Schiphol to introduce centralised security for non-Schengen from 2015
May 25, 2015, 6:07 am
#181
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May 25, 2015, 2:22 pm
#183
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My hunch is they won't. I don't know how the setup works, i.e. whether they actually register that you passed through the PDC or not, but in the past (when it was done at the gate), all you got was a sticker on your passport.
May 25, 2015, 2:28 pm
#184
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Another Reason to Fly KLM if Possible
Living in California, I rarely fly Delta to Amsterdam as KLM goes non-stop from LAX and SFO while Delta does not. So, one way to avoid this whole thing is to fly KLM from Amsterdam when possible rather than Delta.
Not to mention the food in economy on KLM is much better than Delta.
Not to mention the food in economy on KLM is much better than Delta.
May 25, 2015, 4:57 pm
#185
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In the past year or so I have also flown FRA-SEA, ZRH-SFO, and CPH-SFO (on LH, LX, and SK, respectively). At FRA/ZRH there is an extra document check (i.e. to ensure that passengers had visas for the US), but no stupid questions. CPH didn't do anything extra at all.
Which brings me back to the main point - why is it ONLY Delta and ONLY at Schiphol that this security theater takes place? Seems easy enough to avoid just by flying on someone else...
May 25, 2015, 5:35 pm
#186
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If it is mandated, it must only be for US Carriers. At Schiphol, only DL does this. KLM most certainly does not. I flew United to IAH about a year ago and I don't remember it then either, although I could be mistaken.
In the past year or so I have also flown FRA-SEA, ZRH-SFO, and CPH-SFO (on LH, LX, and SK, respectively). At FRA/ZRH there is an extra document check (i.e. to ensure that passengers had visas for the US), but no stupid questions. CPH didn't do anything extra at all.
Which brings me back to the main point - why is it ONLY Delta and ONLY at Schiphol that this security theater takes place? Seems easy enough to avoid just by flying on someone else...
In the past year or so I have also flown FRA-SEA, ZRH-SFO, and CPH-SFO (on LH, LX, and SK, respectively). At FRA/ZRH there is an extra document check (i.e. to ensure that passengers had visas for the US), but no stupid questions. CPH didn't do anything extra at all.
Which brings me back to the main point - why is it ONLY Delta and ONLY at Schiphol that this security theater takes place? Seems easy enough to avoid just by flying on someone else...
It still exists, and wasn't abolished two years ago.
May 27, 2015, 11:21 am
#188
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Looking forward to it.
During my daily walk around Schiphol Departures (I take the train home from there every day) I started wondering how people were going to get up to the new security checks if they are departing AMS.
In Departures 3 the only option I saw was via the stairs or the lift by the Color Cafe and then via the narrow bridge over. In Departures 2 there's the stairs up to the Medical Center and I suppose another entrance will be via the escalator leading up to the visitor's terrace (and a lift that seems to be under construction still).
Is that right?
During my daily walk around Schiphol Departures (I take the train home from there every day) I started wondering how people were going to get up to the new security checks if they are departing AMS.
In Departures 3 the only option I saw was via the stairs or the lift by the Color Cafe and then via the narrow bridge over. In Departures 2 there's the stairs up to the Medical Center and I suppose another entrance will be via the escalator leading up to the visitor's terrace (and a lift that seems to be under construction still).
Is that right?
May 27, 2015, 3:13 pm
#190
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A week to go, and according to luchtvaartnieuws.nl Schiphol promises that security will take a maximum of ten minutes for regular pax, and five for what they call "business class".
Not impressive, even assuming that they get it right.
Johan
Not impressive, even assuming that they get it right.
Johan
May 27, 2015, 3:35 pm
#191
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So no SLA for Privium 
I wonder what the contractual penalties are for Schiphol if a Business Class passenger takes 6 minutes to pass through.
I wonder what the contractual penalties are for Schiphol if a Business Class passenger takes 6 minutes to pass through.
May 27, 2015, 3:56 pm
#192
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May 28, 2015, 1:28 am
#193
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Boy, they're really setting themselves up for failure.
From today's Metro:
http://metronieuws.nl/binnenland/2015/05/twee-uur-voor-boarden-op-schiphol-hoeft-niet-meer
"We hope people will like the new security check so much they will ask to have another go when they're done". Yup.
"Everyone can pass the security check at their own pace. The person who's first done unpacking their stuff can go through the scanner first. This took some time to get used to because out of courtesy people were waiting for passengers who arrived first to finish."
In the Netherlands? Well, I had my bins literally thrown back at me by staff when I dared put them on the conveyor before the person who arrived in front of me had finished.
With all this pomp, I kind of hope we'll get to see the Dutch version of the T5 opening in LHR. I'm just happy I have no non-Schengen travel planned for now.
From today's Metro:
http://metronieuws.nl/binnenland/2015/05/twee-uur-voor-boarden-op-schiphol-hoeft-niet-meer
We hopen dat mensen de nieuwe controle zó leuk vinden, dat ze na afloop vragen of ze nog een keer mogen”, grijnst hij.
"Vooral aangenaam is dat iedereen de controle op zijn of haar eigen tempo kan doen. Louwerse: „Drie mensen kunnen tegelijk hun bagage op een band leggen. Degene die als eerste klaar is kan door de bodyscanner. We merkten bij de proef van afgelopen jaar dat zowel reizigers als beveiligers hier aan moesten wennen. Uit beleefdheid gingen mensen wachten op de persoon die voor hen in de rij stond. Maar dat hoeft dus niet.”
In the Netherlands? Well, I had my bins literally thrown back at me by staff when I dared put them on the conveyor before the person who arrived in front of me had finished.
With all this pomp, I kind of hope we'll get to see the Dutch version of the T5 opening in LHR. I'm just happy I have no non-Schengen travel planned for now.
May 28, 2015, 2:07 am
#194
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Of course I challenged them that Priority/Privium PAX are annoyed that they don't have a dedicated lane any more. However, they were convinced that the new setup is faster for everyone, including Privium PAX. According to them, only the perception of waiting is different as you don't enter an empty line any more.
As for the entrance to the mezzanine security filters, there will be escalators on each side. At departures, there are around 10 scanners at each filter (all body scanner).
After security, there is much emphasis on self-service passport control for EU-passport holders. I found that the number of KMar booths was pretty low; that could be a bottleneck.
I also asked how the new setup at Departures 1 worked whereby you theoretically can pass slower people ahead of you. They said the mindset of the passengers had to change (what a bright idea, in an international environment with also inexperienced travellers) and that security staff sees to this. They also claim security at Schiphol is more service-oriented (the adage now is Schiphol Security Service), with friendly, efficient and respectful staff. I think almost every traveller has experienced the opposite.
I had an interesting lecture from a former Fokker employee last week, who offered one piece of advise I think Schiphol should take note of: "Don't believe your own bull$hit!".
As for the entrance to the mezzanine security filters, there will be escalators on each side. At departures, there are around 10 scanners at each filter (all body scanner).
After security, there is much emphasis on self-service passport control for EU-passport holders. I found that the number of KMar booths was pretty low; that could be a bottleneck.
I also asked how the new setup at Departures 1 worked whereby you theoretically can pass slower people ahead of you. They said the mindset of the passengers had to change (what a bright idea, in an international environment with also inexperienced travellers) and that security staff sees to this. They also claim security at Schiphol is more service-oriented (the adage now is Schiphol Security Service), with friendly, efficient and respectful staff. I think almost every traveller has experienced the opposite.
I had an interesting lecture from a former Fokker employee last week, who offered one piece of advise I think Schiphol should take note of: "Don't believe your own bull$hit!".
May 28, 2015, 2:39 am
#195
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This! On more than one occasion at Schiphol I have been barked at to wait when I had the audacity to overtake a hopelessly slow passenger fumbling with their possessions at the tray dispenser. I usually have everything that needs to be out/off/on display out and ready for an immediate go-through. And it is so annoying when you get stuck behind somebody who doesn't seem to have expected anything like security, when they have everything tucked away and seem to find every direction a complete surprise (Take off my jacket? Take off my belt?? Take out my liquids???).