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Health checks at EZE
I arrived at EZE this morning on UA847 from IAD. All passengers were required to fill out a detailed form from the Argentine Ministry of Health that was distributed during the flight.
Details of previous travel in the past 14 days, and travel after arrival in Argentina were requested, along with addresses and local contact telephone numbers, a contact address and telephone number in the passenger's home country, and an email address. Also details of the arrival flight and seat number were required, along with the usual passport/ID information. The form was set up for arrival by land, sea, or air, but I don't know whether it has been implemented at other entry points, or for arrivals from other than North America. The form was in Spanish/Portuguese/English, although the English was of poor quality and badly designed, and the form is confusing, since it doesn't detail, for example, the date format required, or whether the departure day or arrival day of the flight should be filled in. Upon landing at EZE, our aircraft was directed to Terminal B (the AR terminal) to deplane, but we had to wait until an AA aircraft was pulled back from the jetway we needed to use. We had to wait for about 20 minutes on board, since there was not enough room to process all arriving passengers because there were two AA flights that had landed just before the UA flight (at about 9:30 am). Probably there were more than 500 passengers waited to be processed. Passengers who had connecting flights at EZE were allowed to deplane first. Passengers were lined up in the jetways and into the outside corridor before being scanned individually by a thermal camera before being allowed to proceed into the terminal and into the immigration hall. Influenza information handouts were distributed in Spanish and English. All the healthcare workers were wearing face masks and white coats. Other airport workers had been issued masks, but many of them were clearly uncomfortable wearing them, and were continually pulling them off their faces. After being scanned, immigration and baggage claim were fast due to the holdup in screening, and the fact that baggage was unloaded during the time were were waiting on the aircraft after landing. Since I only had one checked bag, I was allowed to exit without X-ray screening (this seemed to be the case with passengers without baggage carts). I was the fourth passenger off my flight, and because they were interleaving the passengers from all three flights, I was able to exit the airport without a significant delay. However, if anyone is traveling in the rear of the aircraft, and arriving during the morning arrival bank, there will be a significant holdup in waiting to be processed. John |
Originally Posted by SoFlyOn
(Post 11686969)
Upon landing at EZE, our aircraft was directed to Terminal B (the AR terminal) to deplane, but we had to wait until an AA aircraft was pulled back from the jetway we needed to use. |
Originally Posted by Eastbay1K
(Post 11687185)
Isn't Terminal B enough to make almost everyone sick? :D
The Terminal A vendors are probably very unhappy with this turn of events. But never fear, Global Exchange was offering pesos for sale at only 3.18! John |
Wirelessly posted (Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x448)
The forms have been in place for a couple of days now, same as the thermal scanners. The K regime is doing what it can to look profesional about this whole swine-gate issue. |
Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
(Post 11687530)
[SIZE=1]
The forms have been in place for a couple of days now, same as the thermal scanners. The K regime is doing what it can to look profesional about this whole swine-gate issue. John |
Are you one of NK's foreign advisors....?????
:p |
Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
(Post 11688485)
Are you one of NK's foreign advisors....?????
:p I'd at least have expected you to be standing as a testimonial candidate for El Partido Acorchado. @:-) Step up brother Gaucho and testify! :D John |
If you arrive in Terminal B there is also a Banco de la Nación branch after customs for purchasing pesos. Does anybody know if there are ATMs in Terminal B? Anyway, it's only a short walk to Terminal A to access the HSBC ATMs close to the Farmacity store.
John |
Wirelessly posted (Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x448)
Originally Posted by SoFlyOn
Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
(Post 11688485)
Are you one of NK's foreign advisors....?????
:p I'd at least have expected you to be standing as a testimonial candidate for El Partido Acorchado. @:-) Step up brother Gaucho and testify! :D John |
Originally Posted by SoFlyOn
(Post 11686969)
I arrived at EZE this morning on UA847 from IAD. All passengers were required to fill out a detailed form from the Argentine Ministry of Health that was distributed during the flight.
Details of previous travel in the past 14 days, and travel after arrival in Argentina were requested, along with addresses and local contact telephone numbers, a contact address and telephone number in the passenger's home country, and an email address. Also details of the arrival flight and seat number were required, along with the usual passport/ID information. The form was set up for arrival by land, sea, or air, but I don't know whether it has been implemented at other entry points, or for arrivals from other than North America. The form was in Spanish/Portuguese/English, although the English was of poor quality and badly designed, and the form is confusing, since it doesn't detail, for example, the date format required, or whether the departure day or arrival day of the flight should be filled in. Upon landing at EZE, our aircraft was directed to Terminal B (the AR terminal) to deplane, but we had to wait until an AA aircraft was pulled back from the jetway we needed to use. We had to wait for about 20 minutes on board, since there was not enough room to process all arriving passengers because there were two AA flights that had landed just before the UA flight (at about 9:30 am). Probably there were more than 500 passengers waited to be processed. Passengers who had connecting flights at EZE were allowed to deplane first. Passengers were lined up in the jetways and into the outside corridor before being scanned individually by a thermal camera before being allowed to proceed into the terminal and into the immigration hall. Influenza information handouts were distributed in Spanish and English. All the healthcare workers were wearing face masks and white coats. Other airport workers had been issued masks, but many of them were clearly uncomfortable wearing them, and were continually pulling them off their faces. After being scanned, immigration and baggage claim were fast due to the holdup in screening, and the fact that baggage was unloaded during the time were were waiting on the aircraft after landing. Since I only had one checked bag, I was allowed to exit without X-ray screening (this seemed to be the case with passengers without baggage carts). I was the fourth passenger off my flight, and because they were interleaving the passengers from all three flights, I was able to exit the airport without a significant delay. However, if anyone is traveling in the rear of the aircraft, and arriving during the morning arrival bank, there will be a significant holdup in waiting to be processed. John |
As far as I can tell from the local press reports, this is still going on... all flights from the North American areas that are affected are diverted and processed through terminal B.
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Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
(Post 11830834)
As far as I can tell from the local press reports, this is still going on... all flights from the North American areas that are affected are diverted and processed through terminal B.
Todays UA flights landed at Terminal B and departed from A. Not sure where I Landed in the past, but it did seem rather older than the Departure terminal. Bummer if we are going to be delayed on arrival due to the Swine.. Its kind of over here in the states. Whats your thoughts on the terminals.. Thanks |
Well... EZE is a disgrace as an international airport no matter what terminal you end up in.... of course Terminal B is even worse than A. Suggest you fill out all the paperwork in advance and you should be fine.
Cheers Alex |
Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
(Post 11830979)
Well... EZE is a disgrace as an international airport no matter what terminal you end up in.... of course Terminal B is even worse than A. Suggest you fill out all the paperwork in advance and you should be fine.
Cheers Alex |
This was still going on at MDZ as of 5/18 (granted different airport and now nearly two weeks ago). They just looked at our form and let us off when everything looked normal.
Of course, even when we flew back on the 26th they were still wearing the masks in the airport everywhere you went. |
Originally Posted by davescharf
(Post 11834346)
This was still going on at MDZ as of 5/18 (granted different airport and now nearly two weeks ago). They just looked at our form and let us off when everything looked normal.
Of course, even when we flew back on the 26th they were still wearing the masks in the airport everywhere you went. 40 minutes from tarmac to bus.. |
Originally Posted by Flying Machine
(Post 11844874)
tell guy going to global exchange its a rip off 3.20 vs 3.72
But I think I'll do it next time.:D |
Wirelessly posted (Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x448)
Originally Posted by lexkid
Originally Posted by Gaucho100K
(Post 11830979)
Well... EZE is a disgrace as an international airport no matter what terminal you end up in.... of course Terminal B is even worse than A. Suggest you fill out all the paperwork in advance and you should be fine.
Cheers Alex |
Wirelessly posted (Palm TX: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/Palm-D050; Blazer/4.3) 16;320x448)
Originally Posted by Lovecraft
Originally Posted by Flying Machine
(Post 11844874)
tell guy going to global exchange its a rip off 3.20 vs 3.72
But I think I'll do it next time.:D |
I arrived yesterday morning and would like to provide an update to the health screening. They are now passing out surgical masks and requiring all passengers to wear them through the screening area. Plan on this procedure adding 30 minutes to your transit time.
|
Originally Posted by ksuckow
(Post 11848586)
I arrived yesterday morning and would like to provide an update to the health screening. They are now passing out surgical masks and requiring all passengers to wear them through the screening area. Plan on this procedure adding 30 minutes to your transit time.
|
Originally Posted by ksuckow
(Post 11848586)
I arrived yesterday morning and would like to provide an update to the health screening. They are now passing out surgical masks and requiring all passengers to wear them through the screening area. Plan on this procedure adding 30 minutes to your transit time. UA passed out makes to all pax, and made all pax put on the mask BEFORE they got off the pane. Have a photo off all in Biz Class with these idiotic little blue masks on! Have a photo too of the FAs wearing them which is pretty funny! 60 seconds later when you get to customs (none of who were wearing masks ... duuurrrrhhhhhhh) the guy tells us to take the masks off so he could see our faces matched those on passports. Bureaucratic insanity gone MAD. Swine flu is like any flu .. if you get it, you are a bit woozy for 2 days like the last 20 flus you have ever had. They'd be far smarter doing a HIV screening of pax where folks can and do die for sure, and not this little bug. @:-) |
Glen.... chill out doode... remember you are on vacation, not haggling with some loonie stamp collector, ok..??? :p BTW, I will take this porky flu any day... just steer me away from an HIV pandemic... :eek:
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I have never seen a nation so obseesed with a flu .. which millions of folks get each year under some name or other.
At check-in at El Calafante for gawdsakes all the agents had the thick plastic hard masks. Get to Sheraton Liberatador tonight, and there is a note from Operations Manager in room, with a warning AND a free mask to use. You folks are treating this tiny nuisance like it is the Bubonic Plague! http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s...0FOUR/1-18.jpg http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s...0FOUR/2-10.jpg http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s...20FOUR/2-9.jpg http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s...0FOUR/1-17.jpg |
I thought the idea was to better be safe than sorry.... or is that not a 1st world concept....? ;)
Great pics btw... ^ |
Well, I had the same deal on arrival June 12 - forms, masks, thermal imaging, the works. And WHO has declared "pandemic."
So, is it paranoia, or infectious Kirchnerismo at its worst? I don't think so, and experienced much more thorough "works" last month in China (they'd like to keep this flu from spreading in 1.3 billion people, many in very densely populated cities, or in remote areas underserved by health care. A little history may be in order: this is an influenza A H1N1 variant. Another variety of H1N1 reared its head in the world in Spring of 1918 (or possibly earlier, but it was not clearly documented)- it had a somewhat distinct characteristic of hitting healthy young people with presumably intact immune systems pretty hard, though initially it appeared mild and went away rapidly as summer invaded the northern hemisphere. It returned in winter, and in about 18 months felled perhaps 40 - 100 million people before it faded away. It was called, probably incorrectly given we did not have the global communications and public health monitoring we have to day, the "Spanish" flu. Flu viruses mutate quite rapidly, and H5N1 flus got worse each time they appeared. If H1Ni "Spanish" "swine" flu caused the worst pandemic in recorded history, I can't say I blame the medics and health authorities for being slightly worried. And it is definitely getting chilly (winter is coming) in Bs As. Malbec presumably has high levels of resveratrol, so perhaps it will help... :D |
Originally Posted by JDiver
(Post 11905259)
Well, I had the same deal on arrival June 12 - forms, masks, thermal imaging, the works.
Sadly I read in the paper today (Herald) another Argentine has been claimed by this virus. :( |
While cause for some inconvenience... I think that with all things related to this flu its better to be safe than sorry.
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More folks die a year from Kangaroo bites than this.
A total nonsense. EVERY year there is flu and EVERY year a few folks die from it. Get over it. Typical Latin panic for no good reason. |
Originally Posted by ozstamps
(Post 11952215)
More folks die a year from Kangaroo bites than this.
A total nonsense. EVERY year there is flu and EVERY year a few folks die from it. Get over it. Typical Latin panic for no good reason. And yes, I will probably be P.O.d if next month, when I'm there, I have to go through "the special terminal" and disembark with my mask, when the clerk who last year didn't even want to let me declare imports I needed to and wanted to declare, will be scanning me for fever. Besides, if "Typical Latin panic" didn't exist, the futbol games would be very boring. |
Originally Posted by Eastbay1K
(Post 11952543)
Besides, if "Typical Latin panic" didn't exist, the futbol games would be very boring. Went to see the World Cup Qualifying match a couple of weeks back in Buenos Aires .. Argentina vs Columbia. Booked via a ticket service who collected at hotel at 3pm and dropped back at Hotel .. went like a dream. Packed Stadium, and WHAT a noisy and fun experience! Sat next to a keen UK fan who was also travelling, who said the crowds in UK NEVER get that involved. Also sat next to a BA local who spoke perfect English who was given his ticket by a tourist friend who could not make it. Coach Maradonna stalked the perimeter. They JUST won, 1-0 and were outplayed by Columbia most felt. :mrgreen: http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s...20FOUR/2-5.jpg http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s...0FOUR/1-10.jpg http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s...20FOUR/3-5.jpg Held at the rather ridiculously named “El Monumental de Nuñez” or River Plate Stadium, which was a JOKE re crowd safety or amenities, that would be closed down or nuked in any other first world country is my guess. No-one sat were their ticket said. Many of the seats were busted and missing. No ushers to ensure no-one moved once seated. Fans totally blocked all downward stairways for entire match. :mad: Impossible to move anywhere. In any kind of Emergency it would be a total death trap. :td: :td: These vendor guys clambered among the tight packed crowd like monkeys, selling cokes and food etc. (Beer totally banned in Sth America stadiums - ANYWHERE.) How they moved one metre beat me, but they clambered all over everyone for 2 hours. They sure earned their pesos. http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s...m%20FOUR/6.jpg But as you say .. great passion - from supporters of both sides. :) Glen |
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