Deplaning into departure concourse?
Oct 15, 2016, 7:58 am
#1
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Deplaning into departure concourse?
Hi all,
I've just arrived home from a return journey to BKK via Doha. Both times upon arrival at Doha those who were transferring to another flight were directed straight into the departure concourse - no transfer process, no security check, just direct access to Doha's airside departure area (those whose final destination was Doha were directed up the escalators to the arrivals area). Is this a new policy?
Apologies if this has been raised before. This was my first flight with Qatar and I thought I'd have to go back through security again at Doha so was curious to know.
I've just arrived home from a return journey to BKK via Doha. Both times upon arrival at Doha those who were transferring to another flight were directed straight into the departure concourse - no transfer process, no security check, just direct access to Doha's airside departure area (those whose final destination was Doha were directed up the escalators to the arrivals area). Is this a new policy?
Apologies if this has been raised before. This was my first flight with Qatar and I thought I'd have to go back through security again at Doha so was curious to know.
Oct 15, 2016, 10:13 am
#4
Join Date: Apr 2012
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dilpat84 welcome to the QR forum.
A secret list is produced daily of arriving flights that are exempted security screening in DOH that day. It is supposed to be random flights chosen each day but LHR appears frequently as do certain other origins where security is deemed 'safe'. Other flights are added almost randomly. For security reasons the list is kept secret. The list appears only to contain flights that arrive at a contact gate and not a remote bus stand. This is not anything new but has been practice for quite some time.
A secret list is produced daily of arriving flights that are exempted security screening in DOH that day. It is supposed to be random flights chosen each day but LHR appears frequently as do certain other origins where security is deemed 'safe'. Other flights are added almost randomly. For security reasons the list is kept secret. The list appears only to contain flights that arrive at a contact gate and not a remote bus stand. This is not anything new but has been practice for quite some time.
Oct 15, 2016, 2:56 pm
#5
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Actually, the "random" part sounds exactly right to me. I have had both direct transit and security rescreening from LHR, CDG, OSL, ARN, MEL, JNB, CPT, SIN, IST, FCO, etc. Other origins I have had one or the other but on small numbers. None of them seems to be more or less frequently exempt in my experience. I thought the randomness was mistaken but now that you say it is purposeful it sounds spot on. Why, however, would anyone do that randomly is entirely beyond me.
Oct 15, 2016, 3:44 pm
#6
Join Date: Apr 2012
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orbitmic why Random you ask. Two, of probably many, reasons: smuggling and terrorism.
Since we do not know the true capabilities of the security equipment used in DOH for obvious security reasons we should assume that they are much better than the apparent cursory, negligent looking attitude of security staff at DOH. Thus there would be a risk of discovery for either of the reasons mentioned above.
Were the list fixed, and known then it would be much simpler to use an origin from the list where security is known to be less stringent.
Since we do not know the true capabilities of the security equipment used in DOH for obvious security reasons we should assume that they are much better than the apparent cursory, negligent looking attitude of security staff at DOH. Thus there would be a risk of discovery for either of the reasons mentioned above.
Were the list fixed, and known then it would be much simpler to use an origin from the list where security is known to be less stringent.
Oct 15, 2016, 3:48 pm
#7
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As remdk has said, it is kept random for security reasons.
While the secondary security check may be perceived to be rather weak, it is comparable to other airports in the Middle East - DXB and AUH to name just two.
While it is fair to say most LHR flights are absolved from the secondary check, I have had three flights from LHR in the past six months where the check was required - and circa ten where it wasn't.
BKK is the same, and likewise CDG. They mix it up, and I'm glad they do.
M
While the secondary security check may be perceived to be rather weak, it is comparable to other airports in the Middle East - DXB and AUH to name just two.
While it is fair to say most LHR flights are absolved from the secondary check, I have had three flights from LHR in the past six months where the check was required - and circa ten where it wasn't.
BKK is the same, and likewise CDG. They mix it up, and I'm glad they do.
M
Oct 15, 2016, 3:52 pm
#8
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Interestingly, when I was touring the DOH facility before it opened the airline made a lot of noise about the ability to reduce MCTs because certain connecting passengers on short connections would be able to clear back in to the departures area via expedited security at the gates in many cases. That they are just pre-clearing some planes en masse is a very different approach but also one I can respect. Though it does not allow for the better MCTs.
Oct 15, 2016, 11:08 pm
#9
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Yep, mostly very random.
One consistency I have found is that my flights originating from India are pretty much always rescreened at Doha - I can't recall even one where we've disembarked directly into the terminal during the past 4 years of regular flights to/from India with QR.
I've never actually seen screening at the gate (either on arrival or departure) and the machines seem to sit there unused. I understand that the US-bound flights do have additional screening at the gate though.
One consistency I have found is that my flights originating from India are pretty much always rescreened at Doha - I can't recall even one where we've disembarked directly into the terminal during the past 4 years of regular flights to/from India with QR.
I've never actually seen screening at the gate (either on arrival or departure) and the machines seem to sit there unused. I understand that the US-bound flights do have additional screening at the gate though.
Last edited by purple1addict; Oct 15, 2016 at 11:18 pm
Oct 17, 2016, 11:32 pm
#11
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One should note, however, that security screening is quite comprehensive at CMB. Two separate security screenings (including scan of both checked and carry-on bags as well as walk-through metal detector) just to get into the building to the ticket counters. (One screening is just inside the door; the other is just before the ticket counters.) Then another full screening station at the entrance to the gate, before you get into the actual gate waiting area.
Last edited by Dr. HFH; Oct 18, 2016 at 5:52 am
Oct 18, 2016, 9:24 am
#12
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I've taken 8 Round trips connecting at DOH in the last year. All were US (LAX/DFW/JFK) to AUH/DXB/DWC and return. Thus, I've been through DOH 16 times in the last year. I have visited the transfer security checkpoint on all 16 occasions. Furthermore, I've had the gate security checkpoint on all 8 returns to the US.
The gate security checkpoint is usually very chaotic (due to limited space), but thorough. The transfer security checkpoint appears to be very lax, and most security officers seem asleep, conversing with each other, not paying attention, etc.
The gate security checkpoint is usually very chaotic (due to limited space), but thorough. The transfer security checkpoint appears to be very lax, and most security officers seem asleep, conversing with each other, not paying attention, etc.
Oct 21, 2016, 1:58 am
#14
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Of course, this may have been because the flights were late, not because they were on the "list" referred to above.
Consistent inconsistency
Oct 21, 2016, 5:36 am
#15
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As always, an exception to every rule...I've also had 2 bus arrivals which deplaned (debused) directly into the concourse at the E section, with no transfer security. I was quite surprised.
Of course, this may have been because the flights were late, not because they were on the "list" referred to above.
Consistent inconsistency
Of course, this may have been because the flights were late, not because they were on the "list" referred to above.
Consistent inconsistency