When will Australia get modern entry procedures?

[kpro]

That's the way travel is going. Won't be long before apps are essential for all airlines - Ryanair is leading the way (sounds like a joke but how many people board aircraft with mobile BPs these days? The vast majority in my experience).

Domestic in Australia I use a mobile BP 99% of the time. International, I use a mobile BP 0% of the time. I always have a bag to check in, so even if its QF I'll collect the paper BP from the counter.

I'd say it's getting better, especially as more tech savvy people become the bulk of travelers. My parents wouldn't know how to use an airline app at all.
I personally only have the QF and VA apps on my phone. I'll use a paper BP if flying AA domestic for example.

Check in counters will just have a QR code, doesn't need to be the airline app, just a page on the airline website. Really no different to a lot of processes already such as US contact tracing.

Possibly. It seems to be app only at the moment but it could change.

Every country arrivals website is different, if anything building these on the airline websites will make it more consistent, not less.

Every countries arrival form is different, as they all ask different questions and care differently about when and where you've been. This just means airlines need to maintain multiple versions of questionnaires on their apps (or websites). So both consistent and inconsistent even in the same app.

When you're coming into Australia you could have over 60 different UI variations of the form now. Though I get it that the in-app UI would have been the same for the outbound country, even if the questions are different.

Also, it's app only at the moment for Australia, and it's also to be seen if other countries change their processes and systems to match Australia.

 

[justinbrett]

Possibly. It seems to be app only at the moment but it could change.

I've been given QR codes for many different countries by many different airlines at check in counters.

Every countries arrival form is different, as they all ask different questions and care differently about when and where you've been. This just means airlines need to maintain multiple versions of questionnaires on their apps (or websites). So both consistent and inconsistent even in the same app.

When you're coming into Australia you could have over 60 different UI variations of the form now. Though I get it that the in-app UI would have been the same for the outbound country, even if the questions are different.

Also, it's app only at the moment for Australia, and it's also to be seen if other countries change their processes and systems to match Australia.

Consistent UI can ask different questions. The QF UI is consistent for APIS, US Contact Tracing and AU Arrival declarations.

 

[ayebee]

maybe point already made, but I suspect the AU inbound paper form is still there so customs have a piece of paper with a signature for legal purposes, given the potential penalties on false declarations.

other than that, it would be nice if the "smart" gate process was single rather than 2 steps.

 

[Quickstatus]

you have to fill it out inside the terminal which costs you a fair whack of time.

So much free time in an airplane. Even writing on a card takes maybe 1 minute.
Don't even have to open passport to get the number- its memorised.

Unless you are a regular and keep a stash handy.

Nah could not be bothered - see above.

 

[justinbrett]

So much free time in an airplane. Even writing on a card takes maybe 1 minute.
Don't even have to open passport to get the number- its memorised.


Nah could not be bothered - see above.

I don’t think you got my point - they no longer distribute Japan arrival cards to airlines. You won’t be given anything on the plane.

If you don’t want to do the digital version you have to get a paper form inside the terminal - the airline won’t have any.

 

[Quickstatus]

I don’t think you got my point - they no longer distribute Japan arrival cards to airlines. You won’t be given anything on the plane.

Yes i know. I was commenting on the time it takes to fill out an arrival card in an airplane. - so much better.

 

[anat0l]

Playing a bit of devil's here... but what happens to people who do not have a smartphone (e.g. a basic mobile phone, or no phone at all)? I know that sounds extremely dumb, i.e. what traveller doesn't have a mobile phone these days, let alone one that can access Internet services.

 

[dajop]

Playing a bit of devil's here... but what happens to people who do not have a smartphone (e.g. a basic mobile phone, or no phone at all)? I know that sounds extremely dumb, i.e. what traveller doesn't have a mobile phone these days, let alone one that can access Internet services.

In Singapore they have tablets available in the arrivals hall, with staff on hand to assist. (the data synching only takes a couple of minutes, so this seems to work well).

 

[kpro]

I've been given QR codes for many different countries by many different airlines at check in counters.

We're talking slightly different things here. Currently these QR codes lead to the current-state implementations which are country operated websites.

Your post was talking about how for this new style of implementation, QR codes can lead not just to an "airline app, just a page on the airline website". I'm saying these airline websites with entry forms don't exist yet in the Australian implementation, hence "It seems to be app only at the moment but it could change."

Consistent UI can ask different questions. The QF UI is consistent for APIS, US Contact Tracing and AU Arrival declarations.

I'm not denying there can be consistency in the UI in a single app. A consistent UI with different questions and form element types for answers can still lead to an inconsistent user experience.
However, if you're returning to Australia on Cathay one week and then Qatar another - now you have both an inconsistent UI and an inconsistent user experience.

 

[justinbrett]

We're talking slightly different things here. Currently these QR codes lead to the current-state implementations which are country operated websites.

Your post was talking about how for this new style of implementation, QR codes can lead not just to an "airline app, just a page on the airline website". I'm saying these airline websites with entry forms don't exist yet in the Australian implementation, hence "It seems to be app only at the moment but it could change."


I'm not denying there can be consistency in the UI in a single app. A consistent UI with different questions and form element types for answers can still lead to an inconsistent user experience.
However, if you're returning to Australia on Cathay one week and then Qatar another - now you have both an inconsistent UI and an inconsistent user experience.

Most airline apps are just embedded websites, so I think this debate is just semantics. I’m almost certain the QF US contact tracing form can be filled out on their website or in the app. Likewise for BA.

If someone is flying so frequently on so many airlines I think they’ll be smart enough to work it out. I disagree with your comments about inconsistent UI within the same airline, especially compared to the alternative of a different website for each country, many of which using different terminology and some requiring user accounts and verified emails and/or phone numbers.

People manage to book tickets, manage bookings and check in on various airline websites and apps, this is no different. For those that struggle there will be a paper/assisted option like there is in Japan and Singapore but the masses will be encouraged to go digital.

 

[somebol]

The 2 step passport control and paper based IPC, though not ideal, can be lived with.
Now if they can reduce the wait times to collect bags and exit customs, that would be amazing.

 

[funnybrus]

It will probably go like Japan, paper still exists but isn’t distributed to airlines. If you don’t want to go digital you have to fill it out inside the terminal which costs you a fair whack of time.

Unless you are a regular and keep a stash handy.

JAL handed out the paper forms on a flight to Narita I was on a couple of weeks ago, was very appreciated.

 

[Quickstatus]

now you have both an inconsistent UI and an inconsistent user experience.

So ironic that people wanting "modern" then complain about the inconsistency and other difficulties with the implementation and use.

It is just so much easier and consistent with a paper/card UI. If it ain't broken...

When you're coming into Australia you could have over 60 different UI variations of the form now. T

Why 60?

The 2 step passport control and paper based IPC, though not ideal, can be lived with.

Could be 3 step of you get a red light.

 

[Quickstatus]

When you're coming into Australia you could have over 60 different UI variations of the form now. T

Why 60?

The 2 step passport control and paper based IPC, though not ideal, can be lived with.

Could be 3 step of you get a red light.

 

[justinbrett]

JAL handed out the paper forms on a flight to Narita I was on a couple of weeks ago, was very appreciated.

I was offered one on a recent QF flight by the CSM, when I quizzed her (I thought they’d been removed) she said she grabbed a stack on her last trip so she can hand out to pax in J. (I’ve known this particular CSM for a few years and she goes above and beyond).

However she was dismayed almost nobody took her up on it as they’d already completed the online form. She did confirm that Japan no longer distributes the paper form. I have also been on a JL flight into NRT and there were no forms distributed.

 

[flyingfan]

I'm not holding my breath but I also can't wait to see fewer, preferably no, steps in both arriving (sometimes departing too) declarations and arrivals. I know countries have their visa procedures and some are more rigorous than others, but some systems look like they haven't been touched or reviewed in 20 years just "because we've always done it this way."

IMHO declarations could be done completely electronically, there are many things where it looks to me an electronic signature or button press is as good as a physical one. And those breaking the law aren't going to be put off by the absence of an ink John Hancock.

The system mightn't be broken but it could certainly be way better. It grinds my gears to write out stuff that's already on my passport which they have or scan, and some of these forms weren't designed with any UX at all.

Another frustration... having to enter APIS data for each booking. I suspect some element of airline CYA but that's something that could be far better too. My DOB etc ain't gonna change and my passport details are going to be the same for nearly a decade.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

For solo tech-savvy travelers that fly on the same couple of airlines every time, this is a yes.

Take your everyday traveler that is on Jetstar one day, China Eastern the next day and then Delta the trip after. Now they have to download 3 different apps, possibly on multiple peoples phones, find and type in a PNR or create an account and then navigate what is a slightly different interface each time.

I would say get the base (generic) version up and running smoothly first, and then expand to custom solutions that help frequent flyers of specific airlines.

There’s that, but also for places like Australia your declaration can change between the time filling it out prior to departure, and arrival.

Taking snacks or food from the plane for example. Digital you’d have to go back in, get connectivity, and make the change. Paper you just do it once and be done!

 

[Quickstatus]

My DOB etc ain't gonna change and my passport details are going to be the same for nearly a decade.

I've got it memorised. Takes a few seconds on paper

but also for places like Australia your declaration can change between the time filling it out prior to departure, and arrival.

Just fill out the paper UI in the airplane prior to arrival.

No downsides to paper UI. Sometimes "modern" is looking for a problem to a solution.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've got it memorised. Takes a few seconds on paper

Just fill out the paper UI in the airplane prior to arrival.

No downsides to paper UI

That’s why I don’t mind paper forms for australia.

There was an article on ponthacks or something where one of the authors said they had to re-open the declaration and change everything because they bought a chocolate bar at the airport,

Hardly worth the hassle over filling in the paper form just once.

 

[Quickstatus]

they had to re-open the declaration and change everything because they bought a chocolate bar at the airport,

I always have an uncle Toby's muesli bar in the bag and always tick yes.. I don't think it changes the green/red lane ratio significantly.

......

A friend always had problems getting past immigration/passport/etc at SYD until he changed his last name from Mohamed to his mother's name which was not Mohamed. Since then he has not encountered problems. No amount of UI changes was going to improve his experience.