New security systems at the airport--just back last night

[anatares]

Thanks for the info. Always good to know what's happening at the airport. Every year it's a new surprise.

[suzeq]

They did check everyone on our flight two weeks ago also at the gate but did pull a family out to look through their bags at the ticket counter also. The gate thing delayed us from leaving for a 1/2 hour but we still arrived on time. Then, the plane in front of us slid off the runway in the snowstorm so we had to sit and wait for everyone to do their cleanup thing and get it back on the taxiway.

As for Cun airport...the international flights departing to Europe were a zoo with people everywhere. The check in to return to Denver was a breeze as was security.

Took the ADO bus to and from Playa and it was quite crowded. Especially the return trip to the airport. There were only a few empty seats.

[Lillibet]

Anyone flown to/from Cancun from/to UK recently? What's it like?

[Minniemex]

Originally Posted by beachreader

For those heading to the A gates upstairs, be aware that once you've been down the hallway to the gates area, if you decide to go back out to TGI Friday's for lunch (and they have a new buffalo chicken taco thing that's amazing junk food so you might consider it), you'll have to go through a little security thing, right there by the nail salon. I have NO idea why this is there since the restaurant is inside the original security area, but when I asked I got no answer but the stoic security stare that says "we don't have to answer questions". It's not like there was a line, just had to be x-rayed again, bag through right next to it.

I think that they have this here for the people who get off the planes & instead of going downstairs to immigration, they get lost & try to exit the airport before immigration - I remember they asked me for our boarding passes there also before they let us through to go back downstairs.
As for the Vanilla, I tried to buy it in Duty Free & was unable to because it was less than 1 hour before my flight left (all purchases must be made 1 hour prior) but I did have a larger bottle of the Vanilla & the only objection was the 1 hour rule.

[beachreader]

Thanks, Minniemax, that makes sense. Interesting about the vanilla, though. I had tried to buy mine downstairs at Cinco Soles, wonder if the rules are different at duty free? Also, I bought some booze at the duty free inside of an hour to my flight, actually more like 1/2 hour, and they didn't complain. But maybe they weren't busy. I did have to wait a couple of minutes for the bag to show up at the jetway, but that was OK. I'll bear the one-hour thing in mind, and will buy my liquid stuff first next time, not last.

By the way, does anyone find any difference between the duty free downstairs and the one upstairs? Are they exactly the same? I generally go to the one upstairs, just thought I'd see if there were preferences.

[Frazzd]

Originally Posted by silvergirl

Great helpful info....thanks! Really stinks that we have to re-pack our bags for the second leg of our flight home. I guess we'll have to do the same when we go on our cruise, then. That's where the booze is really cheap. I like to stock up on the Grey Goose Vodka, but now have to figure out how to get it home. Our bags always weigh too much without the booze in them!

Here's a convuluted way around that. Pack a VERY small (think 16-19"max) suitcase inside your main suitcase before you leave. Fill it just like your regular luggage. On the return flight, check two bags (1 lg 1 small) vs just one, to distribute the weight.

[Minniemex]

Originally Posted by beachreader

Also, I bought some booze at the duty free inside of an hour to my flight, actually more like 1/2 hour, and they didn't complain. But maybe they weren't busy. I did have to wait a couple of minutes for the bag to show up at the jetway, but that was OK. I'll bear the one-hour thing in mind, and will buy my liquid stuff first next time, not last.

That really torques me a bit - my jetway was right outside the duty free I could see the box for our flight from my seat in the terminal & I was there like 45 minutes b4 my flight! I guess sometimes its all who you ask - just a lesson not to take no for an answer ?