Crazy immigration lines at T4S
Jul 25, 2024 | 11:44 pm
#61
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Madrid
Programs: IB+ Oro / OWS
Posts: 1,174
The private security aren't the police. I used to have that and I would just insist that the police had told me to use that queue (which had the advantage of being the truth).
If questioning it, just ask the officer next time through the regular queue (note that all this should be done in Spanish) and they should just say so and then you have orders from the people actually running the show.
If questioning it, just ask the officer next time through the regular queue (note that all this should be done in Spanish) and they should just say so and then you have orders from the people actually running the show.
Aug 5, 2024 | 2:07 am
#62
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Madrid
Programs: IB+ Oro / OWS
Posts: 1,174
0922 arrived at gate
0930 empty queue at passport control (couldn't test the <18yrEU queue for perm-res)
0938 on the transit train
0943 at the luggage hall
0950 on cabify (so 28min at gate to on cab)
~
1015 luggage arrived (so just about 40min from arrival at gate)
0930 empty queue at passport control (couldn't test the <18yrEU queue for perm-res)
0938 on the transit train
0943 at the luggage hall
0950 on cabify (so 28min at gate to on cab)
~
1015 luggage arrived (so just about 40min from arrival at gate)
Last edited by csycsycsy; Aug 5, 2024 at 8:35 pm
Aug 6, 2024 | 4:47 am
#63
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 12,779
T4S to T4 connection yesterday early afternoon (arriving from BOG). Absolutely no queue at the e-gates for EU citizens; was through within 1-2 min.
Not that many passengers on the transit train from T4S to T4 (after immigration), but T4 seemed at bit busy with lots of people.
Not that many passengers on the transit train from T4S to T4 (after immigration), but T4 seemed at bit busy with lots of people.
Aug 7, 2024 | 3:55 am
#64
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: BCN
Programs: BA Silver · VY apologist · IB up and coming
Posts: 8,616
Sorry to bring this up again, but I want to be sure I'm following: The consensus here is that with my permanent residence card and foreign passport I can go to the EU side and then use the "under 18 years old" line to go through a human booth? I used to do this all the time when it was all humans but stopped when they put in the e-gates. I didn't realize there was still a human option. Presumably this will work at BCN as well.
Aug 7, 2024 | 4:28 am
#65
Join Date: Jul 2022
Location: Madrid
Programs: IB+ Oro / OWS
Posts: 1,174
Sorry to bring this up again, but I want to be sure I'm following: The consensus here is that with my permanent residence card and foreign passport I can go to the EU side and then use the "under 18 years old" line to go through a human booth? I used to do this all the time when it was all humans but stopped when they put in the e-gates. I didn't realize there was still a human option. Presumably this will work at BCN as well.
Would suggest, as Lupine suggested, that you ask next time you exit, then you'll have an official approval for usage on return instead of quoting FT/past exp before egates?
Sep 15, 2024 | 3:03 am
#66
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: British Isles
Programs: BAEC, HH
Posts: 20
Latest situation?
Apologies for resurrecting this thread but we are due to fly next week with a transfer at Madrid T4S from LGW to T4 on to TFN (both Iberia Express flights) with a 2.5 hour connection time.
Has anyone been through recently and is it still the same situation with long queues and delays for non EU passport holders?
Many thanks.
Has anyone been through recently and is it still the same situation with long queues and delays for non EU passport holders?
Many thanks.
Sep 15, 2024 | 3:48 am
#67
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Barcelona, London, on a plane
Programs: IB+ Gold, TK E+, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LTP, IHG Diamond
Posts: 13,393
It simply fluctuates during the day. If you are unlucky enough to land just after 3-4 long-haul flights, then your wait will be long.
If your flight is delayed and the queues are long, there is supposedly a "short connection" booth - the staff monitoring that queue would allow you to go that way if your connection is truly tight.
Sep 15, 2024 | 4:25 am
#68
Join Date: Jul 2023
Location: British Isles
Programs: BAEC, HH
Posts: 20
It's never a permanent situation of long queues and delays.
It simply fluctuates during the day. If you are unlucky enough to land just after 3-4 long-haul flights, then your wait will be long.
If your flight is delayed and the queues are long, there is supposedly a "short connection" booth - the staff monitoring that queue would allow you to go that way if your connection is truly tight.
It simply fluctuates during the day. If you are unlucky enough to land just after 3-4 long-haul flights, then your wait will be long.
If your flight is delayed and the queues are long, there is supposedly a "short connection" booth - the staff monitoring that queue would allow you to go that way if your connection is truly tight.
Thank you.
Sep 16, 2024 | 6:00 pm
#71
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Scotland, Spain
Programs: Skywards Gold, Amex Plat, SkyTeam Silver
Posts: 1,247
As a reference point...
Arrived off the 6.15am IB arrival from CLT. Non-Eu was pretty full (photo attached) but only took 25minutes in the 'flight connections/non-Madrid final destination queue)
Arrived off the 6.15am IB arrival from CLT. Non-Eu was pretty full (photo attached) but only took 25minutes in the 'flight connections/non-Madrid final destination queue)