Last edit by: oliver2002
Welcome to the FRA connection thread! If you are new to FRA or this thread, please read the first post where you will find a summary of all pertinent information before asking more specific questions.
Current MCT in FRA connecting to/from LH:
Current MCT in FRA connecting to/from LH:
Code:
DMLH/FRA/LH/17MAY22 FRA LH TO LH FRA-FRA FROM - TO D/D D/I I/D I/I CC FLTN-FLTR ORGN EQP TM CS-CC FLTN-FLTR DEST EQP TM CS HHMM HHMM HHMM HHMM LH BUS - ---- ---- ---- 0100 LH - TRN 0100 0100 0100 0100 LH BR - ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH CA - ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH CN - ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH EG - ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH ET - ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH IN - ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH JP - ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH QA - ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH SG - ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH TH - ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH US - ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH ZA - ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH - US ---- 0100 ---- 0100 LH KJR - ---- 0100 ---- ---- LH KWQ - ---- 0100 ---- ---- LH QDU - ---- 0100 ---- ---- LH QKL - ---- 0100 ---- ---- LH QKU - ---- 0100 ---- ---- LH ZWS - ---- 0100 ---- ---- LH KLT BUS - ---- 0100 ---- ---- LH SDA BUS - ---- 0100 ---- ---- LH 0400-0799 - ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH Y- TRN 0100 ---- ---- ---- LH KJR Y- 0100 ---- ---- ---- LH KWQ Y- 0100 ---- ---- ---- LH QDU Y- 0100 ---- ---- ---- LH QKL Y- 0100 ---- ---- ---- LH QKU Y- 0100 ---- ---- ---- LH ZWS Y- 0100 ---- ---- ---- LH KLT BUS Y- 0100 ---- ---- ---- LH SDA BUS Y- 0100 ---- ---- ---- LH CA- ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH AC- TRN ---- ---- ---- 0200 LH PL LO- ---- ---- 0100 ---- LH PL LO- SC ---- ---- ---- 0100 TRN -LH ---- 0100 0100 0100 -LH BR ---- 0100 ---- 0100 -LH CA ---- 0100 ---- 0100 -LH CN ---- 0100 ---- 0100 -LH EG ---- 0100 ---- 0100 -LH ET ---- 0100 ---- 0100 -LH IN ---- 0100 ---- 0100 -LH JP ---- 0100 ---- 0100 -LH QA ---- 0100 ---- 0100 -LH SG ---- 0100 ---- 0100 -LH TH ---- 0100 ---- 0100 -LH US ---- 0100 ---- 0100 -LH ZA ---- 0100 ---- 0100 -LH TLV ---- 0100 ---- 0100 BUS -LH TLV ---- 0200 ---- 0200 TRN -LH TLV ---- 0200 ---- 0200 TRS -LH TLV ---- 0200 ---- 0200 -LH 0400-0799 ---- 0100 ---- 0100 BUS -LH 0400-0799 ---- 0115 ---- 0115 -LH 0780-0780 NKG ---- ---- ---- 0800 -LH 0720-0720 PEK ---- ---- ---- 0800 -LH 0728-0728 PVG ---- ---- ---- 0800 -LH 0732-0732 PVG ---- ---- ---- 0800 -LH 0720-0720 SHE ---- ---- ---- 0800 -LH 0782-0782 SHE ---- ---- ---- 0800 -LH 0786-0786 TAO ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH BUS -LH 0100 0100 0100 0100 LH -LH BUS 0100 0100 0100 0100 LH TRN -LH BUS INV INV INV INV LH TRS -LH BUS INV INV INV INV LH BUS -LH TRN INV INV INV INV LH BUS -LH TRS INV INV INV INV LH SC BUS -LH ---- 0100 ---- 0100 LH SC TRN -LH ---- 0100 ---- 0100 LH SC TRS -LH ---- 0100 ---- 0100 LH -LH SC BUS ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH -LH SC TRN ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH -LH SC TRS ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH SC TRN -LH SC TRN INV INV INV INV LH SC TRS -LH SC TRN INV INV INV INV LH SC TRN -LH SC TRS INV INV INV INV LH SC TRS -LH SC TRS INV INV INV INV LH XER BUS -LH SC ---- ---- ---- 0100 LH -LH TLV ---- ---- ---- 0100 LH 0400-0799 -LH BUS ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH 0400-0799 -LH TRN ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH 0400-0799 -LH TRS ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH BUS -LH 0400-0799 ---- 0100 ---- 0100 LH TRN -LH 0400-0799 ---- 0100 ---- 0100 LH TRS -LH 0400-0799 ---- 0100 ---- 0100 LH SC -LH 0400-0799 SG ---- 0045 ---- 0045 LH SC -LH 0400-0799 US ---- 0045 ---- 0045 LH SC -LH 0400-0799 ZA ---- 0045 ---- 0045 LH SC TRS -LH 0400-0799 US ---- 0100 ---- ---- LH BUS -LH 0780-0780 NKG ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH TRN -LH 0780-0780 NKG ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH TRS -LH 0780-0780 NKG ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH BUS -LH 0720-0720 PEK ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH TRN -LH 0720-0720 PEK ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH TRS -LH 0720-0720 PEK ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH BUS -LH 0728-0728 PVG ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH BUS -LH 0732-0732 PVG ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH TRN -LH 0728-0728 PVG ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH TRN -LH 0732-0732 PVG ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH TRS -LH 0728-0728 PVG ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH TRS -LH 0732-0732 PVG ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH BUS -LH 0720-0720 SHE ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH BUS -LH 0782-0782 SHE ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH TRN -LH 0720-0720 SHE ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH TRN -LH 0782-0782 SHE ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH TRS -LH 0720-0720 SHE ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH TRS -LH 0782-0782 SHE ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH BUS -LH 0786-0786 TAO ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH TRN -LH 0786-0786 TAO ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH TRS -LH 0786-0786 TAO ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH 0400-0799 -LH 0001-3799 BUS ---- ---- 0100 ---- LH 0400-0799 -LH 0001-3799 TRN ---- ---- 0100 ---- LH 0400-0799 -LH 0001-3799 TRS ---- ---- 0100 ---- LH Y-LH BUS ---- 0100 ---- ---- LH AC-LH TRN ---- ---- 0200 ---- LH US UA-LH ---- ---- 0100 0100 LH UA-LH BY ---- ---- ---- INV LH EW-LH 0780-0780 NKG ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH EW-LH 0720-0720 PEK ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH EW-LH 0728-0728 PVG ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH EW-LH 0732-0732 PVG ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH EW-LH 0720-0720 SHE ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH EW-LH 0782-0782 SHE ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH EW-LH 0786-0786 TAO ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH SN-LH 0780-0780 NKG ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH SN-LH 0720-0720 PEK ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH SN-LH 0728-0728 PVG ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH SN-LH 0732-0732 PVG ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH SN-LH 0720-0720 SHE ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH SN-LH 0782-0782 SHE ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH SN-LH 0786-0786 TAO ---- ---- ---- 0800 LH 0400-0799 -LH 0001-3799 BUS Y ---- ---- 0100 ---- LH 0400-0799 -LH 0001-3799 TRN Y ---- ---- 0100 ---- LH 0400-0799 -LH 0001-3799 TRS Y ---- ---- 0100 ---- -LH AC ---- ---- ---- 0100 -LH AI ---- 0115 ---- 0115 -LH XQ ---- 0130 ---- 0130 -LH PL LO ---- 0100 ---- ---- -LH BR OS ---- 0100 ---- ---- SC -LH PL LO ---- ---- ---- 0100 LH -LH UA ---- 0100 ---- 0100 LH -LH XQ ---- 0130 ---- 0130 LH BUS -LH AC ---- ---- ---- 0200 LH TRN -LH AC ---- 0200 ---- 0200 LH TRN -LH UA ---- 0130 ---- ---- LH BY -LH UA ---- ---- ---- INV LH QDU -LH US UA ---- 0130 ---- ---- LH QKL -LH US UA ---- 0130 ---- ---- LH ZWS -LH US UA ---- 0130 ---- ---- LH LG-LH AC ---- ---- ---- 0200 LH AC-LH LG ---- ---- ---- 0200 LH AC-LH AT OS ---- ---- ---- 0100
Connecting in Frankfurt [FRA]
#751
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Copenhagen
Programs: TK*G, Delta Gold
Posts: 384
Thanks to the EU security nonsense that's getting harder an harder.
Detailed answers below:
Detailed answers below:
- A non-Schengen <--> B Schengen (Transfer tunnel or walk through terminal)
- -> impossible. One security needed at least when clearing immigration and security in A and then using the tunnel. When using the Sky Line you will have to re-clear security twice.
- <- possible. Use the tunnel and the passport control near gate A24
- A non-Schengen <--> B non-Schengen (Sky Line train)
- <-> either way you will have to re-clear security when coming from the sky line train. If using the B bus gates you will have to re-clear security a second time
- A non-Schengen <--> C non-Schengen (Sky Line train)
- <->You will have to re-clear securit both ways after the Sky line.
- A Schengen <--> C non-Schengen (Sky Line train or walk through terminal)
- ->You will have to re-clear security before the C gates either way.
- <-You will have to re-clear security once when walking landside. You will have to re-clear security twice if usinging the Sky Line. Once when getting off the Sky line an entering A non-Schengen, and a second time after immigration from A non-Schengen to A Schengen
- A Schengen / non-Schengen <--> Terminal 2 (Sky Line train)
- -> You will have to re-clear security at the gate in T2 (T2 has decentral security)
- <- re-clear security onces at a if using the la domestic use lanside Sky Line . Possibly more when using the airside Sky Line.
- A Schengen <--> B non-Schengen (Transfer tunnel or walk through terminal)
- -> No need to re-clear security for the main B non-Schengen area. Need to re-clear security for the bus gates.
- <- Need to re-clear security once if using imigration and security in B then the tunnel. If using the Sky Line and immigration A you will need to re-clear security twice.
- A Schengen <--> B Schengen (Transfer tunnel or walk through terminal)
- <->No need to re-clear security if using the tunnel, else once.
- B non-Schengen <--> C non-Schengen (walk)
- <-> Need to re-clear security on the way. Possible twice if using the B bus gates.
- B non-Schengen <--> Terminal 2 (Sky Line train)
- <-> Need to re-clear security after the sky line.
- B non-Schengen <--> C non-Schengen (walk)
- -> Need to re-clear security at the lower C gates or the checkpoint before the higher C gates.
- <- Need to re-clear security once if going landside. Twice if transfering airside.
- B Schengen <--> Terminal 2 (Sky Line train)
- -> Need to re-clear security at the gate in T2
- <- Need to re-clear security when using land side Sky Train. Need to re-clear security twice if using airside Sky Line and doing immigration in B.
- C non-Schengen <--> Terminal 2 (Sky Line train or walk)
- <-> Either way security at the gate or gate group. Note that while the C gates (especially C13-16) are right next to T2 there was no connection for pax, so you need to walk all the way back to the main T1 and take the Sky Line / bus to go to T2.
- C Schengen <--> anything
- <-> The single C Schengen gate (C1) is outside of any airside area and you will always have to re-clear security when connecting from/to it.
- Terminal 2 <--> Terminal 2
- <-> You will always have to re-clear security as security is at the gate in Terminal 2.
(And I do apologize as I fear this might have been asked before but searching the forum and browsing this thread as well as the web did not yet reveal the answer to me)
#752
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,158
Is that still the most recent information? That should go into the first or second post of this thread, very useful, thank you! I'm only missing A Schengen <-> A non-Schengen and B Schengen <-> non-Schengen. I am assuming I will have to clear a passport control in each direction - anything else? I am wondering because I would like to visit the tower lounge and or the new B-pier lounge in FRA - but I will connect Schengen to Schengen, most likely B Schengen -> A Schengen. Any chance to do so (no non-Schengen boarding pass, but European passport) or impossible?
(And I do apologize as I fear this might have been asked before but searching the forum and browsing this thread as well as the web did not yet reveal the answer to me)
(And I do apologize as I fear this might have been asked before but searching the forum and browsing this thread as well as the web did not yet reveal the answer to me)
#753
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Coronavirus, Community Buzz, and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 28,913
There have been some changes in FRA since hch's very helpful and comprehensive post. The main change as far as I know is the introduction of the EU security regulations in Concourse B. All arrivals in Concourse B from a non-Schengen country must now clear security before connecting to a flight to a non-Schengen country from Concourse B.
Since I have successfully avoided FRA recently and most of my connections are from non-Schengen to non-Schengen in any case, my knowledge of FRA is not as extensive as some posters in this thread but here are some basic rules that I'm aware of.
If you arrive from a non-Schengen country* and connecting to any destination you will have to clear security. (*Strictly speaking this should read "non-EU" but the layout of FRA does not always allow it, e.g. arrivals from the UK. Also arrivals from the US should no longer need security check before a connecting flight but I'm not sure if this has been implemented.)
If you arrive from a Schengen country you should not need to go through security before a connecting flight.
You have to go through passport control between Schengen and non-Schengen flights.
You don't have to go through passport control between Schengen and Schengen or non-Schengen and non-Schengen flights.
Further security may be necessary if you use the SkyLine train between A and B Concourses.
Access to lounges in concourses other than where your flight departs could vary depending on the flexibility of security personnel and the level of security in force. The Tower Lounge, for example, used to be exclusively for US departures though sometimes this rule seems to be relaxed.
I'd be happy to post a more comprehensive list if someone can confirm or correct any details.
Since I have successfully avoided FRA recently and most of my connections are from non-Schengen to non-Schengen in any case, my knowledge of FRA is not as extensive as some posters in this thread but here are some basic rules that I'm aware of.
If you arrive from a non-Schengen country* and connecting to any destination you will have to clear security. (*Strictly speaking this should read "non-EU" but the layout of FRA does not always allow it, e.g. arrivals from the UK. Also arrivals from the US should no longer need security check before a connecting flight but I'm not sure if this has been implemented.)
If you arrive from a Schengen country you should not need to go through security before a connecting flight.
You have to go through passport control between Schengen and non-Schengen flights.
You don't have to go through passport control between Schengen and Schengen or non-Schengen and non-Schengen flights.
Further security may be necessary if you use the SkyLine train between A and B Concourses.
Access to lounges in concourses other than where your flight departs could vary depending on the flexibility of security personnel and the level of security in force. The Tower Lounge, for example, used to be exclusively for US departures though sometimes this rule seems to be relaxed.
I'd be happy to post a more comprehensive list if someone can confirm or correct any details.
#754
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 23
CDG-FRA-SFO with 30 min connection in FRA
I have an itinerary from CDG to SFO via FRA. Due multiple schedule changes, I now have only a 30 min connection in FRA.
This seems to be ridiculously impossible to make - but Lufthansa (and United that actually owns the ticket) says that 30 min is the legal connection time in FRA, and that if the sytem proposes it, then it's doable.
CDG-FRA is LH 1051, which seems to arrive gate A; FRA-SFO is LH 454, which seems to depart from gate C.
I understand that I would have to go thru passport control, and the security check required for US-bound flights - so I can't believe that LH considers this option valid (and does not want to change the flights - btw, these are award tickets to make it more complex).
Do you think I can make this connection in 30 min?
Is LH allowed to refuse a change of flights in such a case?
Any feedback is welcome.
This seems to be ridiculously impossible to make - but Lufthansa (and United that actually owns the ticket) says that 30 min is the legal connection time in FRA, and that if the sytem proposes it, then it's doable.
CDG-FRA is LH 1051, which seems to arrive gate A; FRA-SFO is LH 454, which seems to depart from gate C.
I understand that I would have to go thru passport control, and the security check required for US-bound flights - so I can't believe that LH considers this option valid (and does not want to change the flights - btw, these are award tickets to make it more complex).
Do you think I can make this connection in 30 min?
Is LH allowed to refuse a change of flights in such a case?
Any feedback is welcome.
#755
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Coronavirus, Community Buzz, and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 28,913
I have an itinerary from CDG to SFO via FRA. Due multiple schedule changes, I now have only a 30 min connection in FRA.
This seems to be ridiculously impossible to make - but Lufthansa (and United that actually owns the ticket) says that 30 min is the legal connection time in FRA, and that if the sytem proposes it, then it's doable.
CDG-FRA is LH 1051, which seems to arrive gate A; FRA-SFO is LH 454, which seems to depart from gate C.
I understand that I would have to go thru passport control, and the security check required for US-bound flights - so I can't believe that LH considers this option valid (and does not want to change the flights - btw, these are award tickets to make it more complex).
Do you think I can make this connection in 30 min?
Is LH allowed to refuse a change of flights in such a case?
Any feedback is welcome.
This seems to be ridiculously impossible to make - but Lufthansa (and United that actually owns the ticket) says that 30 min is the legal connection time in FRA, and that if the sytem proposes it, then it's doable.
CDG-FRA is LH 1051, which seems to arrive gate A; FRA-SFO is LH 454, which seems to depart from gate C.
I understand that I would have to go thru passport control, and the security check required for US-bound flights - so I can't believe that LH considers this option valid (and does not want to change the flights - btw, these are award tickets to make it more complex).
Do you think I can make this connection in 30 min?
Is LH allowed to refuse a change of flights in such a case?
Any feedback is welcome.
I don't believe 30 mins is a legal connection in FRA. oliver2002 posted the LH-LH MCT table earlier in the Newbie thread (yes I will incorporate it into this thread one of these days

If LH changed the schedule they should move you to an earlier flight, but since the ticket was issued by UA you'll have to persuade UA to get the ticket changed. Good luck.
#756
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 23
Welcome to FT, jeanlucsf!
I don't believe 30 mins is a legal connection in FRA. oliver2002 posted the LH-LH MCT table earlier in the Newbie thread (yes I will incorporate it into this thread one of these days
) and the shortest connecting time according to the table is 45 mins.
If LH changed the schedule they should move you to an earlier flight, but since the ticket was issued by UA you'll have to persuade UA to get the ticket changed. Good luck.
I don't believe 30 mins is a legal connection in FRA. oliver2002 posted the LH-LH MCT table earlier in the Newbie thread (yes I will incorporate it into this thread one of these days

If LH changed the schedule they should move you to an earlier flight, but since the ticket was issued by UA you'll have to persuade UA to get the ticket changed. Good luck.
I managed to solve my problem after 2 calls to United.
On the first call, the best they offered me was to fly from CDG to FRA the previous day, because the problematic CDG-FRA flight was the first flight of the day. That was an issue because I would have then needed a hotel in FRA, and I already had a pre-paid, non changeable, non refundable hotel in Paris.
Anyway, second call to United. Now I keep my morning CDG-FRA, but I am now on a later flight FRA-SFO (UA 901, which leaves 3 hours later).
As it was an award ticket, I was not sure I'd be able to get what I wanted, but it worked (MP Premier probably helped a bit).
So I'm all good.
Just an FYI for other travelers: Lufthansa shamelessly books flights with a 30-min layover in FRA (even though arriving from Schengen zone, and leaving to the US, which has extra security delays). I'm sure this will cause missed flights to some travelers.
#757
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Coronavirus, Community Buzz, and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 28,913
Anyway, second call to United. Now I keep my morning CDG-FRA, but I am now on a later flight FRA-SFO (UA 901, which leaves 3 hours later).
As it was an award ticket, I was not sure I'd be able to get what I wanted, but it worked (MP Premier probably helped a bit).
So I'm all good.
Just an FYI for other travelers: Lufthansa shamelessly books flights with a 30-min layover in FRA (even though arriving from Schengen zone, and leaving to the US, which has extra security delays). I'm sure this will cause missed flights to some travelers.
As it was an award ticket, I was not sure I'd be able to get what I wanted, but it worked (MP Premier probably helped a bit).
So I'm all good.
Just an FYI for other travelers: Lufthansa shamelessly books flights with a 30-min layover in FRA (even though arriving from Schengen zone, and leaving to the US, which has extra security delays). I'm sure this will cause missed flights to some travelers.
I don't think LH allows a 30-min connection in FRA if you try to book online or by telephone. For some reason other airlines seem to be able to book connecting LH flights with less than the MCT in FRA. We've had questions in this forum from people with similar unrealistic connections, which are usually award bookings. Either it's a software bug or the agent is able to override something they shouldn't.
Last edited by NewbieRunner; Aug 20, 11 at 8:41 am
#758
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: VIE
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 204
Need some help for my transfer at FRA - I'll arrive most probably on A15 and will departure (~ 3,5h later) from C13 on LH F - is it better to go to FCL at A or switch to FCL B as it looks shorter from B to C13 and so i could split the walk in 2 shorter pieces 
Thanks,
Thomas

Thanks,
Thomas
#759
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Coronavirus, Community Buzz, and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 28,913
As you know your arrival gate can vary from day to day but I assume you are arriving from a Schengen country. I'd go to the FCT if I were you. Depending on where you start it may not be any further than walking to the FCL B and then to C13.
#760
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: VIE
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 204

How much time should i plan then from FCT to C13? 45 mins before departure is ok?
#761
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Coronavirus, Community Buzz, and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 28,913

p.s. They will drive you from the FCL B to C13 as well but it's easier and less hassle to go to the FCT if you don't mind walking outside the terminal.
#763
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Coronavirus, Community Buzz, and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 28,913
#764
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: VIE
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 204

Upgrade with Miles is confirmed, Seat is reserved online and Miles have been taken already from my account

#765
Senior Moderator, Moderator: Coronavirus, Community Buzz, and Ambassador: Miles & More (Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, and other partners)
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: 150km from MAN
Programs: LH SEN** HH Diamond
Posts: 28,913