Guide to BA at Cairo airport - ex-CAI trips
#46
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Executive Club (Silver), Le Club Accor (Silver)
Posts: 675
Yes. As with much of security theater, time spent in the line is often much longer than that spent in actual checking. So, if you leave a few mins early, you should be fine.
However, it is certainly annoying and possibly poointless. I just passed thru CAI and recall having 4 security checks in all.
However, it is certainly annoying and possibly poointless. I just passed thru CAI and recall having 4 security checks in all.
#47
Join Date: May 2007
Location: ORD, DEL
Programs: AA (Plt Pro; 1.5 MM)
Posts: 6,183
You could Meet & Assist for arrival and use their lounge until check in opens. In fact you could probably just pay them for departure and they would bring you your boarding pass. http://www.cairo-airport.com/service..._servicese.asp
except that now a days USD 50 = EGP 900. So I am not sure if we have to pay USD50 or EGP300?
#48
#49
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,927
I mentioned that in CAI the initial security screener showed me the x-ray of my suitcase and asked me to show him my electric toothbrush and something else (which I guessed was a tiny USB drive which he accepted but seemed unconvinced it was what was in the x-ray). It was in AMM transit security that we felt that being white was making a difference. They did a full secondary on every item in our suitcases. It was almost as bad as having the Arm of Doom in LHR.
#50
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 16,965
Have you ever been to Cairo airport (I am certain you have) ? TBH I couldn't give a F how many times they want to check the stupid stamp and 50% of the time the guy is not even there to check it and another 50% of the time doesn't even want to look at it. Therefore, the check is pointless.
In my last transit trip through Cairo the EK guy (eventually) picked me up in the transit area. He took me all the way back to checkin. The first security guard was eating his dinner with 2 cleaners so was no longer interested. The security office next to immigration was busy and the "Chief" couldn't be bothered to get out of his chair to check my credentials and just waved his hand.
So, pointless is exactly the word. If you don't have a security culture ingrained through the whole organization then it doesn't matter how hard one guy tries if the others let him down. I am sure CAI airport bucks itself up when the inspections happen but there is no consistent approach to security, white guys are treated differently to other creeds etc and if you believe that Cairo is a first world airport with first world security then maybe you shouldn't.
In my last transit trip through Cairo the EK guy (eventually) picked me up in the transit area. He took me all the way back to checkin. The first security guard was eating his dinner with 2 cleaners so was no longer interested. The security office next to immigration was busy and the "Chief" couldn't be bothered to get out of his chair to check my credentials and just waved his hand.
So, pointless is exactly the word. If you don't have a security culture ingrained through the whole organization then it doesn't matter how hard one guy tries if the others let him down. I am sure CAI airport bucks itself up when the inspections happen but there is no consistent approach to security, white guys are treated differently to other creeds etc and if you believe that Cairo is a first world airport with first world security then maybe you shouldn't.
Whatever security is in place in Cairo suits that environment, that culture. Ad hoc profiling clearly takes place and partly addresses the rather ugly comment about "white guys". There you're looking at the vertical cut of caucasian rather than a series of assessments across race.
It's not the way things are done in Europe. Indeed, that type of profiling is anathema to our security services in the UK: but Cairo isn't the UK.
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 16,965
My issue seems to be arriving so late in the evening - I'm happy to be contradicted however I don't fancy the idea of waiting in a transit holding pen at CAI for several hours before Etihad staff become available to give me access back through into departures. Check-in only opens 3 hours before departure.
but if you can't change, the bummer would be the very real faff of landside checkin at 4 am. after only an hour or so in bed.
So if without a change in flight times, you'll have to pay it by ear and just settle down with a book in the transit area. Who knows? The transfer gods might be smiling...
#52
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GGL, A3 Gold, M&M SEN, FlyingBlue Gold, AS MVP Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Amb
Posts: 902
I thought this was an exaggeration... until this morning! Utter mess. While on the way in everything went smoothly (Novotel rep waiting for me and whisked me through immigration skipping all queues - other passengers didn't look impressed), the departure was a different story. I'm glad to be back
#53
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 54
I thought this was an exaggeration... until this morning! Utter mess. While on the way in everything went smoothly (Novotel rep waiting for me and whisked me through immigration skipping all queues - other passengers didn't look impressed), the departure was a different story. I'm glad to be back
#55
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Lincoln, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 1,257
Is there any update on Bluetooth headphones being allowed in the cabin Ex CAI.
I called YouFirst, and the agent was not sure. I was placed on hold so they could ask their colleagues and the consensus was that they would be fine, but as they are not specifically mentioned in their listings, that comment could not be taken as binding. The agent said they were going to mail "someone" who could provide a definite answer, and mail me within a couple of days with that.
I am just about to follow that up, but was hoping somebody on here can offer a definitive answer as opposed to an opinion. They are just too expensive to simply give up at the gate.
I called YouFirst, and the agent was not sure. I was placed on hold so they could ask their colleagues and the consensus was that they would be fine, but as they are not specifically mentioned in their listings, that comment could not be taken as binding. The agent said they were going to mail "someone" who could provide a definite answer, and mail me within a couple of days with that.
I am just about to follow that up, but was hoping somebody on here can offer a definitive answer as opposed to an opinion. They are just too expensive to simply give up at the gate.
#56
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GGL, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 910
Outbound : Arrived fine and easy to find the visa (bank) desks in the immigration hall. I bought 3 visa's to keep some for other occasions. Very slow queue to get through and would certainly have benefitted from being able to skip the 20-25 minute wait. Rather chaotic. Once through it was easy to exit the terminal, cross the road and walk across the car park to the Le Meridien. I didn't feel the need to enter T3 and use the bridge over.
Inbound : I could have stayed in bed about 20 minutes longer but wanted to be through in time so left hotel about 6:20 for 8:00 departure. Easy walk over to terminal, numerous 'security' checks and was into departures pretty easy. The lounge isn't worth spending time in to be honest. Gate check to remove laptops etc from people who weren't aware of the requirement.
Overall : If Le Meridien/other hotel do a Meet And Greet to skip immigration queue then it's certainly worth it. I wouldn't bother with any Meet And Greet/Assist where the person just stands with you in the queue, as the entry form and visa are hardly difficult. If staying at the Le Meridien I really can't see the point of taking the hotel shuttle bus considering it's barely 5 minutes walk away.
#57
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: EDI
Programs: BAEC Silver, Marriott Silver
Posts: 11
Is there any update on Bluetooth headphones being allowed in the cabin Ex CAI.
I called YouFirst, and the agent was not sure. I was placed on hold so they could ask their colleagues and the consensus was that they would be fine, but as they are not specifically mentioned in their listings, that comment could not be taken as binding. The agent said they were going to mail "someone" who could provide a definite answer, and mail me within a couple of days with that.
I am just about to follow that up, but was hoping somebody on here can offer a definitive answer as opposed to an opinion. They are just too expensive to simply give up at the gate.
I called YouFirst, and the agent was not sure. I was placed on hold so they could ask their colleagues and the consensus was that they would be fine, but as they are not specifically mentioned in their listings, that comment could not be taken as binding. The agent said they were going to mail "someone" who could provide a definite answer, and mail me within a couple of days with that.
I am just about to follow that up, but was hoping somebody on here can offer a definitive answer as opposed to an opinion. They are just too expensive to simply give up at the gate.
I took my large Plantronics Bluetooth headset in my carry on luggage in September when flying CAI to LHR with BA and had no problems with security.
Last edited by arpy; Oct 9, 2017 at 3:00 pm Reason: Clarification
#58
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP (OWE), VA PLAT, EY GLD, SPG PLAT, Hyatt DIA, Hilton DIA, Hertz PC
Posts: 8,509
Overall : If Le Meridien/other hotel do a Meet And Greet to skip immigration queue then it's certainly worth it. I wouldn't bother with any Meet And Greet/Assist where the person just stands with you in the queue, as the entry form and visa are hardly difficult. If staying at the Le Meridien I really can't see the point of taking the hotel shuttle bus considering it's barely 5 minutes walk away.
I will add the when you arrive at the VIP terminal for departure they take you upstairs to where the other lounges are but have several just for Meet & Assist customers.
#59
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA GGL, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 910
I posted the entire Meet & Assist process here https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28890241-post89.html
I will add the when you arrive at the VIP terminal for departure they take you upstairs to where the other lounges are but have several just for Meet & Assist customers.
I will add the when you arrive at the VIP terminal for departure they take you upstairs to where the other lounges are but have several just for Meet & Assist customers.
https://capsegypt.com/p/services
I just want to be sure I'm paying for the right one.
#60
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: 38,000 feet
Programs: LH HON, BA GGL, AF Plat, EK Plat
Posts: 6,423
Thanks - could be useful. There are several purported "Meet and Assist" - is this the one you used?
https://capsegypt.com/p/services
I just want to be sure I'm paying for the right one.
https://capsegypt.com/p/services
I just want to be sure I'm paying for the right one.