This is the view of Terminal 2 of Shanghai International Airport from the bus terminal at Terminal 1. Temperature 38 degrees and humidity like standing in drizzle.
A trick for new players. If your flight arrives at Terminal 1 and you need to depart from Terminal 2 there is no international transfer process. You must go through immigration and customs and get a temporary 24 hour visa and then walk 15 minutes to Terminal 2 where you check into your next flight and go through immigration control, again.
Was there a sign/note/person to explain this? No. One is supposed to work this out. And if you've ever travelled through China you will know that Chinese Military personnel don't smile a lot.
But that wasn't the adventure.
When I checked in to Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris on Friday I was told that my bags would be checked through to Sydney. I even had a sticker on my ETicket to confirm this.
So you will understand that when I cleared immigration at Shanghai I didn't bother to go to the luggage carousel but walked straight through and made the 15 minute journey to Terminal 2. Just clearing immigration and schlepping to T2 took 1 1/2 hours.
However when I went to the Qantas counter at T2 they informed me that I was given the wrong information and I quote "This is China, of course we don't send your bags directly to Sydney". Oh crap. So I schlep back to T1 (I wish to point out here that it is 38 degrees and with all the walking with a laptop, duty free bag, handbag and high heels I am feeling a little less refreshed than when I left Paris).
At T1 I have to locate a policeman and explain why it was I neglected to collect my luggage the first time round. After a conversation in broken English in which I was trying to sound sweet and innocent and not at all dodgy I finally went back through immigration to collect my bag which was on a cart about to be sent off to god.knows.where.
Finally, with bags in hand and trolley located I walk as quickly as I can to T2 rueing my decision to stay in my work dress and heels for the flight. Total time elapsed from the plane landing - 2 hours before I made it to the airline lounge. I don't have time for a shower and feel pity for the poor soul who has to sit next to me for the next 11 hours to Sydney.
2 comments:
What a complete pain in the backside!
Oh my. That is crappy. It's also something I am taking careful note of because I think my next work trip might be in that direction.
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