Rediscovering AMS: One of the World's Friendliest Airports
Dec 24, 2015, 7:09 pm
#16
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Heraklion, Greece
Posts: 7,564
I've always had extensive interviews on my way to the US in AMS flying Northwest/DL but not KLM, as well as in ATH flying DL, but only until the end of the '90s (related to the new ATH airport?). Never at BRU, CDG, FCO, FRA, GVA, LHR, MUC and ZRH. In IST I had no interview but additional, very lengthy security checks.
Dec 25, 2015, 8:55 am
#17
Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,673
As mentioned upthread by Aviatrix, the interviews are typically for US carrier-operated flights only, and target non-US citizens.
The only unpleasant one I've had was in 1998 flying DL CDG-JFK, by an embittered man with a basic command of English and French.
I've been able to breeze through the interviews on my rare UA flights to the US with a disarmingly honest 'because it was the cheapest!' (at the time, to grant 100% miles to partner FFP's in low coach buckets) answer to 'why are you flying United?'
I otherwise make it a point of flying on European or Asian carriers into the US.
Dec 28, 2015, 6:01 pm
#18
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: LAX/SNA
Programs: United MP, SQ Krisflyer, SPG, HHonors, SkyPesos
Posts: 60
The airport security is really efficient at AMS. The x-ray bins come out automatically and the security staff is really friendly (one joked with me that candy was no longer allowed in carry-on).
What I hate are the long walks, both before and after security. Going to customs to get a VAT refund stamp and back if you're on a *A flight, and then the walk to your *A gate is a real pain!
What I hate are the long walks, both before and after security. Going to customs to get a VAT refund stamp and back if you're on a *A flight, and then the walk to your *A gate is a real pain!