"Special screening" in Reykjavik, being held in a separate room
#16
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Auckland NZ
Programs: NZ Gold Elite, AS, AC, QF
Posts: 748
Sorry for your experience.
From my 2 KEF experiences, I would chalk this up to: 1.) the extra screening TSA requirement; 2.) the physical limitations of KEF; and 3.) Icelandic peculiarity.
KEF was built--like most airports--to international transit specifications. Most countries have a dedicated transit area so they can hold connecting passengers. The US requirement for extra screening. LHR, AMS, FRA, HKG, even YVR have the ability to do an extra check before boarding commences: they can require all passengers go into the "holding pen" (as it were). From what I recall KEF isn't set up that way.
The pecular bit though is the up-down-up thing after security: You start up, you're forced down, then you go back up to the gates. And then there's no organized call to board: if you suss this out in advance you know to be near the podium for the crush. Totally bizarre.
But Iceland's awesome: worth the wackiness of KEF.
From my 2 KEF experiences, I would chalk this up to: 1.) the extra screening TSA requirement; 2.) the physical limitations of KEF; and 3.) Icelandic peculiarity.
KEF was built--like most airports--to international transit specifications. Most countries have a dedicated transit area so they can hold connecting passengers. The US requirement for extra screening. LHR, AMS, FRA, HKG, even YVR have the ability to do an extra check before boarding commences: they can require all passengers go into the "holding pen" (as it were). From what I recall KEF isn't set up that way.
The pecular bit though is the up-down-up thing after security: You start up, you're forced down, then you go back up to the gates. And then there's no organized call to board: if you suss this out in advance you know to be near the podium for the crush. Totally bizarre.
But Iceland's awesome: worth the wackiness of KEF.
#17
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
I am not sure if this is still the case (probably not), but a few years back Air New Zealand domestic flights ex CHC operated with ATR and Beechcraft aircraft were not subject to any security or ID check. B737 flights departing from the other gates upstairs were subject to these checks...
#18
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 15
I am not sure if this is still the case (probably not), but a few years back Air New Zealand domestic flights ex CHC operated with ATR and Beechcraft aircraft were not subject to any security or ID check. B737 flights departing from the other gates upstairs were subject to these checks...
#19
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: CT (NYC Suburbs), Gulf Stream, FL
Programs: United Premier 1K, American AAdvantage Gold
Posts: 3,089
A few scheduled commuter flights in the US are conducted by non "Part 121" carriers, which aren't subject to TSA security. They use very small aircraft, and are treated like private flights.
#20
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 14
Boing Boing posted a lengthy article yesterday about one person's experience with secondary screening at Reykjavík: http://boingboing.net/2011/10/31/air...on-center.html
#22
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: CPH, BKK
Programs: OZ*G, AZ Gold, Etihad Gold, SK*G, BA Silver
Posts: 1,014
Boing Boing posted a lengthy article yesterday about one person's experience with secondary screening at Reykjavík: http://boingboing.net/2011/10/31/air...on-center.html
#23
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1.5 Million Mile flyer, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz 5* and PC since 1985
Posts: 5,611
Boing Boing posted a lengthy article yesterday about one person's experience with secondary screening at Reykjavík: http://boingboing.net/2011/10/31/air...on-center.html
#24
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1.5 Million Mile flyer, Hilton Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hertz 5* and PC since 1985
Posts: 5,611