The new Schipol (Amsterdam Airport) security changes went live earlier this month. Just to share my experiences: Arriving: Flew in from Indonesia, (via KUL) last Thursday, arriving in AMS just before 6:00AM, this flight was arriving from an "insecure" airport so an arrival security check was needed. None of the new travelators were working, and I had to walk a long way along the new corridors to reach the central security checkpoint, not good with a sore ankle. Things still seems incomplete, even using the priority security check lane took about 20 minutes at an off-peak time, hope it improves. Once inside the central "Secure" zone things are a lot easier, there was no security check at the departure gate, though it took longer than normal for the passport check as two passport check lanes were blocked by people who needed a "UK entry" visa to catch their flight, but did not have one. WTF How did they get that far without one, and how were the staff able to fix it for them ?? (Interim: an excellent Sunday lunch with my Mum and other family, And several awesome gallons of Real Ale Departing: I flew from Leeds Bradford airport to Manila on Monday this week with KLM. LBA and I believe most UK airports are now classed as "secure", so there is no need to go through an additional security xray baggage check in AMS before boarding the main flight. Big difference at the gate seems to be that instead of passing through the documention check and baggage scan, and then waiting in the seating area in the departure lounge to before boarding, there is now no seating area and the big queues do not move until the aircraft is actually being boarded. Further point of note: I purchased a bottle of "Black Bush" whisky at the AMS duty free for one of my friends who I will be visiting in the Philippines. The cashier asked whether MNL was my final destination, I said yes, and she put it into a normal (non security sealed) carrier bag, as no further pre-flight security checks are required before boarding in AMS. As I was about to take the bag from her, I realised that this might cause problems in TPE as all hand baggage has to be removed from the flight at the stopover and then re-checked before boarding. At my request she sealed it into a secure sealed carrier bag with the receipt inside. However I saw nobody else carrying booze through Taipae, so do not know whether I was over cautious.... There are loads of other changes going on at Shiphol, the place is still a mess.
Its been a mess for a good while now, I've often wondered why they don't split the terminal, its a hell of a trek there sometimes between flights. The best thing about Schipol for me is that it is a great airport to arrive to if you are too early to check in for your flight, there are lots and lots of shops and cafes to past the time and plenty of seats to take a small nap if required.
Thanks for the update Dave, I've been through there so many times and loved the place the way it was, hope they have not screwed it up too badly.
