Can SkyTeam Elite use priority queue at AMS interrogation?
 

As many of you probably know, US-bound flights from Amsterdam go through a mini-interrogation/interview process at the gate prior to security and boarding (oddly enough, not from the UK). I have always been under the impression that SkyTeam Elites were able to bypass the usually long queues for this "service" but a friend a few days ago said she was refused access with her KLM/AF silver card (ST Elite). She was unceremoniously told to go the back of the line, and endured many stares along the way.

I personally have been able to use the elite line in the past; only once have the agents actually asked me to prove my eligibility (in that case, flying business on NW to SEA). At beginning of the summer, flying to IAH on CO I also used the elite line without any problems.

Is there official policy regarding the elite line to bypass the interrogation queue? Or experiences? Thanks.

My experience has been at AMS that they have a list at the Elite security check at the gate - and they check to see if you are on the list - even though you show your elite card. Maybe your friend was not on the list, maybe her number was not in the system, or maybe CO did not get the number. Maybe Silver's no longer qualify to use the BF line at the gate?

I could imagine her not being on the list if she flew an airline for which she not a member of the program, but then tried to use the program card anyway.

well, not sure what passport you hold but I can asure you that I get the interrogation (not mini) from LGW,GVA,BCN, etc

from LGW I had to explain to them that my wife and I really are married......and that our lastnames are different because the woman doesnt change her last name when she marries down here (SJO)

in GVA, I was asked to provide a SECOND ID..........that was fun.......I carry like 4 photo ids

in BCN my wife got the interrogatory as in 'where is your husband, why didnt he travel with you?'

in FRA a friend of mine was asked to provide the tickets for the World Cup games (back in 2006) that he attended.....lucky him.....he saved them as souvenirs LOL

Are these interrogations then only for US-based flights on US airlines, then? I have never had any questioning on BA flights from London. I've only ever experienced it on CO and NW departing from AMS on direct flights to the USA.

But in any case, Elites are entitled to the fast lane, I suppose, unless someone else can comment. It's just not advertised anywhere that I can see (all I can find is that Elites are able to use priority boarding along with business class pax). However, why would producing an Elite card not be sufficient to use the line? I think there is nothing more embarrassing than thinking you have access to something only to be denied, and endure the looks of everybody who thought you were trying to improperly jump the queue.

I have used the elite interrogation line many times at AMS as a CO Silver.

However, I would ask why it matters. Once through the questioning, you are basically herded into a too-small waiting area with nothing to see or do. You do not get to board any earlier. I usually linger outside and wait to enter until the line is nearly gone, to avoid being couped up for too long.

It is an AMS to US thing. Doesn't matter which airline, as far as I can tell. I have not had the same level of questioning at ZRH, CPH, or LHR.

The level of questioning may differ, but it's something that applies to all flights to the US operated by US airlines. In GVA, you get the questioning when flying CO to EWR, but not on Swiss to JFK. Same in AMS, where you get questioned when you fly NW, but not when flying KL to the US.

Cheers,

GenevaFlyer

But I don't get questioned when flying DL ex-CPH. I guess I should have made my uncertainty a little more clear, but I've only experienced ex-AMS.

That is what I try to do normally. I personally prefer to board the aircraft last; why spend any more time on the aircraft before a long-haul flight anyway? And boarding last usually means I can stroll on without having to wait for anything.

However, sometimes if I am traveling with friends/colleagues who may want to board ASAP for whatever reason. Or I have a larger carry-on bag than I usually travel with (I'm the type that tries to check as much as possible, and tries to limit the amount of stuff I have to lug around the airport and aircraft). Then it is nice to be able to board early to ensure my bag has a place above my seat. I've often had the experience of being threatened with my bag being checked (once when when it had two laptops among other valuables) or I end up putting the bag 300 rows further down; in the meantime, everybody else else has brought literally EVERYTHING in their carry-on, including a double kitchen sink. :rolleyes: Then it is certainly ideal to be able to board early, get a spot, and generally avoid the scrum.

I say get to the back and get in line like the rest regardless of how important you feel

I've had it on every US airline flight from AMS, CDG, ZRH, BRU, LHR, LGW, plus others I'm sure.

VS also has a mini version of this, both at checkin and before boarding but nowhere near the same level of questioning. When flying on CO I've been asked to explain why xxxx stamp was in my passport, what was I doing on that trip, etc. Walked a fine line between telling them to mind their own business and just giving them enough information.

Recently went through this at AMS on a NW flight - by the time I made it to interrogation, the general line was actually shorter than the elite line so I went general.

I'd like to point out that the "interrogation" administered by the security folks is exactly what we should be doing in the US, rather than this mindless "take off your shoes so that we can stare slack-jawed at the xray screen" approach favored by the TSA. Someday we'll figure out that shoes don't hijack/bomb aircraft, people hijack/bomb aircraft.

The 1:1 interview, with the interviewer picking up on body language that
something weird is going on, is the way to go in my experience. Our American focus on technology rather than on the people is going to get us every time.

There is certainly no form of interrogation at UK airports, indeed at most European airports, akin to that the OP describes at AMS. At AMS officials trained specifically in US immigration screen all the passengers and check through all VISAs and requisite accompanying US documentation such as DS 2019, employment documents and the likes. These officers literally ask you questions, and examine the same documents, as a US border official would do on arrival to US. This is very different from, and is in addition to, the routine questions asked on any flight terminating in the US. This AMS screening takes place at the Gate in a designated area before the final security screen.

To answer OP question, i have heard it said in those lines at AMS that only gold and above can use elite line and i have certainly seen silvers asked to leave the elite line but i dont know if a written rule.

never been in AMS but this surely makes me 'want' to go through this 'procedure':rolleyes:

There are typically two interviews at "extraordinary risk" airports. These are required by the US government for US airlines flying to the United States. The first is before check-in, the second is prior to boarding.

These vary tremendously. Sometimes just two or three questions, sometimes 10 or more. The airlines contract with agents, who sometimes wear the airlines' uniform. They might introduce themselves as "Delta Security" or "Continental Security," but they are in fact employees of ICTS, Securicor, etc.

The interview serves to identify if the passenger has appropriate travel documents, and if he or she presents a security risk. In my experience, the interviews are very easy at CDG and in South America. London/Gatwick can be more onerous. I've heard that Madrid, Brussels, and Amsterdam are the worst.

Some non-US airlines require this for flights bound for the US and Israel.

The agents are usually friendly and polite. In Brazil they are beautiful, in Buenos Aires they're incredibly friendly, and in Paris they speak little English but they're very nice.