Mess in AMS today - April 2022 onwards
#333
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: CMN,DXB,CDG
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum
Posts: 763
I booked a Thalys that departs 1 hour exactly after I land from JED (International). I was thinking that it was plenty of time until I saw what the outbound looked like last sunday.
Should I leave directly upon landing or is it a mess as well and it's better to postpone the train segment?
Should I leave directly upon landing or is it a mess as well and it's better to postpone the train segment?
I landed in AMS yesterday from the Gulf at 2:05pm at the furthest parking spot in the E concourse (E24). I was the first to exit the plane at 2:07 (I talked to the crew, explaining I had a Thalys at 2:34) and literally ran through the terminal to clear custom (probably lost 1:30 min because the custom guys were also at the exit of the plane directly), and cleared custom (to exit, not transit) without hold luggage quickly (I was able to use the automatic gates (2 PAX in front of me). All automatic gates were open, and there was probably 5 desks open.
I was on the Thalys tracks at 2:21, so 14 min from passing the plane door to being at the train station.
0/10 would do it again, but glad I made it!
#334
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
#336
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MAD
Programs: FB Plat
Posts: 242
Is there any plan or idea for how things will continue at AMS?
The airport is still blaming it on the holidays, and the website projects most coming days as "peak travel day", but at that point that is not believable.
The airport is still blaming it on the holidays, and the website projects most coming days as "peak travel day", but at that point that is not believable.
#338
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: AMS/RTM
Posts: 2,826
Precisely like this.
Until the airlines stop flying to AMS what are passengers going to do?
A few might decide to move their connections elsewhere, but most people will still buy the cheapest ticket and/or are captive of AMS.
Until the airlines stop flying to AMS what are passengers going to do?
A few might decide to move their connections elsewhere, but most people will still buy the cheapest ticket and/or are captive of AMS.
#339
Join Date: May 2022
Posts: 185
I expect this to last the whole summer.This morning security was a breeze,however there was no staff to refuel the aircraft so the flight was delayed for an hour.
#341
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: FRA/SXB
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 1,922
I think all of the major European airports are going to be like this all summer.....I guess best to expect the worst and just be pleasantly surprised if the priority queue doesn't extend out the door.
Huge rebound in TATL and intra-Europe traffic + reduced staffing = bit of a cluster.
Huge rebound in TATL and intra-Europe traffic + reduced staffing = bit of a cluster.
#342
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
After the meivakantie disaster, when at least seven colleagues missed their flights, my employer has decided that all pax departing from AMS must be at the airport 4+ hours before STD, regardless of destination. We can look forward to a summer of fun, either standing in various lines, or hanging around in lounges.
Johan
Johan
#344
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
Those seven were only the tip of the iceberg, there were undoubtedly more that I have not heard of (yet). Then there were all those whose flights were canceled, I know of seven so far. Those who actually made their flights have enthusiastically shared the lurid details of their horrific Schiphol adventures, complete with pictures scary enough to convince most people to try walking to their destination instead.
In those instances where I have all the details, the airline was willing to rebook, but not on the next flight. The TA was somehow able to pull strings and get them on the next flight anyway in under ten minutes, so there were open seats. Fully flexible tickets, no idea why the airline could/would not do it. As for the canceled flights, some were handled properly by the airline, in other cases the TA booked new tickets on another carrier.
Johan
In those instances where I have all the details, the airline was willing to rebook, but not on the next flight. The TA was somehow able to pull strings and get them on the next flight anyway in under ten minutes, so there were open seats. Fully flexible tickets, no idea why the airline could/would not do it. As for the canceled flights, some were handled properly by the airline, in other cases the TA booked new tickets on another carrier.
Johan