KLM Flying Dutchman - Non-Schengen D-gates D26 - D31 - Common security check replaces security at gate

Has anyone used or passed the D-gate non-Schengen zone lately? It seems that there may now be a central security check, at least for those gates at the very end of the D corridor, rather than security at each individual gate.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1308372-schipol-non-schengen-centralised-security.html

I know there was talk of changing the system, but no hint that it might change so quickly. I can't find any information online.

Has anyone used or passed the D-gate non-Schengen zone lately? It seems that there may now be a central security check, at least for those gates at the very end of the D corridor, rather than security at each individual gate.Yes, I saw that when I arrived from LHR on BA last week.

They used to have something similar years ago, but then it was located closer to the fork in the D concourse, and only consisted of a customs checkpoint, if I remember correctly.

The obvious downside of this arrangement is that the gates are a long walk from anything and everything, and especially the BA lounge. BA departures used to be from D2 (if you were lucky) or otherwise D12 or D14.

Whether the new system will be better from a pax perspective is debatable, I strongly suspect the main purpose is to save Schiphol money by reducing the number of checkpoints and staff needed to man them.

D gate security checks are generally a disaster, often only one scanner is used even when two are available, security staff start late and the whole process is excruciatingly slow. It is not unusual for flights to be delayed as a result. But if three or four full flights are scheduled to depart within a short time of each other in the new zone, it might be even worse.

Johan

Can you describe how it works as an arriving passenger?

Where, exactly, does one arrive? Are the arriving passengers mingled with the cleared, departing passengers? Does one arrive further up the corridor, past the security screening? (I don't see how that is physically possible, though). Or do passengers arrive downstairs, in the "Schengen" zone, and hence are not subject to passport controls on arrival? (Again, I don't see how that would suddenly be deemed acceptable).

Has anyone used or passed the D-gate non-Schengen zone lately? It seems that there may now be a central security check, at least for those gates at the very end of the D corridor, rather than security at each individual gate.

I have beginning of last week. Departed from D12 and still used the individual gate security (which was an absolute disaster with regards to speed and efficiency).

Upon arrival, we were bussed to an arrivals area despite the plane being parked at a D-gate. I was making a dash for my train so wasn't particularly paying attention to where we had arrived, but we still had to pass through passport control (one booth for EU, one for all other passports, should you find that information helpfull).

Schiphol Aiport decided to make a centralized check point not because of the money issues, but because they are refurbishing the entire concourse. If you've ever been lucky enough to depart on a flight leaving from gates D26-D31 you might have seen that the gates were very narrow and staying in the gate area longer than 10 mins is already unpleasant. So by making a centralized checkpoint SPL is able to redesign the gates and make it 'waiting proof' as they like to call it. The entire area should be finished by June 2012. It's a project set up by KLM and Schiphol Airport. It's gonna look way better with new and comfortable seats and power stations for your laptop computer/ipads. If you arrive at one of these gates a special door will be switched meaning you have to walk out of the 'clean' area. So if you have a connecting flight from any of these gates you gotta go back through security. Schiphol will keep the centralized checkpoint only for these gates.

KLM and Schiphol Airport opened the new gate D05 today as well. This gate is renovated completely and is equipped with power stations, special queues for Business Class and Skyteam Elite Members and the agents that are scanning the boarding passes are now next to the entrance of the jetway..as were it used to be right after the security check. This way KLM is getting ready for the new boarding procedure for Sky Priority. Which is a cooperation between all Skyteam Partners and lets high valued costumers get hassle free through every airport in the world were Skyteam is represented at. Every three weeks from now all other D-concourse gates will be refurbished.

Thanks for that very thorough update, jayair1990.

Does this also affect the (in)famous bus-gate D06?

As I ranted in another post recently, security at Schipol is becoming more of a pain - not that I object to the security but there isn't the space or resources (or maybe just lack of will power) to do it properly.

If I have to spend ages in security queues, and have to leave the lounge early enough to allow for them then Schipol becomes a much less attractive airport to transfer through.

No, it apparently only covers gates D26 to D31 inclusive.

http://i43.tinypic.com/29nea69.jpg

Somehow, arriving passengers are delivered into the "general" area (i.e. beyond the security check, they don't mingle with the passengers waiting to depart from Gates 26-31), though I don't quite see how this is possible for the gates at the very end of the pier. Unless they time things properly and oblige departing passengers to wait in the "pen" for their gate, as if there had been screening at the gate.

Somehow, arriving passengers are delivered into the "general" area (i.e. beyond the security check, they don't mingle with the passengers waiting to depart from Gates 26-31), though I don't quite see how this is possible for the gates at the very end of the pier.

Can you describe how it works as an arriving passenger?I was not really paying attention, as I was not expecting anything new, although I was quite surprised at being allocated an end-of-the-world D-gate. Only upon exiting the the jetway did in notice something was different. As I was being pickup up in less than 15 minutes my priority was making a beeline for the exit, but I seem to recall some security lady directing us all to the right (i.e. northern) side of the concourse, where we went through a door. Only then did I notice the new security checkpoints. If I remember correctly, there were only two of them. I hope I'm wrong, because that's far too few for five gates.

Johan

Is there a dedicated lane for Privium members? Or is one just supposed to cut in line hoping other non-Privium passengers understand?

Is there a dedicated lane for Privium members? Or is one just supposed to cut in line hoping other non-Privium passengers understand?

Can you use Privium regardless of airline status at security checkpoints then? Only thing I can think of is that you use your FB silver for the priority lane.

Ah, good point there. For Schengen security there is a dedicated lane of course, but in the non-Schengen area there is only a dedicated lane for passport control (via the iris scan), but none for the security control at the gates.

the non-Schengen area there is only a dedicated lane for passport control (via the iris scan), but none for the security control at the gates.When security checks are conducted at the gate, it is up to the individual airlines to decide which priority services to offer, within the limits of the gate's physical infrastructure. In this instance Schiphol has set up a central checkpoint for a group of gates, in which case the airlines have no say in who gets priority, but Schiphol sure has. As they run Privium, it would behoove them to offer members priority.

I've e-mailed them and asked. Watch this space.

Johan

Is there a dedicated lane for Privium members?There is, Privium replied

"Geachte heer Rebel,

Hartelijk dank voor uw email.

U heeft daar als Privium klant inderdaad voorrang. Dit is aangegeven d.m.v een bord boven de doorgang. Aan de rechterkant kunnen de reguliere mensen erdoor en links is er een lane voor Privium passagiers en Businessclass passagiers.

Mocht u nog vragen hebben horen wij het graag.

Met vriendelijke groet / Kind Regards,

Privium - Amsterdam Airport Schiphol "

Separate checkpoint for J class pax and Privium members on the left.

Johan

Flew non-Schengen two weeks ago. Flight departed from D pier, but had to go through security twice :td: - once central security after passport control, a second time at the gate. Absolutely STUPID!!!

Flew non-Schengen two weeks ago. Flight departed from D pier, but had to go through security twice :td: - once central security after passport control, a second time at the gate. Absolutely STUPID!!!

Are you sure you didn't take a wrong turning somewhere?

There is central security for the Schengen part of the airport - but not for the non-Schengen-part. Did you accidentally go airside on the Schengen side?

Indeed...the only way to pass through 2 security checks for a non-Schengen flight would be to needlessly enter the Schengen part of the airport first.

Indeed...the only way to pass through 2 security checks for a non-Schengen flight would be to needlessly enter the Schengen part of the airport first.

I thought they checked BPs at the Schengen entry point, but maybe not - I guess theres nothing stopping you going into Schengen even if you are flying from Cardiff to Chicago.

I guess theres nothing stopping you going into Schengen even if you are flying from Cardiff to Chicago.

Shouldn't passport control do this?

silonic has posted a very good description of the new layout over on the BA thread - you can read the post here (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/17927805-post54.html).

Schiphol Aiport decided to make a centralized check point not because of the money issues, but because they are refurbishing the entire concourse. If you've ever been lucky enough to depart on a flight leaving from gates D26-D31 you might have seen that the gates were very narrow and staying in the gate area longer than 10 mins is already unpleasant. So by making a centralized checkpoint SPL is able to redesign the gates and make it 'waiting proof' as they like to call it. The entire area should be finished by June 2012. It's a project set up by KLM and Schiphol Airport. It's gonna look way better with new and comfortable seats and power stations for your laptop computer/ipads. If you arrive at one of these gates a special door will be switched meaning you have to walk out of the 'clean' area. So if you have a connecting flight from any of these gates you gotta go back through security. Schiphol will keep the centralized checkpoint only for these gates.

KLM and Schiphol Airport opened the new gate D05 today as well. This gate is renovated completely and is equipped with power stations, special queues for Business Class and Skyteam Elite Members and the agents that are scanning the boarding passes are now next to the entrance of the jetway..as were it used to be right after the security check. This way KLM is getting ready for the new boarding procedure for Sky Priority. Which is a cooperation between all Skyteam Partners and lets high valued costumers get hassle free through every airport in the world were Skyteam is represented at. Every three weeks from now all other D-concourse gates will be refurbished.

When will they introduce this to the C gates and the gates going to Shengen regions?
SB

Schengen gates (including C-pier) have centralized security. :confused: