I have been doing this for years when flying early or midmorning. Mercure checkout is at 9 a.m., so it is a simple matter of grabbing your stuff and ambling over to the gate. Very convenient.

Johan

And then what? Will they move to FRA?

RTM is a lot closer!

Johan

I can only wish, but I was already reprimanded that Schiphol operates RTM as well :)

Just got an promotional e-mail from Schiphol:

"De zomer komt eraan. Bereid je voor op de komende zomer en laat je verwennen na de security. Dompel jezelf onder in de meest zomerse geuren en kleuren en let goed op de nieuwe Special Offers van See Buy Fly."

In English: Prepare for summer and let yourself be pampered after security.

Pampered?!? PTSD counseling would be far more appropriate.

Johan

:)

Remains to be seen. Possibly something with penalties? I'm not sure. That secretary of transport can be a very harsh politician when she wants to be. It wouldn't surprise me if she gives the airport an ultimatium, "get your act together or kiss that new runway goodbye"

I asked, and got the following reply:

"De afspraken die zijn gemaakt zijn als volgt; Privium en Premium passagiers (door de airlines aangewezen niveaus) hebben bij de security check toegang tot het priority wachtgebied en worden daarna met voorrang verwezen naar een security lane. De afspraak is dat er geen onderscheid is tussen Privium en Premium passagiers (gezamenlijk priority passagiers genoemd). Als Security in de praktijk wel onderscheid maakt, is dat een keus die in de operatie wordt gemaakt om het proces zo optimaal cq overzichtelijk mogelijk te laten verlopen (voor beide doelgroepen). Zo heb ik wel eens gezien (uitzondering weliswaar) dat er in Vertrekhal 1 2 wachtrijen werden gecreëerd in het priority wachtgebied; 1 achter de Privium toegang richting lane 1 en 1 achter de boarding card readers voor de Premium passagiers richting lane 3 (en wordt 2 voor beide gebruikt). Als er dan minder Privium passagiers zijn dan Premium loopt de Privium rij sneller door. Zoals gezegd is het aan Security hoe zij de operatie uitvoert zolang ze maar zorgt dat priority voorrang heeft op economy."

English synopsis: Security is not supposed to distinguish between Privium and other priority pax, but are free to do so if it suits them.

Johan

I could live with that :D

Now that easter holidays are over, is it likely that the queues are shorter? I have an early KL1001 to catch and prefer to spend time in my bed instead of the crown lounge...

likely, they ended april 30th*. happy travels!

Things seem to be going well for Privium - there's now a two-week wait for appointments for new members.

Departures 3 took me 7 minutes this morning to breeze through security and passport control. Including the manual pat down I always choose. One security line open, no queue except the three persons at the trays and the Easyjet staff member that was allowed to overtake me on the conveyor belt. No waiting time at the automatic passport gates.

Crown lounge 80% empty.

Are there certain times that are better or worse for security? How is it coming around 20:00 on a Sunday?

Separately, how many security checkpoints are there and can you use any, regardless of which airline you're flying?

When I'm in the lounge there seems to be a constant stream of new applicants heading for the Marechaussee office.

They had better start thinking about expanding that lounge, it is already too crowded at times.

Johan

For departing passengers: 1, 1A, 2, 3 and the VIP terminal.

Your destination will determine which checkpoints you may use, as the aiport is divided into Schengen and non-Schengen terminals.

At the checkpoints there are regular and priorty lanes. Access to the latter is partially dependent on which airline you are flying, as some pay to let their elites use priority even when traveling in economy class.

Johan