jkingsle

Anyone been on 881 NRT BKK recently? Looking for insight into what the immigration ques are like? I'm in F so, I'll bevoff the plane quickly...

I'm assuming UA isn't providing any fast track service, correct?

GRB051111

The foreign passport lines are usually quite long (~10 - 20 people/line, so, say 20-30 min). Try to get in the line next to (or close to) a Thai passport line, which will often allow non-Thais to go through once they're done

tide

This is good advice for those in Y - I've taken advantage of this in the past. The Thai national lines appear to be at the extreme sides (left or right).

Other ideas: try to select a booth that is staffed by 2 agents - the booths are set up that way although not every booth will have 2 agents on duty. Also there are 2 immigration halls - if there is a crowd at the first one - walk further down (100 yards?) to the other one.

Finally, it goes without saying, walk fast after deplaning.

On another note, OP is in F. UA does provide FastTrack cards to F and C. Little to no lines with one of those cards.

sim510

Yes, you'll get a fast track coupon before deplaning. My last time, which was just in December, the lines were not too bad after getting off 881. I had flown in first, had a fast track, but went to regular immigration and got thru within a few minutes. Now, that's not saying it is like that all the time. Although, I will say, they are pretty good at adding extra personnel during the late night international arrivals.

BTW, they have a new airport link skytrain from the airport into the city. It has just opened very recently. I found it interesting to read about the hours of operation. From the "BRUNCH" section of the Bangkok Post (which I brought home) dated January 2, 2011:

"Seventy per cent of international flights to Suvarnabhumi land between midnight and 3am. In August, the brand new rail link from the airport to the city opened. It stops running at midnight and starts again at 6am. Welcome to Thailand, visitors!"

mahasamatman

I assume those are for F only? We didn't get them in C in November.

exerda

I didn't get one in C in November, either. To be fair, the lines were pretty short as it was (maybe 10 minutes, tops).

UA does give them out to F and C departures at check-in in BKK, though it seemed like there weren't many fast-track checkpoints open at that hour, either.

why fly

I have never gotten fast track for C fares flying to BKK??

Also immigration lines are not usually long arriving in BKK by the time you clear your luggage will arrive.

lax2010

The fast track pass for F was nice. I sure wasn't given one for C back in September.

Frequent Freak

If Singapore does it, it must be good enough for Thailand, right?

Anyway, I doubt the train goes 150 km/h like cabbies do at 3am.

mahasamatman

Luggage?

ivoryboi

The train goes faster than any taxi (if you take the express) - I clocked 168kph on my GPS last time.

Diplomatico

I flew in two nights ago (typing this from Bangkok) and received a fast track pass flying in C. UA rep was standing in the jetway when we came off the plane, handing them out.

GRB051111

I've never had any fast track card in C in the past 4 years (20+ entries). There a fast track on the way *out* of BKK but not upon landing, and that's not always consistent.

Even if you're in F, you can run into lines from previous flights, so try to stay close to the Thai citizen's line. Looking for booth with 2 agents like tide said helps greatly, too.

mcgahat

Arrival to BKK last Monday was pretty typical for me. About 5-7 people in each line and it took about 10 minutes. I have never had fastrack in F or C on UA upon arrival. Not doubting those that say they got it but never seen it myself. Upon departure yes and that is actually where it is most handy to me. The lines seem to be getting longer and longer for departure...although I have not experienced anything as bad as the folks are reporting in a thread over in the TG forum.

dsquared37

Lines have been quite bad (at times) for departures, significantly moreso than arrivals.

My strategy has been to look for lines that feed 2 immigration agents, and it's better if they're women. Recently the departure areas have had a maze rather than the old 'pick a line system' so this doesn't work.

There are reports of Fasttrack being given to UA C and F pax, I've never received one.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thail...ast-track.html

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/thai-...ance-time.html