I hate Sydney (airport security) international

[Buzzard]

Where are you off to Buzz?

Noumea

 

[Deleted member]

Noumea

Have fun.

 

[Quickstatus]

I haven't transited through SYD but reading this makes me never want to. I do have an issue in MEL where each time I've travelled Internationally I've been given an express path card yet seem to not have an express path open. Is there set times when its available? I've travelled in various times of the day/night and have never once utilised it, I've even gone as far as asking where the queue for it is.

I’ve found the same. Possibly an express path opens when the queue becomes longer?

 

[serfty]

I’ve found the same. Possibly an express path opens when the queue becomes longer?

Express path at MEL when open is at the far right but one lane of the immigration desks. The far right lane is for aircrew - these lanes sort of merge at the desks and the aircrew get priority. It can be a frustrating "express" experience when the crew keep coming up and past you.

 

[straitman]

I would have been demanding a supervisor and have made complaints to airport management that their contractors are failing in their duty of care.

I did have reason to complain to the supervisor in SYD last year. He ignored me and then refused to give me his name or show me his ID card. As we were pushed for time after a bad connection we just moved on and let it drop.

 

[drron]

I see mention in the prior couple of posts about belt removal, and admittedly I probably only average 3 return flights per year, but I've never had an x-ray go off as a result of belt or shoes & have hence never removed them.

What's the deal, is this required in other countries (eg. I've not travelled to the USA and I know their security people are notoriously ... notorious)?

When you have a joint replacement you need to take off your belt and shoes because if you don't you will be sent back to do so.The only airport I have not had to take off my belt and shoes for some time is SYD T1 as they have always let me use the body scanner.

 

[TomVexille]

I did have reason to complain to the supervisor in SYD last year. He ignored me and then refused to give me his name or show me his ID card. As we were pushed for time after a bad connection we just moved on and let it drop.

Appalling really

 

[Quickstatus]

Express path at MEL when open is at the far right but one lane of the immigration desks. The far right lane is for aircrew - these lanes sort of merge at the desks and the aircrew get priority. It can be a frustrating "express" experience when the crew keep coming up and past you.

Yes but not always open

But the queues are generally moving faster with the electronic gates

 

[pauly7]

My favourite game to deal with surly security staff is to be overly nice and polite.

How are YOU today??, That’s GREAT! (After you get a surly grunt as a response). Quite often towards the end of the interaction they get embarrassed about being so rude and actually shock horror crack a smile. If I’m asked to do something: - ABSOLUTELY, no problems, thanks so much for helping me out!

It keeps me sane and keeps me entertained watching someone with an attitude problem squirm.

Worst international recent experiences:
London LHR T5 (Premium)
Milan
Paris CDG

Best:
Melbourne

 

[Mrmaxwell]

I've had a few bad encounters at SYD T1 but never let it get to me. If they are rude to me I make sure they know about it...I won't be silent but I won't waste F lounge time either!

I did have security back me up however last trip where a Chinese guy pushed me out of the way while lining up for scanning and told me 'get cough**' while doing so...one of the guys heard this and pulled him out of line and asked him to sit down for full check. He wasn't happy...especially when I waved at him while leaving

 

[Forg]

Worst international recent experiences:
London LHR T5 (Premium)

LHR was my absolute best immigration experience ... my wife was working in London for the 2012 Olympics which were going to start in a few day's time, they had volunteers in the hall just prior to security to help usher the influx of people, but the influx hasn't quite started yet & I arrived on one of the first flights in after curfew lifted so it wasn't busy yet.

Everyone was happy & friendly, the attractive young lady directing me to security even let me use the intarwebz on her mobile 'phone to find the place I was staying 'cos I'd written-down the address but not the name (had forgotten they'd be asking me where I was staying). Then nobody in line, the immigration guy was chatty & happy, my baggage had come out just as I'd gotten to the carousel earlier, and the train even turned-up just as I got to the platform.