enter code here10 immigration windows, 4 open
A solid 1 to 2 hour wait if they let you stay in line.
They "encourage" you from the line if you planned for the problems and had more than a 2 hour layover.
They move you to the front if your departure time is within 30 minutes .... odds are, for many, they still miss their flight as 30 min prior to departure is after boarding has begun ... an it took me 10 min to walk to my gate ....
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6531 posts
We flew into Amsterdam 5 days ago, and had a similar experience. Luckily, it was our final destination. We didn’t have to worry about missing our flight (that had already happened at Heathrow that morning,) but we were very late, very tired, and missed our dinner reservation.
Posted by
Southeast US
4046 posts
Doesn't sound like AMS is working out its staffing problems.
Posted by
Paris
10205 posts
Jane, was that your anniversary dinner you had planned?? I am so sorry you missed it !!
Posted by
Austin, TX
2255 posts
why is this happening? It is February and no holiday in Europe. .
Posted by
OP
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20226 posts
I might have just hit a bad couple of hours in an otherwise slow day. It happens.
Posted by
OP
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20226 posts
Good news tge same staff at the wine basrs
:-)
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14741 posts
Good to know from both Mister E who was transiting and Jane who was arriving. I'll make sure I make a comfort stop before get to the border control kiosks, lol!
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6531 posts
Kim, no, it wasn't our anniversary, but it was Valentine's day!
By the time we got to Amsterdam, got through passport control, got into town and checked into our hotel, it was really too late to find much. We ended up splitting a doner kebab, fries, and a bottle of water. And were glad to get it!
We did manage to have a very nice dinner the next night, though, which combined with seeing the Vermeer exhibit, made up for everything.
Pam, when we walked into passport control at AMS and saw the length of that line, we were so discouraged. It did move more quickly than we thought it would, but that was not good start to our trip.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14741 posts
Thanks, Jane! Better to know ahead of time!
And glad your delayed Valentine's dinner along with your terrific experience with Vermeer made up for it!
Posted by
Vancouver, BC
687 posts
BostonPhil, there are winter school breaks in various European countries right now.
Posted by
Peterborough, ON, Canada
1634 posts
Mister E... lol, my biggest laugh of the day. Looks like you enjoyed the wine bar!!!
Posted by
OP
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20226 posts
Yup..... .
Posted by
Peterborough, ON, Canada
1634 posts
I am with you, in spirit. Or is that spirits?
Posted by
Austin, TX
2255 posts
Hi Claire,
I guess it is like Spring Break in the USA
Posted by
Vancouver, BC
687 posts
BostonPhil, France and other countries have slightly more frequent but shorter school breaks compared to us in Canada/US. My cousin’s daughters in Norway are on their one week winter break right now and then will have a one week Easter break in April.
Posted by
Almost Heaven
3119 posts
lol you guys wait until summer. February is a ghost town in comparison.
Posted by
OP
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20226 posts
In AMS, the long line was for other than EU passports. But the majority, I don't think we're US.