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

[ferntree]

Whether it's the airline's decision or not (and I agree that it isn't), it still devalues the benefits of platinum status.

 

[mviy]

I'm sure if the airlines were willing to pay for it the airport would work with them to make it happen ASAP, so it is the airlines to blame for it not being around.

 

[SYD]

I'm sure if the airlines were willing to pay for it the airport would work with them to make it happen ASAP, so it is the airlines to blame for it not being around.

We don’t know what the airlines are being asked to pay compared to pre Covid. But the reality is the airport couldn’t get trained security staff fast enough to provide the service effectively anyway.

My first Int flight ex-SYD in March flying SQ J, the current arrangement wasn’t even in place, so even J PAX joined the general line but the airport was still relatively quiet but security was amateurish. Later as WP flying QF whY it was a zoo in the morning rush. Yet there were reports of some in similar circumstances being given Green stickers by QF days before and after my travel date. They weren’t necessarily running late etc.

Reports in other threads suggest things are improving so hopefully it will revert progressively to what we know - at least for departures.

As for arrivals, Express Path become a bit of a fail when the eGates arrived. There was a manual processing Express Q but the gates are usually faster. Just prior to Covid more often than not the “express” Custom lanes were closed or usually the opposite end of the baggage claim hall to where you arrived… So you’d just go to the closest/smallest line…(if there was one).

 

[Anna]

Departing MEL T2 this morning, no express lanes at all and only 6 smart gates working. Huge lines for both security and border control.

I asked various officials why so few smart gates were open and nobody would give me an answer. Most said they didn’t know and one person said ‘talk to the boss’ and pointed at a counter with a queue, so I didn’t bother.

 

[SYD]

Departing MEL T2 this morning, no express lanes at all and only 6 smart gates working. Huge lines for both security and border control.

I asked various officials why so few smart gates were open and nobody would give me an answer. Most said they didn’t know and one person said ‘talk to the boss’ and pointed at a counter with a queue, so I didn’t bother.

Probably to hold back peeps from joining the security line (which is the real bottleneck - not immigration). When I flew out of SYD in late July, they turned off all the eGates for 15 mins in attempt to clear the security area which was completely full.

 

[RealtimeY]

But the reality is the airport couldn’t get trained security staff fast enough to provide the service effectively anyway

Given it took me 50 minutes to get through last time versus 20 for my companion in J, I'll happily take a substandard express service over nothing.

 

[TomVexille]

Probably to hold back peeps from joining the security line (which is the real bottleneck - not immigration). When I flew out of SYD in late July, they turned off all the eGates for 15 mins in attempt to clear the security area which was completely full.

At MEL security is before immigration, so that won't be the issue.

 

[SYD]

At MEL security is before immigration, so that won't be the issue.

Then just silly to not have more eGates running…

 

[Cossie]

In July I was given a green sticker as a WP in Y on QF23 to Bangkok.

August, I wasn’t given a green sticker but on asking I was directed to the shortest queue, QF145 to Auckland.

Doing the same on the 27th Sept, WP in Y, see what happens.

 

[mviy]

Interesting. I guess I'll need to consider asking for a sticker when I next travel overseas now that I have WP again.

 

[Ade]

Interesting. I guess I'll need to consider asking for a sticker when I next travel overseas now that I have WP again.

This might not work if the international trip begins elsewhere in another domestic port … I’m not confident that check in staff at CBR will give me a green sticker on my SYD-SIN BP when I check in for the trip at CBR …

 

[RealtimeY]

You can try asking at the transfer bus counter. I noticed they had those orange D stickers last time so they may have green ones too.

 

[AIRwin]

Interesting. I guess I'll need to consider asking for a sticker when I next travel overseas now that I have WP again.

What does the green sticker look like?

 

[SYD]

What does the green sticker look like?

and how much on eBay?

 

[Cossie]

Small round sticker about the size of a 5 cent coin, iirc! It was on the part of the boarding pass that was torn off and kept by the crew on boarding.

 

[Cossie]

No go this morning in Sydney, even though Canberra checkin said it would be ok. Fairly quick, luckily.