I highly doubt we'll see Schiphol ever acknowledge this is an issue. It seems their position is simply that it's somehow the passengers' fault.

This sounds a lot like the claims made by Heathrow when they opened Terminal 5. Passenger flow would be so efficient and fast that priority security was not necessary. Right. Security at that "state-of-the-art" terminal has been abysmal ever since with endless queues.

Is the current situation only a result of the enormous increase in passenger volumes? I cannot help thinking the old situation where security was done at the gates for non-Schengen flights was better.

Depends on how you're looking at it. A transit passenger arriving from a clean airport will definitely prefer this to the old system. In terms of used resources, it's certainly more effective as well. Moreover, I hate sitting around a gate waiting. With gate security you're always going to have to wait for some time at the gate.

The problem has IMO much deeper routes than the structural organization of security checks. I spend a lot of time queuing at immigration and security while transiting into Schengen, because they simply didn't man enough booths and security lines.

The solution is to throw money at the problem (more staff; more scanners) and making scanning more efficient. Queues are always going to be long during peak hours, but the point is to keep them moving.

[QUOTE=WorldLux;28235459]and making scanning more efficient.QUOTE]

I think that would already improve things a lot. As has been pointed out by others in the thread, the weird cable scanning rule and the almost systematic second scan of luggage play a big role in the mayhem.

There's always something when I go through Security at AMS, whilst with the very same baggage at other airports things run very smoothly.

It did have the advantage of being very predictable.

As long as priority was properly enforced by the airline, the waiting time was never longer than a minute or two.

Johan

Check in time at AMS.
 

I will be on the 08.30 flight from AMS to SOU next Monday with luggage to be checked. Seeing all the comments about long lines etc., what time would you advise that I arrive at the airport ? Are there any separate lines for Platinum Lifers ? Can I check in baggage the night before ? Thanks.

You can check in from 3 hours before your flight. There is of course SkyPriority, but nothing separate for Platinum members.

Government is getting involved and is planning a meeting with Schiphol and KLM. Source: http://www.nu.nl/reizen/4655211/schi...uchthaven.html

I wonder how much the current government can do in terms of policy. They are a caretaker government after all, so have little mandate to make any policy changes or introduce new policy. They have freed up a big pot of money for more gendarmerie but that apparently had already been planned for and/or was taken from existing budget resources.

Schiphol has called an emergency meeting with their security contractors and the unions for coming Wednesday.

The unions blame everything on staff shortages, and want the contractors to hire and train "several hundred" new employees in less than six weeks.

Source & source

Johan

Good, even more people that can send bags to secondary. Never mind an internal review on what causes the delays -- just hire more people. The solution to everything.

Why does Schiphol even deem it necessary to contract three security companies? Can't they develop an in-house security team? Absurd.

You would also think Schiphol has an inherent interest in making sure passengers get through check-in, security and passport check as quickly as possible. The longer people wait in the queue, the less time they have to empty their wallets in the shops.

Schiphol is evaluating whether to open all lanes more frequently. Really smart and innovative :rolleyes: . They further blame the queues on the fact that the predictions are not always accurate.
Apparently, per lane 5 security staff are deployed, and increasing this number is not possible.

Friend flew to a Schengen destination this morning with HV (0715ish departure). With luggage drop off, it took him 2,5 hrs to clear the whole process. Very frustrating experience. I told the travel management company to only book KL flights for me the coming weeks, to make sure I have priority access and somewhat of a chance on a comfortable experience...