Warning on current immigration clearance time
Aug 18, 2011, 7:26 am
#256
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Japan/Thailand
Programs: AS, UA
Posts: 1,201
Ouch. Seems a painful experience.
I fly ex US-BKK 2-3x a year. Always on either UA or NH. What I usually do (and I do not know if it really works but so far so good) is this.
At NRT I check the arrival info for BKK for hours 2200 to 2300 (that's when UA837 and NH915 get in):
http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/f...arrival_en.php
I don't bother looking at equipment, I just see if flights are long-haul or short.
I take exit gate B to mean arrival at the ABC pier and exit gate C, the EFG pier. Depending on the skew, I decide which immigration point to use, all this while at NRT.
Again, gates do get changed around, flights get delayed/or early, loads unpredictable etc and I don't know if the system I use even makes sense but at least it's a plan.
I fly ex US-BKK 2-3x a year. Always on either UA or NH. What I usually do (and I do not know if it really works but so far so good) is this.
At NRT I check the arrival info for BKK for hours 2200 to 2300 (that's when UA837 and NH915 get in):
http://www.suvarnabhumiairport.com/f...arrival_en.php
I don't bother looking at equipment, I just see if flights are long-haul or short.
I take exit gate B to mean arrival at the ABC pier and exit gate C, the EFG pier. Depending on the skew, I decide which immigration point to use, all this while at NRT.
Again, gates do get changed around, flights get delayed/or early, loads unpredictable etc and I don't know if the system I use even makes sense but at least it's a plan.
Also, you never know how many lanes will be open at a given time, which makes a big difference too.
Aug 20, 2011, 5:49 am
#257
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: BKK
Programs: TG ROP Gold
Posts: 243
Outbound Data Point
Here's an outbound data point from August 10th (Wednesday). I was on TG471 to SYD departing at 755am.
The queues for both of the outbound immigration lines (in the center of the hall, and then one in the "furthest" end (e.g. not the domestic end)) were spilling out into the check-in areas and there were no separate counters for Thai passports, Thai's were mixed with foreigners.
By my watch (or BB as it were), I got in the queue around 645am, got stamped around 715am, and was through security in the time it took to take out my laptop and take off my belt (no queue, which I guess is good).
All in all, this was two days before the queen's birthday, so I can understand the amount of people, but not the slow processing / understaffing.
---
Just to show BKK is not alone... upon arrival in SYD (about 8pm local time), there were a grand total of TWO immigration officers handling inbound (non-ANZ) pax... took just as long as getting out of BKK despite there being far fewer people in line.
The queues for both of the outbound immigration lines (in the center of the hall, and then one in the "furthest" end (e.g. not the domestic end)) were spilling out into the check-in areas and there were no separate counters for Thai passports, Thai's were mixed with foreigners.
By my watch (or BB as it were), I got in the queue around 645am, got stamped around 715am, and was through security in the time it took to take out my laptop and take off my belt (no queue, which I guess is good).
All in all, this was two days before the queen's birthday, so I can understand the amount of people, but not the slow processing / understaffing.
---
Just to show BKK is not alone... upon arrival in SYD (about 8pm local time), there were a grand total of TWO immigration officers handling inbound (non-ANZ) pax... took just as long as getting out of BKK despite there being far fewer people in line.
Aug 21, 2011, 3:30 am
#258
Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: HHon Diamond, IHG Plat, SPG Gold, TG Gold, QR Plat, OZ Gold, AF Silver, Hertz #1 Gold, Priority Pass
Posts: 447
Just went throu the airport this morning at 08h30 and it was a joke. Both immigraition areas were full to the tilt. My colleague arrived an hour earlier than me and was in the queue 45mins.
I being not an early riser had to use one of my very precious fast tracks cards....
What a joke, it was sooooo full....
I being not an early riser had to use one of my very precious fast tracks cards....
What a joke, it was sooooo full....
Aug 21, 2011, 5:20 am
#259
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: BKK
Programs: TG/ROP*P; CX OW/G; LH M&M; UN Privilege; KC Nomad; IT Kingclub; SPG Platinum
Posts: 403
just outbound;
east immigration full 20+ pax queue
chose west immigration 8+ pax
into queue 17:21; security queue 3+ pax into queue 17:27; out of security 17:33.
12mins for all - not bad.
east immigration full 20+ pax queue
chose west immigration 8+ pax
into queue 17:21; security queue 3+ pax into queue 17:27; out of security 17:33.
12mins for all - not bad.
Aug 23, 2011, 5:31 am
#260
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Singapore
Programs: TG Gold, MPC Silver, Bonvoy Ambassador
Posts: 563
Inbound data point. Today at 3pm at the immigration hall closest to gate C, absolute chaos - queues stretching out of the immigration hall and almost back to the 'last chance' duty free stores. So bad I couldnt cut across to the fast track line so used fast track zone in between the two main halls. That was backed up but mostly because a huge sports team from somewhere in the 'stans were being processed.
Aug 30, 2011, 6:13 pm
#262
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 78
A friendly warning to all those flying in Y and having to go through normal inbound or outbound immigration at BKK now, it is a complete zoo.
Some friends have had to wait for 1.5 to 2 hours to clear immigration on several recent flights , either inbound or outbound, with queues snaking into the main terminal.
I have personnnaly witnessed such ridiculous queues yesterday, but luckily I was flying QR in C so I had a Fast Track immigration pass.
Apparently many people are missing their flights and yet a lot of the immigration counters remain closed at peak times.
Have they not heard that it's high tourist seaason ???
Some friends have had to wait for 1.5 to 2 hours to clear immigration on several recent flights , either inbound or outbound, with queues snaking into the main terminal.
I have personnnaly witnessed such ridiculous queues yesterday, but luckily I was flying QR in C so I had a Fast Track immigration pass.
Apparently many people are missing their flights and yet a lot of the immigration counters remain closed at peak times.
Have they not heard that it's high tourist seaason ???
Sep 20, 2011, 12:20 am
#265
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: BHX
Programs: LH Sen for life; QR Plat; FB Gold; Bonvoy Gold for life
Posts: 370
Arrived yesterday at noon at G3. Walked to immigration. Queues were about 8 - 10 deep at main immigration. Fasttrack was empty and the lady immigration officer smiled and was friendly. Bag was arriving on the belt when I got to the belt. Met hotel rep and was in car within 25 mins of plane door opening and at SGS 30 mins later.
One of the best inbound experiences.
One of the best inbound experiences.
Jan 11, 2012, 7:32 pm
#266
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 81
Reports are saying that the lines have "returned" for the high season and that passenger traffic is getting back to normal. Can I get an update from anyone about how things are looking on the ground there? And how things compare to last year around this time?
Also is there an update on the new outbound security/passport control area being constructed?
Also is there an update on the new outbound security/passport control area being constructed?
Jan 11, 2012, 9:23 pm
#267
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
Reports are saying that the lines have "returned" for the high season and that passenger traffic is getting back to normal. Can I get an update from anyone about how things are looking on the ground there? And how things compare to last year around this time?
Also is there an update on the new outbound security/passport control area being constructed?
Also is there an update on the new outbound security/passport control area being constructed?
Last I was in the lobby, a few weeks ago, the construction was still going on.
I've been lucky recently and have consistently been going through immigration at other airports. This evening we need to head up to the fourth floor for other reasons but I'll take a look at the lines if we have time.
Jan 11, 2012, 10:24 pm
#268
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Location: https://t.me/pump_upp
Programs: CharlesPoedyOB
Posts: 112
Reports are saying that the lines have "returned" for the high season and that passenger traffic is getting back to normal. Can I get an update from anyone about how things are looking on the ground there? And how things compare to last year around this time?
Also is there an update on the new outbound security/passport control area being constructed?
Also is there an update on the new outbound security/passport control area being constructed?
The outbound construction seems not to cause too much of a problem but I usually use the passport queues near rows S to U, having checked the TV screens.
Jan 12, 2012, 5:46 pm
#270
Suspended
Join Date: May 2010
Location: https://t.me/pump_upp
Programs: CharlesPoedyOB
Posts: 112