Article: The Hidden Sydney Airport Security Checkpoint with No Queue

[AFF Editor]

The Hidden Sydney Airport Security Checkpoint with No Queue is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

The Hidden Sydney Airport Security Checkpoint with No Queue

If you want to save time, the Express Security Lane on the arrivals level of Sydney Airport's Terminal 2 rarely has any queue at all.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[SYD]

Nice. I used to use the VA lounge entrance but this is obviously handy if arriving by train.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Yes I have used this. It’s reasonably well sign posted but always empty.

 

[tdimdad]

What's the best way to get to the VA lounge premium entry from the trains? To the departure hall, out of the doors and to the roadside entrance?

 

[itchy feet]

Thank you for the article! I had no idea this security checkpoint was for all passengers. When arriving in Sydney I always pass through this area, en route to the terminal exit. There’s generally a lone staff member looking rather bored. I always thought it was only for regional passengers as it’s below departure “lounges” used by Rex and Pelican. Will definitely use it when next departing SYD from T2 (crazy busy terminal) especially when arriving there by train.

 

[stm1sydney]

What's the best way to get to the VA lounge premium entry from the trains? To the departure hall, out of the doors and to the roadside entrance?

Yes, that's right but, from the trains, it is probably easier just using this arrivals level checkpoint. It spits you out into the terminal just beyond the VA lounge, so you walk back through the foodcourt and get the lift up to the lounge.

 

[AIRwin]

It spits you out into the terminal just beyond the VA lounge, so you walk back through the foodcourt and get the lift up to the lounge.

Or take the stairs?

 

[stm1sydney]

Or take the stairs?

God forbid, more exercise?! If you like, but the lift is usually quicker as the stairs are the longer route from the food court approach.

 

[XWu]

It has been a while but I used to fly REx to regional NSW in thpose first early morning flight out and these are perfect for those with hand carry only, but even with the check in luggage needed to be dropped at the departure hall, it is still faster to take the escalator or lift down to ground floor to this security checkpoint rather than deal with the hordes of pax going through the main T2 security checkpoints, with enough people not “match-fit” to screening requirements (despite visual and verbal reminders from security personnel).

there are queues at the ground floor screening points in mornings peak hour( 5-7 am)) but as they are usually used by airport staff, airline crews and experienced travellers, you rarely get any hold up from silly mistakes or “forgotten“ inclusion.

 

[auscal]

It has been a while but I used to fly REx to regional NSW in thpose first early morning flight out and these are perfect for those with hand carry only, but even with the check in luggage needed to be dropped at the departure hall, it is still faster to take the escalator or lift down to ground floor to this security checkpoint rather than deal with the hordes of pax going through the main T2 security checkpoints, with enough people not “match-fit” to screening requirements (despite visual and verbal reminders from security personnel).

there are queues at the ground floor screening points in mornings peak hour( 5-7 am)) but as they are usually used by airport staff, airline crews and experienced travellers, you rarely get any hold up from silly mistakes or “forgotten“ inclusion.

Are you really going to blame passengers for security lines? Stop drinking the koolaid.

 

[kyle]

Yeah I used it before. Don't think it's that secret as there are big signs pointing to that direction unless people don't read.

 

[Warks]

I haven't seen the premium entry open since Covid but maybe I've been on later flights. It was a very nice little perk considering the queues you can get. I was stuck in a queue that went out the front of the terminal past the closed lounge entrance mid last year. And it was even longer than I thought when I got inside to find an enormous chicane through the valet parking area at the left end. I was there well before my flight but still had to be called forward when I was only halfway through the queue, just to join the queue closer to security. Made it but they had to delay the flight anyway because of the queue.

 

[itchy feet]

I haven't seen the premium entry open since Covid but maybe I've been on later flights. It was a very nice little perk considering the queues you can get. I was stuck in a queue that went out the front of the terminal past the closed lounge entrance mid last year. And it was even longer than I thought when I got inside to find an enormous chicane through the valet parking area at the left end. I was there well before my flight but still had to be called forward when I was only halfway through the queue, just to join the queue closer to security. Made it but they had to delay the flight anyway because of the queue.

We must have been there the same day. Unbelievable queues.

 

[marcojim]

Wasn’t sure where to ask this but does security at SYD T2 still require passengers to remove laptops and tablets from bags or is it like the new systems at MEL T4 where everything stays inside bags?

 

[kerfuffle]

Wasn’t sure where to ask this but does security at SYD T2 still require passengers to remove laptops and tablets from bags or is it like the new systems at MEL T4 where everything stays inside bags?

The former.