Mess in AMS today - April 2022 onwards
Jun 3, 2022, 2:20 pm
#691
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
There's finally light at the end of the tunnel: Schiphol has canceled its annual Bloemendaal aan Zee staff and travel industry beach party, claiming that they are now going to focus on the coming summer peak season instead.
Phew!
Johan
Phew!
Johan
Jun 3, 2022, 3:31 pm
#692
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: FB Plat, *A Gold
Posts: 369
Depending on the time of the day I think. Just (10pm) picked up my daughter at departures, no problem. Just ignore the signs that you're only allowed to drop off.
Jun 4, 2022, 4:17 am
#693
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 7,339
That does bring up an interesting question though. is there a way to move between Departures and arrivals, on foot, without going through the terminal/plaza? I'm looking at the map and I get the impression that there is not. Even P1 and the Sheraton are only connected to Plaza. But there must be a way, especially in case of some kind of emergency there must be a route outside to move between the levels?
Only, potential, way I found is here at the end of Departures 3, where there seems to be a lift. Or perhaps through the Privium parking which also seems connected to Departures 3..
https://goo.gl/maps/78h3zjA7RiLmFR3E8
Only, potential, way I found is here at the end of Departures 3, where there seems to be a lift. Or perhaps through the Privium parking which also seems connected to Departures 3..
https://goo.gl/maps/78h3zjA7RiLmFR3E8
Last edited by Xandrios; Jun 4, 2022 at 4:22 am
Jun 4, 2022, 5:19 am
#694
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: 39000ft
Posts: 956
At the moment sitting on a plane having a CTOT in 1 hour on a already delayed departure. Runways are not favourable again (winds?). Only one runway used for arrivals and one for departures since this morning which limits capacity I guess.
By the way, the queue for KLM transfer desk around C pier was wayyyyyyy long spanking well into the C gates.
By the way, the queue for KLM transfer desk around C pier was wayyyyyyy long spanking well into the C gates.
Jun 4, 2022, 5:49 am
#695
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: AMS, JFK/EWR/LGA
Programs: Flying Blue/Platinum, TK/Elite Plus, QR/Platinum, LH/FTL, Marriott/Platinum
Posts: 293
The Schengen lounge is “closed” at the moment, no one allowed in anymore even though for the 30 min I’ve been waiting here, at least 30-40 guests left the lounge already.
Now they called in KMar to man the lounge entrance to scare away those who’s trying to talk sense into the lounge agent (as to why no one is allowed in despite people leaving and having seats opened up in the lounge).
Fun times
Now they called in KMar to man the lounge entrance to scare away those who’s trying to talk sense into the lounge agent (as to why no one is allowed in despite people leaving and having seats opened up in the lounge).
Fun times
Jun 4, 2022, 6:36 am
#696
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: AMS, JFK/EWR/LGA
Programs: Flying Blue/Platinum, TK/Elite Plus, QR/Platinum, LH/FTL, Marriott/Platinum
Posts: 293
Update: now the lounge is probably around 80% full and most of the dining area tables are vacant.
Still no one allowed in, reason is they can’t help those who needs rebooking, however those who doesnt require rebooking and merely just needs a seat also isn’t allowed in.
It’s either a dumb decision maker on duty or they aren’t really telling the truth.
Still no one allowed in, reason is they can’t help those who needs rebooking, however those who doesnt require rebooking and merely just needs a seat also isn’t allowed in.
It’s either a dumb decision maker on duty or they aren’t really telling the truth.
Jun 4, 2022, 7:13 am
#697
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,729
2 hours after checking in for tomorrow's return flight, I get a message that it's cancelled. No rebooking options available, and the Platinum Service Line is basically unreachable (I managed to get through after at least 20 attempts but gave up after being on hold for ages).
I am now in possession of a train ticket for tomorrow's journey. That's what I get for being too clever and changing my ticket; the flight I originally purchased is still scheduled to operate
I am now in possession of a train ticket for tomorrow's journey. That's what I get for being too clever and changing my ticket; the flight I originally purchased is still scheduled to operate
Jun 4, 2022, 7:16 am
#698
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 544
Coworker flew today on the same flight I'm taking tomorrow and reported:
Could have been worse - and it did get worse apparently. Coworker also said "don't come any later than I did, by the time I was up the stairs to security and could see out the windows, outside crowding looked....not great." And while the flight boarded on time, it was held an additional 40 minutes as the crew announced that "half the passengers were still stuck in security." No word on how many got left behind.
So much for "no point in coming >4h ahead of time" - at least without SP. Still planning on arriving ~6h in advance tomorrow.
- arrived Schiphol station 9:40
- Walked straight upstairs past the sandwich boards "guarding" the escalator to departures 2, notwithstanding it being >4h before scheduled departure.
- Docs checked at (non-SP) counter and was at the end of the queue to get to the boarding pass scanner for the departures 2 filter by 10:15.
- Through the BP scanner at 10:45, at the top of the stairs at 11
- Through security around noon and through Schengen exit e-gates by 12:15. So, in total, about 2.5 hours in line and plenty of time to kill before departure.
Could have been worse - and it did get worse apparently. Coworker also said "don't come any later than I did, by the time I was up the stairs to security and could see out the windows, outside crowding looked....not great." And while the flight boarded on time, it was held an additional 40 minutes as the crew announced that "half the passengers were still stuck in security." No word on how many got left behind.
So much for "no point in coming >4h ahead of time" - at least without SP. Still planning on arriving ~6h in advance tomorrow.
Jun 4, 2022, 7:17 am
#699
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: MAD
Programs: FB Plat
Posts: 250
I have been flying weekly in and out of AMS and the last two times the Schengen lounge was very packed, first time no seat available, last Thursday maybe seats for 10 people spread over the entire lounge available. All this around 10am-1pm. I didn't see many people interacting with the staff at all, while there was a clear overcrowding problem, so I am inclined to believe that this is an excuse as you say newflyer530
Jun 4, 2022, 8:17 am
#700
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: AMS+IAH
Programs: Lufthansa: Senator || IHG: Diamond Royal Ambassador Inner Circle || Plutonium Status
Posts: 3,504
Hope this won't be a common occurence with KLM consolidating flights.....
Jun 4, 2022, 8:23 am
#701
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: AMS+IAH
Programs: Lufthansa: Senator || IHG: Diamond Royal Ambassador Inner Circle || Plutonium Status
Posts: 3,504
I've recently been made aware by Privium that they offer also lounge access in Zuid-Hollands premier airport. Unfortunately, unlike Noord-Brabantse, no priority security is included. Does that even work in RTM, does anyone know? What are the waiting times these days?
I have no idea. The one and only time I managed to use the airport was years ago, lately they just don't offer any useful destination for me, except perhaps LCY but that that's on BA, so of limited usefulness compared to LCY KL flights from AMS.
I have no idea. The one and only time I managed to use the airport was years ago, lately they just don't offer any useful destination for me, except perhaps LCY but that that's on BA, so of limited usefulness compared to LCY KL flights from AMS.
I have posted my experience of flying BA from RTM to LCY (lounge + departure experience) with photograpic step by step guide.
You can find it at: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/34303136-post21.html
It could be worthwile for future reference if the whole Schiphol departures will remain chaotic for future seasons
Last edited by HadesNL; Jun 4, 2022 at 9:38 am
Jun 4, 2022, 9:05 am
#702
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: AMS, JFK/EWR/LGA
Programs: Flying Blue/Platinum, TK/Elite Plus, QR/Platinum, LH/FTL, Marriott/Platinum
Posts: 293
Would today’s situation at schiphol qualify for 261/2004 compensation? Or would they blame things on the wind, which is, after all, weather?
Jun 4, 2022, 9:32 am
#703
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 7,339
2 hours after checking in for tomorrow's return flight, I get a message that it's cancelled. No rebooking options available, and the Platinum Service Line is basically unreachable (I managed to get through after at least 20 attempts but gave up after being on hold for ages).
I am now in possession of a train ticket for tomorrow's journey. That's what I get for being too clever and changing my ticket; the flight I originally purchased is still scheduled to operate
I am now in possession of a train ticket for tomorrow's journey. That's what I get for being too clever and changing my ticket; the flight I originally purchased is still scheduled to operate
Jun 4, 2022, 11:05 am
#705
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Norway & Brazil
Programs: Flying Blue Ultimate, LATAM Black, ALL Platinum, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 610
This is not a boarding queue, it is the beginning of the Transfer desk queue. It stretches back all the way to gate C7, by far the furthest i have seen it yet.
