hfly

See, that's the problem, I am an incredibly seasoned traveller, I too have an FB Platinum card with a huge balance attached and even a high "rating" (due however to KLM, not AF) and in misconnect situations still find the treatment I get to be absolutely horrible and shudder at the prospect of having to connect through CDG (as many posters know I have boycotted AF and CDG for several years now, unfortunately there have still been times when I could not avoid it, DL halving their winter schedule - necessitating a connection at least one way through CDG, or AF having the only business seat available to HKG from anywhere in Europe on the day that I absolutely have/had to fly for example), I can only imagine how even more unbearable it must be for those aforementioned families.......

rwmiller

My experience with CDG and Air France has to do with a flight from Florence, IT to JFK (connecting in CDG). We were on this flight because of mechanical difficulties with our original LH flight. We flew a prop plane from Florence to CDG and were escorted through the terminal by an Air France employee to make sure we could make the connection (which we did after everyone else had boarded). This was needed even though we did not leave the AF terminal We did not arrive late on the Florence - CDG plane so this tight schedule was planned by Air France. It makes no sense that they push so hard and force the need for special accomodations.

Bob

billy

I made a recent trip from MAN to NRT. On the MAN-CDG the pilot announced we were arriving at 2F (great, as NRT goes from 2F). However, we neatly pull up at 2B. So a sprint up the terminals to connect, meaning no lounge time.

Arriving back from NRT, pilot announces we will be arriving at 2F. We taxi to 2A. Again, a swift sprint to 2F for the MAN leg. Given I had 35 minutes (though the flights were legal MCT's) my bag failed to make the flight, and I was the last to board our dinky A318.

I find it amazing that once on the ground the terminal of arrival can change between leaving the runway and docking.

What is going on?

G_G

It's usual at CDG : it has happened to me very often

AshleyB

There are never enough gates at CDG, especially since the collapse of 2E so one ends up wherever there is space.

hfly

Even with 2E they didn't have enough gates.

rove312

I'm not sure if it's here and I'm missing it, but I'm thinking there should be a sticky or FAQ with any tips about handling a connection at CDG proactively. For instance, for a U.S.-Schengen connection, did I hear that there can be a choice between going through passport control at the arriving terminal, or taking an airside bus to the connecting terminal and going through passport control there? If so, which should one choose?

Well, now I see that there is an FAQ in the parent forum. Still, it's such a long thread: is there anything in response to my question?

KLouis

This may help organize your connections. Yesterday, our 747 parked right in front of the E80's gates and I timed the exact time needed from the moment the doors opened till I arrived to 2D (on foot from 2E): exactly 30 minutes! Notes: I was in business, so I used the first bus; there was only a short line waiting for immigration (5 people in front of me); and finally, I used a rather leisurly pace between the two terminals.

JOUY31

Actually, this type of connection is straightforward. The airside shuttle bus does not stop at Schengen terminals. So you do need to clear immigration in the international terminal where you arrive and then walk landside to the Schengen terminal for your connection.

AshleyB

What I think rove312 is referring to is the wisdom (or not) of passing through immigration and transferring terminals landside in a US-non-Schengen connection. The airside shuttle is literally like the antechamber of hell and is to be avoided if at all possible. Tiny waiting areas at the bottom of staircases with hundreds of people smashed up against each other (apparently it is a fire hazard and ADP have been warned about this). On the other hand if you have an early morning arrival and there are long waits at immigration it is best nonetheless to close your eyes, take a deep breath and brave the shuttle.

ClipperDelta

Oh yes, I know it well - especially the 2F one where the escalator down to the waiting area literally runs into the waiting mob. I can't tell you how many times I have seen people pushing and shoving or others simply falling down at the bottom of the escalator because they can't get off the escalator as it's blocked by the crowds waiting at the bottom. The 0930 - 1015 timeframe is especially horrible...and the worst part is, the ADP agent manning the door almost always does and says nothing....

2E has gotten especially bad during the 0900 - 1000 hour since AF moved all of the US flights there. The last three times it took about 20-30 minutes to go through (with a US passport)

Gnopps

I transited 2F to 2E this week and was lucky to arrive at the bottom in the beginning while it was still empty. Poor ones arriving 5 minutes later. Anyway I was going to E82 meaning I was to take the bus at the further end, while the majority was waiting for the bus close to the escalator. When the bus arrived they didn't open the door we were waiting by but instead an employee starting shouting at us telling us to follow her. She then (very quickly so it was hard for most to follow) pushed her through the mob to their door for us to follow. Great system...

rove312

Thanks. Also, I'm looking at this well in advance of my trip and see about the construction of the new S3 terminal. Is it known if it will be open, and will it have any impact on my trip ORD-CDG-LIS in Aug.-Sept. 2007?

AshleyB

It is a mystery as to what those ADP personnel actually do. As Clipperdelta has noticed they mostly just stand there observing the discomfort of others.

JOUY31

Too early to say as the opening of S3 will be phased from June to November 2007.

CDG expansion schedule