No More International Express at SYD International

[ChrisGibbs]

Landed this morning (Friday 12/12) off QF12 to find that Customs Clearance at YSSY International was "enhanced" a couple of days back and divided into Nothing to Declare (Green) and Declare (Red) . Another enhancement was that Express Arrivals has been done away with and everyone including crew are now all in the same line. If this mornings peak arrival time is anything to go by YSSY international arrival will be a shambles over the holidays and during the peak times. Departing to KLAX last Sunday the Express Departures was still operating. I will find our this Sunday when I head to WSSS if Express Departures has also been removed.

 

[samh004]

Re: No More Inbound Express at YSSY International

Probably a holiday-special to catch out some smugglers

 

[docjames]

Re: No More Inbound Express at YSSY International

Sounds like the arrangement in MEL.

 

[harvyk]

Re: No More Inbound Express at YSSY International

Personally I don't see a problem with express cards been done away with in place of red / green channels. Each time I've used an inbound express pass it could hardly be called an express service anyway, esp if you had checked baggage.

 

[OzEire]

Re: No More Inbound Express at YSSY International

Personally I don't see a problem with express cards been done away with in place of red / green channels. Each time I've used an inbound express pass it could hardly be called an express service anyway, esp if you had checked baggage.

Most useful for non-A/NZ passport holders - that line moves really slowly and they have no option to use the eGate.

Also a family with children who cant use the eGate have to line up so on a really bad day where even the Aus line is long then having an express line for F/J pax would be welcome.

Does anyone know if there is special provisions made for elderly or disabled pax who would find an hour+ wait in line quite challenging after stepping off a longhaul ?

 

[samh004]

Re: No More Inbound Express at YSSY International

Personally I don't see a problem with express cards been done away with in place of red / green channels. Each time I've used an inbound express pass it could hardly be called an express service anyway, esp if you had checked baggage.

The last time I used an inbound express card I nearly missed my domestic connection. Took about half an hour to get through, never again! Every time a crew gets to the desks they're sent through first, so you're effectively never seen

 

[dajop]

Re: No More Inbound Express at YSSY International

Most useful for non-A/NZ passport holders - that line moves really slowly and they have no option to use the eGate.

Non AU/NZ, UK, US & SG passport holders.... who with appropriate epassports can now use eGate.

 

[Himeno]

Re: No More Inbound Express at YSSY International

off topic but would be best if you use the 3 digit IATA airport codes on AFF rather than ICAO ones

IATA ones are most commonly used here

You couldn't work out LAX and SIN?
I know the more common ICAO codes, but know far more IATA.

Didn't SYD get rid of Green/Red channels years ago and turn to a numbered lane system based on randomness and arrivals card details? Have they rearranged the exit layout again?

AU Immigration has been "punishing" arrivals for a few years now, trying to encourage people away from the manned lanes towards the SmartGates.

 

[Himeno]

Re: No More Inbound Express at YSSY International

The last time I used an inbound express card I nearly missed my domestic connection. Took about half an hour to get through, never again! Every time a crew gets to the desks they're sent through first, so you're effectively never seen

My last 3 AU arrivals have been at BNE, SYD and MEL.

BNE (late Nov 13) had combined the express and crew lines into a single lane. I arrived behind a group of EK crew while the express card holders off the QF SIN flight joined behind them followed by the QF crew coming in behind the express holders. Ended up talking to the EK flight crew (and ex PM Howard in the next lane) while waiting. Airport staff kept trying to get people to go to the egates, even when they weren't able to use said gates. Ended up getting to transfer desk when my 737 J connection to CBR was departing. Got bumped to Y on a Dash 8.

SYD (mid Aug 14) was taking them, but was also trying to get people to go to the egates instead. normal lanes were faster. Used those and express at Customs.

MEL (mid Nov 14) was taking them, but I had a new epassport so was able to use the egates. Used card at Customs, even though they had reportedly stopped taking them. I guess that staff member decided to accept them for that shift.

 

[ChrisGibbs]

Re: No More Inbound Express at YSSY International

Personally I don't see a problem with express cards been done away with in place of red / green channels. Each time I've used an inbound express pass it could hardly be called an express service anyway, esp if you had checked baggage.

Understand if your travel profile is once a month scenario through YSSY international arrivals. Having only carry-on baggage I run the gauntlet through YSSY international arrivals on average once per week - sometimes twice per week. I find the Arrivals Express Card can cut up to 30-60 minutes off the customs queue and is a welcome relief after a big week or two on the road. With the removal of the Express Card lane at Customs and having to stand in the customs queue after having got quickly through immigration via the Smart Gate facility is a big PITA.

From what I saw this morning there was still an Express Card lane for Immigration. The Express Card option has been removed from the Customs queuing area (after baggage collection for those who take the check in option).

 

[OzEire]

Re: No More Inbound Express at YSSY International

To clarify as some here seem to be confusing the arrival stages...

[nb: common agency names used for clarity, they all have new monikers eg. Border Force not yet widely recognized]

You deplane and head for baggage claim/exit.

After purchasing duty free you join the PRIMARY LINE where a CUSTOMS officer (assisted if required by an Immigration officer at a desk behind the stalls) processes you across the Aus border - this task is predominantly a border security and immigration paperwork check.

Then you collect bags and line up for a security/ biosecurity/ quarantine/ duty & excise check conducted jointly by AQIS and CUSTOMS who may scan or search your bags for drugs, too much booze where you have to pay extra duty, or plants/wood...(hence it happens after the baggage collection).

The dogs in the baggage hall might be quarantine looking for food, customs looking for drugs/cash or police looking for drugs/weapons/explosives. There are also private airport security/cleaning and baggage staff plus airline staff in this area to assist baggage collection.

Confused ? There is a lot going on so I can understand people referring to Customs as Immigration, etc.

 

[VHOEJ]

Re: No More Inbound Express at YSSY International

The whole system is a farce, even with the cards.

 

[markis10]

Re: No More Inbound Express at YSSY International

Most useful for non-A/NZ passport holders - that line moves really slowly and they have no option to use the eGate.

Also a family with children who cant use the eGate have to line up so on a really bad day where even the Aus line is long then having an express line for F/J pax would be welcome.

Does anyone know if there is special provisions made for elderly or disabled pax who would find an hour+ wait in line quite challenging after stepping off a longhaul ?

Egate use has been expanded recently

 

[Himeno]

Re: No More Inbound Express at YSSY International

Australia started issuing epassports on 25 October 2005. There should be very few valid non biometric Australian passports remaining.