Make sure you get to the gate early! (Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS))

Member Name: stuff10

Product:	Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS)
Date:	06/08/09 (70 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Massive airport, nice and modern, cops on Segways with guns

Disadvantages: Not very well organised, TV screens didn't update

Amsterdam Schipol airport is absolutely massive - easily the biggest airport I've been to in recent years and it takes a fair while to get from the check-in desks to your departure gate.

The inside of the airport is clean, modern and impressive with plenty of security guards patrolling the area on Segways. I wanted to have a go on one, but they didn't seem the types of guys who'd hand over their favourite toy... plus they had guns, so I decided it was probably best if I didn't ask!

Our flight was due to leave at 8.30pm and upon checking-in we were told to look at the TV screens as we weren't given a boarding time.

We made our way past departures into the large shopping area and found our gate, noting that the security checks were literally just before you got on the plane. This is different to most UK airports who have the security checks just after you've checked in, before the departure lounge.

We spent a while shopping and purchased some drinks for the flight, although it proved to be a bit of a hassle getting sealed bags that can be taken onto a plane. Make sure you ask them to seal a bag if you want to take your drink on-board as otherwise you'll lose it at the security checkpoint!

Now, we're quite seasoned travellers and so we got to our security checkpoint in plenty of time only to see that the TV screens said "wait in lounge". And so we waited... and waited... and waited but still, it said "wait in lounge". Our flight time came and went and we just presumed that we'd been delayed a bit. Erring on the side of caution, we decided to ask at security if they knew how long we'd been delayed. Much to our amazement the guy said that the plane was waiting for us!! We rushed through security and ran to the gate, making the plane just before they were about to leave us behind! It appears that the TV screens weren't updating properly in the airport, but at no time did they put out a call for us!

The moral of the story: if you think you should be boarding, go through security and wait at the gate!

Summary: It won't stop me going again