Came in on LX390 from ZRH at just after 8am yesterday and was greeted with an unbelieveable immigration queue that was already most of the way down the corridor on the C pier when we arrived and I saw it go back up past the gates on C. It was mayhem and there were a lot of very unhappy folk in that queue I can tell you.
We were ok with IRIS/chipped Passports but even then we had to fight to get down the corridor to get the chance to get to them.
I haven't come in on LX390 for a few months so was this a freak or is this usual ?. Either way it is totally unacceptable and needs sorting, sharpish. I saw an EK A330 on B pier (which I presume is a new service ?) but surely that alone didn't cause all that.
Well as I came in again on the same LX181/LX390 combo last week, and after slamming them above, I thought it only fair to update on my latest experience.
As we landed I saw the EK A330 on the taxiway having landed ahead of us. After my initial thoughts of 'Oh FFS, here we go again' I got increasingly happier as it stopped rooted on the taxiway waiting for the 'EK gate' at the end of B pier. There was a Monarch A320 still at the gate and I was pleased to see that even after we got to out gate at C the EK bird was still waiting.
I was first off and was delighted to see that not only was there no queue in the corridor but I was the first and only person at the passport desks. No need for Iris or chipped passport gates and I was out and through less than 10 mins after doors were opened.
What I did find rather strange, and I have to say, amusing, was my car was parked on the T3 short stay car park and after schlepping over there from T1 when I exited the lift on the top floor of the car park I could see that the EK 330 was
still waiting for it's gate.