azhang24

AC uses Swissport, just passed through today and noticed a cart of UA/AC delayed baggage on a Swissport cart. Others can confirm (this is my first KLM flight), but I assume KLM self-handles at AMS.

azhang24

AC uses Swissport, just passed through today and noticed a cart of UA/AC delayed baggage on a Swissport cart. Others can confirm (this is my first KLM flight), but I assume KLM self-handles at AMS.

johan rebel

The other week I was enjoying cabin window views of the slow-motion spectacle of bags being loaded onto our plane. In the background there was a forlorn bag trailer, which looked pretty much orphaned. After some time, the ramp supervisor in charge of our flight ambled over, lifted the tarp, and found a few bags plus two pet travel crates containing a cat and a dog. When they had finished loading, the leftover bags (i.e. the ones destined for other flights than ours, that had been loaded on the wrong trailers) were chucked on the trailer with the pet crates, which was then carted off somewhere. Where those unfortunate animals came from, how long that trailer had been parked in the full sun, and where they finally ended up are questions I can't answer.





Johan

johan rebel

The airport's self-inflicted disaster is rightly what people focus on, but I have no doubt that KLM very much prefers that the spotlight is kept steadily shining on Schiphol, in the hope that the airline's own failings will get less attention, or even be attributed to the airport.

The combination of Privium & HBO has ensured that the experience for me this summer has been pretty much normal as far as the airport side of things is concerned. On departure maybe an extra 10 minutes or so in the security queue, and 1-2 hours longer in the lounge due to precautionary early arrival the airport, but that's it. No issues whatsoever on arrival. However, KLM has managed to delay 100% of my flights, which I'm pretty sure is almost entirely a consequence of checked luggage mismanagement. On all flights from AMS personal observation has confirmed this, and all flights to AMS have been delayed due to late incoming aircraft. Pretty safe bet that luggage problems wholly or partially caused many of those.

Johan

Fabo.sk

Not to mention the god-only-knows-what's-it-for bridge right in front of the NS KLM lounge. Like it's not like watching airplanes on the apron is one of the few things to do to alleviate boredom a the airport.

I've never seen a line longer than a couple people... presumably you went up behind the KLM SP area, right? And it was still somehow an hour? That's crazy.

I will need to check next week whether the Privium gates at Dep 1 entry on the far side of checkin counters are still open.

For me the ideal solution is when a bag magically appears next day after arrival, so I don't have to take it with me from the airport. A risky proposal though.

I have not been on a not delayed flight for a long time as well. Luckily most of them were not significant delays. Hopefully it will stay so.

Concerto

The airlines have to get their act together, all of them. The delays are ludicrous and unacceptable too. I really am looking at alternatives in Europe, even for relatively long stretches, such as the train or even flying private from small airports. This last option is a real pleasure, but it is not cheap. The trouble with the train is, you lose a day going and a day coming.

I don't understand what has happened to KLM. It was an example of efficiency and good service until now, a standout among the other airlines. Why has it nose dived like all the other ones? They really all copy each other, don't they?

Fabo.sk

Trains I would not mind using on a lot of my travels, but they are just as expensive as airplanes for long distances and unless you hit on the right route, slow.
Driving is an option, but while flexible and depending on what car you have comfortable, it's expensive and limiting for parking, ability to have a drink etc.
Flying private would be pretty good but hella expensive.

KLM used to be quite punctual except that it was susceptible to weather chaos due to the situation at AMS.

Nowadays, the airline can't do much because of handling delays, pax missing flights because of security is one thing, but if it takes one guy two hours to unload and load the baggage, and you don't have 2 guys, then an hours turnaround is not possible.

b12e

Don't really want to start a new thread, but KL is having a webinar right now. They'll talk about all the mess, among other things. I think it's "Nordics" oriented.

It's likely they won't have to say anything new though - likely more "sorry for the mess" and "sustainability"

Edit: AF/KL will allow "stopover" flights if flying AF/KL metal (eg Stockholm->Amsterdam, stay there for a week, then continue on to New York, at the same cost as Stockholm->Amsterdam->New York with a regular layover of <24 hours).

For STE / STE+ members, they're changing the seat model - comparable to Delta. Platinum will remain to be able to select any seat at time of booking for free, but free for Gold members STD-72, and Silver STD-24, rather than discounted.

For Ulti's, the old Blu restaurant in L52 in AMS will become Ultimate space.

Bogwoppit

I got a flight change for Oct 20th. I am doing YUL-AMS-GLA, had a 90 minute connections, now all day flights have gone and I am rebooked on the 13.35 GLA flight. I planned a short, timewise, connection, as I knew I would have not have time to leave the airport for a fun time in the city. SO now I have a 6 hour layover, do I spring for the lounge and relax, and hope they let me stay there all day, or do I chance going into the city, or Leiden etc? Any thought. Silver status, but that will not help me at all flying Y.

Sjoerd

That�s an easy one. Lounge. Without priority you need to be back at Schiphol 4 hours before your GLA flight.

thomas199023

12:00 pm today. Even quite a line for Privium/Priority. Moving pretty ok, I estimate 20 minutes. No separation of sky priority and Privium unfortunately�

edit this is priority security 1/2 near sky priority check in.

edit: 25-30 minutes from checking to lounge.

Bogwoppit

The lounge it is, sadly only the Aspire one, assuming I can get in at all. I had visions of a nice self guided tour around Leiden, but ah well.

GUWonder

Unless playing a game of some sort or another to get priority access for security screening at AMS on the return from a land-side jaunt at AMS, half to two-thirds or more of the six hours may turn out to be just what is required to deal with the passenger security screening hassle on some days. And also eating into the time can be the time to deal with AMS passport control on arrival and on departure.

How far AMS has fallen when even a six hour layover is no longer generally sufficient time to go in for an easy, rather worry-free city jaunt during a layover.

Gulbra

I believe Lipsey was talking about the already reserved tables at the second floor.

HadesNL

b12e : that is interesting news!
The old Blue restaurant is a nice decorated space, has a seperated feeling from the rest of lounge being on the top level of the escalators.
so could perfectly serve as an FB Ultimate only lounge.
I could never make Ulti but glad to see that there is some effort to offer a dedicated space!