FRA this morning....
Oct 6, 2018, 2:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US/UK - and elsewhere
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,541
FRA this morning....
FRA is never my favourite airport, but this morning was worse than usual. Waited for more than 45 minutes in the priority line for security at the D gates - the wait for 'normal passengers must have been well over the hour, if not 1.5+. Just slow, slow, slow... . Don't talk to me of German effeciency!
(Actually on BA ticketed as flight - but effects BA flights too... - 10 mins before departure still on bus...)
(Actually on BA ticketed as flight - but effects BA flights too... - 10 mins before departure still on bus...)
Oct 6, 2018, 2:51 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Berkshire / London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Nandos
Posts: 1,004
FRA is never my favourite airport, but this morning was worse than usual. Waited for more than 45 minutes in the priority line for security at the D gates - the wait for 'normal passengers must have been well over the hour, if not 1.5+. Just slow, slow, slow... . Don't talk to me of German effeciency!
(Actually on BA ticketed as flight - but effects BA flights too... - 10 mins before departure still on bus...)
(Actually on BA ticketed as flight - but effects BA flights too... - 10 mins before departure still on bus...)
Unfortunately quite a few german airports are like that. You could be early and then this screws you over!
Oct 6, 2018, 2:59 am
#3
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: USA and UK
Programs: British Airways Executive Club Silver, Alitalia Freccia Alata
Posts: 1,351
Just made a connection at FRA (B gates to B gates), and I waited over 1 hour for security. Everyone was commenting on how it’s usually not this bad and we’re shocked only 2(!) security lines were open. Every connection I make at FRA really is a challenge it must be said. Makes me greatful for a LHR connection. That being said I have a Non-Schengen-Scgengen connection that’s only 1 hour on Monday. We will see!
Oct 6, 2018, 3:09 am
#4
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rhineland-Palatinate
Programs: *A Gold (A3), HHonor Gold
Posts: 5,684
Vacation time here in Germany. It started last week where the airport was extremely busy (I was never so happy to have fast track than that day and to be HBO) and will continue this and next weekend.
If you add the globally inefficient FRA security staff on top of this ...
If you add the globally inefficient FRA security staff on top of this ...
Oct 6, 2018, 7:12 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: FLR
Programs: BA Gold, LH Sen, FB Gold
Posts: 504
Well, FRA is special. According to a recent report they are half as efficient as other airports in Germany (efficiency=how long per person to go through security, I think it was 30 sec outside FRA and 60 in FRA, but do not quote me on this). Of the few ocasions where I have serious problems with security, 90% is in FRA, no matter which terminal. Makes Heathrow look like paradise...
Oct 6, 2018, 7:29 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: PVD, BOS
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,664
The security checks at FRA are ridiculously inefficient. What really slows things down is the whole process of removing liquids and electronics from bags. So many people are completely clueless about liquids and take a huge amount of time getting them out of their bags.
Instead of having them stand aside and letting the next person go, they hold up the line and everyone has to wait. Even when lines are short, it takes a long time to get through the line.
CDG is worse, but that’s no great accomplishment.
Instead of having them stand aside and letting the next person go, they hold up the line and everyone has to wait. Even when lines are short, it takes a long time to get through the line.
CDG is worse, but that’s no great accomplishment.
Oct 6, 2018, 1:42 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US/UK - and elsewhere
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,541
Despite the boarding card having a nice yellow sticker saying that the gate closes 30 minutes before departure, the 'boarding complete was not until 10 mins after departure time, with pushback 30 after that. Arrival in PHL was an hour late - and given flights from Prague/madrid/Barcelona were about 30 mins early, we were late-late... .
Oct 6, 2018, 3:02 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US/UK - and elsewhere
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 2,541
...oh... and... Despite it being holiday time, there are a fixed numder of flights from the D gates, so the loading should be predictable. There seemed to be plenty of 'manager's (with their bikes) looking concerned.... .
Oct 6, 2018, 3:38 pm
#10
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,577
I must have something like 300+ segments from FRA T2. It has never been a very enjoyable experience, but at the same time, I never spent more than 15 mins waiting at security.
You lot must all be very much a Pechvogel.
You lot must all be very much a Pechvogel.
Oct 6, 2018, 7:17 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2018
Location: Dubai, UAE
Programs: Avis - PP, Bonvoy - Plat, BA - Bro, Hilton - Dia, Miles&More - FTL, Skywards - Sil, Sixt - Plat
Posts: 258
As far as I can recall, FRA T1 has always been quite painless. But FRA T2... my goodness...
It is clear that FRA2 having security at the boarding gates just does not work. I have had so many close shaves, typically when I have an empty BA flight to LHR or LCY to get on and the security is being shared with a fully packed Asian flight and the priority lane being closed. The longest to get through was around an hour, and the queue was not very long but the staff were so slow.
By the way, what is the Cathay Pacific lounge like? The JAL one is always packed and tends to have a poor selection, and the Luxx lounge really does not live up to the name (and is in the wrong terminal).
It is clear that FRA2 having security at the boarding gates just does not work. I have had so many close shaves, typically when I have an empty BA flight to LHR or LCY to get on and the security is being shared with a fully packed Asian flight and the priority lane being closed. The longest to get through was around an hour, and the queue was not very long but the staff were so slow.
By the way, what is the Cathay Pacific lounge like? The JAL one is always packed and tends to have a poor selection, and the Luxx lounge really does not live up to the name (and is in the wrong terminal).
Oct 6, 2018, 10:21 pm
#12
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: All over the place often South Wales and Lake District
Programs: BA Gold for Life Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,552
As far as I can recall, FRA T1 has always been quite painless. But FRA T2... my goodness...
It is clear that FRA2 having security at the boarding gates just does not work. I have had so many close shaves, typically when I have an empty BA flight to LHR or LCY to get on and the security is being shared with a fully packed Asian flight and the priority lane being closed. The longest to get through was around an hour, and the queue was not very long but the staff were so slow.
By the way, what is the Cathay Pacific lounge like? The JAL one is always packed and tends to have a poor selection, and the Luxx lounge really does not live up to the name (and is in the wrong terminal).
It is clear that FRA2 having security at the boarding gates just does not work. I have had so many close shaves, typically when I have an empty BA flight to LHR or LCY to get on and the security is being shared with a fully packed Asian flight and the priority lane being closed. The longest to get through was around an hour, and the queue was not very long but the staff were so slow.
By the way, what is the Cathay Pacific lounge like? The JAL one is always packed and tends to have a poor selection, and the Luxx lounge really does not live up to the name (and is in the wrong terminal).
In the circumstances. the JL is the best lounge to be at. They are very efficient at calling the BA flight, and it is right by security.
Oct 7, 2018, 2:03 am
#13
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: M&S, Radisson
Posts: 758
The thread title "FRA this morning..." gives it away. Somehow people think they can generalize from one or two anecdotes.
Having said that, wait times in FRA have increased. But from the reports I read, it's been the worst at T1A. EDIT: And some transfer security (which I rarely have to use personally).
Last edited by 1flyer; Oct 7, 2018 at 2:08 am
Oct 7, 2018, 2:17 am
#14
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: London
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold & GGL & CCR, HH Diam, Bonvoy Titanium, IHG Spire, Tastecard
Posts: 7,549
CX lounge is only open around the CX flight times - only actually ever been there once and it was pretty average (though they didnt have any food put out).
agree, JL gets busy in the afternoons and they don't open the F section until later on (late afternoon / early evening) when their own flights depart. I find the offering ok though - if you like Kartoffelsalad, Frankfurter and Sauerkraut!
Oct 7, 2018, 2:34 am
#15
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Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: M&S, Radisson
Posts: 758
As I've written on the forum before, I find the offering in the JL lounge (non-F part) miserable. I think their potato salad comes out of these 5 kg buckets:
https://www.metro.de/cat/de/products...001&position=0
Their Frankfurters are not decent, either. I mean, I understand lounges need to look at the $$$ and sometimes go for cheap convenience options. But when you have as tiny a selection as FRA's JL lounge, at least try to get those few things right. In the case of Frankfurters, it would mean getting them from one of the official producers or, at least, a decent butcher shop.