First time to LOS
Sep 10, 2013, 1:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: VS/BA/CX/EK
Posts: 885
First time to LOS
Off to Lagos for the first time in a week or so. The internet seems still to have some fairly <ahem> interesting stories re. bribes, hassles etc. Can anyone give me some advice on what the airport is like these days?
Many thanks,
BC
Many thanks,
BC
Sep 11, 2013, 12:25 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,525
Your experience will depend very much on who you know. That said:
Immigration: Expect long confusing queues, with agents unmotivated to move very quickly. No problems, however.
Check-In: Chaos, but functional
Security: Slow and disorganized, I was asked to help the screener "have a happy weekend" and told him "It's Monday, WAY too early to be thinking about the weekend" and walked on
Gates: Nothing special
All in all, I was rather disappointed it didn't even come close to the horror stories I'd heard. However, there was a couple flying JNB-LOS-IAH on an award on my flight, disabled to boot, and they were acting like the world had ended during their transit.
Mar 11, 2014, 4:53 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,632
I will be visiting Lagos for the first time from tomorrow. I'll be there for three days. The company that I will visit is arranging transportation and accommodation during my stay, and so far I'm impressed with the level of care they've taken.
I believe I'll be spending the whole time on Victoria Island. With regard to personal safety - Should I just stay within the confines of my client's office and my hotel and travel only in the car provided by my client? Do I risk being mugged if I step outside to look around? Apparently, a driver has been assigned to me and my colleague for the duration of our stay. Not sure how that will work, but ...
I have read some threads where people advise to check luggage and have nothing to carry on. I assume that's to avoid being shaken down for a bribe by security or something .. but it goes against my every instinct. My normal approach is to fly with hand luggage only. Is this a bad idea?
Also grateful for any other tips and up-to-date info.
I believe I'll be spending the whole time on Victoria Island. With regard to personal safety - Should I just stay within the confines of my client's office and my hotel and travel only in the car provided by my client? Do I risk being mugged if I step outside to look around? Apparently, a driver has been assigned to me and my colleague for the duration of our stay. Not sure how that will work, but ...
I have read some threads where people advise to check luggage and have nothing to carry on. I assume that's to avoid being shaken down for a bribe by security or something .. but it goes against my every instinct. My normal approach is to fly with hand luggage only. Is this a bad idea?
Also grateful for any other tips and up-to-date info.
Last edited by jib71; Mar 11, 2014 at 7:18 am
Mar 11, 2014, 11:34 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: anywhere and everywhere
Programs: UA GS, AS MVP 100K, DL Diamond, Marriot Lifetime Titanium, AmEx Centurion
Posts: 5,525
I did all carry-on and had no problems at all. This was a big laptop bag, and a 24" slightly-too-big-for-the-new-united rolling bag.
Mar 18, 2014, 8:30 am
#6
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: IC.Spire Amb. Turkish Elite
Posts: 222
My experience last month was quite pleasant. From the plane to my driver was less than 30 minutes (no checked luggage). Departure was smooth . Hoping to "lubricate matters"at the airport is tantamount to encouraging bribery .
Mar 23, 2014, 10:17 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: TYO
Programs: Tokyo Monorail Diamond-Encrusted-Platinum
Posts: 9,632
Reporting back on my experience -
LOS was fine. Entering the country was straightforward. I didn't experience the crushing crowds that people have reported in the past. Leaving the country, I took hand luggage only. My colleague with a checked bag had to go through a process to have it inspected, weighed and then checked in. The process seemed a bit confusing. Other than that, all went smoothly and the uniformed staff were courteous and helpful. People told me that this improvement is quite recent. There were some guys in the departure area, who were helping people in return for tips. My colleague told me that they were freelancers. If the airport improves any more, they may find that they're redundant.
Transport from LOS had been arranged by my hosts. I was a little surprised to see that we would be accompanied by an armed policeman - and I saw vehicles with much heavier security (motorcade style) on the road into Lagos. In the city I mostly stuck to a routine of hotel-office-hotel-office. I did make one trip with my hosts to look around a suburban market / strip-mall. That was fun and informative.
LOS was fine. Entering the country was straightforward. I didn't experience the crushing crowds that people have reported in the past. Leaving the country, I took hand luggage only. My colleague with a checked bag had to go through a process to have it inspected, weighed and then checked in. The process seemed a bit confusing. Other than that, all went smoothly and the uniformed staff were courteous and helpful. People told me that this improvement is quite recent. There were some guys in the departure area, who were helping people in return for tips. My colleague told me that they were freelancers. If the airport improves any more, they may find that they're redundant.
Transport from LOS had been arranged by my hosts. I was a little surprised to see that we would be accompanied by an armed policeman - and I saw vehicles with much heavier security (motorcade style) on the road into Lagos. In the city I mostly stuck to a routine of hotel-office-hotel-office. I did make one trip with my hosts to look around a suburban market / strip-mall. That was fun and informative.