Fast track at JNB for F?
Jan 18, 2017, 6:56 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Leafy Cheshire
Programs: EK Silver...just
Posts: 86
Fast track at JNB for F?
Folks,
anyone know if there's a fast track option offered on arrival at Johannesburg for F pax?
im connecting domestically but I know immigration is a nightmare at JNB.
I can always arrange with my guys down there if it's not comp from EK
I thank you...
anyone know if there's a fast track option offered on arrival at Johannesburg for F pax?
im connecting domestically but I know immigration is a nightmare at JNB.
I can always arrange with my guys down there if it's not comp from EK
I thank you...
Jan 18, 2017, 7:06 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
Wasn't aware ACSA offered any fast track lanes at all
Jan 18, 2017, 8:59 am
#4
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 87
I just travelled twice through Johannesburg International Airport in December spending a few nights in the city each way. Was biz class. Didnt find fast track and dont know if it exists.
Joined the immigration queue for passengers who do not require visas. Each time it took nearly two hours of standing to get to the head of the queue and go through. Perhaps its just me, second time around I got fearful cramps in my calf muscles and that has taken a good fifteen days of treatment to get well. I loved the country, the safari trip and the warm and friendly people in Joburgh but I will never travel through that airport. Just cant remain standing that long.
Joined the immigration queue for passengers who do not require visas. Each time it took nearly two hours of standing to get to the head of the queue and go through. Perhaps its just me, second time around I got fearful cramps in my calf muscles and that has taken a good fifteen days of treatment to get well. I loved the country, the safari trip and the warm and friendly people in Joburgh but I will never travel through that airport. Just cant remain standing that long.
Jan 18, 2017, 1:57 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 71
No there isn't, as others have said. The last time I was there, in addition to catastrophic queue management, they'd introduced thumb print scanners as well as the face and body temperature ones. Passport control didn't know how to use the thumb print ones at all which only slowed everything further.
Jan 18, 2017, 3:02 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: BRU, CGK, DPS
Programs: EK Silver, QR Gold
Posts: 204
No there isn't, as others have said. The last time I was there, in addition to catastrophic queue management, they'd introduced thumb print scanners as well as the face and body temperature ones. Passport control didn't know how to use the thumb print ones at all which only slowed everything further.
Not a very good system they've got, wait let me rephrase, worst I've ever come across.
Jan 18, 2017, 3:21 pm
#7
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: AA MM, AA EXP; OW Emerald, EK silver
Posts: 928
No fast track however, there is a company (I think Menzies) that does a meet and greet service at JNB and expedites the immigration hassles. Our tour operator used them once and we got hustled through the diplomate lane. Well worth any extra expense.
Jan 19, 2017, 7:21 am
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Leafy Cheshire
Programs: EK Silver...just
Posts: 86
Thanks for the input folks. Yes, dwugson, its Menzies who offer such a service, thanks.
For those that want to use it try them here [email protected]
They do whisk you through the immigration so it seems...money talks in Africa hey!?
Costs from R694 plus VAT and they can also do lounges etc too.
Im giving it a bash in April anyways...
For those that want to use it try them here [email protected]
They do whisk you through the immigration so it seems...money talks in Africa hey!?
Costs from R694 plus VAT and they can also do lounges etc too.
Im giving it a bash in April anyways...
Jan 19, 2017, 9:39 am
#9
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
As opposed to the 1000 other airports around the world where such services can be purchased or it is included in your (more expensive) ticket (and for which the airline then pays the airport or a provider).
Jan 21, 2017, 5:17 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Manchester, United Kingdom
Programs: Hilton Gold, Priority Club Blue, SPG Gold, Sofitel Gold, FB Ivory, BA Blue
Posts: 8,479
For exiting SA, I've never known JNB to be anything other than reasonably fast*. The way they've set the place up, it doesn't need a fast lane. Entry (and transfer) is another matter...
* If you can ignore for a moment that JNB is in Johannesburg, it can be a surprisingly decent airport. I used to hate the place (the thieving baggage handlers can still go to hell), but my recent experiences have been pretty positive.
* If you can ignore for a moment that JNB is in Johannesburg, it can be a surprisingly decent airport. I used to hate the place (the thieving baggage handlers can still go to hell), but my recent experiences have been pretty positive.
Jan 21, 2017, 6:58 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 5,269
Oh come on now, money DOES talk, especially in Africa, as I suspect you well know. Unofficial fast track operates freely in JNB.
Jan 21, 2017, 9:46 pm
#12
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
Now, Zim or Mozambique are different stories.
Jan 22, 2017, 1:35 am
#13
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 5,269
On a continent about three times the size of North America with over 50 countries I am sure in some places bribing is a part of everyday life (I've seen it myself). In SA it's unfortunately a problem but not as common as you make it seem. I've never paid a bribe here and managed to do so without having to try extremely hard.
Now, Zim or Mozambique are different stories.
Now, Zim or Mozambique are different stories.
Jan 22, 2017, 3:59 am
#14
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 5,454
1 - bribery only exists in Africa (clearly not true)
2 - the paid for service mentioned is improper in some way, even though airports around the world offer the same kind of service
Money talks in every country, which is why I think it's an unfair comment to make.
Jan 22, 2017, 4:11 am
#15
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Phuket
Programs: SQ *Gold, BA, QR, EY, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, Marriott Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 5,269
I think the issue was that the original comment was: "money talks in Africa hey!?" implying that:
1 - bribery only exists in Africa (clearly not true)
2 - the paid for service mentioned is improper in some way, even though airports around the world offer the same kind of service
Money talks in every country, which is why I think it's an unfair comment to make.
1 - bribery only exists in Africa (clearly not true)
2 - the paid for service mentioned is improper in some way, even though airports around the world offer the same kind of service
Money talks in every country, which is why I think it's an unfair comment to make.
Your 2. paid for services, “officially” or not, are commonplace.
Nothing to see here. Lets move on ^