I haven't flown internationally for a year, so am a bit out of touch. I'm travelling from ADL to MEL with QANTAS and then MEL to DXB with Emirates. Is the Fast-Track / Express-lane open for security for Departures from MEL Interntional? I had a look online and couldn't see anything. I'm wondering if I need to pick up one of those express-path cards. I'm flying business and am P1 with QANTAS.
I recently flew MEL-DXB with Emirates, the express lane was open. I didn't have an express card so used the normal lane but had no wait time in any event, as most of the machines were running. Time from arriving outside the terminal to clearing customs and walking through duty free was 15 minutes, including bag drop at EK J, security check, and customs. No harm in grabbing an express card but based on my recent experience, the whole operation was very smooth and quick even without it.
Your boarding pass should be marked for express path. Just head towards the express line and show the person there and they will give you the nod. Either line is very quick these days. All the express path provides is a slightly shorter walk to the x ray machines.
A security guard always stands at the start of the express lane. I showed him my express pass that the check in agent gave me and the guard let me through. The express lane will probably save you no more than 5 minutes. If you have to wait and queue to collect an express pass then I wouldn't bother.
I can now report on how the transit went. I went though security around 5.00pm. There were no crowds. I showed my business boarding pass and went through the express lane. As noted by others, the express lanewas hardly worth it as both lanes were quick. Got plenty of time to enjoy the QANTAS first lounge :)
Melbourne departures is excellent these days. Absolutely top marks, through security plus customs in 5mins flat on my last few trips in the last year. Confirming as others said, the express queue is open but you hardly need it as either is a breeze.
Melbourne departures is excellent these days. Absolutely top marks, through security plus customs in 5mins flat on my last few trips in the last year. Confirming as others said, the express queue is open but you hardly need it as either is a breeze.
That was my experience back in June when travelling MEL-DPS. There were fewer pax going through and the security personnel were better trained and surprisingly polite given most pax were in R&R mode.
Melbourne departures is excellent these days. Absolutely top marks, through security plus customs in 5mins flat on my last few trips in the last year. Confirming as others said, the express queue is open but you hardly need it as either is a breeze.
Agree - very efficient, even at peak times. The same cannot be said for international arrivals, where lengthy waits for baggage and long, poorly organised queues for both immigration (even using the SmartGates) and customs are the rule.
Melbourne departures is excellent these days. Absolutely top marks, through security plus customs in 5mins flat on my last few trips in the last year. Confirming as others said, the express queue is open but you hardly need it as either is a breeze.
Agree - very efficient, even at peak times. The same cannot be said for international arrivals, where lengthy waits for baggage and long, poorly organised queues for both immigration (even using the SmartGates) and customs are the rule.
Melbourne departures is excellent these days. Absolutely top marks, through security plus customs in 5mins flat on my last few trips in the last year. Confirming as others said, the express queue is open but you hardly need it as either is a breeze.
Agree - very efficient, even at peak times. The same cannot be said for international arrivals, where lengthy waits for baggage and long, poorly organised queues for both immigration (even using the SmartGates) and customs are the rule.
Nailed it DrSK, its a real cluster-mess.
Agree Boeing-Tragic and DrSK the arrivals is screwed, I rarely have check in baggage so I hadn't noticed that so much but the exit via immigration checks? Just a senseless crowding around one gate with a few staff doing checks, no order no clear queues and no priority whatsover...
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Express Lane at MEL international
mern2001
mern2001
Qantas - P1 Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 Apr 2013
Total posts 103
Hi All,
I haven't flown internationally for a year, so am a bit out of touch. I'm travelling from ADL to MEL with QANTAS and then MEL to DXB with Emirates. Is the Fast-Track / Express-lane open for security for Departures from MEL Interntional? I had a look online and couldn't see anything. I'm wondering if I need to pick up one of those express-path cards. I'm flying business and am P1 with QANTAS.
Many thanks for any advice.
williamjs
williamjs
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Aug 2017
Total posts 10
I recently flew MEL-DXB with Emirates, the express lane was open. I didn't have an express card so used the normal lane but had no wait time in any event, as most of the machines were running. Time from arriving outside the terminal to clearing customs and walking through duty free was 15 minutes, including bag drop at EK J, security check, and customs. No harm in grabbing an express card but based on my recent experience, the whole operation was very smooth and quick even without it.
APACPete
APACPete
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 Jun 2017
Total posts 46
Your boarding pass should be marked for express path. Just head towards the express line and show the person there and they will give you the nod. Either line is very quick these days. All the express path provides is a slightly shorter walk to the x ray machines.
mern2001
mern2001
Qantas - P1 Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 Apr 2013
Total posts 103
Thanks williamjs and APACPete - that's super helpful.
anonymous
anonymous
Member since 24 Dec 2013
Total posts 159
A security guard always stands at the start of the express lane. I showed him my express pass that the check in agent gave me and the guard let me through. The express lane will probably save you no more than 5 minutes. If you have to wait and queue to collect an express pass then I wouldn't bother.
mern2001
mern2001
Qantas - P1 Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 10 Apr 2013
Total posts 103
Hi all,
I can now report on how the transit went. I went though security around 5.00pm. There were no crowds. I showed my business boarding pass and went through the express lane. As noted by others, the express lanewas hardly worth it as both lanes were quick. Got plenty of time to enjoy the QANTAS first lounge :)
Thanks.
APACPete
APACPete
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 Jun 2017
Total posts 46
Glad it went went well mern2001. Enjoy your trip!
MKS11
MKS11
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 05 Oct 2016
Total posts 58
Melbourne departures is excellent these days. Absolutely top marks, through security plus customs in 5mins flat on my last few trips in the last year. Confirming as others said, the express queue is open but you hardly need it as either is a breeze.
Boeing-Tragic
Boeing-Tragic
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 24 Jan 2018
Total posts 50
Originally Posted by MKS11
Melbourne departures is excellent these days. Absolutely top marks, through security plus customs in 5mins flat on my last few trips in the last year. Confirming as others said, the express queue is open but you hardly need it as either is a breeze.
DrSK
DrSK
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 08 Jul 2014
Total posts 44
Originally Posted by MKS11
Melbourne departures is excellent these days. Absolutely top marks, through security plus customs in 5mins flat on my last few trips in the last year. Confirming as others said, the express queue is open but you hardly need it as either is a breeze.
Boeing-Tragic
Boeing-Tragic
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 24 Jan 2018
Total posts 50
Originally Posted by DrSK
Originally Posted by MKS11
Melbourne departures is excellent these days. Absolutely top marks, through security plus customs in 5mins flat on my last few trips in the last year. Confirming as others said, the express queue is open but you hardly need it as either is a breeze.
MKS11
MKS11
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 05 Oct 2016
Total posts 58
Originally Posted by Boeing-Tragic
Originally Posted by DrSK
Originally Posted by MKS11
Melbourne departures is excellent these days. Absolutely top marks, through security plus customs in 5mins flat on my last few trips in the last year. Confirming as others said, the express queue is open but you hardly need it as either is a breeze.