I haven't been in T5 since JAL moved over to T3 the end of March this year. It's good to know that they now have a priority lane for First/Business class passengers. Before, the only priority lane that was there was given to crew and military personnel use, not us folks. Of all the times I've been through T5, and I do this about six to eight times every year, I've been able to clear security in less than 20 minutes, and that's without First/Bus priority lane and about 12-15 people ahead of me in the line. That's a very strange scene that was described up there, about the over an hour security check and people getting stuck in line not knowing what to do - the TSA agents kept yelling loudly constantly about what you should do (computers out, empty your pockets, shoes off, take out your belts & wallets if you have them etc etc..) like a broken record, it's kind of hard to miss. I hope that was just an abnormal day.

Customs & immigration - Definitely, if you are in the front of plane, you're going to have a much shorter wait time. The worst I've had was when four flights were arriving at around the same time. It took about 20-25 minutes to clear. With immigration though, it's a hit or miss with the person behind the counter. Some like to make small talk, some ask you a thousand questions, and some just stamp and go. If you're dying to rush out of the airport, you should get GE. For me, I usually get cleared in a few minutes, with only one or two flights arriving in the morning, and no visitors getting piled up in the citizen lane.

As for getting around the different terminals, only T5 is really separated from the other terminals (T1-3). The airport shuttle train is easy to use, with signs telling you where to go right outside when you come out of the customs area. If you are in T1-3, they have multiple signs on the departure and arrival area. The trains run fairly frequently (like 10 min interval) between terminals. After you cleared security, you can move between T1, T2, and T3 by walkways.

Sounds like things have changed a bit since April (for the better!). They use to send everyone through the backscatter, although you can always opt-out. Like the poster above said, add about ten minutes to your security-clearance time for the pat down. They are getting more professional about this nowadays. If you're in T3, they even have private screening room now. Does anyone know if they have anything like that set up in T5?

Since Cathay Boy started this thread, so I simply post my experience here:

The 22000 Mile Long March – CX 807

The 22000 Mile Long March – CX 806

And please keep a open mind when you read it...

OK, I've read the reports, and kept an open mind. I'll comment on only one item, leave the rest for others. You previously reported here that, on your very first CX flight in your life,

However, after reading your report, it appears that you didn't go to the business class check in desk. And when you finally did,

So, if the rest of your complaints about CX service are of the same ilk, well, I'll leave the readers to draw their own conclusions.

Has anyone flown the ORD-HKG from an AA flight connection lately? I am looking at flying into ORD, connecting to CX at T5 from AA in J class to HKG (Emerald level).

Couple of questions:

1) How much time should I allow for going from the AA Flagship lounge to make over to T5 and deal with security?

2) Is the Swiss Lounge still a "zoo" and has anyone had success getting into the BA lounge there?

Thanks...

T5 security can be a mixed bag. I have been there 3 times now. Once it's practically deserted, and the other 2 times it is at least 30 minutes. So be careful. I would say go to the Swiss lounge instead of using AA Admiral's Club.

BA lounge will kick you out citing 'capacity control', even if there are nobody in the lounge.

Traveling back from HKG to ORD I saw three people, first class tickets, in line and all three have "Flyertalk.com Priority" tag on their carry-ons... anybody here...

I didnt even know that those existed! What do they look like and where can someone get one?

Rectangle shape. Dark yellowish color

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16750253-post927.html

I bought mine some years ago. Still have never seen anyone else with them nor received a FT "Hi".

Guilty person #1.

I know what you look like now, hahahah

No recognition of OW emerald there?

Thanks for the TR by Gary Kung. Really sorry to hear that the two flights you took on CX does not change your opinion at all. I guess my advice is that it's best for you not to fly cx again to save your disappointment. I guess I am lucky after some twenty years flying with CX, I still find it comparablet with the top notch carriers such as SQ, QR and the likes.

And if you still feel so strongly about CX does not deserve the five stars rating. Pls write skytrax, bragging about how bad your experience here probably won't justify your points much.

Again your insights were very much appreciated. Do let me know when one day skytrax rates rates cx below delta united or air china, I will be most interested to hear about it

Cheers

really? there were 3 of us...