Not Happy

[cardholder]

hmmm let me see. 4 hour internationals from Swampy

Bangkok - Singapore

Bangkok - Yangon

Bangkok - KL

Bangkok - Manila

Bangkok - HCMC

Bangkok- Clarke

Bangkok - Siem Reap

Bangkok- Kota Kinabalu

Bangkok - Brunei

Bangkok - Macau

Bangkok - Hong Kong

Bangkok - Taipei

That'll do for starters. I reckon everyone else could add at least another 20

And anyone flying those routes would be a <deleted> if they turned up 2 hours before departure time. They will be rubbing shoulders with all the bigger flights going to Russia, USA, UK, Middle East, Australia et al.

PS - It is not MY advice, it is industry advice. Take it (or not) but don't whinge if you struggle to make a flight - and don't try and claim 'priority' because your arse is twitching at the back of the queue and the clock is running down.

Especially because of Swampy's inefficiencies, the advice to arrive 3 hours before your flight seems sound.

[naiharn]

3 hours is the guidance for international flights

followed by:

Just in case it was me being a <deleted> (and not some of the posters on this thread) I thought I would check an independent travel site:-

Flights under 4 hours

You are recommended to check in at least

TWO HOURS prior to departure

etc.

It is NOT rocket-science !

Congratulations on so quickly contradicting yourself.

I'll leave it for others to decide whether you've fulfilled qualifications for being a <deleted>.

It is muppets like you miss flights !

How many real international flights are there of under 4 hours ?

Whilst it will be difficult for you to comprehend, it is also not rocket-science that anyone with a non-domestic flight of under 4 hours will also be clogging up those immigration queues. Congratulations - <deleted> of the day award .

1. I have never missed a single one of around one hundred international flights.

2. There are loads of international fights of under 4 hours duration, especially from Bangkok, such as: BKK to Singapore, BKK to Saigon, BKK to KL, BKK to Nepal, BKK to Hong Kong, and so on and so on. (Geography another weak point of yours?)

3. And you have totally missed the error I pointed out. You claimed that the standard was '3 hours for international flights' then quoted a website saying that, for many flights, the time is TWO hours.You can keep your award for yourself, you are obviously completely deserving of it :-)

[naiharn]

hmmm let me see. 4 hour internationals from Swampy

Bangkok - Singapore

Bangkok - Yangon

Bangkok - KL

Bangkok - Manila

Bangkok - HCMC

Bangkok- Clarke

Bangkok - Siem Reap

Bangkok- Kota Kinabalu

Bangkok - Brunei

Bangkok - Macau

Bangkok - Hong Kong

Bangkok - Taipei

That'll do for starters. I reckon everyone else could add at least another 20

And anyone flying those routes would be a <deleted> if they turned up 2 hours before departure time. They will be rubbing shoulders with all the bigger flights going to Russia, USA, UK, Middle East, Australia et al.

PS - It is not MY advice, it is industry advice. Take it (or not) but don't whinge if you struggle to make a flight - and don't try and claim 'priority' because your arse is twitching at the back of the queue and the clock is running down.

Especially because of Swampy's inefficiencies, the advice to arrive 3 hours before your flight seems sound.

You just don't get it do you?

You approvingly post a web reference that says the recommended checkin time for short(ish) flights is 2 hours before departure. Then you just ignore the advice you've quoted! Then, mysteriously, say that 3 hours is the 'industry advice'.

[naiharn]

From an old news item on this forum:

(August 2006) BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Immigration Bureau Police reiterated the readiness of both its staff and technical equipment in providing services at the new Suvarnabhumi international airport, with a total of 1,380 immigration officers ready to be deployed from the beginning of September, Pol. Lt-Gen. Suwat Thamrongsrisakul said Tuesday.

The immigration police commissioner also reaffirmed the efficiency of its anti-terror technology being deployed at the new airport which is due to officially open for domestic flights on September 15 and international flights on September 28.

A total of 178 immigration booths at Suvanabhumi airport will be fully manned by 1,380 officers, 380 more than at Don Muang Airport, in test-run operations starting on September 1. The staff will working three shifts to provide 24-hour services, Gen Suwat said.

Wow! 178 immigation booths (I presume they mean 178 migration -in and out - booths). Anyone who knows the airport well like to give an opinion on that number? It seems like a huge number.

[lomatopo]

From an old news item on this forum:

(August 2006) BANGKOK: -- Thailand's Immigration Bureau Police reiterated the readiness of both its staff and technical equipment in providing services at the new Suvarnabhumi international airport, with a total of 1,380 immigration officers ready to be deployed from the beginning of September, Pol. Lt-Gen. Suwat Thamrongsrisakul said Tuesday.

The immigration police commissioner also reaffirmed the efficiency of its anti-terror technology being deployed at the new airport which is due to officially open for domestic flights on September 15 and international flights on September 28.

A total of 178 immigration booths at Suvanabhumi airport will be fully manned by 1,380 officers, 380 more than at Don Muang Airport, in test-run operations starting on September 1. The staff will working three shifts to provide 24-hour services, Gen Suwat said.

Wow! 178 immigation booths (I presume they mean 178 migration -in and out - booths). Anyone who knows the airport well like to give an opinion on that number? It seems like a huge number.

This seems reasonable considering 2.25 arrival halls (the quarter of a hall is for VIP/FastTrack) and 2.25 departure halls. each "desk" has two (2) stations, so my guess would have been ~ 200 in total. Obviously the short-straws are inadequate staffing levels, and poor processing techniques. Processing seems to take a long time, not sure why? When you get to security, the lines are quite short. When departing Immigration takes longer than security there is likely a problem?

[cardholder]

You just don't get it do you?

You approvingly post a web reference that says the recommended checkin time for short(ish) flights is 2 hours before departure. Then you just ignore the advice you've quoted! Then, mysteriously, say that 3 hours is the 'industry advice'.

Your inability to read or digest information confounds me.

Let me be clear. I quoted industry recommendations regarding arriving 3 hours before a flight of 4 hours or more and 2 hours for under 4 hours. This was simply for clarification as many posters were simply unaware. That recommendation becomes meaningless if Swampy cannot process departing passengers quickly.

To argue the toss about turning up 2 hours before a BKK flight to (multiple destinations) is inane. Swampy is known to be inefficient - it doesnt matter whether you are on a 3 hour flight or a 12 hour flight - you will suffer the same delays.

Not rocket-science.

[wanderingstraycat]

ANA also has an advisory:

"[information]

To Departing Passengers from Bangkok Suvarnabumi Airport

Chronic congestion in passport control area of Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport are acknowledged.

Moreover, due to increase of airlines' extra-flights in the period of "Chinese New Year", it is expected extremely long lining up at passport control. Especially, through 1st to 13th February, ANA recommend passengers to show up at our check-in counter 3 hours earlier than the standard departure time."

faced the same problem at Suvarnabhumi outbound immigration on 28 Dec 2010. queued through lunchtime, slightly less than half of the immigration counters were manned. 10 minutes before take-off, still stuck in queue with people whose flights were departing earlier than mine. with 2 minutes to spare, ran to gate F6, only to find that quite a few passengers were still behind me (was seated in row 2, stopped counting after more than 15 walked past).

Edited February 10, 2011 by wanderingstraycat

[andrew55]

Seems to me that comments on 'industry advice' for arrival time at airport and criticisms of TV members' mathematical and/or comprehension skills have zero relevance -TIT and we choose to be here.

In my OP on the 13 January I thought it useful to share my experience on that day, at that time. Local knowledge has gotta be better than an advisory message up-dated God knows how rarely.

I have flown twice since then (again tomorrow) and immigration improved a little, but still not acceptable. Queues just outside the glassed areas.

Not read many replies that are contradictory..

So as academic as you want to be - I'd still advise early arrival at passport control.

Problem must surely be as simple as inadequate staffing levels of officers. I suspect that this service (is that an oxymoron?) is not attractive to those in the department. Must be very tedious, one of the few jobs in Thailand that don't provide a television at every station or easy access to have your Nokia plugged into your ears 24/7 etc. Also a problem that this service (must be a more appropriate word) is so remotely answerable to it's consumers - you, me, AOT, the airlines...

Most important, I can't see that these officers don't have many opportunities for applying entrepreneurial skills for increased income as in other placements. Little 'incentive'.

I'm ignoring industry advice and listening to those reporting from ground zero with what they see.

PS - I occasionally fly out of Swampy on freighters ie cargo planes - now THAT'S a thread!!

Edited February 10, 2011 by andrew55

[Lakegeneve]

It seems that the Minister of Transport (from BJT who hold interests in King Power) has also heard recent complaints and is instructing the AOT to make immediate improvements. Aside from poor management of the staffing of the counters to respond to heavy demand periods, one of the problems seems to be that MOF is not allowing Immigration an increased budget to recruit more staff. http://www.thairath.co.th/content/eco/147286

I still have not had any problems the last 2 times I have flown out but I have noticed what people are reporting.

[clinique]

Some of you really don't spend the 15 seconds needed to anaylze the situation.

So according to you ground staff remove all the bags from the hold & remove the bags of the no shows? I wonder how long that takes.

In the 15 seconds you spent analysing this situation, did you consider that by not removing the bags of latecomers, and by delaying planes for their benefit, you encourage this behaviour and in the long term, create greater delay. People have to know that there is a cut off time and if you go beyond it, it's tough tittie - otherwise everyone starts to ignore and abuse the rules.

He should maybe have taken 20 seconds to analyse the situation and he might have thought that it would be a great way to get a bomb on board and not have to get yourself killed too.

Which is the reason why airlines have been doing it for the last 36 years that I've been flying.

In fairness i don't think he was arguing that bags of latecomers should be left on planes that then take off without their owners on board, i think he was arguing that the time it takes to find somebody's bag in the hold and get it out is probably longer than it would take to simply hold the plane and wait for the late passenger. As i said, my problem with that is that once people start to become aware that arriving late is ok because they hold the plane for you, everybody will be arriving late.

Airlines have procedures to follow. Each plane has a departure slot (Time) , boarding time allows all checked passengers to board, airline reps normally will look for late passengers at immigration, if your not at immigration but sitting at KFC-bad luck-, once they cant find the late passengers the Captain makesa decison to close the door/s of the plane ready for departure, after that is when your late passenger bags are removed and this activity is managed from the cockpit, as one the door is closed and sealed it wont be reopended again if to turn up to the departure gate - tough titties. Suggestion - 1) get to the airport early or 2) at least be on time ie: 3 hours, 3) use an airline where you earn miles with aloyalty card, and can then use the first/buss class priority checkin with immigration clearance provided/escort.

[andrew55]

It seems that the Minister of Transport (from BJT who hold interests in King Power) has also heard recent complaints and is instructing the AOT to make immediate improvements. Aside from poor management of the staffing of the counters to respond to heavy demand periods, one of the problems seems to be that MOF is not allowing Immigration an increased budget to recruit more staff. http://www.thairath....tent/eco/147286

I still have not had any problems the last 2 times I have flown out but I have noticed what people are reporting.

Interesting link although I think something lost in translation. Seems like the problem has at least been recognized. I'm unclear as to whether problem recognized by correct people. How answerable to complainants are the officers and their department? I suspect very distantly. Anyone know? Who does have the power?

Edited February 10, 2011 by andrew55

[andrew55]

Airlines have procedures to follow. Each plane has a departure slot (Time) , boarding time allows all checked passengers to board, airline reps normally will look for late passengers at immigration, if your not at immigration but sitting at KFC-bad luck-, once they cant find the late passengers the Captain makesa decison to close the door/s of the plane ready for departure, after that is when your late passenger bags are removed and this activity is managed from the cockpit, as one the door is closed and sealed it wont be reopended again if to turn up to the departure gate - tough titties. Suggestion - 1) get to the airport early or 2) at least be on time ie: 3 hours, 3) use an airline where you earn miles with aloyalty card, and can then use the first/buss class priority checkin with immigration clearance provided/escort.

________________________

Your suggestions are sound.

I would, however, add that an airports' immigration provider should also have a 'procedure to follow". The current situation is too far below par.

The thread wasn't really about late pax. It was about previously unseen delays at passport control when exiting the kingdom.

Can someone with great patience please PM me to teach how to bl#$dy well use the quote feature in replying? Please?

Edited February 10, 2011 by andrew55

[clinique]

________________________

Your suggestions are sound.

I would, however, add that an airports' immigration provider should also have a 'procedure to follow". The current situation is too far below par.

The thread wasn't really about late pax. It was about previously unseen delays at passport control when exiting the kingdom.

Can someone with great patience please PM me to teach how to bl#$dy well use the quote feature in replying? Please?

Just click on the 'Reply' button inside the bottom of the conversation you want to reply to.

Rather than go to the bottom of the forum and click on Add reply which creates a new conversation box.

[andrew55]

Just click on the 'Reply' button inside the bottom of the conversation you want to reply to.

Rather than go to the bottom of the forum and click on Add reply which creates a new conversation box.

I mean to quote only part of the text displayed. When too many previous posts one can't simply hit 'reply'. Says too many characters or the like. Don't think it gets much further from topic than this, but it might need the whole forum guidance.

PM if a kind and patient soul is out there who works for beer.

Yours Sincerely,

Confused.

[theoldgit]

I mean to quote only part of the text displayed. When too many previous posts one can't simply hit 'reply'. Says too many characters or the like. Don't think it gets much further from topic than this, but it might need the whole forum guidance.

Just do as clinique advises, and delete the bits from the quote you don't want.

[andrew55]

I mean to quote only part of the text displayed. When too many previous posts one can't simply hit 'reply'. Says too many characters or the like. Don't think it gets much further from topic than this, but it might need the whole forum guidance.

Just do as clinique advises, and delete the bits from the quote you don't want.

But then it doesn't come up shaded like this.

[andrew55]

Just do as clinique advises, and delete the bits from the quote you don't want.

But then it doesn't come up shaded like this.

It comes up like this.

[theoldgit]

Quotes start with one of these "quote"

and end with one of these "/quote"

You need to put a square bracket either side, and then it will look like this, obviously leaving out the inverted comas.

Easy as pie

But as has been said if you just it the reply button it will do the work for you and you can edit at will but you must make sure that you don't edit the quote out of context. When you hit the reply button it will add the name of the member you are quoting, if you then edit do it after the first set of square brackets.

[andrew55]

Quotes start with one of these "quote"

and end with one of these "/quote"

I think I got it, but but I've been told I have the IQ of yeast, so we'll see. Thanks. Didn't mean to off-topic so long. Finished.

[Tokay]

Most of the times I'm through in 30 mins of less, but have had 2 or 3 times where it has taken an hour or so. Usually due to empty booths.

You would think they would have it down by now.

[andrew55]

Most of the times I'm through in 30 mins of less, but have had 2 or 3 times where it has taken an hour or so. Usually due to empty booths.

You would think they would have it down by now.

Would you really?

[MarkyM3]

Could anyone tell me if there is more than one arrivals immigration area at Suvarnabhumi? I noticed a small fast-track area about 100m past the main area you get to to after deplaning at E concourse but was wondering if there is anything else past here (I presume fast-track is for biz class, airline staff etc.).

Cheers.

Edited February 11, 2011 by MarkyM3

[MarkyM3]

I have to fly out again in 5 days, does anyone know if there are long queues at 4 am?

In my experience, the queues have always been short at that hour. I've always gotten through in 15 minutes or less. But for departing flights later in the day, I've used Fast Track , which costs 1,600 baht but gets you past the Immigration formalities in about two minutes. My company pays when it's a business flight, but even when I have to pay it myself, it's worth it to avoid the agro of huge queues and possible missing a flight.

Does this service entitle you to use the Fast Track/VIP area when arriving at BKK? Q31 on website FAQ's isa bit non-committal....

Cheers

Edited February 11, 2011 by MarkyM3

[Mr Conrad]

Just a quick update about departing.

I am siting in Emirates lounge just now waiting to depart swampy, although I managed to blag a fast track card at check-in, I had a quick look at the immigration hall behind check-in desks S-T. The queues were not too bad, at least you could get into the hall with about 7-8 people at each counter approximately. This was at 10.00 pm approximately on the 11th Feb.

Just a side note for any Emirates gold card travellers, the check-in staff hinted that fast-track depature cards might be available for gold members soon because of the delays at immigration.

Regards

[andrew55]

Could anyone tell me if there is more than one arrivals immigration area at Suvarnabhumi? I noticed a small fast-track area about 100m past the main area you get to to after deplaning at E concourse but was wondering if there is anything else past here (I presume fast-track is for biz class, airline staff etc.).

Cheers.

There are two. One either side of small fast-track you mention.

BTW - Whichever one you choose will be furthest from the carousel with your baggage. Murphy Law at work.

Edited February 11, 2011 by andrew55

[stander]

Not all business class flights entitle you to Fast Track; I used ANA in November to Chicago and they are not in the Fast Track program, so ended up having to stand in line.

[theoldgit]

Qatar Airways are offering fast track vouchers to all those who check-in online, in all classes, for a limited time.

[andrew55]

Do Thai Airways flyers do same queue? I was downgraded to silver a couple of months ago but hoping gold again for Thai flight this pm BKK - SIN. What's best procedure?

[sipidan]

Yes i flew out of international 11.55pm on thursday night & it was the worst lines I've ever seen at departure. It took me less than 5 minutes to check in at ThaiAirways desk

But the passport control lines came outside the glass door area into checkin

I waited in this line 45 minutes to get my exit stamp but then the queues for the x-ray machines were also backed up all the way back to the passport control area. It was mental...

Immigration officer's were actually stopping what they was doing an taking photographs of what was happening...

I was steadily shuffling through for another 30 minutes, but the Russians stinking of alcohol came pushing through saying 20 minutes, 20 minutes. True or not i don't know.

Some Chinese were very keen to get through also

Its a horrible feeling, thinking that you could miss your flight or job!!

I was travelling light & alone but must be horrible with children or babies.

Worst airport experience of my life

Its like 1000's of gallons of water trying to get through 1 plug hole

[EvilDrSomkid]

Any recent reports on early morning arrivals at swampy? Is it bad then, too?

Flight lands at 6:45AM.

This long lines stuff leaving is weird. Where did it come from?

Last time I flew out, just after New Year's, it was busy, but not horrendous.

It was late evening. There plenty of booths manned, not all.

In general though, the processing time is just too long. Just BS.

And of course, some morons show up not having filled in the departure card.