flyingcrazy

I have heard that the virus does not have a schengen visa so it cannot go into the KLM schengen lounge, and that is why self serve beer is still available in that lounge. Also as mentioned above it hates coffee so stays well clear of the self serve coffee machines, but loves to hang around on the self serve beer taps in the non schengen lounge.

I know BA are offering cans of beer in their lounge self serve, presumably AF are too, why can KLM not start offering cans of heineken? That would be a good compromise no?

maalloc

OK, now that does make sense. Thanks for the logical explanation!

AF does indeed. They also keep wine and spirits bottles around the lounge which people can freely grab to help themselves... Crazy, right?

Joke aside, Non-Schengen alcohol service has been severely tuned down since the Lounge 52 renovation.
I've been told that KLM had some issues with intoxicated customers on long-haul flights after long layovers so they preferred to help pax pace themselves when it comes to alcohol consumption.
Could be that. One could also notice that lounge 52 has a paying bar with nice alcohol selection so keeping self-service options to the bare minimum (Heineken) might help drive customers to the paying area.

I guess we'll never know the real reason why self-service alcohol was limited in lounge 52... Or maybe, same as for the broken walkways, they anticipated Covid-19 so the service change was decided "for our safety", years ago

irishguy28

After numerous complaints, they no longer dispense Heineken through the showers, only the taps.

San Gottardo

<Humoristic stereotyping mode on>
He is from Britain. Different standards what is a "nice meal". It was like that already 2000 years ago.




<Humoristic stereotyping mode off, no offense meant>

The_Bouncer

I don't know about it not having a Schengen visa. I suspect it just doesn't want to self isolate on arrival, so hasn't bothered to clear immigration.

Interesting that it doesn't go near the coffee machine, but it hangs around on the beer taps. It is also often seen in pubs, night clubs and hotel executive lounges. There is only one explanation. It is an alcoholic virus and needs to be put in a rehab program. Maybe it might learn how to behave itself then.

On a serious note, maybe the Priority Pass Lounge no. 41 might be a viable alternative? Does anyone know whether it still has its smoking room?

flyingcrazy

But self isolation in Netherlands is voluntary! It probably does not trust itself to behave itself whilst in Amsterdam with all the temptations. It is a fascinating virus, when it is not lingering around the beer taps in the non schengen KLM lounge at Schiphol, it likes to skulk around Scotland after 6PM, then it heads around England and wonders about after 10PM. It likes to annoy people when they walk into restaurants and board flights, but as soon as you start eating/drinking it runs a mile!

Not sure regards PP Lounge, I do not have PP access sadly. Was really looking forward to getting tipsy in the lounge during my layover, its not the same if I have to keep going up to the bar for my 0.25L glass, makes me feel self conscious when I turn up every 5 minutes for the refill.

flyingcrazy

I do remember the AMS-ABZ service used to be the last flight of the day alongside the AMS-MEX service, and it would be a fascinating gathering of drunk Scots and Mexicans discussing life and showing each other photos of their respective countries landscapes. Was fun. Real shame that the virus has now demanded this little fun gathering must end, we must have a barman keep an eye on our consumption and is trying to force us to drink coffee instead.

The_Bouncer

As I say, it's an alcoholic virus. It's keeping the beer for itself.

maalloc

You can still get tipsy, but before 11:59 AM in the Schengen lounge...
A whole different challenge altogether (although 11AM in Europe is 7PM somewhere, sooooo)

irishguy28

I would doubt it; Schiphol went completely smoke-free on 1 April: https://www.schiphol.nl/en/at-schiph...ng-at-schiphol

The_Bouncer

Is there any pleasure left at all in flying?

flyingcrazy

Is there any pleasure left in anything?

The_Bouncer

In some places, yes.

maalloc

It's now called "safety".

(which is the root of all pleasures, right? )

The_Bouncer

Indeed. The Health and Safety culture is crafting such a wonderful world for our children.