In Town Check In For US Flights suspended from 26 Oct
May 4, 2018, 8:32 pm
#91
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: USA
Programs: SQ PPS SOLITAIRE, AA ,HHONOR GOLD, BONVOY GOLD, IHG PLAT
Posts: 2,041
I am actually American. But living abroad. And the US deserves all the criticism it gets about this situation. "My country" is indeed the USA.
To fully describe what happened is mind-boggling (and quite sad, to this American who loves his country), but I am not saying this just out of thin air. I had a front row seat to some of this in action; two companies I am very closely aligned with are suffice to say "very interested parties" in this legislation. To sum up a long story, your inability to use the Airport Express flying to the USA on Cathay but not other carriers is a 3 degree removed byproduct of the decision to impose the laptop-in-cabin-compartment ban on ME Airlines last year. Many of you will recall how laptops and large electronic devices were forced into the cargo hold on certain airlines. Against vehement (and accurate) industry claims that lithium batteries were a huge risk in the cargo hold, this policy was mind-bogglingly still implemented. I am still in shock they proceeded with that given how that decision demonstrably made flights less safe. It then became obvious the FAA was going to contradict the administration and recommend no laptops in the cargo hold, so some face saving was needed. Foreign carriers were rounded up arbitrarily and told to implement these new procedures - dreamt up I kid you not in less than 24 hours - which include your "interview" at the airport. I fly to the US at least 6, as many as 12 times a year. I've done this interview a number of times now. This "interview" you'll have at the airport as mandated by the TSA is pure security theater. Not to mention a waste of money and time. Compare it to Israel, where I also fly once in a while. Now that's a real interview over there, and real security. It can take a helluva of a long time but I indeed feel like they're accomplishing the goals of security. This thing at CX in Hong Kong mandated by the TSA is pretty much the polar opposite of substance.
It was supposed to be implemented on all airlines. Some airlines signed up. But now, it appears actually it's just going to be randomly implemented to some airlines and not others. None of the US carriers have it (....subsidies come in all forms, and the hypocrisy of US big 3 airlines is hilarious), Cathay does, and some but not all foreign carriers do. It's a mess. And it's embarrassing.
Anyway, I realize my curt few lines didn't summarize that. But I saw the policy get made. It was madness and very third-world. I agree there is a positive purpose to FT, but FT is also about being a frequent flier and difficulties. I flew to the US last year 13 times. Implementing this policy genuinely has a small but real impact on me. It's a shame when something wastes your time, there's no way to get out of it, you know it's a sham, you know the lack of thinking behind the implementation, but you still have to do it. Aka "it was better before".
To fully describe what happened is mind-boggling (and quite sad, to this American who loves his country), but I am not saying this just out of thin air. I had a front row seat to some of this in action; two companies I am very closely aligned with are suffice to say "very interested parties" in this legislation. To sum up a long story, your inability to use the Airport Express flying to the USA on Cathay but not other carriers is a 3 degree removed byproduct of the decision to impose the laptop-in-cabin-compartment ban on ME Airlines last year. Many of you will recall how laptops and large electronic devices were forced into the cargo hold on certain airlines. Against vehement (and accurate) industry claims that lithium batteries were a huge risk in the cargo hold, this policy was mind-bogglingly still implemented. I am still in shock they proceeded with that given how that decision demonstrably made flights less safe. It then became obvious the FAA was going to contradict the administration and recommend no laptops in the cargo hold, so some face saving was needed. Foreign carriers were rounded up arbitrarily and told to implement these new procedures - dreamt up I kid you not in less than 24 hours - which include your "interview" at the airport. I fly to the US at least 6, as many as 12 times a year. I've done this interview a number of times now. This "interview" you'll have at the airport as mandated by the TSA is pure security theater. Not to mention a waste of money and time. Compare it to Israel, where I also fly once in a while. Now that's a real interview over there, and real security. It can take a helluva of a long time but I indeed feel like they're accomplishing the goals of security. This thing at CX in Hong Kong mandated by the TSA is pretty much the polar opposite of substance.
It was supposed to be implemented on all airlines. Some airlines signed up. But now, it appears actually it's just going to be randomly implemented to some airlines and not others. None of the US carriers have it (....subsidies come in all forms, and the hypocrisy of US big 3 airlines is hilarious), Cathay does, and some but not all foreign carriers do. It's a mess. And it's embarrassing.
Anyway, I realize my curt few lines didn't summarize that. But I saw the policy get made. It was madness and very third-world. I agree there is a positive purpose to FT, but FT is also about being a frequent flier and difficulties. I flew to the US last year 13 times. Implementing this policy genuinely has a small but real impact on me. It's a shame when something wastes your time, there's no way to get out of it, you know it's a sham, you know the lack of thinking behind the implementation, but you still have to do it. Aka "it was better before".
The "security interview" is about as effective as the airline security questions we were all asked at check in in the U.S., pre 9/11. Plain stupid and a waste of time.
May 4, 2018, 9:32 pm
#92
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
I agree with all of this, except that I am American and live in the U.S. (most of the time), making 6-10 trips per year to India via HKG.
The "security interview" is about as effective as the airline security questions we were all asked at check in in the U.S., pre 9/11. Plain stupid and a waste of time.
The "security interview" is about as effective as the airline security questions we were all asked at check in in the U.S., pre 9/11. Plain stupid and a waste of time.
May 5, 2018, 12:56 am
#93
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 255
http://www.ana.co.jp/en/au/internati..._question.html
So I think eventually you will come across this kinda random interview flying to the US whoever you fly with
Last edited by patrickw; May 6, 2018 at 4:42 am Reason: fixing the link
May 5, 2018, 8:03 pm
#94
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: HKG
Programs: AA 3MM EXP, SQ Solitaire, LH SEN, CX DM, Hyatt CC, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,180
I had a casual chat with one of the security guys before check in, remarking to him about how silly some of the questions were... To be fair, he said that a number of non-frequent travelers actually have had stuff given to them by friends or other people and do not know what is in the bags... so while the questions seems pretty silly to us, I guess it does help in some ways...
May 5, 2018, 8:16 pm
#95
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: MNL / SFO / NYC
Programs: IHG Spire | Marriott Plat | UA Plat | AA Plat Pro
Posts: 533
I had a casual chat with one of the security guys before check in, remarking to him about how silly some of the questions were... To be fair, he said that a number of non-frequent travelers actually have had stuff given to them by friends or other people and do not know what is in the bags... so while the questions seems pretty silly to us, I guess it does help in some ways...
Personally if someone asks me to bring something for them, I say ok if I have the space but will tell them that I will open and read and prod every single item to make sure I won't get into trouble.
May 6, 2018, 3:04 am
#96
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,347
I had a casual chat with one of the security guys before check in, remarking to him about how silly some of the questions were... To be fair, he said that a number of non-frequent travelers actually have had stuff given to them by friends or other people and do not know what is in the bags... so while the questions seems pretty silly to us, I guess it does help in some ways...
However this recent thread in the BA forum shows what the US can do if it really wants to conduct security checks.
May 6, 2018, 8:47 am
#97
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: HKG
Posts: 1,053
I was never really sure why the US would "outsource" its security to local staff, especially at Middle Eastern locations if they are so worried about threats from flyers. HK people (who may never have been to the US) conducting security checks on HK people, and Americans, is a bit hypocritical, after all regular HK security is happy to let them on the plane.
However this recent thread in the BA forum shows what the US can do if it really wants to conduct security checks.
However this recent thread in the BA forum shows what the US can do if it really wants to conduct security checks.
May 6, 2018, 9:05 am
#98
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
May 8, 2018, 8:50 pm
#100
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: CX MPC DM
Posts: 416
I agree with all of this, except that I am American and live in the U.S. (most of the time), making 6-10 trips per year to India via HKG.
The "security interview" is about as effective as the airline security questions we were all asked at check in in the U.S., pre 9/11. Plain stupid and a waste of time.
The "security interview" is about as effective as the airline security questions we were all asked at check in in the U.S., pre 9/11. Plain stupid and a waste of time.
The most annoying aspect of these changes are the need for the printed itinerary. First time I went to the J class line, the officer asked for my printed itinerary, I said "What????" At that point there were agents outside of the regular line offering to print some itinerary card. Other times, I've showed them the booking from the CX mobile app. Last time I flew out of HKG in March, my flight was delayed and the booking removed from the mobile app and there were no agents stationed to print itineraries. It got sorted out when I told the officer I had nothing and he signaled an agent from behind the desk who found my booking and gave the officer a verbal ok. But still after nearly 6 months into this new policy its still being managed the same as the initial rollout and not really a welcome for us frequent travelers who fall short of DM. I'm sure the F check-in is a better experience.
BTW, what are people doing with the collection of purple stickers accumulating on the BP? Do you just pull them off or can they be "helpful" as a badge showing you're not a rookie?
May 8, 2018, 9:42 pm
#101
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SJC
Programs: AA, AS, Marriott
Posts: 6,068
What about those of us who don't have a printed itinerary and keep everything on our phones?
May 8, 2018, 9:49 pm
#102
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: New York
Programs: AA, CX, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,484
Yes and I fail to see why the check-in agents can't ask these questions like they used to on the US carriers. How different are those questions than asking about having lithium batteries?
The most annoying aspect of these changes are the need for the printed itinerary. First time I went to the J class line, the officer asked for my printed itinerary, I said "What????" At that point there were agents outside of the regular line offering to print some itinerary card. Other times, I've showed them the booking from the CX mobile app. Last time I flew out of HKG in March, my flight was delayed and the booking removed from the mobile app and there were no agents stationed to print itineraries. It got sorted out when I told the officer I had nothing and he signaled an agent from behind the desk who found my booking and gave the officer a verbal ok. But still after nearly 6 months into this new policy its still being managed the same as the initial rollout and not really a welcome for us frequent travelers who fall short of DM. I'm sure the F check-in is a better experience.
BTW, what are people doing with the collection of purple stickers accumulating on the BP? Do you just pull them off or can they be "helpful" as a badge showing you're not a rookie?
The most annoying aspect of these changes are the need for the printed itinerary. First time I went to the J class line, the officer asked for my printed itinerary, I said "What????" At that point there were agents outside of the regular line offering to print some itinerary card. Other times, I've showed them the booking from the CX mobile app. Last time I flew out of HKG in March, my flight was delayed and the booking removed from the mobile app and there were no agents stationed to print itineraries. It got sorted out when I told the officer I had nothing and he signaled an agent from behind the desk who found my booking and gave the officer a verbal ok. But still after nearly 6 months into this new policy its still being managed the same as the initial rollout and not really a welcome for us frequent travelers who fall short of DM. I'm sure the F check-in is a better experience.
BTW, what are people doing with the collection of purple stickers accumulating on the BP? Do you just pull them off or can they be "helpful" as a badge showing you're not a rookie?
I believe US bound flights are not eligible for F check-in at HKIA. I was told everyone regardless of class of services should head to the designated area (IIRC Aisle C, near the departure security check), and thus no priority lanes.
I remove the purple sticker every time anyway.
Most of the time, an email confirmation is fine. (CX's your flight is ready for check in/departing soon email etc).
May 9, 2018, 2:05 am
#104
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
You guys may not be doing it correctly 
You can still head to the white zone for F check in. One of the graceful PST ladies in long skirts will escort you to the dedicated (one and only one) F check in desk for US flights.
I also see a quite notable correlation between accumulated # of stickers and degree/# of f***s given by the security people for questioning.
You can still head to the white zone for F check in. One of the graceful PST ladies in long skirts will escort you to the dedicated (one and only one) F check in desk for US flights.
I also see a quite notable correlation between accumulated # of stickers and degree/# of f***s given by the security people for questioning.
Jun 27, 2018, 12:28 pm
#105
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 255
In town check in is coming back from 29th JUN 2018.
https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_...s-flights.html
https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_...s-flights.html