Trans Tasman SC run -risks?

[pmdg7444]

Booked LAN J AKL-SYD one way, however dont have the time to spend a full day in AKL. So decided to book the 1830 JQ to AKL the day before to position there.

So that means total time in AKL is around 6 hrs (JQ arrives just before midnight) LAN leave 6am - with 2 hrs prob spent in lounge.

So question is, with such short time in NZ and not even leaving the airport boundary- does this raise eyebrows with NZ customs ??? - ie what's the purpose of your visit, where you staying (Errrr-----I'm doing a SC run and i'm staying here at the airport)

And also there's smart gate - the system will no doubt detect Im entering/leaving the country in a short space of 6 hours.

I like to hear views from those who may have done this sort of thing before - whether there have been any issues, got pulled aside, etc. I know there was a discussion about this for AA runs in N America, but I like to get a local Trans tasman perspective.

Whilst obviously not doing anything illegal, I think it will just be pretty hard to explain to officers what SC runs are, etc.

 

[markis10]

I think your overstating the issue, its not unusual for folks to come in and leave on the next flight, having a 6 hour break is not unusual at all, and most border officers are familiar with status runs around the world, even if its not understood!

 

[serfty]

I have done similar (including Smart gate - NZ have an emiration set up as well) 40+ times - never an issue.

I put Reason for travel as leisure/pleasure/holiday; the one or thrice my short stay was queried I tell the truth, explaining it's to earn frequent flyer points on cheap fares. Note there have been no such challenges when using smartgate.

 

[Leumas]

If you plan to stay airside entirely, you won't even see any Immigration staff or any Smart Gates. You go through security at the transit point, but that's just a standard security check, not immigration check.

 

[lovestotravel]

Smart gate doesn't care
No-one cares really

However, trying this in the USA..............

 

[Mal]

Have been questioned extensively once doing a 24 hrs turnaround on arrival. Aus also once had an issue with a nz holiday i took.

Got a weird look once when i arrived with my backpack and i was asked if i had more luggage and how long i was there for.

But generally things run pretty smoothly.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using AustFreqFly

 

[Ontime]

i did this recently. Went to immigration and they advised to go back and through transit. Spent four hours from midnight until lounge opened airside. Plenty of large comfortable lounges to lie on, very warm and no hassles. I had my boarding card so no need to go airside. You might need to check on how you checkin if you cannot get boarding pass in Australian airport.

If you plan to stay airside entirely, you won't even see any Immigration staff or any Smart Gates. You go through security at the transit point, but that's just a standard security check, not immigration check.

 

[JohnK]

So question is, with such short time in NZ and not even leaving the airport boundary- does this raise eyebrows with NZ customs ??? - ie what's the purpose of your visit, where you staying (Errrr-----I'm doing a SC run and i'm staying here at the airport)

I must be the guilty type.

Got into WLG on Saturday night and did not put a hotel on arrivals form. Was asked the question 3-4 times, maybe 5-6 times, where I was staying and what I was doing in WLG. I said I am staying at the airport and the reason i am here is because the flight was cheap and I want to buy some duty free tobacco and alcohol.

She kept asking how much the flight cost and whether I had stayed at the airport before and she finally dropped it when i said that flying was my hobby.

Could not use Smartgate on the way back the next day in SYD either. Had to go to immigration counter. I suspect the quick turn around triggered something in the software.

Anyway the biggest issue I can see with your plan is JQ on the way over and the short connection....

 

[samh004]

Anyway the biggest issue I can see with your plan is JQ on the way over and the short connection....

Exactly what I was thinking… if they stuff you around you’re buggered!

 

[Deleted member]

I know a status run is all about the points etc.
However it strikes me you must know someone there ( or some obliging AKL based AFF'r) and could make a day ( or 2) of it.
I am going over in July. Great status credits etc , but staying with friends and having a dinner party etc , not a lot different from having the weekend at home IMO.
I am admittedly having a four day break, not just a day though.

 

[medhead]

Got into WLG on Saturday night and did not put ...

does WLG stay open over night?


Sent from the Throne

 

[serfty]

does WLG stay open over night?


Sent from the Throne

Sort of!

See JohnK's recent post on another thread.

Posted on a wing and a prayer ...

 

[medhead]

I might need more of a hint than another thread. I'm not reading very much here these days.


Sent from the Throne

 

[JohnK]

does WLG stay open over night?

WLG airport shuts from ~12:00am-4:00am. But....

I landed ~11:10am and I waited until the last flight of the night was due to arrive. It was a VA flight and luckily for me it was a little late.

Forget the time now but it must have been past midnight and I was in the waiting area at arrivals. People started coming out and being greeted and leaving. Eventually most had gone and security guard noticed an elderly couple and myself still there. Asked the elderly couple and apparently their flight had been cancelled but I do not know details. Asked me and I said I am waiting for my flight the next morning.

He said arrivals is closing but he can take us upstairs to departures and we can wait near the entrance to immigration and not to wander too far in case there is a fire or something so they know where we are. So escorted upstairs where there was around 20 people waiting. Sat down in one of the chairs and used the free wi-fi and waited until ~4:00am when more people started to come in.

It wasn't too bad but it is tiring staying up all night and I managed to achieve what I wanted to achieve.

 

[pmdg7444]

She kept asking how much the flight cost and whether I had stayed at the airport before and she finally dropped it when i said that flying was my hobby.

Anyway the biggest issue I can see with your plan is JQ on the way over and the short connection....

hmm if I encounter this, I wonder if I can get away by saying flying is not just my hobby - its my obsession.

 

[JohnK]

hmm if I encounter this, I wonder if I can get away by saying flying is not just my hobby - its my obsession.

You would have needed to say it 3-4 times though.

Most people seem to get away with these type of interrogations where as others seem to attract it where ever they go.

 

[medhead]

WLG airport shuts from ~12:00am-4:00am. But....

I landed ~11:10am and I waited until the last flight of the night was due to arrive. It was a VA flight and luckily for me it was a little late.

Forget the time now but it must have been past midnight and I was in the waiting area at arrivals. People started coming out and being greeted and leaving. Eventually most had gone and security guard noticed an elderly couple and myself still there. Asked the elderly couple and apparently their flight had been cancelled but I do not know details. Asked me and I said I am waiting for my flight the next morning.

He said arrivals is closing but he can take us upstairs to departures and we can wait near the entrance to immigration and not to wander too far in case there is a fire or something so they know where we are. So escorted upstairs where there was around 20 people waiting. Sat down in one of the chairs and used the free wi-fi and waited until ~4:00am when more people started to come in.

It wasn't too bad but it is tiring staying up all night and I managed to achieve what I wanted to achieve.

Thanks. I'm glad I've chose AKL then, at least formula 1 is cheap at about A$60.


Sent from the Throne

 

[serfty]

Thanks. I'm glad I've chose AKL then, at least formula 1 is cheap at about A$60.
...

... and they have free transfers if you don't feel like walking the 900 or so metres each way from/to international.

Personally, for 5 or 6 hours overnight at AKL, I'd "crash" at the terminal - it's a very friendly place for sleeping.

 

[pmdg7444]

$60 for Formulae 1? How bout $0 for a lie flat bench on the viewing deck - true MR style.

 

[harvyk]

Two words - Status Run, if they question you any further explain you like the good stuff which comes with status. I've even had a few immi officials say "That's not a bad idea" in that tone that suggests they will be booking a SR themselves as soon as they get off shift.