New Departure Card feature

[eric2011]

Just received an email from Brisbane airport outlining new way for doing my departure card. (see below)

Are you sick of filling in those green departure cards every-time you travel internationally? Well we’ve got some great news for you. By using Brisbane Airport’s new Mobile App Digital Departure Card feature you’ll never have to fill in a Departure Card by hand ever again. Our new 'Digital Departure Card' allows you to save all your outgoing passenger (departure card) information within the Mobile App before getting to the airport. This means when you’re departing Australia, you simply scan your unique QR Code at our special printing kiosk, collect your printed card, sign the declaration section on the back and present your documents to Customs and Immigration. We see you are travelling in the next couple of weeks and as a valued online parking customer, you’re one of the first people in the world to hear about this exciting new initiative. This is all part of our efforts to make your journey through BNE even more efficient and enjoyable. We hope you’ll try it out on your next visit.

Will try it out next week, at the very least it will save me having a stack of departure cards cluttering up my office desk

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Will try it out next week, at the very least it will save me having a stack of departure cards cluttering up my office desk

Any link to where one might download (or even just read) this app?

 

[Cynicor]

Hmm. In WA you get screamed at for having a phone out or looking at a phone in the customs queue and the GST/TRS queue. Can't wait to see how those happy chaps deal with this.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

[url]http://www.bne.com.au/passenger-information/mobile-apps/mobile-app-departure-card-feature
[/URL]

 

[eric2011]

Any link to where one might download (or even just read) this app?

apple app, search for Brisbane airport. Has departure/arrival info, parking plus info and this departure card thingy

 

[eric2011]

[url]http://www.bne.com.au/passenger-information/mobile-apps/mobile-app-departure-card-feature
[/URL]

OBB, I couldn't get the link to do anything

 

[mole]

I received it too and also plan to use it next week. I've downloaded the app to my iphone and created a departure card and received the barcode for scanning at immigration so will see how it goes. In January I used the automated machine when leaving Brisbane which was quick so don't know if this will be any better than that.

 

[serfty]

OBB, I couldn't get the link to do anything

I have fixed the link in OBB's post ...

 

[robd]

Isn't this just going to create another queue before you get to the other queue?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I have fixed the link in OBB's post ...

Thanks for that Serfty!

Isn't this just going to create another queue before you get to the other queue?

You just go up to the machine which is the same size as a coke vending machine, scan the QR code then it prints out the slip of paper which you sign. I haven't noticed any queues you should be able to scan your phone without queueing.

This is still quicker than filling out the green cards at the counters at the bottom of the escalators as you can apparently save the data for next time and amend the fields as required.

 

[anat0l]

In principle, I have to say this is a really good idea.

Hmm. In WA you get screamed at for having a phone out or looking at a phone in the customs queue and the GST/TRS queue. Can't wait to see how those happy chaps deal with this.

According to the demo video from BNE Airport, the kiosk(s) is (are) located near the table after the departures arch where you can get a green departure card if you don't already have one. This is well before security screening and passport control. No risk of any funny phone tricks here, except perhaps if you're trying to get a photo of the stooge they position near the entrance to security screening who notoriously checks the weights of your cabin baggage.

You just go up to the machine which is the same size as a coke vending machine, scan the QR code then it prints out the slip of paper which you sign. I haven't noticed any queues you should be able to scan your phone without queueing.

This is still quicker than filling out the green cards at the counters at the bottom of the escalators as you can apparently save the data for next time and amend the fields as required.

Probably there will only be queues if you have enough idiots try it out. Before you get to the kiosk, bring up the bar code, be ready to put the phone next to the reader, then voila. Grab the card and step aside.


Minor note, but of course people aren't this silly, but apart from needing to sign the form, you also still need to answer the question (on the back) as to whether you are carrying more than $10,000 out of the country.

 

[samh004]

I might try it out despite not flying, so long as it's before the escalators... next time I'm at the airport!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I might try it out despite not flying, so long as it's before the escalators... next time I'm at the airport!

Sam it's down the escalators however you can always do a u-turn & go back up the stairs on the lift like you would if you suddenly remembered you wanted to check in another bag that contained liquids over 100mls.

 

[Himeno]

Brisbane Airport takes overseas outgoing passenger cards digital - Australian Business Traveller

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Would I be correct in assuming this is an immigration dept initiative rather than BNE airport and if so, is BNE just a trial? Are there other airports with them? Are they proposing other airports have these as well?

 

[anat0l]

Would I be correct in assuming this is an immigration dept initiative rather than BNE airport and if so, is BNE just a trial? Are there other airports with them? Are they proposing other airports have these as well?

As far as can be seen, Brisbane International is the only airport with this.

In fact, I might be extremely naive, but I don't know another airport around the world (i.e. where you need to fill in immigration cards before departures) which has a similar thing.

In order to successfully go ahead with this, I guess BNE Intl and associates would have needed some approval from Australian Customs. It would seem that the latter stopped short of allowing passengers to simply send all those details straight to some database, which might have negated the need to print a card from the kiosk altogether. For example, perhaps all that data could be submitted straight to the database and it is coded against your identity document (e.g. passport). At the immigration desk when your passport is scanned, you are asked a couple of questions to verify your entered details are correct, then sent on your way.

 

[cmon0005]

I think it's a great idea, this should be rolled out at more airports, even if only 30% use it that it is still 30% less people sitting around in the departures area as well as 30% less incomplete departures forms holding up passport control lines (just a guess as i would imagine the app wouldn't allow you to complete without all mandatory info)

 

[rickylee]

At the risk of being the only dissenter, I find this quite pointless - not the concept, which is great, but the actual implementation.

Instead of filling out the departure card using a good old fashioned pen, I have to type my details on my tiny touchscreen keyboard on my phone, then go up to the machine, queue up, and to PRINT OUT MY CARD. Even then I am not saved the hassle of needing to have a pen - because I have to sign the damn card. So much easier if I just filled out the departure card by hand beforehand.

When they bring out a departure card that is fully electronic so that you can just scan a QR code on your phone or something to go through, then YAY.

 

[dajop]

At the risk of being the only dissenter, I find this quite pointless - not the concept, which is great, but the actual implementation.

Instead of filling out the departure card using a good old fashioned pen, I have to type my details on my tiny touchscreen keyboard on my phone, then go up to the machine, queue up, and to PRINT OUT MY CARD. Even then I am not saved the hassle of needing to have a pen - because I have to sign the damn card. So much easier if I just filled out the departure card by hand beforehand.

When they bring out a departure card that is fully electronic so that you can just scan a QR code on your phone or something to go through, then YAY.

One would presume details can be saved so filling it out each and every time using the small keyboard may not be necessary. If this is the case I think it has value.

Having said that if I have checked luggage I usually can complete most of the card by the time check in is complete and in an handed BP and luggage tag. Finish the rest waiting in line for security .

 

[eric2011]

One would presume details can be saved so filling it out each and every time using the small keyboard may not be necessary. If this is the case I think it has value.

Correct, only need to change flight details.