Second security screening when connecting at CDG

[Mark in CA]

Recently returned from a BUD --> SFO trip connecting at CDG both ways, all AF flights. Outbound, we did not go through security when connecting at CDG despite transit from one terminal to another, because, I thought, we had remained within the sterile zone.

On return trip, however, we were required to go through security again at CDG between flights despite identical situation -- transit from on terminal to another within sterile zone. Of course, this time our inbound flight was an hour late on a 1.5 hour connection, and we barely made our next flight, as did our luggage.

Anyone care to speculate why we had to go through security again when connecting only on the return trip despite remaining within sterile zone? This occurred on June 22, before the recent step-up in security.

[wiggy]

Dunno...one theory (i.e. wild guess) is that the French/CDG consider BUD screening is compliant with their own standards, so no need to re-screen going in that direction whereas OTOH they don't consider the likes of TSA screening ex the States as compliant so you do need to be re-screened before the CDG - BUD flight.....

I'm sure someone will be along with a better/correct answer before long.

[Hotel Tango]

The only one I can come up with is that although you may have believed to have remained within the sterile zone, perhaps in fact you hadn't. Did one transfer involve walking and the other a bus ride?

[Donkey497]

Having never had the same security arrangements twice any time I've passed through CDG, my suggestion is......


You went through CDG - expect the inconsistent.




Probably an effective defence against the bad guys as they'll never know what today's flavour of the month is, or how to get round it.....

[Mark in CA]

Hotel Tango - We did get a bus ride from the plane on the tarmac to the gate after landing at CDG from BUD. Once in the terminal, we didn't get screened again before boarding the long-haul A380 flight to SFO. On the return, we deplaned the A380 at the gate and got screened after passing through immigration. After that, we took the same route back to our BUD flight.

[edi_local]

I was always under the impression that when you changed countries you went through security, even in transit. I have, however flown from CFN-DUB only to walk off my Irish domestic flight and be required to clear security (and immigration for that matter) before being able to enter the departure lounge for my flight to LHR!

The last time I flew through CDG I had to clear security, that was JNB-CDG-EDI.