Super Slow Security at CHC

[Mwenenzi]

.....since they have to handle way more customers and airlines than CHC does with its 2 or perhaps 3 flights taking off at the same time and single international terminal (and choke point) to worry about. People, rightly I would argue, expect that security/emmigration at a tiny airport like CHC should take a couple of minutes tops. I don't think anyone would expect it to take well over an hour and as other posters have mentioned, this ain't an isolated incident, it has been something that has been going on for years now. Perhaps QF and NZ can take the hit in their schedules by delaying flights for so long but this certainly leaves a raw taste in a customer's mouth.

CHC is one of my home airports. I have been leaving/arriving at CHC international since mid 1980's and have never been delayed for security, immigration & customs. Nor on a flight that delayed for security, immigration & customs.
As an aside the price of one way MEL<---->CHC ticket has not changed that much in $ terms. But 2022 is way above the long term average. So taking account inflation has gotten cheaper.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Global entry and TSA pre-check is not available to Australian Passport holders, so LAX is generally a nightmare - the worst entry point to the USA for Aussies in terms of time taken IME. I avoid LAX at all costs.

But I think comparing LAX with global entry to CHC is a fair comparison in the sense that CHC effectively offers Global Entry with the eGates, something that passport holders of many countries (including AU and CA) benefit from. In terms of security, it depends. Even without TSA pre-check you can get through quite quickly since you can pick whichever terminal doesn't have the long security queue since once airside it is typically a couple minutes walk to the terminal your flight is taking off from (remember the US doesn't segregate passengers!)

-RooFlyer88

Post automatically merged: Dec 10, 2022

CHC is one of my home airports. I have been leaving/arriving at CHC since mid 1980's and have never been delayed for immigration & customs. Nor on a flight that delayed for immigration & customs.
As an aside the price of one way MEL<---->CHC ticket has not changed that much in $ terms. But 2022 is way above the long term average. So taking account inflation has gotten cheaper.

But has your flights ever been delayed due to security? Again, not arguing NZ border control - my experience is that's always been prompt it's security that's the real issue here.

 

[Mwenenzi]

But has your flights ever been delayed due to security? Again, not arguing NZ border control - my experience is that's always been prompt it's security that's the real issue here.

No. Have revised post above.
But have never been on a ~06:00 flight ex CHC. And hopefully never will

 

[Quickstatus]

they should spend the couple extra bucks to operate a second lane

No doubt (?) CHC would have had a few words with Jacinta and Co. People who are queuing spend less money at the airport shops.

 

[Mwenenzi]

No doubt (?) CHC would have had a few words with Jacinta and Co. People who are queuing spend less money at the airport shops.

Jacinda. And apparently she does not like being called Cindy.

Unsure if security is a govt function or the airport. Airport is privately owned and operated for profit. 75% CHC city council and 25% by NZ Govt

 

[Quickstatus]

security is a govt function or the airport

In this case it’s immigration/customs. And It’s always a NZ govt function and cost.

Don’t forget that NZ airports have a passenger service charge (depends on airport) and the NZ govt have the border processing levy ($38.03 as of Dec2021)

Of course NZ are happy to declare there are no departure taxes

 

[gaz0303]

Reckon it’s a NZ problem. WLG extremely slow to get through security. AKL opens too late in the morning and creates a massive backlog of passengers with long queues.

 

[Quickstatus]

WLG extremely slow to get through security.

I did not have any problem recently when I departed WLG. Multiple functional passport eGates at immigration. No more than mere minutes and the security (X-ray) also very quick. Kerb/curb to lounge no more than 20min

 

[Austman]

I haven't had too much issue with AKL and WLG and I've flown many times into and out of both. Not recently admittedly.

But CHC?

My photo was 2017! It's been bad there, at least at times, for years.

 

[gaz0303]

I did not have any problem recently when I departed WLG. Multiple functional passport eGates at immigration. No more than mere minutes and the security (X-ray) also very quick. Kerb/curb to lounge no more than 20min

My stuff up…my bad experience was going through immigration at security. 3 airplane arrivals at once in the evening is pushing their capacity.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Global entry and TSA pre-check is not available to Australian Passport holders, so LAX is generally a nightmare - the worst entry point to the USA for Aussies in terms of time taken IME. I avoid LAX at all costs.

I must agree with you, and I will route via DFW/SFO/SEA, even JFK to avoid the joint.

HNL is my favourite US entry port.