Finnair Plus - Helsinki airport security control --> the worst!!

Ok, this is not at all Finnair's fault, but anyhow closely related to their business.

I've travelled to most parts of the world and even though security controls can be very strict in US and UK, nothing beats the Helsinki one. I've went through the securities more than 30 times now, in the beginning I thought I might just be unlucky, but no it's consistent...

First, they require you to dig up the boarding pass which is quite unusual, second they must have the strictest metal detector of all. In all other places, I can always keep my small titanium ring on, but no, not here. And even though I declare my sub 100ml liquids before they enter the scanner, they always must open the bags and check them afterwards. Finally, every other time they open up and search through my whole bag, this happens about 50% of the times.

Am I just being grumpy now or does anyone agree with me?

I suppose, You are just being grumpy. There was recently a discussion about fast track in HEL T2 - refer to that thread.

Showing the boarding pass is nowadays more a rule than an exception at every airport - and that is the way it also must be. Metal detectors are - indeed - often quite picky and, despite having just a metal button and zipper in the jeans, they make a beep. Not every time though. There are many things that may cause searching of the hand baggage. Mostly stuff related with electronics, chargers, etc. What they don´t have, are the scanners for having handled explosive materials, you often experience at LHR or in particular at airports in OZ.

I'd tend towards "grumpy" as well. I've flown extensively in the US and Japan this year, and I've always had to produce boarding pass at security.

Never had a beep from the metal detectors in Helsinki, unless I forget to take my belt off (I know, rookie mistake). It doesn't register my wedding ring...

Showing the boarding pass is nowadays more a rule than an exception at every airport - and that is the way it also must be.



From security point of view this is total BS as they do not check your ID, only the BP...anyone can print one and enter the "secure" area w/o any plans on flying...total waste of everyone's time, that's what it is.

From security point of view this is total BS as they do not check your ID, only the BP...anyone can print one and enter the "secure" area w/o any plans on flying...total waste of everyone's time, that's what it is.

That was started only one or two years ago after the implementation of EU regulations. Before that there was neither check of ID nor BP. It happens now at every EU airport that I have visited.

That was started only one or two years ago after the implementation of EU regulations. Before that there was neither check of ID nor BP. It happens now at every EU airport that I have visited.

I'm fully aware of that but it doesn't change the fact that it's still total waste of time..another example of a totally useless EU regulation.

The metal detectors are a bit more sensitive in Helsinki. I have to take my belt off which I never do in the US. I suppose the fact you don't have to take your shoes off makes up for the belt.

Otherwise, I've always found the T2 checkpoint to be speedy and easy to get through. Not sure what's up with your liquids. They've never checked mine.

I'm fully aware of that but it doesn't change the fact that it's still total waste of time..another example of a totally useless EU regulation.

There have been times also at HEL, when you had to prove flying soon to be able to enter airside. Boarding pass with the 2D bar code would be handy for that - in case it would be scanned. It works for the airline, why would it not work for the airport? Calling for ID checks to enter security... my guess is You do not have to wait too long for that to happen.

Grumpy thats all :D and its good they do their job. I love Helsinki Airport.

few years ago HEL security had a policy that only one lighter (maybe only one lighter OR matches) was allowed per person. i had few lighters confiscated. supposedly this was (is?) EU-wide policy, but never enforced elsewhere in my experience

Security at HEL is strict but fast and polite. Very professonal I would say. LHR do not accept transparent diddy bags anymore but requires to use their own zip-log bags instead. OP, please try UK or US security again to revaluate your opinnion of bad security. ;)

Interesting, a friend of mine recently flew on HEL-SIN as opposed to his usual routing via LHR and one of the things he spoke very positively about was the streamlined and efficient security setup at HEL.

I came to this thread alarmed that the security at HEL has turned bad.

I can now leave when I see that it was not the case. :o

There have been times also at HEL, when you had to prove flying soon to be able to enter airside.

"Have been times" ? That's the standard and been for a while, at all EU airports?

For the record: I think HEL security is extremely efficient and quick but I just cannot understand this useless EU regulation about checking BPs at security w/o requesting ID, that has been my only point in this thread :)

In Amsterdam this afternoon they spent like 5-10 seconds looking at each BP...for what, one might wonder..

Yesterday I went to Fast Track gate showed an SMS confirmation about my J class trip with AY.Security asked a AY card,I told that I do not have with me.He said that I cannot use this line,because this is only for AY status flyers.Then I pointed to the stand next to him and tell him to read first line(Business Class passengers).Why they put amateurs to work to this gate?:confused:

"Have been times" ? That's the standard and been for a while, at all EU airports?

Once upon a time, not too long after nine-eleven, the BPs were scanned or the ID (driver´s licence, credit card or FF card) connected to e-ticket (in case of no BP) were flipped through a reader before letting the passenger to enter the security.

The experiment did not last very long but would definitely be more effective to keep the loiterers outside of airside and even better, the lesser mortals from blocking the fast track ;).

From security point of view this is total BS as they do not check your ID, only the BP...anyone can print one and enter the "secure" area w/o any plans on flying...total waste of everyone's time, that's what it is.

I doubt that anyone can fake a BP. And anyhow, if anyone can fake a BP then a combined ID check would give no extra security.

In my mind the BP check has less of a security function and more of an filter function, so that people who do not need to enter a certain area is not scanned (and thus not taking up resources unnecessary). It is not designed to be a 100% protection against malicious activities.





My major experience with Helsinki security scans are the ones performed when arriving from asia in T2. This scan has been thorough but efficient. I actually have found myself surprised how well manned this scan has been. (The few times I have entered vantaa landside, I have found the scans in T1 quite slow, but no worse than most airports)

I doubt that anyone can fake a BP.

Just take a photocopy/print out from an e-checkin BP of your neighbour, friend, enemy, whoever...no need to fake anything? I mean IF someone wants to enter airside w/o actually planning on flying it's REALLY easy...the whole procedure (with or without ID check) has very little to do with real security, that's for sure...pure waste of time as said many times..

Yes, it is easy to copy an existing legitimate print-you-own BP. But you still need access to the original. So BP-check makes a reasonable means of letting only the intended persons into security scan.

I am thinking that the showing-BP-waste-of-time is actually lowering the (waste of) time waiting in line for security scan, and if so I am willing to accept it.

I agree it has little to do with security, but just because the routine is performed by security staff doesn't necessarily mean that it is a security driven routine.

SMS BP is very easy to fake.

At least with the BP check they can be reasonably sure that people who enter airside have checked in for their flight and haven't lost their travel documents yet, and don't need to be escorted out again for that. I would almost see it as a service for first-time or infrequent flyers who might not have a clear idea about what they need to do at the airport. Those who are flying and have BPs should anyway have it somewhere close at hand, so what's the big deal about showing it?

True, you can always obtain a BP (whether real or fake) if you really want to go there, but I doubt many people would do that to get to airside just for fun, especially if it involves active fraud or forgery. It won't stop the bad guys of course, but I don't think it's designed to either.

To the actual topic, I don't fly nearly as much as many others on FT, but I go through HEL on most of my trips. Like many previous posters, I've always found security there to be fast, efficient and professional, I don't know why the OP has had problems so many times :confused:

Yes, it is easy to copy an existing legitimate print-you-own BP. But you still need access to the original. So BP-check makes a reasonable means of letting only the intended persons into security scan.

I am thinking that the showing-BP-waste-of-time is actually lowering the (waste of) time waiting in line for security scan, and if so I am willing to accept it.

I agree it has little to do with security, but just because the routine is performed by security staff doesn't necessarily mean that it is a security driven routine.
Have they recently actually started to check the passengers from a computer (I haven't gone through security there recently).

If not you can Google "e-ticket receipt" and work from there (that is if you don't have an old e-ticket receipt or BP or SMS BP as a model. I highly doubt nobody would notice the difference if you just change the dates and name if necessary.

I don't think either that checking the BP:s would speed up the process. It's not like masses of people where jamming the security before this new rule came in to force. You may have had a couple of people willing to meet their relatives at the gate and a few odd airline enthusiasts going "bird watching" but not too many. The little time that is saved not checking them is surely used up checking the BP:s of everybody.

Never had any problems with HEL security, and only had my bag searched once, when I forgot to remove a small penknife.

As for checking boarding passes - about a year ago, I was boarding a flight to Gothenburg and there was an older couple in line ahead of me. They handed what looked like a Gmail printout to the GA, who looked very puzzled, asked for boarding passes and eventually figured out that they had not checked in at all. I'm not sure how they made it past security, since they definitely were checking boarding passes there.

From the OPs complaint and the responses AY Seems to be a silly and obstinate airline.

They don't fly to many places so no one really needs to care except OW elites...but ... India is one of them, see the other thread for resentment have caused there through ignorance of global and Schengen practices
I don't see them string in India very long if their corporate responses mirror the ones on the thread.....

I think they need to get their act together as a global ebntity or stay confined to Europe like in the 1990s when. No one had heard of finnair.

From the OPs complaint and the responses AY Seems to be a silly and obstinate airline.

They don't fly to many places so no one really needs to care except OW elites...but ... India is one of them, see the other thread for resentment have caused there through ignorance of global and Schengen practices
I don't see them string in India very long if their corporate responses mirror the ones on the thread.....

I think they need to get their act together as a global ebntity or stay confined to Europe like in the 1990s when. No one had heard of finnair.


Well.. Last time I checked AY was a significant player in the Europe-Asia traffic, they do 'fly to many places'.

Didn't you notice that most of us here think that the security at HEL usually is efficient and quick , never had any major problems there.

What comes to the traffic from India to the Schengen Europe, there are reasons for the rules.

OT: Would it be too much required from the seasoned world travelers to have decent travel documents along: i.e. a proper passport or proper passports with proper visas? Instead of ranting about airline or immigration practices based on single personal experiences.

Tough luck if a person does not have a EU, Australian, Canadian, or even US passport. There will be in the foreseeable future more trouble in getting around then.

As for checking boarding passes - about a year ago, I was boarding a flight to Gothenburg and there was an older couple in line ahead of me. They handed what looked like a Gmail printout to the GA, who looked very puzzled, asked for boarding passes and eventually figured out that they had not checked in at all. I'm not sure how they made it past security, since they definitely were checking boarding passes there.
They don't check boarding passes at security, they check something that proves "intent to travel", BP is okay, and so is any other suitable document such as a gmail printout of the e-ticket receipt or reservation confirmation.
http://www.finnair.fi/finnaircom/wps/portal/SecurityCheck/en_FI

If you travel on a domestic flight without checked-in luggage you can even check-in at the gate after security.

If you travel on a domestic flight without checked-in luggage you can even check-in at the gate after security.

They have check-in kisoks in T2 that handle every airline. I was able to check-in for AA, was through security in about 3 minutes and enjoying the lounge before my flight!

Well.. Last time I checked AY was a significant player in the Europe-Asia traffic, they do 'fly to many places'.

Didn't you notice that most of us here think that the security at HEL usually is efficient and quick , never had any major problems there.

What comes to the traffic from India to the Schengen Europe, there are reasons for the rules.

That was a polite response to what I see in retrospectwas an impolite post from me... Thanks, and Please accept my apologies.

Tough luck if a person does not have a EU, Australian, Canadian, or even US passport. There will be in the foreseeable future more trouble in getting around then.

If checks at HEL are especially rigid and the Border Guards unco-operative, would you then recommend f.ex Chinese and Indian passport holders to choose other carriers than AY and transit at another hub? It sounds like their business is not needed at Finnair.

If checks at HEL are especially rigid and the Border Guards unco-operative, would you then recommend f.ex Chinese and Indian passport holders to choose other carriers than AY and transit at another hub? It sounds like their business is not needed at Finnair.

If it were not for you and other posters, I would draw the same conclusion from this kind of response. But I think the quality and courtesy of most posts wpuld not make us feel unwelcome..all we ask is please apply rules
Lightly and rationally and not bureaucratically :) please be assured thatfinland is not about to be invaded with hordes of Indian immigrants!

If checks at HEL are especially rigid and the Border Guards unco-operative, would you then recommend f.ex Chinese and Indian passport holders to choose other carriers than AY and transit at another hub? It sounds like their business is not needed at Finnair.

It would be interesting to arrange a poll about rudeness (IMO: DYKWIAs may often get what they deserve), inflexibility (IMO: when a function is governed by EU directive or Finnish law, there should in fact be no flexibility, but just playing by the book), or lacking language skills of Finnish border guards. ;) And perhaps a comparison at some selected spots around the world...

I think most of the Asian as well as European passengers will base their decision of airline to use on many other factors as well, such as timetables, pricing, effortless connections at HEL, etc. Besides, there is no need to to meet the bad and ugly Finnish border guys or gals when just transiting from non-Schengen to non-Schengen.

That was a polite response to what I see in retrospectwas an impolite post from me... Thanks, and Please accept my apologies.

No problem, peace :cool:

..all we ask is please apply rules
Lightly and rationally and not bureaucratically :) please be assured that finland is not about to be invaded with hordes of Indian immigrants!

Sorry if I repeat myself but the problem are the illegal immigrants and human trafickers from Asia and Russia who try to use Finland as an entry point to Europe, rather than stay in Finland. Probably some count Finland would be an easier back door to get through to the Schengen-Europe.

Smallish HEL gets direct flights from around 10 Asian cities and Finland shares a long, busy border with Russia. I can imagine in Finland the authorities have pressures keeping the EU's northeastern border safe.

Border controls and airport security seems to be mixed up in this conversation.

1/ Border control - I have experiences from the time my passport was a non-EU passport. I've found the Finnish border guards professional and efficient. Did they ask questions? Yes they did. (part of the job) Were they friendly? Usually not. Were they UNfriendly? Never Sheer professionalism.

2/ Security - my wife sometimes complains that HEL metal detectors are set to more sensitive than others (KUO, OUL, etc) - she "beeps" in HEL with the same gear she passes silently at others. Still, I find the HEL security "experience" much more pleasant than at many other European airports - and from what I hear, MUCH better than at US airports.

2/ Security - my wife sometimes complains that HEL metal detectors are set to more sensitive than others (KUO, OUL, etc) - she "beeps" in HEL with the same gear she passes silently at others. Still, I find the HEL security "experience" much more pleasant than at many other European airports - and from what I hear, MUCH better than at US airports.

I think the overwhelming majority of European airports offer nicer "security experience" than the US ones. It almost feels like some people working for TSA delight in being borderline obnoxious. Hell, nowadays security people at SVO sometimes smile!

But yeah, HEL security is one of the better ones in Europe, as evidenced by many comments in this thread.

Sorry if I repeat myself but the problem are the illegal immigrants and human trafickers from Asia and Russia who try to use Finland as an entry point to Europe, rather than stay in Finland. Probably some count Finland would be an easier back door to get through to the Schengen-Europe.

There are other tasks as well for the border guards. For example, Chinese travellers are not allowed to deviate from their original scheduled program at all. If they for example try to enjoy a weekend cruise to Stockholm instead of visiting a factory in Finland as scheduled, their Schengen visa will be revoked. So the border guards also keep close watch on travel schedules of Asian visitors and check that these are not changed but followed to the point.

Very happy that civilized societies like China have not taken up similar measures regarding EU citizens. On the other hand, I think only Finnish authorities are so pedantic in their interpretation of EU rules.

Very happy that civilized societies like China have not taken up similar measures regarding EU citizens. On the other hand, I think only Finnish authorities are so pedantic in their interpretation of EU rules.

Getting on a slippery slope soon...

There are other tasks as well for the border guards. For example, Chinese travellers are not allowed to deviate from their original scheduled program at all. If they for example try to enjoy a weekend cruise to Stockholm instead of visiting a factory in Finland as scheduled, their Schengen visa will be revoked. So the border guards also keep close watch on travel schedules of Asian visitors and check that these are not changed but followed to the point.


Are you quite sure about this? Given that there are NO border controls on ferries or at Schengen side at HEL, I find it quite unbelievable, that Finnish border guards would/could make any checks on Chinese passengers. Even more so, as visas are usually valid for the whole Schengen area, not just one particular country (with exceptions)

It may be quite so that the Chinese government puts restrictions on their citizens, but from the EU point of you, once you're in Schengenistan, you're free to roam all 27 (?) countries.

No problem, peace :cool:



Sorry if I repeat myself but the problem are the illegal immigrants and human trafickers from Asia and Russia who try to use Finland as an entry point to Europe, rather than stay in Finland. Probably some count Finland would be an easier back door to get through to the Schengen-Europe.

Smallish HEL gets direct flights from around 10 Asian cities and Finland shares a long, busy border with Russia. I can imagine in Finland the authorities have pressures keeping the EU's northeastern border safe.

Agreed but that's where discretion works. Somebody trying to fly from London to Helsinki with a valid visa is unlikely to be a human trafficker....

Are you quite sure about this? Given that there are NO border controls on ferries or at Schengen side at HEL, I find it quite unbelievable, that Finnish border guards would/could make any checks on Chinese passengers. Even more so, as visas are usually valid for the whole Schengen area, not just one particular country (with exceptions)

It may be quite so that the Chinese government puts restrictions on their citizens, but from the EU point of you, once you're in Schengenistan, you're free to roam all 27 (?) countries.

No, any deviation from the original travel schedule results in revoking the Schengen visa and for the travellers to be expelled. This is at least how the Finnish authorities interpret rules, AFAIK. If they have scheduled a factory visit at a certain location on a certain day, it is viewed as a criminal act if they decide on something else and cancel the visit.

No, any deviation from the original travel schedule results in revoking the Schengen visa and for the travellers to be expelled. This is at least how the Finnish authorities interpret rules, AFAIK. If they have scheduled a factory visit at a certain location on a certain day, it is viewed as a criminal act if they decide on something else and cancel the visit.

Good heavens! I did not know this....

No, any deviation from the original travel schedule results in revoking the Schengen visa and for the travellers to be expelled. This is at least how the Finnish authorities interpret rules, AFAIK. If they have scheduled a factory visit at a certain location on a certain day, it is viewed as a criminal act if they decide on something else and cancel the visit.

Hilarious :D!

Yes. We do have so called China-patrol-border guards in Finland patrolling that the Chinese tourists will not deviate from the planned itinerary. At the airport, GPS-radar-signal transmitting collars are attached on the Chinese tourists and removed again when at the airport for departure. Any attempt to remove the collar meanwhile will result in electric shock and subsequent strangulation.

Such fellows we Finns are!

Good heavens! I did not know this....

Well, now you know! ;)

Good heavens! I did not know this....

WARNING, COMPLETELY OT, NOTHING TO DO WITH SECURITY AT HEL.

Gee, this thread is getting stranger all the time. Finnish border guards do not go around following e.g. Chinese businessmen visiting Finland.

From personal experience I know that many Chinese cities/companies etc. want to send people to Europe, partly to meet people in the same business, partly as a perk for the hard-working cadres. (Or relatives.) They contact their Finnish counterparts, get an invitation, and apply for the visa. For visa they often produce supporting documents, i.e. the program organized by the local hosts. Sometimes it then happens that a sizeable share of the delegation does not participate in the program but chooses to do something else.

Some would say that have actually misrepresented the reason of stay for the Consulate. In the off chance they are detected doing this, perhaps the next time the Consulate will take a more negative view on their application.

If checks at HEL are especially rigid and the Border Guards unco-operative, would you then recommend f.ex Chinese and Indian passport holders to choose other carriers than AY and transit at another hub? It sounds like their business is not needed at Finnair.

There are other tasks as well for the border guards. For example, Chinese travellers are not allowed to deviate from their original scheduled program at all. If they for example try to enjoy a weekend cruise to Stockholm instead of visiting a factory in Finland as scheduled, their Schengen visa will be revoked. So the border guards also keep close watch on travel schedules of Asian visitors and check that these are not changed but followed to the point.

Very happy that civilized societies like China have not taken up similar measures regarding EU citizens. On the other hand, I think only Finnish authorities are so pedantic in their interpretation of EU rules.

mosburger, would you please take a deep breath and blow in this straw. Thank you! ;)

mosburger, I have high respect to your views and comments but this time you are wayyy off..I don't know where you get this stuff from..

When I am in line to get through passport control on arrival into the Schengen zone, the time it takes passport control clerks to process Chinese and Indian passport holders with Schengen visas seems to be more time consuming at HEL than at any EU airline hub with non-stop flights to/from China and/or India by an EU carrier. And HEL passport control also tend to take a bit longer to process arriving OECD country passport holders who are of Indian and/or Chinese ethnic backgrounds even when with residency rights in the Schengen zone.

While they seem on the hunt and paranoid at least a bit more than some others, they don't seem to be verbally obnoxious more than some other countries' passport control clerks at airports.

Hilarious :D!

Yes. We do have so called China-patrol-border guards in Finland patrolling that the Chinese tourists will not deviate from the planned itinerary. At the airport, GPS-radar-signal transmitting collars are attached on the Chinese tourists and removed again when at the airport for departure. Any attempt to remove the collar meanwhile will result in electric shock and subsequent strangulation.

Such fellows we Finns are!

What mosburger has communicated in this thread is actually a substantive, serious representation of the rather regular experiences of some such visitors, particularly those who are asked to provide various documents on entry (and sometimes even exit) that go beyond just requiring such visitors -- including those transiting -- present a valid passport+visa for Finland and/or elsewhere in the Schengen Zone.

Not just Chinese and Indians but also Russians and Turks. I'm American and because of my multiple entries to and departures from Schengen zone, a Finnish border police once told me that he's making sure that I have not overstayed my 60-day welcome. And this is when I was exiting HEL. Go figure.

But I have to disagree with the OP on security. I challenge the OP to travel to MNL.

Now I'm worried... I am traveling on Finnair, in business class in October GVA-PEK. Ok I use my diplomatic passport Return is DEL- London in November also Business London is my second home I have permanent residence there issued in 1997 its therefore in an old passport there is no system in britain of transferring visas...no one has ever in any country Schengen or otherwise made the least fuss about this in the last14years but from what I am reading here things are a little less sophisticated in Finland I have a diplomatic passport but that is not correct as my travel on return is personal

I can cancel AY and spend 500 dollars more flying LH which is never a problem, but dont want to be jumping the gun. Do the finns understand what uk permanent residence means, and the documentation?Should i ask the Finn embassy in brazil to give me a letter to help me with these wild sounding "border guards"? I am not white, I am Asian..
All I want to do is transit peacefully to London ... Spend 2 days there and move on to brazil where I am posted?

mosburger, I have high respect to your views and comments but this time you are wayyy off..I don't know where you get this stuff from..

I am of course dramatizing matters somewhat but the fundamentals are there. As such, Finnish diplomats for example in China are doing a very good job in processing Schengen visa. Seven to ten working days for the whole checks while other EU countries like Germany have processing times of over 1,5 months.

But I would draw attention to the unnecessary strict and pedantic line taken by the border guards. It almost seems that they are using supposed threats to ensure government funding and send liaison officers on nice expat packages to Delhi, Beijing etc. ;)

If somebody's papers are NOT OK when arriving to Helsinki, the feeling Border Guards being rigid and co-operative to NOT let you go thrue, may be correct. One's you paper ARE OK, you have absolutely no fear, you dont have to generate fever about passing Border Control, because you now that you are entitled to do so. Simple as that.

Now I'm worried... I am traveling on Finnair, in business class in October GVA-PEK. Ok I use my diplomatic passport Return is DEL- London in November also Business London is my second home I have permanent residence there issued in 1997 its therefore in an old passport there is no system in britain of transferring visas...no one has ever in any country Schengen or otherwise made the least fuss about this in the last14years but from what I am reading here things are a little less sophisticated in Finland I have a diplomatic passport but that is not correct as my travel on return is personal

I can cancel AY and spend 500 dollars more flying LH which is never a problem, but dont want to be jumping the gun. Do the finns understand what uk permanent residence means, and the documentation?Should i ask the Finn embassy in brazil to give me a letter to help me with these wild sounding "border guards"? I am not white, I am Asian..
All I want to do is transit peacefully to London ... Spend 2 days there and move on to brazil where I am posted?

You'll be fine. And if you are coming back DEL-LHR, why do you worry about "wild" Finnish border guards on that leg? You are not even entering Schengen!

This thread really gives the term "thread drift" a new meaning. Where are the strict border guards when you need them!?!

Now I'm worried... I am traveling on Finnair, in business class in October GVA-PEK. Ok I use my diplomatic passport Return is DEL- London in November also Business London is my second home I have permanent residence there issued in 1997 its therefore in an old passport there is no system in britain of transferring visas...no one has ever in any country Schengen or otherwise made the least fuss about this in the last14years but from what I am reading here things are a little less sophisticated in Finland I have a diplomatic passport but that is not correct as my travel on return is personal

I can cancel AY and spend 500 dollars more flying LH which is never a problem, but dont want to be jumping the gun. Do the finns understand what uk permanent residence means, and the documentation?Should i ask the Finn embassy in brazil to give me a letter to help me with these wild sounding "border guards"? I am not white, I am Asian..
All I want to do is transit peacefully to London ... Spend 2 days there and move on to brazil where I am posted?

For a situation like yours,there is no reason to worry about anything other than a somewhat slower processing time for non-EU citizens and anything that would arise from that.

The HEL passport control clerks are not verbally obnoxious or even outwardly rude. They are somewhat bigger sticklers and act a bit more paranoid than most EU Schengen passport control staff at EU airline hubs, but it's not been a reason for me to avoid HEL even when in the company of persons of the kinds of background described in my earlier post. You should be fine. HEL is not WAW. [And some of those at ARN are far worse than the worse of the lot at HEL, but neither are as bad as WAW.]

Two possible solutions to the problem described in the thread below and taken over to this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/finnair-plus/1252011-resentment-against-finnair-india.html

AY should train their outstation (outsourced?) staff better. For that, it is necessary to contact AY customer service for any adverse or unjust experiences.

or

The UK should join Schengen :D!

Comments seen here and in the other thread about future superpowers, silly little airlines, implications of nationalist or racist behavior of Finnish border guards or AY check in staff, Finnish officials interpreting the EU laws in a wrong way, etc. are neither constructive nor true.

I leave this matter and head for a vacation in San Francisco. Meeting the efficient and courteours border guards soon at SFO airport.

Please, travel to Finland and find out how the things are, do not believe hearsay!

Repeat...

For a situation like yours,there is no reason to worry about anything other than a somewhat slower processing time for non-EU citizens and anything that would arise from that.

The HEL passport control clerks are not verbally obnoxious or even outwardly rude. They are somewhat bigger sticklers and act a bit more paranoid than most EU Schengen passport control staff at EU airline hubs, but it's not been a reason for me to avoid HEL even when in the company of persons of the kinds of background described in my earlier post. You should be fine. HEL is not WAW. [And some of those at ARN are far worse than the worse of the lot at HEL, but neither are as bad as WAW.]

I've not been to Poland on years... Last went from the uk in 1999 bit never found it a problem...sad to know it's worse..thanks for the heads up on HEL

You'll be fine. And if you are coming back DEL-LHR, why do you worry about "wild" Finnish border guards on that leg? You are not even entering Schengen!

This thread really gives the term "thread drift" a new meaning. Where are the strict border guards when you need them!?!

"wild" was not pejorative, my apologies, just from the previous descriptions and the reference for being in a state of nature I was a bit scared, being a diminutive chap, myself. Ok so non Schengen to non Schengen is fine that's good. Outbound, I leave Schengen so fine also..

I leave this matter and head for a vacation in San Francisco. Meeting the efficient and courteours border guards soon at SFO airport.

:D I hope that is how it turns out at SFO.

The US DHS has some of the most paranoid passport control clerks of any country. Can't say they are collectively more efficient and courteous than their PRC counterparts, particularly when even for returning US citizens some of them -- more so the younger ones -- seem to have bought into the paranoia about "others" more than others.

Not just Chinese and Indians but also Russians and Turks. I'm American and because of my multiple entries to and departures from Schengen zone, a Finnish border police once told me that he's making sure that I have not overstayed my 60-day welcome. And this is when I was exiting HEL. Go figure.


Given the number of false documents in circulation, I welcome the extra 20 seconds the border guards spend on verification of authenticity. Many a false passport bearer gets caught in HEL.

As for checking your days in Schengenistan - when do you expect them to check it if not at the exit?? :D

When I am in line to get through passport control on arrival into the Schengen zone, the time it takes passport control clerks to process Chinese and Indian passport holders with Schengen visas seems to be more time consuming at HEL than at any EU airline hub with non-stop flights to/from China and/or India by an EU carrier.

Well, at least in FRA they do take their time to process mentioned passports.

Well, at least in FRA they do take their time to process mentioned passports.

They do; however, when it comes to per passenger processing times for such passengers with Schengen stickers in their passports, FRA is faster than HEL.

I leave this matter and head for a vacation in San Francisco. Meeting the efficient and courteours border guards soon at SFO airport.No kiddin'! SFR is not a bad station to enter the US.

Given the number of false documents in circulation, I welcome the extra 20 seconds the border guards spend on verification of authenticity. Many a false passport bearer gets caught in HEL.
So actually the thread title should read "Helsinki airport security control --> the BEST!!" :D :D :D

No kiddin'! SFR is not a bad station to enter the US.

Trust me, they can all be bad...but SFO is usually quite good, that's true. MIA is one the worst in my experience and I try avoid it at all costs but just recently I was through immigration (non-US) there in less than 2 minutes so you can never know..however, one lucky day didn't change my "MIA avoiding plans" the slightest..

OT: Leisurely and relaxed entry in SFO after enjoyable 11 hours on the upper deck from LHR.

I think the disconnect is what Finavia says (Via Helsinki, Via Spa, Via Lounge = speedy transit) and what visitors experience in passport control in HEL.

Finnish Border Guards ought to (1) put more officers in the All Passport booths, (2) install fast-track lane for business class passengers like they have in India and London or (3) allow non-EU passport holders to use the EU/EEA lane once the latter have been processed. On several occasions I see guards in the EU/EEA booth looking board while colleagues in the All Passport booths scurry to process the rest of the passengers.

I have nothing negative to say about airport security.

My day of reckoning with the "wild Finnish border guards" has arrived.! :D

8october transiting from. GVA to PEK If any Fter is on hand would love to meetup in lounge.....fairly long transit.... Please pm me

Well I am in the lounge at Helsinki. Yes the border guards were very very slow compared to other Schengen, even with my diplomatic passport. They kept looking at different pages and turning it from one side to another, like a guard in a bad Cold War movie :D:D
But they were neat, polite and spoke excellent English--hardly wild!

Also no fast track. Surprised

The airport is overcrowded with shops and has poor signage IMO the lounge looks good but is also overcrowded Also, the lounge entry is understaffed and they take a long time to let one in. Not very bright or not well trained: when I showed them my adapter and asked which combination wpuld work in Finland they did not know... A pax helped me out. I think the lounge itself would be nice if it was not so full and noisy I'm not drinking but went to check out the bar... They seem to have an unnecessarily complicated policy



The flight in from Geneve on a baby plane had excellent crew. Early 50s they both were but top notch service, good food and top red wine. Only complaint, too many announcements! Let's see the China segment...

Ok, this is not at all Finnair's fault, but anyhow closely related to their business.

I've travelled to most parts of the world and even though security controls can be very strict in US and UK, nothing beats the Helsinki one. I've went through the securities more than 30 times now, in the beginning I thought I might just be unlucky, but no it's consistent...

First, they require you to dig up the boarding pass which is quite unusual, second they must have the strictest metal detector of all. In all other places, I can always keep my small titanium ring on, but no, not here. And even though I declare my sub 100ml liquids before they enter the scanner, they always must open the bags and check them afterwards. Finally, every other time they open up and search through my whole bag, this happens about 50% of the times.

Am I just being grumpy now or does anyone agree with me?

I would really like to know where you have travelled if you think that HEL has the worst security? In my opinion it's one of the best.

I would really like to know where you have travelled if you think that HEL has the worst security? In my opinion it's one of the best.

Tonight it took me less than 20 minutes from taxi to Via Lounge, and that included visit to tax-free shop (Mrs SPBanker gave me very good instructions, luckily).