How to get a job at Heathrow.

Heathrow is one of the biggest employers on our doorstep, but most people who work there don’t work for the airport itself. They work for airlines, ground handlers, cargo firms, security, cleaning and catering companies, shops and restaurants in the terminals, hotels and the warehouses around the perimeter.

Airside or landside

Landside jobs are in the public areas, hotels, car parks and offices. Airside jobs are beyond security: on the aprons, in the departure lounges and in baggage halls. Airside jobs need an airport ID pass, and to get one your employer has to check your background and history for the last five years, including gaps, and you’ll need a criminal record check. Keep dates of past jobs, study and time out of work handy: it makes the check much quicker.

Shifts

The airport runs early in the morning until late at night, every day of the year, so a lot of jobs are on rotas with early starts, late finishes and weekends. Adverts on UB1UB2 Jobs say the hours and the pay up front.

Getting there

From Southall and Hayes & Harlington the Elizabeth line goes straight to the Heathrow terminals, and several buses run from Hayes, West Drayton and Hounslow. Check the first and last journeys against your shift times before you apply. Some employers run staff buses or help with travel: it’s worth asking.

Applying

• Read the advert for anything you need before day one, like a driving licence or a security licence.
• Put your full history on your CV with month and year, so the background check isn’t held up.
• Never pay for an ID pass, a check or training to get a job. A real employer arranges these.