Express lanes at MEL, SYD International Terminals: another status devaluation?

[SYD]

As far as I know, no airlines are issuing “express path” to status PAX in whY as a matter of course. Some are getting a green sticker (as mentioned in the article) but who and why is a little murky at the moment.

 

[Daver6]

The express path still exists. I assume you mean the airline won't pay the extra for status pax in Y or Y+ to use it. But still not convinced it is all down to airlines.

There is also no express path on inbound (ie shortcut into the customs line). I had a lengthy phone call with SYD airport about the APEC line issue. They were very clear the F/J line is something they're doing and airlines don't wish to pay for Express Path.

 

[OATEK]

There is also no express path on inbound (ie shortcut into the customs line). I had a lengthy phone call with SYD airport about the APEC line issue. They were very clear the F/J line is something they're doing and airlines don't wish to pay for Express Path.

The way the technology is going for inwards I doubt there will be an express path as such. But outgoing exists for class of travel, although when I went outwards last month it was a waste of time as there was no separate security lane so everyone merged into one big scrum. That was also down to the airport.

 

[Princess Fiona]

The way the technology is going for inwards I doubt there will be an express path as such. But outgoing exists for class of travel, although when I went outwards last month it was a waste of time as there was no separate security lane so everyone merged into one big scrum. That was also down to the airport.

There is a separate security lane at SYD T1 but seems to only be open during peak hours.
Was open ahead of morning flight for me a few weeks back but last week closed before afternoon flight.

 

[BrockF]

Was reluctantly let through the fast track security line with an APEC card (WP flying Y+/W) in July and May. Fast track security line wasnt opened 10 days ago when leaving on an evening flight.

 

[kpro]

Along the same lines as the previous few posts. I found the lack of priority inwards lane on arrival in MEL earlier this week to be more of a concern. Was in J so the issue with status wasn't the problem.

Maybe I missed it, but my flight arrived in the morning along with a bunch of passengers from Indoensia, Malaysia ETC and the line was horrendous. I either didn't see the priority lane, or there were so many people it wasn't visible.

I also didn't see a priority outbound lane in Auckland International at all.

 

[Hvr]

So now is probably the time to sell any unused priority line cards on eBay et al.
Before the punters realise they're no longer accepted.

 

[Daver6]

Was reluctantly let through the fast track security line with an APEC card (WP flying Y+/W) in July and May. Fast track security line wasnt opened 10 days ago when leaving on an evening flight.

You're lucky. In July WP in Y with an APEC card I wasn't allowed to use anything but the pleb lane. APEC card holders are entitled to use the crew lane. SYD airport have confirmed this with me and told me their staff have been "educated" about this.

Along the same lines as the previous few posts. I found the lack of priority inwards lane on arrival in MEL earlier this week to be more of a concern. Was in J so the issue with status wasn't the problem.

Maybe I missed it, but my flight arrived in the morning along with a bunch of passengers from Indoensia, Malaysia ETC and the line was horrendous. I either didn't see the priority lane, or there were so many people it wasn't visible.

I also didn't see a priority outbound lane in Auckland International at all.

Similar experience arriving in the morning in SYD. Those queues ito the customs lane are horrendous! Fast Track is really needed here.

 

[Ade]

Some are getting a green sticker (as mentioned in the article) but who and why is a little murky at the moment.

My 2 cents ...

There are 2 queues for passport & security screening. Let's call them PP-Q1, PP-Q2, SS-Q1, SS-Q2.

PP-Q1 is the general queue, where everyone, whose boarding time is greater than 90 mins is directed to. This queue looks like an obstacle course, snakeing thru the departures area EVEN before entering the automated passport gates. This is the larger automated passport gates area, which stops with the crew gates, just before PP-Q2, which is the "express path" automated passport gates.

PP-Q2 is the priority queue has a seperate entrance. This entrance can be accessed via -

a). inbound transfer pax, who took the QF transfer bus from Gate 15 at Domestic. The transfer bus drops pax at the ground floor, and when the pax come up the escalator, they are presented with the PP-Q2 entrance, which is cordoned off to divert pax to meet with SYD airport ground staff, who then direct pax based on their boarding time to either PP-Q1 or PP-Q2.

b). check in at SYD and depending on the boarding time, you get a green sticker on your BP at check in desk. Then go to the priority queue and show your BP with the green sticker on it to access the priority queue.

The green sticker is applied to those BPs where the boarding time is less than 90 mins (could be 120 mins as well, I'm not sure). If the pax is checking in at SYD check-in counters, these stickers are applied automatically when the BP is issued. However, if you are transferring from a different domestic flight, you may go to the airline check-in desks at SYD to get your green sticker. There have been instances where the SYD airport ground staff have used their better judgement to allow pax those that have boarding time < 90 mins to go thru the PP-Q2 without needing to sight the green sticker.

After one has somehow manoeuvred thru the PP-Q1 and PP-Q2, you will reach the automated passport gates and you do your thing. After this is done, you will be directed to see another SYD ground staff, who then will divert you to SS-Q1 (non-priority) or SS-Q2 (priority). The green sticker on your BP or J/F BP will automatically send you to the SS-Q2 and a no sticker BP regardless of your FF status will send you to SS-Q1 queue.

Now, based on my personal experience, I have always been able to use the PP-Q2 because I always have an express path card with me when I travel international. However, when I reached the point where I'd be directed to the security queue, the express path did not help. The SYD airport staff said that the SS-Q1 is only for J/F or those with green sticker on their BP. This being said, on 08/09 I was able to flash my express path card at SYD and use the priority screening queue with no issues. It's a hit & miss as I see it.

Oh and one more thing - there was a timeout issue at SYD airport last week and the automated passport gates didn't work for most passports. Especially Samoan, Indonesian & some Australian ones too. So pax were sent to manual processing and given the number of departures around the 8-9 am mark, this manual processing queue is quite long. Now, that's one more delay to handle

 

[Ade]

I found the lack of priority inwards lane on arrival in MEL earlier this week to be more of a concern

Inbound express path is an issue at all AU ports. I have had issues trying to navigate amongst the masses of inbound pax into MEL/SYD in recent times. In Aug this year, I arrived on QF82, to be greeted by at least a 1000 people queueing to use the SmartGate machines. It was complete & absolute mayhem. Why were there no clear signs or organisation is beyond me. There were no express lanes and everyone seemed to forget the idea of queues

I'd say atleast based on the number of incoming pax, EP should be opened at major ports in AU to ensure that things go smoothly. There have also been issues with the SmartGate machines, not printing the ticket that is needed. So you are then sent to the manual processing, which again has a queue that extends to the gates. You simply step out of the plane and you are already in the queue for manual procesing!

Bring back the EP, not many, but most of us need it. As a metric, it took me close 2 hours to clear immigration, collect bags at SYD in Aug 2022.

I'm flying QF68 BLR-SYD this week and will be arriving into SYD at 1020, will report on how things go.

 

[Guvner]

My 2 cents ...

There are 2 queues for passport & security screening. Let's call them PP-Q1, PP-Q2, SS-Q1, SS-Q2. 1's are priority, 2's are non-priority

PP-Q1 is the general queue, where everyone, whose boarding time is greater than 90 mins is directed to. This queue looks like an obstacle course, snakeing thru the departures area EVEN before entering the automated passport gates. This is the larger automated passport gates area, which stops with the crew gates, just before PP-Q2, which is the "express path" automated passport gates.

PP-Q2 has a seperate entrance. This entrance can be accessed via - a). inbound transfer pax, who took the QF transfer bus from Gate 15 at Domestic. The transfer bus drops pax at the ground floor, and when the pax come up the escalator, they are presented with the PP-Q2 entrance, which is cordoned off to divert pax to meet with SYD airport ground staff, who then direct pax based on their boarding time to either PP-Q1 or PP-Q2.

Now, based on my personal experience, I have always been able to use the PP-Q1 because I always have an express path card with me when I travel international. However, when I reached the point where I'd be directed to the security queue, the express path did not help. The SYD airport staff said that the SS-Q1 is only for J/F or those with green sticker on their BP. This being said, on 08/09 I was able to flash my express path card at SYD and use the priority screening queue with no issues. It's a hit & miss as I see it.

I'm getting confused with your P's and Q's!

 

[Ade]

I'm getting confused with your P's and Q's!

Sorry, PP (passport) Queue 1/2 , SS(security screening) Queue 1/2 ... Edited the post now. Got distracted by someone else here, my bad.

 

[OATEK]

There is a separate security lane at SYD T1 but seems to only be open during peak hours.
Was open ahead of morning flight for me a few weeks back but last week closed before afternoon flight.

When I flew on QF1 in early August, arriving around noon, crew had a separate lane, but the rest of us were all in together.

 

[Princess Fiona]

When I flew on QF1 in early August, arriving around noon, crew had a separate lane, but the rest of us were all in together.

I’m out again on QF1 this weekend. Will report back

 

[Daver6]

My 2 cents ...

There are 2 queues for passport & security screening. Let's call them PP-Q1, PP-Q2, SS-Q1, SS-Q2.

PP-Q1 is the general queue, where everyone, whose boarding time is greater than 90 mins is directed to. This queue looks like an obstacle course, snakeing thru the departures area EVEN before entering the automated passport gates. This is the larger automated passport gates area, which stops with the crew gates, just before PP-Q2, which is the "express path" automated passport gates.

PP-Q2 is the priority queue has a seperate entrance. This entrance can be accessed via -

a). inbound transfer pax, who took the QF transfer bus from Gate 15 at Domestic. The transfer bus drops pax at the ground floor, and when the pax come up the escalator, they are presented with the PP-Q2 entrance, which is cordoned off to divert pax to meet with SYD airport ground staff, who then direct pax based on their boarding time to either PP-Q1 or PP-Q2.

b). check in at SYD and depending on the boarding time, you get a green sticker on your BP at check in desk. Then go to the priority queue and show your BP with the green sticker on it to access the priority queue.

The green sticker is applied to those BPs where the boarding time is less than 90 mins (could be 120 mins as well, I'm not sure). If the pax is checking in at SYD check-in counters, these stickers are applied automatically when the BP is issued. However, if you are transferring from a different domestic flight, you may go to the airline check-in desks at SYD to get your green sticker. There have been instances where the SYD airport ground staff have used their better judgement to allow pax those that have boarding time < 90 mins to go thru the PP-Q2 without needing to sight the green sticker.

After one has somehow manoeuvred thru the PP-Q1 and PP-Q2, you will reach the automated passport gates and you do your thing. After this is done, you will be directed to see another SYD ground staff, who then will divert you to SS-Q1 (non-priority) or SS-Q2 (priority). The green sticker on your BP or J/F BP will automatically send you to the SS-Q2 and a no sticker BP regardless of your FF status will send you to SS-Q1 queue.

Now, based on my personal experience, I have always been able to use the PP-Q2 because I always have an express path card with me when I travel international. However, when I reached the point where I'd be directed to the security queue, the express path did not help. The SYD airport staff said that the SS-Q1 is only for J/F or those with green sticker on their BP. This being said, on 08/09 I was able to flash my express path card at SYD and use the priority screening queue with no issues. It's a hit & miss as I see it.

Oh and one more thing - there was a timeout issue at SYD airport last week and the automated passport gates didn't work for most passports. Especially Samoan, Indonesian & some Australian ones too. So pax were sent to manual processing and given the number of departures around the 8-9 am mark, this manual processing queue is quite long. Now, that's one more delay to handle

Part of the problem with arrivals at SYD are those initial passport kiosks. Those not familiar with the airport might not realise there are a bunch more further down. So instead everyone lands up queue/waiting there and blocking it for everyone.

 

[Guvner]

How hard would it be to employ a couple of semi retired friendly ex-employees with the right clearances to help people arriving and point them in the right direction? No, the Australian way is to make it confusing and then yell at people after a long flight who may never have been through arrivals before.

 

[Captain Halliday]

So now is probably the time to sell any unused priority line cards on eBay et al.
Before the punters realise they're no longer accepted.

Oh that reminds me I have a few.

Might try one out at SYD on Saturday just for fun!

 

[Ade]

Might try one out at SYD on Saturday just for fun!

Let us know how you go ... I have got one Arrivals EP somewhere in my bag ... will need to see if it will work out.

 

[JohnK]

So it looks like another devaluation of platinum status?

I was told airport security controls express path and they want to keep the numbers down using express path.

 

[sudoer]

Fast track security line wasnt opened 10 days ago when leaving on an evening flight.

Wasn't open on Monday evening around 6:30pm also, but in fairness there was no queue in the pleb lane which took less than 5 minutes to get through.

I agree with others - this isn't really a deval if none of the other airlines are offering it either. It will probably come back in due time.