Joining instructions had asked us to be at Heathrow Academy by 08:00 -- 08:45 for registration and made it clear that anyone who is late would not be allowed to participate in the trials -- a sure way to ensure everyone turns up on time. Living on the South Coast meant that I would have to catch the 05:23 train but fortunately I managed to get a lift from a friend who works at Heathrow but this still meant leaving Brighton at 05:45. Only an airline geek would get up this early simply to take part in a trial but at least I would be one of the first members of the public to see Terminal 5, so perhaps it would be worth it?

After an uneventful journey we arrived at Hatton Cross at 07:00. The free shuttle bus did not start until 07:45, so there was time for a quick ride on the tube to Heathrow for a coffee at Starbucks and a quick nosey round the terminal. Building works were very much in evidence at Terminal 3 and I was told they use a different entrance door to departures every day.

Feeling refreshed by the coffee I returned to Hatton Cross to catch the free shuttle. I could not find it anywhere and no staff member seemed to know where it was running from, so I took a cab to Heathrow Academy and arrived just after 08:00. Despite signs directing participants to registration, the doors were locked and I joined a small group of people who had also volunteered for the trial. 08:15 came and went and still the doors were locked. Finally at about 08:20 they let us in and I proceeded to registration after which coffee/tea was served. After passing through security (including police dogs that were trained to sniff for explosive) we were asked to attend a briefing that was scheduled to start at 09:00 but was delayed by 15 minutes as some people had not turned up.

The presentation was preceded by the usual health and safety briefing and what we were to do in the event of a fire alarm. There seems to be an obsession in Britain about health and safety these days. We were told that photography was strictly forbidden and, as building work was still ongoing, to stay in designated areas with the group at all times. This was followed by a brief video presentation which gave some facts about Terminal 5, boasting that it was the most successful airport development and would set new benchmarks for the world's airports to follow. It seemed that BAA management were under the impression that once Terminal 5 opens, Heathrow's problems would be solved. I remain sceptical. Questions were invited but none were forthcoming, so they then told us when we arrived at Terminal 5 we would be split into groups and given a profile. "Just act as you normally would if you were travelling through the airport" said a team co-ordinator. "Does that mean act stupid?" replied someone in the audience, which was perhaps an ice breaker.

There were about 150 volunteers and we were then directed to two Menzies Aviation buses for the short ride to Terminal 5, passing along the Bath Road and watching activity on the runway before joining the custom built spur road to T5 departures level.

Departures at T5 are on the third level, roughly six stories high, and the approach roads did seem rather small if they are expecting 5,000 passengers an hour. Although it was not particularly windy, there were strong winds on Level 5 but perhaps once all the shelters are in place this would cut down the breeze, otherwise there might be some problems.

They had said the scale of T5 was monumental, as big as 50 football pitches, but this was a bit of an anti-climax. It is certainly impressive but no more so than many other international airports. There seemed plenty of check in desks and even more self check-in points -- they are hoping that 60% of passengers will self check-in. Each check in desk had a row of about 40 suitcases before them. All had luggage labels and I noticed that they displayed a time-count result, perhaps how long it took the bags to be processed through the state-of-art luggage sorter. Just where BAA obtained all the bags is a mystery, but perhaps this is where passengers' unclaimed bags are kept!

My group was selected to go through the security process. There are 14 channels at the "South Security" point and another 4 at the "North Security" point, both located just behind the check-in area with plenty of space for retail units. "Looks a bit like Thurrock" someone commented and I think this was accurate. Finger scanning will soon be in place, so that all passengers are not only photographed when entering departures but also have their finger prints scanned and both are checked at the boarding gates, but was not operational today.

We were told to go through the security channels, first depositing items to go through the scanner on one tray, then two trays, and finally three trays. "Just put something in the trays" were the instructions. With about 100 volunteers, it took an average 20 minutes to be processed, whilst many BAA staff were timing us and writing comments on their clipboards, joined by construction workers who watched the proceedings. One security channel insisted that we took off our shoes, but not the other. Standing in socks the marble floors felt cold, and I wrote this on my comments. Some participants' hand luggage was subject to a full search, some were frisked, but others just walked through. We were asked to repeat the process several times and this took about 2 hours.

We were asked to complete feedback forms that were collected by the team monitors. Once you handed in your completed form you were given a small bottle of water and either a KitKat or cereal bar, and then the T5 goodie bag. Although I was not expecting much, the contents of the purple bags were disappointing -- an universal travel adaptor, luggage label, plastic wallet, and cheap ball pen all emblazed with "T5 The Shape of Things to Come".

After the break we were taken on a tour of the building, split into groups of ten. We were shown the check-in area that was designed to handle 5,000 passengers an hour and then into departures hall. You enter from a balcony at Level 3 and it looks impressive but there is still much work to be done, mainly fitting out but some retail units were already nearing completion, most noticeably the large Harrods mini-store. "Harrods was chosen as it is quintessentially British" remarked our team co-ordinator. Yet it looked more like Pharaoh's Tomb I thought. "There will be 158 retail units in total" we were informed. Labels on the boards indicated who the tenants were and I noticed that they had gone mainly to niche labels like Prada, D&G, Swarovski etc rather than the normal WH Smith, Boots, Next etc. The airline lounges were on the upper levels but were not ready and we were not allowed access. In one corner seemed a luxurious retail unit complete with chandeliers and we were told this would be the Gordon Ramsay Restaurant, which makes a refreshing change from MacDonalds, BurgerKing etc. There were excellent views of the runway activity, something that would appeal to aviation geeks but no doubt the retail therapy will be more attractive for the majority of passengers.

The T5 satellite could be seen in the distance. We were not allowed to go over there but were shown where the automated Track Transit System that transports passengers between the buildings will be -- a very long escalator link to reach the lower level. We were told that 5 gates allow boarding on two levels, presumably in preparation for the A380.

Arrivals are on the second level and there is plenty of space for passport control. Baggage reclaim is on ground level and the carousels (11 IIRC) are large enough for the jumbo and whale jets. Transport to other Terminals is by bus with the doors airside. On leaving there is an enclosed open area between the terminal and car park where they have planted full trees with plenty of seating.

After the tour, we were given a packed lunch and there was time to ask the team co-ordinators any questions. I seemed to be the only person who did (others were more interested in their lunch), such as if the move from T4 would be in stages or all at once (all at once over the night of 26 March although most equipment would be in place before then was the answer), if the satelitte would open on the same day (yes), was there room to expand T5 (limited), and how many gates could accommodate double-decking for the A380 (5 at present, more if needed), could you participate in further trials (welcome to, just register on the BAA website).

It seems to me that BAA are trying hard to make T5 a success and the bright, open spaces are a nice contrast to the older terminals at LHR. Hopefully with another six months to complete the trials (the opening date is 27 March 2008), any teething problems should be sorted out before T5 becomes fully operational. It should improve the LHR experience, but only if you are flying with BA but even so T5 is not big enough to cater for all their flights.

Sorry for the lack of photographs -- a photograph can say 1,000 words. As I said, photography was strictly forbidden and even some people were stopped when taking photos with their mobiles.

Hope you enjoyed reading the report.