Give yourself plenty of time

And definitely don't wander outside security because you think you have a "long" layover.

When I flew through Amsterdam from Atlanta to Stockholm and Vice versa from Bergen Norway in May, we only went through security in Atlanta or Bergen Norway.

This person’s flights must have originated in Amsterdam.

“ Devin Matte, Somerville, Massachusetts: "I talked to one guy who had flown from Atlanta to Amsterdam the night before, and he had to sleep in the airport.”
??? This doesn’t make sense. The issues at Schiphol effect departing passengers, not arriving passengers.

Maybe it means he flew from Atlanta to Amsterdam and missed his connecting flight?

Unfortunately these problems seem to be occurring in many airports in the world. For about the third day in a row, Air Canada and Toronto Pearson had the distinction of having the worst performance in the world in terms of cancellations and delays. The way things are going, I'm reluctant to even take a short domestic flight.

I also feel that pent up demand and staffing shortages in all parts of aviation are the main reason for the problems. Another issue is the time it takes to get security clearances for those working in airside operations such as baggage handlers.

I don't know if this is happening in other countries, but another related problem that's occurring here are long delays to renew Passports - https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trudeau-passport-delays-unacceptable-1.6497417 . Some people have been camping outside Passport offices for days or paying others to stand in the queue for them, tactics which are not always successful.

Beware of Amsterdam but also Paris and London Heathrow!

I have been following another thread on the Netherlands forum concerned the problems at the airport.
It seems that there are more issues with flight within Europe than those outside the EU.

Still, we arrive on 4 August a day and a half before our flight with Qatar Air to Doha and then to Nairobi.
We are booked at the Hilton right outside the airport.

I tried to book at a hotel inside the airport, but nothing was available.

I understand that you can't even get into the airport until four hours before your flight departs.

It is ridiculous for the authorities that seemingly have failed to take corrective action. Pilots actually volunteered to help with the problem, but were told that they weren't trained for security jobs. Sounds like terrible administration.

It is just the cost of flying during this summer…a summer after or during a pandemic. Plan for the worst and hope for the best. I am amazed people seem to be surprised at the situation and am tired of the people interviewed on the news…to be honest. Consider it part of the adventure or hold off going. Traveling difficulties now will be a fun story sometime in the future!

“ Pilots actually volunteered to help with the problem, but were told that they weren't trained for security jobs”

Indeed. Pilots are trained to fly airplanes, not to perform security duties. Airport security is a completely different job that requires a totally different training and also a security clearance. Or would you be comfortable flying if you knew that passengers were checked by untrained security staff whose background wasn’t checked?

Or would you be comfortable flying if you knew that passengers were checked by untrained security staff whose background wasn’t checked?

Pilots undergo the same level of security vetting as security staff and more.

Count yourselves lucky. If Schipol is the stinky armpit and CDG the wax-filled ear, then Pearson is the big smelly backside of all airports.

I am thinking on how to plan showing up at the airport for my flights. I can check in online the night before the flight. Still, we have to formally check in at the airline desk.

Will there be a line just to get into the airport?

Once we check in with our luggage, that is usually when security is next. I see photos of people outside the airport in line? Is that the security line?

Since we arrive at the airport 32 hours prior to our flight to Nairobi, is there something we can do before we leave the airport for our hotel? Should I ask the airline if I can check our luggage early? I doubt that would happen>

I saw where some people are faking handicaps to go to the front of the line. I won't do that, but is there a way to pay for a guide or something to help?

I have paid $10,000 for our safari and don't want to miss it.

Griffith, my experience has been to check-in online and then proceed directly to the gate. Print the ticket from a kiosk or just use your phone.

“Pilots undergo the same level of security vetting as security staff and more.”

In the Netherlands, those who are screened and vetted to be a pilot aren’t automatically qualified to also work as security staff. They need additional training and screening in order to be allowed to do that. If the solution to the shortage of security staff would be to simply employ pilots, Schiphol Airport would have done that months ago.

Can't skip check in, got to check luggage. My wife would not be happy with just a carryon for a three week trip.

geovagriffith, understand.

The U.S. government gave airlines $54 billion during the pandemic, which was largely used for early retirements and, well, apparently not to keep and hire staff and pilots who are trained and ready to go. I wish we had better oversight on these matters.

Yes the US Govt gave the airlines $$$$ because it shut down the airline industry during the first shutdown in 2020.

The problem in Amsterdam are way more troublesome than what we are finding in the USA. We fly a lot and have never had to wait in line more than 15 minutes to go through security.

Face it the Dutch authorities mismanaged the situation and have been way to slow to correct it.