CGK Turnaround on TG
Doing a TG turnaround at CGK late last year, after having read reports of others doing turnarounds there, I wasn't particularly worried as I was prepared to follow what my fellow FT members had done. I was able to get my return boarding pass in BKK, which made me feel even more at ease. We arrived a bit late, but I figured that even with just a 70 minute turnaround time it wouldn't be a problem, being I was getting back on the same plane and it needed to be cleaned and refueled, so it would be delayed by a similar time to the late arrival.
I was the first to arrive at the VOA area and I proceeded to go upstairs as others had said they did, but was stopped by a security guard. I told him I was transiting and had my onward boarding pass. He said, "ok", but then as I proceeded up the stairs, he told me to wait while he checked. In checking, suddenly he said I had to go talk to an immigration official. I first talked to one staff member, who directed me to another, and then finally an immigration official arrived. He then made several phone calls over the period of about 15 minutes, while I just stood next to him. Finally he said I would need a VOA and to go through immigration. I told him I read of many others from the internet who did exactly what I was attempting to do and they needed no VOA but could just go upstairs to transit. He told me the rules had recently been changed and I could not do that. By this time the entire flight had filled up the queue, as well as another flight which had arrived. I mentioned that I would likely miss my flight due to it now already being nearly the boarding time for the original scheduled return flight. But the immigration officer only told me that an airline staff member would meet me after I was processed to guide me. There was no ability to jump the now long queue. So I got my forms and filled them out while waiting at the end of the queue.
After being processed, a staff member was waiting for me and took me through the arrival process, but again not jumping any queues. He guided me to the TG check-in desk, even though I showed him my return boarding pass. The TG check-in was already closed, but I was guided to a check-in desk manned by a Garuda staff member, who told me I needed to pay the departure tax. Without any Rupiah, and very little time, I was told I could pay the equivalent in US Dollars (albeit I'm sure at an unfavorable rate). I didn't have the time or desire to debate the issue and try to change money at a money exchanger, so just paid what was requested and got back my boarding pass and onto passport control and security. Again, I was escorted, but no jumping the queues. Luckily, a new passport control desk opened up just as I arrived and I was able to rush to be first in line behind one passenger who went up to be processed. After this, the escort let me know the way to the TG gate and departed. Arriving at the TG gate, the plane was already boarded, and I went immediately inside to be greeted by the same FA's who served me on the outbound flight. The doors closed within a few minutes.
I'm not sure if truly the immigration policy has changed, or I just got unlucky. I still was successful in doing my turnaround, as I have been with all the numerous turnarounds I've attempted, but I was probably more frustrated with this one than with any of the other turnarounds. I'll definitely think twice before doing any other turnarounds or transits in Indonesia.