chris63

Yes, they take you in the F arrival mini bus to A, passport control & then you walk to FCLA

worldclubber

I would usually decide this when I get there, depending on how long the layover is and whether the weather is right for a visit to the FCLE lounge terrace. But yes, in your case, going to the FCLE means taking the Heidi train and lining up for regular passport control.

YuropFlyer

For me, visiting the superior FCLE + Heidi Train + regular passport control (often through in seconds as long as you're holding an eligible passport for the machines or no queue at regular counters, which often is the case) + direct access to the CORRECT baggage claim area sound MUCH better than a ride with couple strangers in a minivan, passport control that may take several minutes as they don't have tons of police there to check in parallel + short walk to FCLA + long walk (not THAT easy to find if you're not an experienced ZRH flyer) including several turnarounds to the WRONG baggage claim area (Schengen), followed by further walking to the CORRECT (non-Schengen) baggage claim area..

worldclubber

Sounds plausible to me.

Even without having to collect baggage, which I rarely have to do, the FCLE plus train is usually my preferred option. Nothing wrong with working off some of the veal Zurich style on a short walk back to A.

chris63

Yes but OP is planning an arrival FCL visit, so the bags will be at lost & found counter, which is well signposted. Indeed there is often just one immigration officer at that special desk & they also handle disabled pax, the wait there can indeed be longer than regular immigration.

ijgordon

Thanks all, I don’t have an eligible passport for the shorter lines so I probably place greater weight on the private immigration than others might (last time through it was 5-10 min, I waited on the right I think so once all the EC people were cleared the officer waved us over).

But I’m a little worried now after the comments about finding my way out of A to get my bag lol. I do have an AirTag so hopefully that can help!

chris63

From FCLA, jus follow the signs to exit & baggage reclaim, then the sign to lost luggage, which is where your bag will be if you informed them at FCLA to hold your bag, so simple & well organised at ZRH

ijgordon

Just to circle back, I took the shuttle with my 7 other fellow F pax. Yes there was a little bit of a queue at the private passport check. Only one immigration officer while several security screeners stood around doing nothing. lol. (I suppose they’re for pax on “unclean” arrivals”). Prob took 5-10 minutes split between waiting on the shuttle and waiting in line.

They told people connecting to take their bags and arriving passengers to leave them on the shuttle - I suppose they drive you closer to baggage claim if you’re arriving. I asked if I was going to the FCLA whether to take my bags and they said yes, and then after passport control, I was escorted up the elevator to the back entrance to the lounge. I advised about my bag and she wrote my name down.

Had a nice shower and a tasty salmon Benedict for breakfast.

Then went leave, the front entrance agent walked me out to the terminal and gave me directions to baggage claim but it was still confusing as there weren’t many signs. I think I had to go down one level which I did at the far end of the shopping area.
I did easily find the baggage service office and lo and behold my bag was right there. ^

Still had a little extra time to kill so checked out the J arrivals lounge. Didn’t see what the showers were like but otherwise seemed like a decent enough lounge.

Shamrogue

I’m struggling to figure out what the best connection route is for me on my upcoming DUB-ZRH-IAD flight in Swiss F. The connection time is 60 minutes.

I imagine the Dublin flight will arrive at D non Schengen and the IAD flight departs from E.

Should I go back into Schengen to the FCL A and let them look after me? Is there a security screening to get from D to A if I do this? Or any subsequent screening? Would they only drive me to the plane if remote stand? I understand typically I’d be dropped at FCL E and from there I can walk to gate with no further controls.

If I use the train to go direct to E , I assume I need to do security screening?

Appreciate the help.

chris63

Yes, you should arrive D or outside position & business Bus to D arrivals, you can either go to FCLA, via immigration & they will drive you to E, or take the Heidi train to E, no immigration but transfer security at E. All depends how much time you actually have on the day, if your flight is running late the F arrival service should provide a direct ramp transfer, often longhauls are held back for connecting pax as long as possible.

Shamrogue

Thanks! Is there security if I go the FCL A route or is that a benefit of that option?

I imagine there’s not much in the difference time wise doing either option but I’d rather not do security anywhere if I can avoid it.

worldclubber

No security check when going the FCLA route.