Originally Posted by
DELYOW
I had the pleasure to arriving into T-3 on Friday from DXB. Here are some preliminary impressions.
1. The terminal is still very much work in progress.
a. As others have noted the moment one leaves the baggage hall you run into a construction site.
b. Until the Metro Station is ready, accessing the car park will involve a long walk in sweltering conditions.
c. The quality of workmanship in some cases is requires closer attention. (e.g. peeling paint, glass fittings splattered with paint, broken tiles, etc.) Doesn't diminish the quality of workmanship, but certainly diminishes the overall experience. I hope they will fix all these things once the whole airport is completed.
2.Functionality
Positives:
a. The arrivals layout is very intuitive. Just follow the direction of the travellators.
b. Very spacious and airy interiors.
c. Very comfotable transit area. (I think the 3 hour rule before they let you into the departure area is stupid)
d. Many many immigration counters. Indeed the immigration area is well lit,spacious and quite beautiful. The immigration officers are couteous and professional as always (and expressed concern about how far people had to walk)
e. Mutiple aerobridges at each gate makes for smoother disembarkation. The bridge is rather narrow. Comparable what one experiences at LHR T3 or DUS or the older bridges in AMS.
f. I recieved my priority tagged luggage with 5 minutes of clearing immigration.
g. Spacious well signposted Baggage and Arrivals hall. Lots of space to stand around the carousel.
Won't comment about the positives, because a world class terminal has got to have some positives.
Originally Posted by
DELYOW
Negatives
a. The carpet - for those of us who travel on business with hand luggage only, it really slows one down. Still it brightens up the piers.
Agreed. Any comments about the carpet will be met by T3 apologists with name calling or ratioinlastion that it's a noise abatement measure.
Originally Posted by
DELYOW
b. The access point from pier to immigration area is poorly designed. It causes crowding at immigration counters closest to the escalator and holds up movement at the base of the escalator.
It's even dangerous. when all lines are deep enough to reach the escalator, people will crowd at the bottom of the escalator, making it downright dangerous of people still coming down. I have almost been stepped over by people behind me in a similar situation in Washington D.C. metro.
Originally Posted by
DELYOW
c. X-Ray machines at point of exit from customs area. They didn't have them in T2, why the f*#k slow down passengers in this more 'efficient' airport? (Or maybe they only use these for flights from DXB)
Actually, they had been installed at T2 many years ago to catch people who brought dutiable items. The X-ray machines were not always used.
Originally Posted by
DELYOW
I'll report on departures tomorrow.
Will look forward to it.