HKG: Exiting the airport after going to the lounge
#271
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: HK
Programs: Qantas (Lifetime Gold), PAL (Elite), British Airways (now sadly blue), Cathay MPO DM
Posts: 647
Go for a short hike! Dump your luggage in the hotel (they will let you do that even if they will not let you have your room) and then take a bus to Tung Chung (10 mins) and from there you have numerous options. Lantau is one of the best hiking destinations in HK. For a "simple" but scenic route, follow the coast around to Tai O. Very little fitness required, takes about 2.5 hours. You can take a bus back to Tung Chung and then check into your hotel.
For something more energetic, take one of the many paths up to Nong Ping (the "big bhudda"). Again, bus or taxi or cable car back.
With a bit more time, you can head off to Mui Wo or Discovery Bay over the many paths in that direction (Google Maps shows them).
You need nothing more than some sports clothes (trainers are fine) and at least 2 litres of drink.
It should be light by the time you leave the hotel, and it's the coolest time of day.
"
For something more energetic, take one of the many paths up to Nong Ping (the "big bhudda"). Again, bus or taxi or cable car back.
With a bit more time, you can head off to Mui Wo or Discovery Bay over the many paths in that direction (Google Maps shows them).
You need nothing more than some sports clothes (trainers are fine) and at least 2 litres of drink.
It should be light by the time you leave the hotel, and it's the coolest time of day.
"
#272
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NCL
Programs: UA 1MM/*G. DL Gold for one more year.
Posts: 5,305
Go for a short hike! Dump your luggage in the hotel (they will let you do that even if they will not let you have your room) and then take a bus to Tung Chung (10 mins) and from there you have numerous options. Lantau is one of the best hiking destinations in HK. For a "simple" but scenic route, follow the coast around to Tai O. Very little fitness required, takes about 2.5 hours. You can take a bus back to Tung Chung and then check into your hotel.
For something more energetic, take one of the many paths up to Nong Ping (the "big bhudda"). Again, bus or taxi or cable car back.
With a bit more time, you can head off to Mui Wo or Discovery Bay over the many paths in that direction (Google Maps shows them).
You need nothing more than some sports clothes (trainers are fine) and at least 2 litres of drink.
It should be light by the time you leave the hotel, and it's the coolest time of day.
"
For something more energetic, take one of the many paths up to Nong Ping (the "big bhudda"). Again, bus or taxi or cable car back.
With a bit more time, you can head off to Mui Wo or Discovery Bay over the many paths in that direction (Google Maps shows them).
You need nothing more than some sports clothes (trainers are fine) and at least 2 litres of drink.
It should be light by the time you leave the hotel, and it's the coolest time of day.
"
#273
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Thailand
Programs: BA Silver (OWS), OZ Diamond (*G), TK Elite (*G), HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 361
How about a quick shower at the complimentary shower facility once you land and then going through immigration to get into the city on the airport express? Get some breakfast, walk around for a bit, that's 4 hours well spent. Might not suggest it for other cities but, airport express is just so ridiculously convenient you can get to and from the city in about 48 minutes (24 minutes each way!). Happy travelling!
#274
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
there is a simple one airside on the arrivals level. not sure how it is guarded
#275
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
These: Complimentary Shower Facilities, Airport Facilities & Services - Hong Kong International Airport
I understand that you either need to bring your own towel or purchase a simple one from a vending machine there.
I understand that you either need to bring your own towel or purchase a simple one from a vending machine there.
#276
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: a hotel room, somewhere...
Posts: 962
as much as i like CX, i cannot stand the attitude of the greeters at the HKG lounges. everyone else in the lounges is great; but the girls all have this homecoming queen vibe that seems to miss the mark in terms of the reality of their position. i got nothing but attitude like i was asking the world when i arrived and expressed my plan to shower then head into the city. the girl finally got past the gravity of my request (hey- i didn't close the arrivals lounge) and told me to come back when i'm ready to go and someone will escort me. so i do that and then i'm told it could be a couple of hours to find staff. ... didn't you tell me that when i arrived? ugh. it's been 90 minutes and, hence, enough time to find this thread. my window to leave is closing and, well, i'm venting. all the while the 2 of them stand there playing with their phones doing a job that requires only 1 person (or an above average chimp who happens to look good in CX colours).
#277
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
as much as i like CX, i cannot stand the attitude of the greeters at the HKG lounges. everyone else in the lounges is great; but the girls all have this homecoming queen vibe that seems to miss the mark in terms of the reality of their position. i got nothing but attitude like i was asking the world when i arrived and expressed my plan to shower then head into the city. the girl finally got past the gravity of my request (hey- i didn't close the arrivals lounge) and told me to come back when i'm ready to go and someone will escort me. so i do that and then i'm told it could be a couple of hours to find staff. ... didn't you tell me that when i arrived? ugh. it's been 90 minutes and, hence, enough time to find this thread. my window to leave is closing and, well, i'm venting. all the while the 2 of them stand there playing with their phones doing a job that requires only 1 person (or an above average chimp who happens to look good in CX colours).
If CX really wanted to play the correct way, they are supposed to call security if they know for certain you've entered without intent to fly...which you basically said to them. But of course they're in a pickle, because you're paying customer, and in practice this rarely happens and would get them a lot of negative publicity. But just a heads up you said the thing that probably earned you the longest possible delay.
The airport authority has been aware for years the practice of passengers entering airside without the intent to fly, and then exiting immigration. Of course, the problem is there are legitimate reasons people would intend to fly, but then have to leave: emergencies, etc. So HKIA cannot fully curtail the process, or at least they haven't found a way yet. What sucks is their practice is now to essentially delay everybody. Some reports on here say as long as 60-90 minutes, although other folks report faster.
#278
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
as much as i like CX, i cannot stand the attitude of the greeters at the HKG lounges. everyone else in the lounges is great; but the girls all have this homecoming queen vibe that seems to miss the mark in terms of the reality of their position. i got nothing but attitude like i was asking the world when i arrived and expressed my plan to shower then head into the city. the girl finally got past the gravity of my request (hey- i didn't close the arrivals lounge) and told me to come back when i'm ready to go and someone will escort me. so i do that and then i'm told it could be a couple of hours to find staff. ... didn't you tell me that when i arrived? ugh. it's been 90 minutes and, hence, enough time to find this thread. my window to leave is closing and, well, i'm venting. all the while the 2 of them stand there playing with their phones doing a job that requires only 1 person (or an above average chimp who happens to look good in CX colours).
I guess your priority is at the bottom of the list, and keeps gettig pushed down as genuine pax need help. And then staff are entitled to a break or whatever, so your time gets pushed out.
Not sure if there would be much of a difference if they had told you on arrival at the lounge it could take two hours. Presumably you only had a very quick shower so this has only put you back 30 mins or so? (it still would have taken two hours to get someone from whatever time you decided you wanted to go out).
#279
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,039
as much as i like CX, i cannot stand the attitude of the greeters at the HKG lounges. everyone else in the lounges is great; but the girls all have this homecoming queen vibe that seems to miss the mark in terms of the reality of their position. i got nothing but attitude like i was asking the world when i arrived and expressed my plan to shower then head into the city. the girl finally got past the gravity of my request (hey- i didn't close the arrivals lounge) and told me to come back when i'm ready to go and someone will escort me. so i do that and then i'm told it could be a couple of hours to find staff. ... didn't you tell me that when i arrived? ugh. it's been 90 minutes and, hence, enough time to find this thread. my window to leave is closing and, well, i'm venting. all the while the 2 of them stand there playing with their phones doing a job that requires only 1 person (or an above average chimp who happens to look good in CX colours).
#280
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
So people in this thread have been asking the lounge staff to help them exit the airport. What if you are someone who doesn’t have lounge access. There must be other people in the airport who can help you exit? Maybe they will help you exit faster.
#281
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
as much as i like CX, i cannot stand the attitude of the greeters at the HKG lounges. everyone else in the lounges is great; but the girls all have this homecoming queen vibe that seems to miss the mark in terms of the reality of their position. i got nothing but attitude like i was asking the world when i arrived and expressed my plan to shower then head into the city. the girl finally got past the gravity of my request (hey- i didn't close the arrivals lounge) and told me to come back when i'm ready to go and someone will escort me. so i do that and then i'm told it could be a couple of hours to find staff. ... didn't you tell me that when i arrived? ugh. it's been 90 minutes and, hence, enough time to find this thread. my window to leave is closing and, well, i'm venting. all the while the 2 of them stand there playing with their phones doing a job that requires only 1 person (or an above average chimp who happens to look good in CX colours).
you’d get the same attitude asking them to assist on a list of things too. just like how some cabin crew feels entitled to bia*ch at you for telling them to get some water.
#282
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,039
of course, you just told them to do work, instead of “greeting” people by taking their lounge invitation or sometimes asking to stamp.
you’d get the same attitude asking them to assist on a list of things too. just like how some cabin crew feels entitled to bia*ch at you for telling them to get some water.
you’d get the same attitude asking them to assist on a list of things too. just like how some cabin crew feels entitled to bia*ch at you for telling them to get some water.
#283
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
#284
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
HKIA seems to believe it is against their regulations to enter airside "without the intent to fly". likewise, what the poster everyone is responding to said...is not very clever. "Hi, I want a shower and then intend to go into town". I am not a lawyer, nor do I have any clue how enforceable any of this is. But they've told me this in multiple conversations, I've asked this exact scenario before.
I don't actually think it is ever (maybe rarely?) enforced in this situation. Especially since I don't think there is any way to prove it. But in this case, the passenger basically said as much to the lounge staff lol. And like I said in my post above, CX doesn't have much incentive to screw the passenger over and make him the rare case to get in trouble for this. So they delay the hell out of it and have plausible deniability - they can say the passenger was persistent, them delaying him 60-90 minutes obviously shows they're not encouraging it, etc.
But yea, only if you're trying to throw a wrench into your plans and delay yourself, should you emulate the poster roughly: "Hi, I'm not here to fly right now, but rather just enjoy the services and bounce into town."
I don't actually think it is ever (maybe rarely?) enforced in this situation. Especially since I don't think there is any way to prove it. But in this case, the passenger basically said as much to the lounge staff lol. And like I said in my post above, CX doesn't have much incentive to screw the passenger over and make him the rare case to get in trouble for this. So they delay the hell out of it and have plausible deniability - they can say the passenger was persistent, them delaying him 60-90 minutes obviously shows they're not encouraging it, etc.
But yea, only if you're trying to throw a wrench into your plans and delay yourself, should you emulate the poster roughly: "Hi, I'm not here to fly right now, but rather just enjoy the services and bounce into town."
#285
Suspended
Join Date: May 2006
Location: HKG
Programs: A3, TK *G; JL JGC; SPG,Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,952
HKIA seems to believe it is against their regulations to enter airside "without the intent to fly". likewise, what the poster everyone is responding to said...is not very clever. "Hi, I want a shower and then intend to go into town". I am not a lawyer, nor do I have any clue how enforceable any of this is. But they've told me this in multiple conversations, I've asked this exact scenario before.
I don't actually think it is ever (maybe rarely?) enforced in this situation. Especially since I don't think there is any way to prove it. But in this case, the passenger basically said as much to the lounge staff lol. And like I said in my post above, CX doesn't have much incentive to screw the passenger over and make him the rare case to get in trouble for this. So they delay the hell out of it and have plausible deniability - they can say the passenger was persistent, them delaying him 60-90 minutes obviously shows they're not encouraging it, etc.
But yea, only if you're trying to throw a wrench into your plans and delay yourself, should you emulate the poster roughly: "Hi, I'm not here to fly right now, but rather just enjoy the services and bounce into town."
I don't actually think it is ever (maybe rarely?) enforced in this situation. Especially since I don't think there is any way to prove it. But in this case, the passenger basically said as much to the lounge staff lol. And like I said in my post above, CX doesn't have much incentive to screw the passenger over and make him the rare case to get in trouble for this. So they delay the hell out of it and have plausible deniability - they can say the passenger was persistent, them delaying him 60-90 minutes obviously shows they're not encouraging it, etc.
But yea, only if you're trying to throw a wrench into your plans and delay yourself, should you emulate the poster roughly: "Hi, I'm not here to fly right now, but rather just enjoy the services and bounce into town."
of course, with the intent of flying the same boarding pass (to add: using the lounge during a long transit vs going to the lounge just for fun and getting out is very different in immigration procedures and intentions. especially at the times when the arrivals lounge is shut.)
Last edited by kaka; Feb 16, 2019 at 12:13 am