Terminal 3.

When I came back from Albania the Sunday before last it was about 30 minutes. On other occasions I have sailed straight through with no delay.

With regard to The Fast Track Security at T5 it seems quite unpredictable, it was definitely open last Monday Morning although I wasn't expecting it to be.

When it hasn't been the wait at normal security in T5 has not been that onerous.

As you know the actual journey time between the terminals on The Tube or HE is about 5 minutes and free. 

All other things being equal it should be more than enough time, but if you want complete peace of mind perhaps wise to have a back up plan in case it all goes Pete Tong.

Pixie5740

Butts said:

Pixie5740 said:

@Butts, my flight times have changed so I’ll only have 2 hours and 45 minutes between arriving in T3 and getting to T5. Do you think that’s enough time to nip out to Sofitel if I can get through fast track security at T5? 

It's all about variables the main one in your case being the queue for UK Border in Terminal 3.

When I came back from Albania the Sunday before last it was about 30 minutes. On other occasions I have sailed straight through with no delay.

With regard to The Fast Track Security at T5 it seems quite unpredictable, it was definitely open last Monday Morning although I wasn't expecting it to be.

When it hasn't been the wait at normal security in T5 has not been that onerous.

As you know the actual journey time between the terminals on The Tube or HE is about 5 minutes and free. 

All other things being equal it should be more than enough time, but if you want complete peace of mind perhaps wise to have a back up plan in case it all goes Pete Tong.

When I first started looking you couldn't get a day 2 test at Glasgow airport and now you can.  I think it would be less stressful just to stay airside at Heathrow and get the test when I land.  What a palaver but worth it to see my family and friends as I haven't seen them for 2 years.

orange-juice

Recently ordered 2 x Day 2 Covid tests, from Randox after seeing that they were discounted on the MSE webpage. This was after I realised that I originally ordered the wrong ones, turns out Randox do pre-departure PCR tests too, that can't be used as Day 2 tests. Their website is such a mess. Have requested a cancellation/refund from them and am waiting for a reply still. Fingers crossed.

Have used TestingforAll.org too! Test arrived on the requested date. Did my test, seen the postie and managed to hand the box to them. Box was delivered the next day to their lab, and results obtained sent out on morning on following day after that.

silvercar

jimi_man said:

I'm pretPixie5740 said:

@Butts, my flight times have changed so I’ll only have 2 hours and 45 minutes between arriving in T3 and getting to T5. Do you think that’s enough time to nip out to Sofitel if I can get through fast track security at T5? 

Fast Track is shut at the moment.

Fast track at T5 is open, I went through it last week.

jimi_man

silvercar said:

jimi_man said:

I'm pretPixie5740 said:

@Butts, my flight times have changed so I’ll only have 2 hours and 45 minutes between arriving in T3 and getting to T5. Do you think that’s enough time to nip out to Sofitel if I can get through fast track security at T5? 

Fast Track is shut at the moment.

Fast track at T5 is open, I went through it last week.

It's obviously extremely variable, It was shut a couple of weeks ago.

Pixie5740

I want to say thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread.  I arrived yesterday and had my PCR test in Glasgow Airport.  I'm now waiting for my result so I can be released back into the wild.

Merry Christmas!

onashoestring

@Pixie5740 thanks for updating the thread,  glad your travel plans went smoothly and hope you get your results promptly.

teapot357

Don't use Boots, whatever you do. Their system is awful. Half hour wait on hold each time you call them, I've been waiting 4 days now for my Day 2 PCR (along with my mum too). Their online system won't allow me to log in. And to top it all, they're overpriced and the worst quality swabs I've used so far.

Backbiter

teapot357 said:

Don't use Boots, whatever you do. Their system is awful. Half hour wait on hold each time you call them, I've been waiting 4 days now for my Day 2 PCR (along with my mum too). Their online system won't allow me to log in. And to top it all, they're overpriced and the worst quality swabs I've used so far.

We've used them twice and had great service both times. Once we used the more expensive instore service, and more recently the postal service via Royal Mail. Results came back very quickly.