Schiphol

[jolihokistix]

An acquaintance reports he and his wife standing outside for two hours in a security clearance queue yesterday, with no indication as to which line they should join.
What is going on there?
https://www.euronews.com/travel/amp/2022/05/25/long-queues-remain-at-schiphol-airport-after-hellish-weekend-for-travellers

[pabely]

An acquaintance reports he and his wife standing outside for two hours in a security clearance queue yesterday, with no indication as to which line they should join.
What is going on there?
https://www.euronews.com/travel/amp/2022/05/25/long-queues-remain-at-schiphol-airport-after-hellish-weekend-for-travellers
It's been like that for a while and other airports around Europe. UK press ignore that as no polital gain.

[davidjohnson6]

AMS handling staff informally advise Schiphol will see 2 hour long queues for security all summer. Along with ARN, it's one to avoid flying out of for the next month or two. If you transfer between flights... then make sure you are flying in from a Schengen airport and don't have to reclear security

[tigertanaka]

You don’t have to re-clear security when arriving at AMS from many non-Schengen countries including the UK, Ireland or US. Basically if they trust the airport security of the origin country, no re-screening is required. There is a passport check for transfers to Schengen countries but that’s the same as what would be required for entering the Netherlands.

[Curious Pax]

Non EU passport control inbound can be a nightmare too. Took nearly an hour to get through it on arrival last week. Strangely no one in the queue (a couple of U.K. flights had arrived at the same time) was admitting to having voted for it. The automatic gates for EU passport holders only next to us had no queue, which didn’t improve my mood!

[FullOppositeRudder]

Solutions are on the way (perhaps)...

https://nltimes.nl/2022/05/26/klm-stops-ticket-sales-amsterdam-flights-schiphol-unveils-crowd-management-plan?utm_source=sendgrid.com&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=website

[LawrenceD]

You can use the electronic gates in AMS with U.K., US, Japanese and a few other passports.

The queue’s still massive though.

[OzzyOzBorn]

Strangely no one in the queue (a couple of U.K. flights had arrived at the same time) was admitting to having voted for it. The automatic gates for EU passport holders only next to us had no queue

So when were we invited to vote on the question: "Do you want to join a queue or not?".

Let's try to keep the debate above the level of infantile.

[AirportPlanner1]

So when were we invited to vote on the question: "Do you want to join a queue or not?".

Let's try to keep the debate above the level of infantile.

Fun fact. Only 24ish% of people voted for the thing in 2016. Since then a number have ‘moved on’ and there’s been five years of births. So if the flight was truly representative it would actually have been a struggle to find anyone because the overwhelming bulk of you didn’t.

[ara01jbb]

An acquaintance reports he and his wife standing outside for two hours in a security clearance queue yesterday, with no indication as to which line they should join.
What is going on there?

Same thing that’s going on in lots of airports with management dropped the ball.

Firstly, Covid-19 resulted in lots of layoffs, with no plan to quickly rehire or reactivate staff. This has been discussed before.

Secondly, despite the sunny outlook depicted by some, Covid-19 is still here. Most folk who got vaccinated in Europe are now six months out from their last vaccination, and it can still get you bad. Frontline staff in airports, surrounded by jet setting travellers from all over the world, are getting sick and are off for up to a week at a time, exacerbating the problem.

[ItsonlyMeagain]

Went through passport control on arrival at AMS on Tuesday in 10 mins or so. Bags appeared as we walked through.

However, departed AMS 3 weeks previously and the queue for security was endless at Terminal 1. Top tip: go to anther terminal. We went to T2 and through in 10 to 15 mins. Came out in the same building, but just along a bit.

Me

[davidjohnson6]

News reports on the web that Schiphol wants airlines to cut 30% of flights over the summer
Yes, surprised me too

[pabely]

News reports on the web that Schiphol wants airlines to cut 30% of flights over the summer
Yes, surprised me too
Flights or pax? Bring back KLM A310s !

[eye2eye5]

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/schiphol-flights-be-limited-11-below-2019-levels-cut-noise-emissions-2022-06-24/

[davidjohnson6]

Can slots at AMS be traded for money, similiar to what happens at LHR ?

[TheLambtonWorm]

Posted this on another forum about my experience on Monday 20th.

Flew back from AMS-NCL yesterday. When you arrive at the airport you go through the airport plaza and head towards departures where two travelators will take you up to the departures level. Just as we got to the travelators the G4S goon squad closed them and stopped anyone getting to departures. We stood there for approx 45min before we were allowed to proceed. Meanwhile a queue had formed stretching through the plaza and outside. At no point was information given as to what was happening and no water was offered either. It was about 22°C outside with very little cover.

When we were let through we then had to go through security & passport control. This took about another hour and again, no info was given as to how long it would take to get through. The reason for this was that departures were very busy and there was queues for bars etc. There wasn't. It was the quietest I've ever seen it. Also UK passports can be used at the E-gates after security.

Another thing I noticed was passport control for entering the Netherlands. This has now been moved from the D gates to between the D & E gates. There's approx five E-gates (UK passport can't be used at these), four RoW booths (ours) and an EU booth. The queue for this was backed up to the Heineken bar by the D gates.

[Jerbourg]

I flew into AMS yesterday from LCY, chaos still reigns at Schipol. Security guys hold you back from entering passport control ( I was waiting 30+ minutes),, once through the queue it then takes ages to move to the desk,I then can proceed to the baggage hall to wait for bags - and wait, and wait, my flight vanished off the screen after 90 minutes, still no bags. The handling agents desk is unmanned so I am unable to ask anyone about what is happening, I then find after another 90 minutes has passed I learn that another agents desk is manned in a different baggage hall, the staff there were indifferent to say the least, but when you see the amount of 'unclaimed' bags scattered around the two baggage halls & stacked up in arrivals walkways I can perhaps understand why. Checking my PIR on the BA website I noticed that the agent hasn't even entered the bag tag ( I tried 'edit' & it won't accept the number)

Needless to say my luggage (which I saw come out of the hold (I was sat above it) has not yet reached my hotel & even though I was told it would follow me home (if found) I have severe reservations about that..

I never though I'd say this but I've been put off travelling by air by this shambles.

[LTNman]

Schiphol airport will be able to offer no more than 440,000 take off and landing slots per year from November 2023, infrastructure minister Mark Harbers confirmed on Friday. The figure represents a 12% cut in the current total, which the airport is currently close to breaching, and would see traffic back at 2014 levels.

https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2022/06/schiphol-to-offer-fewer-flights-from-2023-as-ministers-get-tough-on-noise-pollution/

[tigger2k8]

Don't suppose anyone knows who handles check-in and baggage for Arkia in AMS?

[tictack67]

Don't suppose anyone knows who handles check-in and baggage for Arkia in AMS?

https://www.schiphol.nl/en/airline/arkia/

[tigger2k8]

https://www.schiphol.nl/en/airline/arkia/

Thank you, slightly embarrassed I didn't locate it from there

[P330]

Got a KLM trip coming up where I will be checking in bags for the first time in years.

Anyone got any experience of Schiphol transfers with checked bags of late?

Never had a problem in the past but I know the world is very different nowadays.

[AirportPlanner1]

Got a KLM trip coming up where I will be checking in bags for the first time in years.

Anyone got any experience of Schiphol transfers with checked bags of late?

Never had a problem in the past but I know the world is very different nowadays.

Just got back from AMS and the nightmares of early summer have very much returned. Found out the CEO quit yesterday. Over 1h45 to clear security and passport control, this wasn’t even the busiest time of day.

The other noticeable thing whether you pass through security or not is how many of the shops and catering outlets are closed. This left ridiculous queues at those which were open.

[P330]

Was this a point to point flight or were you connecting in Amsterdam?

[Squawk 6042]

Did an East Africa - AMS - MAN and return in July with checked bag each way with no problem, but connection time was 2 / 3hours. I have had previous multiple experiences of a missing bag with the tighter 1 hour connections sometimes offered, so I avoid these where possible. The bag always showed up eventually, usually next day, but on one occasion it took 3 days.

[AirportPlanner1]

Was this a point to point flight or were you connecting in Amsterdam?

Point to point. But like I say, once airside the problems and queues don’t end. Boarding was also chaotic and long-winded, carried out by one person who to be kind appeared inexperienced.

[FUMR]

As a frequent flyer I am receiving regular email offers from KLM to fly here, there and everywhere from (or via) Amsterdam. They must be joking!!!

For the time being, avoid AMS at all costs!

An extract from DutchNews:

Schiphol airport is cutting passenger numbers by an average of 9,250 a day for the coming six weeks, as it grapples to cope with a shortage of security staff. The cut amounts to an 18% reduction in the number of travellers and has been made necessary because security companies ‘are supplying fewer security officials than pledged earlier’, the airport said. The measure will remain in place until at least October 31. The news comes a day after airport chief executive Dick Benschop said he was stepping down from the job. His resignation follows criticism of the way he had attempted to solve the staff shortages which have plagued Schiphol since May. Operational director Hanne Buis said the passenger number cuts were needed to guarantee both traveller and staff safety, but admitted it is ‘bad news for passengers and airlines’. KLM said the measure would have ‘far reaching consequences for our passengers, colleagues and Schiphol’s national and international reputation and that of KLM.’

[davidjohnson6]

Schiphol is clearly not in a good state right now.
To all the experts reading this.... do you think Schiphol will be usable like a normal airport once the winter season starts - ie from the first week of November, but excluding the period of 15Dec-10Jan ?

[Dannyboy39]

Just got back from AMS and the nightmares of early summer have very much returned. Found out the CEO quit yesterday. Over 1h45 to clear security and passport control, this wasn’t even the busiest time of day.

The other noticeable thing whether you pass through security or not is how many of the shops and catering outlets are closed. This left ridiculous queues at those which were open.
I’ve heard many stories about people showing up for flights between 3-4h early and still missing flights. To say it’s a mess is putting it lightly and glad that someone has taken responsibility.

I heard in mid summer they were averaging at around 14,000 misconnects and gate no shows every single day.

[azzbo]

Just got back from AMS and the nightmares of early summer have very much returned. Found out the CEO quit yesterday. Over 1h45 to clear security and passport control, this wasn’t even the busiest time of day.

The other noticeable thing whether you pass through security or not is how many of the shops and catering outlets are closed. This left ridiculous queues at those which were open.

I seem to have gotten very lucky, early August arrived 4 hours early for a 10pm flight to no queues at all for bag drop or security, and only a few in front of me for immigration.

RE your second point there were no queues but the selection really was dire with over half closed. I wanted a nice meal and to read my book as I had 4 hours to kill but the choices were either McDonalds, a sandwich from the bread place that sued to be fishes or some highly overpriced pretty poor Asian food from a place out towards H pier. I chose the latter out of desperation.

[FUMR]

Some, like azzbo, can be lucky. Like most airports it can all depend on the time of day and day of the week. There will always be periods of light traffic, but it's knowing when they are and if you can pick a flight at those times. I would say that Schiphol is arguably at its worst from early morning until mid afternoon. And again from late afternoon until early evening. The evening period is however nowhere near as bad as the morning.

[Mr Mac]

One of my staff did a down and back to a birthday party in Milan yesterday. She was on the 8.00am KLM down to Milan and arrived 3hrs before, and only just made the flight, and obviously nothing checked in and very little hand baggage. She described it as horrendous. She is working from home this morning and is due in Munich later today and is thinking she may take the train !!
Cheers
Mr Mac

[Asturias56]

sad to see one of the worlds best airports reduced to this

[Mr Mac]

FYI she decided to fly as train was 8hrs but it was only a couple of hours quicker so quite marginal. I’m avoiding the place at the moment I think until it gets it’s act in order.

Cheers
Mr Mac

[MANFAN]

I booked a trip during August for travel via AMS on 5th October hoping by then things would have improved!
I am already now dreading this particular trip as the next day I fly out to join a cruise.

I am on business in France so fly TLS-MAN via AMS on 5th October with a connection time of 3hrs 40mins in AMS.
I am preying to god all works out ok as the next morning at 610am I am on a TUI flight to Malta from MAN to join a Mediterranean cruise…

[Asturias56]

https://www.euronews.com/travel/2022/09/21/schiphol-queues-airport-slammed-for-flight-cancellations-and-four-hour-delays-as-lines-buiSchiphol airport: Cancellations loom as airport imposes September and October passenger cap

Schiphol Airport has imposed a passenger cap for September and October after a horror summer of queues. - Copyright AFP (https://www.euronews.com/travel/2022/09/21/schiphol-queues-airport-slammed-for-flight-cancellations-and-four-hour-delays-as-lines-bui#)
By Charlotte Elton (https://twitter.com/euronews) with EBU • Updated: 21/09/2022Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport will restrict passenger numbers in September and October after struggling to recruit security staff.

The decision - which comes just days after the resignation of Schiphol CEO Dick Benschop - follows a summer of travel chaos (https://www.euronews.com/travel/2022/09/20/france-travel-the-exact-dates-to-avoid-flights-as-strike-dates-announced) and flight cancellations at the airport. Schiphol will reduce the maximum number of departing passengers by around 9,250 passengers, or 18 per cent, per day. The new daily cap will be 54,500 passengers per day in September and 57,000 per day in October.

"This decision first and foremost is bad news for passengers (https://www.euronews.com/travel/2022/06/01/airport-queues-could-last-into-next-summer-if-staffing-issues-aren-t-fixed-says-top-indust) and for airlines," admitted Royal Schiphol Group COO, Hanne Buis. “Nevertheless, the decision taken is necessary with the safety of passengers and employees in mind."
Why is Schiphol Airport restricting flights?The new restrictions are being imposed to cope with a security guard shortage. During July and August, employees received an extra of €5.25 allowance per hour. Now that the bonus period is over, staff are quitting in droves, claims union Joost van Doesburg, a representative for the Netherlands Trade Union confederation.

“Many staff came especially for this allowance," he said last week, as the airport struggled with mammoth queues. "The summer allowance has thus helped to cope with the summer problems but has not helped make the problems (https://www.euronews.com/travel/2022/07/05/why-is-the-travel-chaos-affecting-europe-so-much-more-than-the-rest-of-the-world) at Schiphol disappear in a sustainable way."

This latest exodus compounds existing staffing problems. Airlines and airports slashed jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, making it difficult to quickly ramp back up to serve the new burst of travellers.