Comedy Of Errors

[brahmburgers]

I haven't yet been to the new airport - and I dread the day I'll have to. Having been to Thailand on and off for 27 years, I can empathise with the guy's frustration. Cynicism has a tendency to supersede 'striving for decency' - when you're stuck facing institutionalized irresponsibility and indifference - otherwise a somewhat naive person could go stark raving mad.

[toptuan]

I'm following a policy of ABT, (Anybody But Thai).

Could you elaborate, please? (Maybe I can find a new obscure quote to attach to that too...)

[Soju]

I asked previously, and I received variable replies - depends on time of day etc - about check-in for Thai economy. Seems the situation is as bad as it's ever been. Meantime I'm following a policy of ABT, (Anybody But Thai). It's slightly worrying, because as you say, it's their hub. Have they now got their computers working, (after the 5 months since opening), or is that still their problem?

For me, it's not any worse than Don Muang was. The main problem I see is early morning. Many passengers worry about not allowing enough time, so the get to the airport and are waiting there when the counters open, some even checking in 6 hours before their flight's departure. It takes some time to process all these early birds together with legitimate soon-to-depart passengers. If anything, I think people are getting there even earlier than they did at Don Muang due to worrying about more time needed due to so many complaints about the airport. I don't think there's a lot THAI can do about this problem other than barring passengers from checking in so early, but which would not be very good for their PR. Perhaps making two separate queues - one for passengers who's flight is departing in less than 2 hours, and another for those who's flight is departing in more than 2 hours. But even at the maximum length of the line that I've seen, it still goes pretty fast and shouldn't take more than 30 minutes.

The reason why this is a problem for THAI is that it is their hub and there are so many flights. The non-Thai based airlines typically have only one flight leaving at a time, so don't have any problem with early birds.

I haven't experienced any computer problems at THAI checkin recently, and I use them a lot.

[skippybangkok]

Story does not Gel, you arrived at the gate at 7:14 for a 7:15 flight...... and it had gone. Since you had baggage, around 7:15 they would have had to scrounge through the cargo hold to locate your bag, and off load it, probably delaying the plane 20 mins

(quote: I was escorted back through customs and then to collect baggage.)

something dont quite sit right here.

Edited February 28, 2007 by skippybangkok

[Krub]

I asked previously, and I received variable replies - depends on time of day etc - about check-in for Thai economy. Seems the situation is as bad as it's ever been. Meantime I'm following a policy of ABT, (Anybody But Thai). It's slightly worrying, because as you say, it's their hub. Have they now got their computers working, (after the 5 months since opening), or is that still their problem?

For me, it's not any worse than Don Muang was. The main problem I see is early morning. Many passengers worry about not allowing enough time, so the get to the airport and are waiting there when the counters open, some even checking in 6 hours before their flight's departure. It takes some time to process all these early birds together with legitimate soon-to-depart passengers. If anything, I think people are getting there even earlier than they did at Don Muang due to worrying about more time needed due to so many complaints about the airport. I don't think there's a lot THAI can do about this problem other than barring passengers from checking in so early, but which would not be very good for their PR. Perhaps making two separate queues - one for passengers who's flight is departing in less than 2 hours, and another for those who's flight is departing in more than 2 hours. But even at the maximum length of the line that I've seen, it still goes pretty fast and shouldn't take more than 30 minutes.

The reason why this is a problem for THAI is that it is their hub and there are so many flights. The non-Thai based airlines typically have only one flight leaving at a time, so don't have any problem with early birds.

I haven't experienced any computer problems at THAI checkin recently, and I use them a lot.

Soju,

I understand that you try to defend BKK but the picture of the queue for TG check-in is not 'normal'

The fact that BKK is TG's hub should enable them to make sure the check-in is a painless experience without those huge queues.

If it is a one in a sometime thing yes it can happen but a daily event is not good enough.

I have never seen queues like that for check-in at the home airport of carrier like JAL in Narita, SQ in Singapore, CX in Hongkong etc...

I hope TG takes notice and ensure they have more check-in staff available to handle the crowd.

This is the same for immigration. it should not take you more thna 30 minutes from check-in counter to gate with a maximum of 60 minutes in very unusual and expetional cases as that is the cut-off time for chekc-in.

I am glad I do not have to pay for my tickets and can fly in business or first class which has its own check-in area and immigration area at BKK but for economy class passengers they should not have to wait an hour for chec-in and anotehr one hour for immigration, then security, etc.

Hope it improves soon for all

I must say it seems that arrivals are much improved but departures has got much worse (than Don Muang) for economy class on Thai

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Story does not Gel, you arrived at the gate at 7:14 for a 7:15 flight...... and it had gone. Since you had baggage, around 7:15 they would have had to scrounge through the cargo hold to locate your bag, and off load it, probably delaying the plane 20 mins

(quote: I was escorted back through customs and then to collect baggage.)

something dont quite sit right here.

Too true

[mr_hippo]

Hasn't anyone noticed the main differences in the two photos? Taken less than one week apart and, allegedly, roughly at the same time of day. The first one is in daylight but the second isn't. Could the second one have been taken before the counters opened and people just waiting for the staff?

[skippybangkok]

Well, teh story is full of holes - troll maybe ?

[fat boy slim]

Below are Air asia's rules on bording.

4.1 Check-In, Deadlines and Conditions

Our check-in counters are open two (2) hours before the scheduled flight departure time. The counters close forty-five (45) minutes before the scheduled flight departure time. Check-in deadlines may vary at different airports and for particular flights. It is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with these deadlines particulars of which will be available at the time you make your booking. In any event, without derogating from the generality of other provisions of these Terms & Conditions governing the right of refusal of carriage, we reserve the right not to allow you to check in without any liability to you and without having to refund to you any fare paid:

a) if you attempt to check in inside forty-five (45) minutes before the scheduled departure time of your flight

if you fail to have proper identification or fail to identify yourself to our staff

c) if you fail to have the proper documents, permits, visa, necessary for travel to a particular place or country

d) if you have not fully paid any fare or other fees or charges due to us

e) if you have been violent to our staff or caused disturbance at our counter or have abused our staff whether physically or verbally

f) if the Government or other authorities prohibits your checking in or boarding the aircraft

g) if in our judgment, you are not fit to travel due to drunkenness or any obvious adverse medical condition; and/or

h) if in our judgment, you are not medically fit to travel or your medical condition poses or could pose a danger or threat to the health of other guests

My point is this. If they allow you to check in 45 minutes before the plane is due to depart and on certain days it takes longer than 45 minutes to get through immigration and to the departure gate, surely air asia are at fault and should open and close their check in gate a lot earlier.

Just another point, I once waited in a queue to check in for an Air asia flight to cambodia and they were still checking us in ten minutes after the plane should have set off. on this occasion they delayed the flight because it was their fault.

[libya 115]

Bad luck for the O.P. 45 minutes should have been enough time to clear passport control. However TIT and I recall on occassions that I have waited in line for upto thirty minutes.

If I were getting dangerously close to gate-time I would go to the diplomatic passport counter, ring the bell and ask for express clearance for 1000 baht.

All the complaining in the world won't get you anywhere here because we are farang. We are roughly in the same situation as an Indian national complaining in Saudi Arabia.

[jdinasia]

High Season ... in Thailand .... and he arrives 45 mins before an international flight? Then wants to blame someone else? oi!

4.1 Check-In, Deadlines and Conditions

Our check-in counters are open two (2) hours before the scheduled flight departure time. The counters close forty-five (45) minutes before the scheduled flight departure time. Check-in deadlines may vary at different airports and for particular flights. It is your responsibility to ensure that you comply with these deadlines particulars of which will be available at the time you make your booking. In any event, without derogating from the generality of other provisions of these Terms & Conditions governing the right of refusal of carriage, we reserve the right not to allow you to check in without any liability to you and without having to refund to you any fare paid:

a) if you attempt to check in inside forty-five (45) minutes before the scheduled departure time of your flight

if you fail to have proper identification or fail to identify yourself to our staff

c) if you fail to have the proper documents, permits, visa, necessary for travel to a particular place or country

d) if you have not fully paid any fare or other fees or charges due to us

e) if you have been violent to our staff or caused disturbance at our counter or have abused our staff whether physically or verbally

f) if the Government or other authorities prohibits your checking in or boarding the aircraft

g) if in our judgment, you are not fit to travel due to drunkenness or any obvious adverse medical condition; and/or

h) if in our judgment, you are not medically fit to travel or your medical condition poses or could pose a danger or threat to the health of other guests

4.2 Boarding

You must be at the boarding gate at least thirty (30) minutes before the scheduled departure time.

4.3 No-show

If you fail to check in on time, or fail to board the aircraft by the time the aircraft departs, the fare you paid will not be refunded to you for any reason whatsoever.

If you arrive after check-in counters are closed, the fare you paid will not be refunded to you and you will not be permitted to board the flight. There is no free transfer for such occurrences.

after reading this from the Air Asia website .... how is this Air Asia's problem?

<will look at the airport's website but I bet the tell you to get to the airport 2+ hours early for an international trip>

Edited March 3, 2007 by jdinasia

[dr_Pat_Pong]

The foregoing should sort out the area of responsibility

[mark lamai]

well i'll just add this, since it seems some folks think i am lying.

""Story does not Gel, you arrived at the gate at 7:14 for a 7:15 flight...... and it had gone. Since you had baggage, around 7:15 they would have had to scrounge through the cargo hold to locate your bag, and off load it, probably delaying the plane 20 mins

(quote: I was escorted back through customs and then to collect baggage.)

something dont quite sit right here. ""

EXACTLY!

tell me how they managed to get my bag off so quick, coz i don't know.

do they have access to immigration computers to know if someone is airside or not?

this is a very interesting point that i did not pick up.

it would seem to indicate that they have a very good procedure in place to offload late persons bags,

and it seems that they set it in motion quite some time before scheduled departure.

the photos, for heavens sake!

now i am concocting lies about events?

see attached exif info,

or maybe i am concocting that too!

[mark lamai]

oops,

heres the other one.

[The Philosopher]

No sympathy you were late.

[The Dan Sai Kid]

I wonder which country's passport control will take kindly to being told to hurry up...

Also, I didn't think people are allowed to take pics in an airport.

[tuky]

mark don't worry mate, a lot of previous posters don't understand that you had already checked in, for those that want to know what you did in the mean time? well none of their business really, but if you were me you would probably have been spending the last precious minutes with your family before being hauled off to work (in your case you were smoking). I personally would not have left 45 minutes to get through immi but once again that is just me, I can be kinda anal sometimes. I do prefer to get through and have a smoke in the putrid smoking rooms as I find it the beginning of the tedious flight, I prefer to do it in my own time.

But certainly 45 minutes should be enough.

I do recommend you pass immi a little earlier.

I have only been through the new airport 3 times, arrivals were no problem, departure no problems too but I do always fly business. My one gripe is the departure gates are so very lonely, they are still not quite set up. In some cases the only thing between you and another flight are a barricade of chairs set in a temporary position. Very unprofessional.

Paper signs pointing you to the toilet, if you are at gate C5 they tell you to go to gate C1 and smoking at gate C1.

[skippybangkok]

well i'll just add this, since it seems some folks think i am lying.

""Story does not Gel, you arrived at the gate at 7:14 for a 7:15 flight...... and it had gone. Since you had baggage, around 7:15 they would have had to scrounge through the cargo hold to locate your bag, and off load it, probably delaying the plane 20 mins

(quote: I was escorted back through customs and then to collect baggage.)

something dont quite sit right here. ""

EXACTLY!

tell me how they managed to get my bag off so quick, coz i don't know.

do they have access to immigration computers to know if someone is airside or not?

this is a very interesting point that i did not pick up.

it would seem to indicate that they have a very good procedure in place to offload late persons bags,

and it seems that they set it in motion quite some time before scheduled departure.

the photos, for heavens sake!

now i am concocting lies about events?

see attached exif info,

or maybe i am concocting that too!

Departing bangkok today...@ 5 mins after departure " Ladies and gentlemen, we have 3 passengers who have not baorded the aircraft, and have fialed to repsond to announcements. We are off loading their baggage, which will take 15 to 20 minutes. We are sorry for this delay bla bla bla".

Thought about ur story. (showed up at 7:14 and missed a 7:15 flight)..... still interesting.

By the way, bangkok security is real great..... make u take out ur laptop to have it xrayed, but let the lady in front of me hand carry 2 bottles of "water" through. When i asked the girl why, she said "their scared it will drip into the machine and ruin it. In Europe, you cant even get through with 50ml of liquid.

TIT i guess.

[topdjdel]

Can't beat bad luck.

[chang35baht]

look here smarty boys,

i checked in in plenty of time,

please read and comprehend what was said,

and 45 mins should be heaps to get your passport stamped and walk to a gate,

it always has been anywhere else.

but being stuck in what it seems is a daily occurrence,

the airport makes no effort to fix it or help some who are running late.

it is simply incompetence,

mai pen rai is no excuse,

thai wants to be an international hub, what a joke.

Mark, were you the only person to be turned away from this flight? Just curious!

[mark lamai]

yep only me.

the baggage thing is interesting,

now i think about it ,

i think there was some kinda tag on it saying load last,

so how were they tracking people in relation to baggage,

only loading baggage when they had boarded the plane?

dunno, its mystery.

[Krub]

yep only me.

the baggage thing is interesting,

now i think about it ,

i think there was some kinda tag on it saying load last,

so how were they tracking people in relation to baggage,

only loading baggage when they had boarded the plane?

dunno, its mystery.

What time did you finish your check-in in relation with the departure time ?

[varun]

Mark, you come across as a disgruntled, bitter idiot severely lacking common sense.

The fact that you're flying a budget airline esp. Air Asia should tell you to cover all your bases.

I've flown Air Asia on numerous occasions to KL and Singapore and have never had any problems.

Why?

- I expect them to have check-in delays.

- I expect them to lose baggage.

- I expect them to delay flights.

- I expect them to have insufficient ground staff.

Why? Because they're a cheapshit BUDGET airline.

Furthermore, I always arrive at the airport a full 2.5 hrs prior to flight departure.

This is to accomodate possible delays (often, immigration processing).

Taking these combined facts into consideration, I prepare accordingly and leave nothing to chance.

You cannot runaway from the fact that you were late. Period.

To top it all, your renegade bullshit obviously didn't help you much either.

I'm surprised the concerned staff were as tolerant as you'd described.

[tuky]

Mark, you come across as a disgruntled, bitter idiot severely lacking common sense.

The fact that you're flying a budget airline esp. Air Asia should tell you to cover all your bases.

I've flown Air Asia on numerous occasions to KL and Singapore and have never had any problems.

Why?

- I expect them to have check-in delays.

- I expect them to lose baggage.

- I expect them to delay flights.

- I expect them to have insufficient ground staff.

Why? Because they're a cheapshit BUDGET airline.

Furthermore, I always arrive at the airport a full 2.5 hrs prior to flight departure.

This is to accomodate possible delays (often, immigration processing).

Taking these combined facts into consideration, I prepare accordingly and leave nothing to chance.

You cannot runaway from the fact that you were late. Period.

To top it all, your renegade bullshit obviously didn't help you much either.

I'm surprised the concerned staff were as tolerant as you'd described.

Nice one, I bet you are fun at parties.

This thread hasn't exactly stayed on topic and poor old Mark has copped a bagging, but this comment

Mark, you come across as a disgruntled, bitter idiot severely lacking common sense.

is more a reflection on you than what you have to say IMHO.

And then this comment

To top it all, your renegade bullshit obviously didn't help you much either.

doesn't really help you much either.