Sydney International Priority Security Lanes

[blackcat20]

Interesting that they now have a disability queue along with families

I know parents of extremely rambunctious boys would be thrilled to avoid long queues

We took the family line, but at the end were funnelled into the normal queue, so I'm not sure what the point was.

 

[mrsterryn]

We took the family line, but at the end were funnelled into the normal queue, so I'm not sure what the point was.

Oh darn , thanks

 

[blackcat20]

Oh darn , thanks

In Melbourne it definitely works better.

 

[sudoer]

Interesting that they now have a disability queue along with families

I know parents of extremely rambunctious boys would be thrilled to avoid long queues

The disability queue at SYD is at the same end of the terminal, but has priority over families for both security and immigration.

The family queue is usually quite slow and long. Security is insufficient - there are only 6 'bays' to load carry-on baggage for x-rays which are shared with the disability queue. As you'd expect with families, there are plenty of infrequent travellers who are nervous, stressed, or simply have no idea what they are doing. There are also lots of liquids being carried on for infants, which slows things down at the other end of the x-ray belt as they need to be manually checked.

Once through security, the manual immigration queue (required for under 8s, those under 1.1m tall, and those in wheelchairs) usually only has two or three agents working, and often has 30+ families long. The disability queue also shares these agents and gets preference over families.

My wife and I fly with our two year old quite a lot - her logbook is up to 52 flights. On a good day, immigration and security at SYD seems to takes about 30 minutes. During school holidays it is often closer to an hour.

Probably the most annoying part is they won't let us use the J/F priority queue even when we are flying a premium cabin!

We took the family line, but at the end were funnelled into the normal queue, so I'm not sure what the point was.

Kids under 8 and/or under 1.1m tall? The normal queue is far quicker anyway.

 

[blackcat20]

Kids under 8 and/or under 1.1m tall? The normal queue is far quicker anyway.

Both under 8 but well over 1.1m. We were through very quickly anyway so no big deal, but I did wonder why they label the family line only to redirect you anyway.

 

[sudoer]

Both under 8 but well over 1.1m. We were through very quickly anyway so no big deal, but I did wonder why they label the family line only to redirect you anyway.

Apologies it seems there are different rules for departure and arrival e-gates. I'm guessing your kids were deemed old enough to follow the instructions.

On departure, use of SmartGates requires the user to:

• have a machine readable passport
• be able to follow the instructions (i.e. not babies, small children or people who need assistance)
• not be a domestic traveller on an international flight

On arrival, use of SmartGates requires the user to:

• have an ePassport symbol on your passport
• be at least 1.1m tall
• be least seven years of age and travelling with a parent or legal guardian
• not be a domestic traveller on an international flight
• not be an unaccompanied child under 16 years of age

 

[blackcat20]

Apologies it seems there are different rules for departure and arrival e-gates. I'm guessing your kids were deemed old enough to follow the instructions.

On departure, use of SmartGates requires the user to:

• have a machine readable passport
• be able to follow the instructions (i.e. not babies, small children or people who need assistance)
• not be a domestic traveller on an international flight

On arrival, use of SmartGates requires the user to:

• have an ePassport symbol on your passport
• be at least 1.1m tall
• be least seven years of age and travelling with a parent or legal guardian
• not be a domestic traveller on an international flight
• not be an unaccompanied child under 16 years of age

We were still processed manually. But no shortcut/priority.

 

[sudoer]

But no shortcut/priority.

I assure you there is no shortcut or priority. Needing to use the family queue is a curse

 

[blackcat20]

I assure you there is no shortcut or priority. Needing to use the family queue is a curse

We've had some where it has worked in our favour so I wont complain. But being able to leave via the egates will be nice.

 

[Quickstatus]

But likely you’ll have some sort of digital receipt on your phone?

Apparently a QR code for Fast track - booking via sydneyairport.com.au/fasttrack

Perhaps the airport and the airlines can come up with a similar solution for status pax

But really I dont see that it is worth it. The number of times Ive used the express lane, I have not noticed a difference.
No discount for kids, but there is already a fasttrack of sorts for families.

Monetise everything, my superfund appreciates it.

(sydairport IG)

 

[Captain Halliday]

I fear this might become like toll roads… where the free* option will be staffed in such a way that it is very slow as a way to increase revenue.

*it not free. You’ve paid for it in the price of your ticket. SYD just wants you to pay twice.

 

[Quickstatus]

SYD just wants you to pay twice.

Not exactly,
You pay for a different entrance and a hopefully a shorter queue.

It is exactly the same as the Theme parks who advertise faster lanes for a fee or premium arrival services in HCMC

 

[Captain Halliday]

You pay for a different entrance and a hopefully a shorter queue.

Exactly like a toll road.

You’ve paid your rego and fuel excise which allows you to use the road network.

But along comes a toll road operator with an express path, but to use it you have to pay again.

You’ve paid for security screening in your ticket price. This is just SYD wanting you to pay for the same thing a second time.

Exactly like a toll road.