Purposeful slowdown at Frankfurt security line?
Dec 16, 2018, 9:47 am
#16
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Rhineland-Palatinate
Programs: *A Gold (A3), HHonor Gold
Posts: 5,701
Two weeks ago it took 45 minutes for me to get through Gold Track at A gates. There was only two stations opened, quite ridiculous for a weekend with heavy travel (economy line were one hour plus). There was not a simple Frapor staff in sights to manage he queue, thus people queue jumping and such.
I complained to Fraport and their answer was not making sense in English. OTOH the LH staff was quite sympathetic and as annoyed as us.
I complained to Fraport and their answer was not making sense in English. OTOH the LH staff was quite sympathetic and as annoyed as us.
Dec 16, 2018, 9:55 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,662
Dec 16, 2018, 2:58 pm
#19
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Eurozone
Programs: LH SEN, HH Gold
Posts: 3,002
I need to admit that I am also shocked about the "efficiency" of security controls in Frankfurt (and actually ashamed about it as German).
Was recently at the Fast Lane (Gold Track) and for 3 people in front of me, it took about 10-15 minutes ! Somehow, the luggage didn't move either. I have never seen this at any airport !
A person in front of me (with Senator tag) started to complain to the lady who took his luggage, and she just asked what problem he has. Clearly, service attitude is not what they have in mind.
Not sure what they look at, but each luggage seems to be inspected on the screen for about 1 minute which leads to the long line.
Was recently at the Fast Lane (Gold Track) and for 3 people in front of me, it took about 10-15 minutes ! Somehow, the luggage didn't move either. I have never seen this at any airport !
A person in front of me (with Senator tag) started to complain to the lady who took his luggage, and she just asked what problem he has. Clearly, service attitude is not what they have in mind.
Not sure what they look at, but each luggage seems to be inspected on the screen for about 1 minute which leads to the long line.
Last edited by Grog; Dec 16, 2018 at 3:21 pm
Dec 16, 2018, 3:16 pm
#20
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Eurozone
Programs: LH SEN, HH Gold
Posts: 3,002
Yes — and the decrepit infrastructure plays a huge part in all this, as much as we [FTers] often like to blame it on the staff. I had my significant share of pain with those 45 minutes’ connections and honestly lost count of all those times when, back in the days of the weekly/Thursday night’s BHX-FRA-GDN, even an early arrival could simply trigger stress whilst heading to the next gate and worrying about making it on time, even after several years of traveling. No doubt, as a road runner, I did shave a good few seconds off my personal best thanks to all those ‘tunnel runs’ and there’s no hint of sarcasm in the above statement...
G
Last edited by Grog; Dec 16, 2018 at 3:29 pm
Dec 16, 2018, 7:22 pm
#21
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ZRH
Programs: LX HON***, FB Silver, BA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt GP, Hertz Gold, GHA Black
Posts: 830
I need to admit that I am also shocked about the "efficiency" of security controls in Frankfurt (and actually ashamed about it as German).
Was recently at the Fast Lane (Gold Track) and for 3 people in front of me, it took about 10-15 minutes ! Somehow, the luggage didn't move either. I have never seen this at any airport !
A person in front of me (with Senator tag) started to complain to the lady who took his luggage, and she just asked what problem he has. Clearly, service attitude is not what they have in mind.
Not sure what they look at, but each luggage seems to be inspected on the screen for about 1 minute which leads to the long line.
Was recently at the Fast Lane (Gold Track) and for 3 people in front of me, it took about 10-15 minutes ! Somehow, the luggage didn't move either. I have never seen this at any airport !
A person in front of me (with Senator tag) started to complain to the lady who took his luggage, and she just asked what problem he has. Clearly, service attitude is not what they have in mind.
Not sure what they look at, but each luggage seems to be inspected on the screen for about 1 minute which leads to the long line.
Dec 16, 2018, 11:32 pm
#22
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: BRU
Programs: Miles&More SEN; ITA Premium, Asante Gold, IHG Platinum, BAEC Bronze, Accor Silver, Radisson Premier
Posts: 270
I had issues last Thursday evening with queues. I DM’d FRA on Twitter and within 5 minutes they had opened an extra 3 lanes (from the 1 for eco passengers). Still took over an hour for security. Lots of crying passengers missed flights. Felt bad particularly for one couple who missed their flight to Bangkok. The LH gate rep ended up shouting at them...
I had also emailed Fraport and the response was basically ‘it’s not our fault, contact the bundespolice’. Is there any reason for the extra thorough and slow process, does anyone know? And how can the bundespolice possibly be the ones who decide whether to open extra lanes or not?
I had also emailed Fraport and the response was basically ‘it’s not our fault, contact the bundespolice’. Is there any reason for the extra thorough and slow process, does anyone know? And how can the bundespolice possibly be the ones who decide whether to open extra lanes or not?
Dec 16, 2018, 11:58 pm
#23
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: LH M&M, BA EC, DL SM
Posts: 5,732
If things have become worse recently, hard to imagine really, somebody should probably ask the lurker for an explanation.
I would not be the best person to do it, as my last dozen transfers at FRA were all clean and/or in F, so I did not face the issues.
I would not be the best person to do it, as my last dozen transfers at FRA were all clean and/or in F, so I did not face the issues.
Dec 17, 2018, 9:38 am
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,587
Direct Ramp transfer is still very much alive for HON’s & since no airbridge in your case HON’s would have had a car anyway.
However if it had been an airbridge the HON team would have expected HON to make the connection & in fact it’s a snarl up inside the airport which caused your problems, hence I nearly always exit & go to FCT, one never knows what nasty surprises FRA has instore.
Dec 17, 2018, 9:57 am
#25
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Geneva
Programs: LX SEN, AFKL Platinum, BA Bronze,
Posts: 5,641
RDS for non-F/HON very much exists, but is used as a last resort as it is limited.
Just yesterday, 4 pax + INF in Y were picked up from my GVA-FRA to make their connection to MEXduring the blizzard when there were some snowflakes in FRA.
Just yesterday, 4 pax + INF in Y were picked up from my GVA-FRA to make their connection to MEX
Dec 17, 2018, 10:42 am
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 11,587
That's exactly how you would expect it to be used, for such a flight as FRA-MEX. Thats just a balance of resources. It costs a lot less to pay compo to me for a delayed arrival on FRA-KRK AND to rebook.
If they're going to continue selling these connections then they have balanced those two scenarios and are surely happy to pay out when these issues occur.
If they're going to continue selling these connections then they have balanced those two scenarios and are surely happy to pay out when these issues occur.
Dec 17, 2018, 12:23 pm
#27
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Bergen - Norway
Programs: EBD , FBG
Posts: 563
Indeed, decrepit infrastructure & a ludicrous layout that would have an intrepid explorer confused.
Some FT members have painstakingly published the possible routings to be helpful, it must have taken them forever & if you read it all through you can lose the will to live by the time you reach the end.
Worst is if you are in a hurry. A couple of times I sat too long in the lounge and had to rush. I felt, and probably looked, like Jack Nicholson in the end of The Shining. Being stuck in a maze, not knowing whether I would make it...
Dec 17, 2018, 9:20 pm
#28
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,967
I am at FRA at least several times a month, both A and B security. B seems to remain reasonable for wait times, but A has often been very backed up recently and as reported FRAport staff doing little to control the queue jumpers into the elite queues (seems to happen right at the scanners, not at the back of the queue) Noon at A seems to be very bad lately. I also miss my MUC security, as the interaction at FRA seems to have gone downhill as well. (Certainly nothing near as bad as in the US, but I have had a number of health issues over the last two years which mean extra/different screening, and not all staff are pleasant although some are caring and sincerely wish me a return to good health)
In terms of interaction, B seems much worse than A, and it was pointed out to me recently by LH staff that B is a different company from A (and many seem to try and emulate the American system there)
In terms of interaction, B seems much worse than A, and it was pointed out to me recently by LH staff that B is a different company from A (and many seem to try and emulate the American system there)
Dec 17, 2018, 10:44 pm
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,662
FCT security is IME best in the World.
Dec 17, 2018, 10:48 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,662
That's exactly how you would expect it to be used, for such a flight as FRA-MEX. Thats just a balance of resources. It costs a lot less to pay compo to me for a delayed arrival on FRA-KRK AND to rebook.
If they're going to continue selling these connections then they have balanced those two scenarios and are surely happy to pay out when these issues occur.
If they're going to continue selling these connections then they have balanced those two scenarios and are surely happy to pay out when these issues occur.
BUT, Happy to pay out isn’t the LH I know
