Smart Gate - how popular is it?

[Bolthead]

It must be one of the last, non-smart gate ones they created.
Its up for renewal early next year

I'm talking the passport # : E100..../

Really? They were using L before the M series.

Sure your not confusing the series with the generic term E passport? The series is the letter in front of the passport number. M and N are E-passports. Though it seems from the post above there are now E series passports that are also in fact E passports.

Funny that.. My last passport was issued in Feb. 2004 & starts with 'E"

Is it just a normal passport? I know Official Passports issued for Government travel begin with F

Love smartgate, much quicker and easier and no need to do the dash for immigration queses.

Mine is 'M' series and was issued in August 2005.... mine is NOT an "E" Passport

 

[oz_mark]

Funny that.. My last passport was issued in Feb. 2004 & starts with 'E"

Issued overseas?

 

[drewbles]

I have a high-tech way to get around this: I take off my glasses when using SmartGate .

Don't they tell you to take off glasses? It's an easy enough mistake to make, though, I guess. Last passport photo I had done, I needed a friendly reminder from the photographer.

I have worn glasses since I was 5, and have none on my passport nor drivers license photos. As I put the ticket into the machine, I instantly take off my glasses and stare forwards (I am pretty blind). I've not yet *touch wood* had one fail.

 

[elbarto]

I have worn glasses since I was 5, and have none on my passport nor drivers license photos. As I put the ticket into the machine, I instantly take off my glasses and stare forwards (I am pretty blind). I've not yet *touch wood* had one fail.

I've only started wearing glasses in the past few years and don't have them on in my photo and have no issues going through the smart gate with them on.

 

[Major]

I've only started wearing glasses in the past few years and don't have them on in my photo and have no issues going through the smart gate with them on.

I also now wear glasses but was rejected at AKL. As soon as I took them off ....no problem

 

[Lizzi]

Mine is 'M' series and was issued in August 2005.... mine is NOT an "E" Passport

Ditto with mine - Mxx_xx_ in mid 2005 and isn't smart gate compatible. I'm another one who likes getting the stamps in there so I don't mind the queue that much...

 

[aupirate]

Always use smart gate if I can never had an issue and always quicker than the queue. Used AKL & BNE.

 

[clifford]

"Ditto with mine - Mxx_xx_ in mid 2005 and isn't smart gate compatible. I'm another one who likes getting the stamps in there so I don't mind the queue that much..."


Obviously you don't have connections ex SYD/MEL (or anywhere else).

But anyone not using smartgate is a plus, as it's one less person I have to compete with.

 

[Lizzi]

Obviously you don't have connections ex SYD/MEL (or anywhere else).

But anyone not using smartgate is a plus, as it's one less person I have to compete with.

Last time I transited through MEL it took me about 10 minutes in the passport control queue. The baggage wasn't even out by the time I was through, and I wasn't in a priority queue either.

In any case, I travel for pleasure rather than business, so while it's nice not to have to queue, I don't worry too much if it takes me longer than 17 mins from plane to taxi.

 

[jetlagger]

Issued overseas?

Issued in Brisbane.. Apparently it's authentic, very well worn though

 

[samh004]

My non-smart passport from 2005 is E101xx_X, incase it helps anyone

 

[jetlagger]

My non-smart passport from 2005 is E101xx_X, incase it helps anyone

Yep.. Thanks..
Then my correlation in letter & number order would/could/is correct. E100xx_x. Issued 2004 BNE.
Phew..
Look forward to using the new smart one, as I often feel very 'analogue" at the arrivals immigration.

 

[serfty]

Hmmm ... I was under the impression that all the M series had the chip ...

 

[markis10]

Hmmm ... I was under the impression that all the M series had the chip ...

M series were chipped if issued from24 Oct 2005.

 

[Hvr]

Yep.. Thanks..
Then my correlation in letter & number order would/could/is correct. E100xx_x. Issued 2004 BNE.
Phew..
Look forward to using the new smart one, as I often feel very 'analogue" at the arrivals immigration.

And yet you get what is essentially a digital response from SmartGate, they give you the finger.

 

[bismarck]

Not sure if this is the best place to ask, didn't feel like it was necessary to create a full new thread.

How much quicker does SmartGate make it to exit the airport? I'm arriving into Sydney on an EK flight at 10:30pm and am hoping to make it to the back end of some drinks in the City. Is this a pipe dream? How quickly can I get through immigration, customs and out of the airport.

I will be travelling business class, so one of the first off, but will have to collect checked luggage. I should have nothing to declare.

Hope you can help....I haven't travelled internationally for a bit and have only recently got a new chip-enabled passport.

Thanks!!

 

[raleyoz]

SmartGate will get you through Immigration in no time, 30 seconds to process, you will get to baggage claim quick then its upto the gods when your bag comes out.

Important note; do not wear glasses when being scanned

 

[MiLK_MaN]

You can get through customs and quarantine within 15-20 minutes if EVERYTHING goes well, that includes using Smartgate to get through the customs queue quicker. Even if Smartgate doesnt work for you (which for me is about 100% of the time) you can go into a priority queue to get processed quicker, so I think your best bet is to use Smartgate where you can.

 

[serfty]

At 10:30pm you should be fine; Recently in the mornings I have seen Smartgate queues with 100+ people in them.

 

[bismarck]

Thanks for the advice.

I - bizarrely - usually have pretty good luck when it comes to priority baggage actually coming out early *touch wood* so fingers crossed customs is pretty clear and I can cruise through quickly.