SmartGate...a faster way to clear Customs (on trial)

[Mal]

registration successful on return trip from auckland and i asked how wide is the net for registration and the custom agent replied with, if the person is in a frequent flyer program, that person will be accepted for smartgate enrollment.

<snip>

That's different to my experience. I presume different customs agents have different ideas of what requirements are needed to get onto the trial!

They were umming and aaahing - wanted a WP card (which I don't have). Main reason I ended up on it was cause I was flying F. My QP card and some fast talking about my travel plans and how much time it'd save me also helped...

 

[Mal]

Does anyone know when the trial is due to end (if at all?)

Well, from my post above:

The enrolment period will close on 28 February 2005

I think that's just the end date for enrollment.

I was wondering if there were plans that anyone has seen as to an end date for us being able to use the gates.

 

[serfty]

Can I still enrol to use SmartGate after the eight week trial has concluded?

Yes. Once the trial has concluded you will still be able to enrol at the existing Customs enrolment offices. The enrolment offices are located at the Customs client services offices at Sydney and Melbourne international airports (office hours are: Sydney 6am - 10pm, Melbourne 6am - 6pm).

I'll give it a go on the way back from AKL Sunday.

 

[Mal]

Can I still enrol to use SmartGate after the eight week trial has concluded?

Yes. Once the trial has concluded you will still be able to enrol at the existing Customs enrolment offices. The enrolment offices are located at the Customs client services offices at Sydney and Melbourne international airports (office hours are: Sydney 6am - 10pm, Melbourne 6am - 6pm).

I'll give it a go on the way back from AKL Sunday.

You can enrol before you head across to Akl.

In Melb, the Client offices are to the left of where you exit customs into the terminal.

In Syd, I'm not sure where it is, but probably it's in a similar location in the arrivals terminal.

 

[QF WP]

Mal, thinking out of the square, serfty's answer probably means one of the following:

1. He is already over there and didn't/couldn't register before he left, so his only option is registering when coming back through Customs on Sunday from AKL; or

2. He is yet to leave, but is doing so through BNE (which doesn't have the trial available)...

 

[Mal]

Mal, thinking out of the square, serfty's answer probably means one of the following:

1. He is already over there and didn't/couldn't register before he left, so his only option is registering when coming back through Customs on Sunday from AKL; or

2. He is yet to leave, but is doing so through BNE (which doesn't have the trial available)...

True. The out-of-the-square answer is probably the right one!

I know I found that the location of the enrollment office compared to the postings etc was confusing (ie, you can enroll at any time ... not just on the airside part of the arrivals terminal). Would have enrolled sooner if I knew that before...

Did you see only about 1300 WP's have signed up? Would have thought there'd be more... Oh well, shorter queues for those who have.

 

[QF WP]

It wouldn't surprise me. They need more hands-on (but initially more expensive) marketing to get this off the ground.

Think about these points:

1. There are a lot of Plat members, but for the majority they obtain Plat by proportionately more Dom flights than Intl. This will increase post 25/5/05 as SC's are changing but the hurdle (1,200 SC's to obtain and 1,100 to retain) is remaining constant.
2. Their frequency of Intl travel is low, particularly considering the time they commenced marketing it (Q4, 2004)
3. The trial is only SYD/MEL (OK, they are the busiest airports)
4. Email delivery might be the cheapest, but what is it's penetration (most older Plat's have no real desire to check their FF points or online statements, that's what they have partners/PA's for...it's a low value chore to them and not high on the priority list when it comes to making money)

I believe they need to include marketing the idea at check-in counters and inside the QP's and First Lounges. Signage, pamplets, even a Customs Officer there to advise the benefits...

I was going to register on my recent AKL/SYD sector 2 weekends ago (as Mrs LW and I had a 3 hour connection to a Dom flight), however given that I foresee no Intl sectors for the rest of the year, why bother?? If it's still available for enrolment at some later stage, then I'll probably do it.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Some good points. Also

5. Only available to Australians (OK wont reduce the pool too much)
6. Need to have the time to do it. Many busy people turn up as late as possible.

BTW I though WP is 1400 SCs to qualify and 1200 to requalify? :?:

 

[serfty]

No, I have not left yet . I had simply assumed the offices were only accessible from arrivals, airside.

(I'll be leaving on QF39 from MEL. Still waiting for my upgrade :cry: (2 J Pax in flight, 18 Spare seats J9 D9, WHY only half full).

In Melb, the Client offices are to the left of where you exit customs into the terminal. ...

... not just on the airside part of the arrivals terminal...

Mal, thanks for the info, is that on the ground floor arrivals level to the North of the immigration exit doors?

I'm sure my four NZ trips in the next four months will sway them I if I get any grief about not being a WP :wink:

 

[Mal]

Serfty.

Not sure where North is at Melb Int - but easiest way I can describe where to go is...

Pretend you've cleared customs etc and are walking out of the customs area - Where all the "friends and family" are, turn left. Walk to the end of the hall. There's an information window area marked "Customs Client offices" or something similar.

Ask there about the trial.

There's a basic map here http://www.melbourneairport.com.au/passengers/interactive_map_window.asp

Click on "International Airport", "1. Arrivals After Customs"

The Customs Offices marked there are a little incorrect - they actually extend over the blue and white and stick out into the arrivals hall.

If you've set it up when you depart, within 24 hours it should be right for coming back.

 

[serfty]

Yep, That's North (or NE if some wish to be pedantic). Thanx!

(Been there before, when 7yo mini serfty dropped her passport when she saw her bag come out (she had insisted on presenting it to immigration and carrying it through). A visit to those offices resulted in a quick PP return; apparently it was on the floor beside the baggage carousel.)

 

[serfty]

OK, enrolled as an "F" PAX. The lady customs officer was very nice, but had to categorise me and as there was no categories for SG's, "F" sufficed. :wink:

I actually had to wait; there was a guy enrolling in front of me. By there time I left, two more were waiting to enroll.

I guess the word is spreading...

 

[ioki]

wonderful experience returning home from auckland tonight. altho the lines wasn't all that long at the custom desks, my wife and i strolled towards the air crew exit area, got a few stares from other ppl who thought we sure don't look like air crew, walked up to the camera, smile, green light and both of us were through in other 30 seconds. (1 at a time ofcos)

*sweet*

as we did not have check in luggage, we simply walked up to the last line of defence and the agent noticed we came through via smartgate, told her how wonderful the device was, she asked how much grog we were carrying and i told her, exactly 4.5 litres as there was 2 of us.. she smiled and waved us through.

thus from dis-embarking to walking out to the taxi area and including buying 2 cartoons of ciggies for relatives, was not more than 5 minutes.

wow is all i can say.

 

[Mal]

Found out today Customs doesn't like you using Smartgate if you have a "D" sticker (IE you are flying domestic via the international terminals).

Oh well. Have to now wait till I'm over in Auckland next week to give it a burl.

 

[Bob]

I flew into SYD on an AC flight on 13 Feb only to find they didn't have smartgate at immigration (even though there was a smartgate sign there).

 

[serfty]

What pier would that have been? Sydney International has separate immigration areas for piers A/B and pier C.

 

[Bob]

serfty, not sure what pier it was, but it was not the end with the QF lounge.

 

[Alan in CBR]

The end without the Qantas Club is Pier C.

(There used to be a small QC in Pier C, but no more.)

 

[serfty]

Smartgate VERY VERY useful Saturday night. SYD Pier A/B immigration.

A couple of hundred in normal queues: OZ cits & Others.

Walked down to smartgate, stared at the dot. beep. I removed my PP, the gates opened & thru I walked.

 

[Mal]

Yeah it is great. I havn't had the chance to use it when things are really busy, but I'm sure I will get the chance soon with a few Int flights on the cards.

Even when it's not so busy, I still enjoy using it. Much easier than lining up and getting your passport manually checked.

Still would love for it to be able to be used in Dom sectors though int ports- that would be the icing on the cake for me!