Pengalaman Online Check In KLM

Today is July 21st 2013 and I am bound to go back to KL.

Flight ticket on hand and last time when I was flying KLM, it took me quite long to line up for check in. Smarter this time, I chose to do online check in to avoid the queue.

Flight time is 18.55 and boarding is 17.30, wow very early. Well my definition of boarding is of course we are waiting at the departure gate and the aircraft is ready for us. However, the definition of boarding in this KLM may be slightly different with my definition.

So back to the story, since I'm not ready for some rush, I went very early to airport. Reach airport at around 4.15 pm, thats my earliest time ever!!!

Reach airport and feeling glorious not to do line up for check in, I went straight to the immigration gate and directly to the departure gate. And guess what happen?!?! I opened up the boarding pass again and read a line there saying "Soekarno Hatta airport please pay airport tax at check in counter before proceeding to departure gate".

Feeling not so winning anymore, I immediately ask one of the officer can I pay at the departure gate? He said "I'm not really sure, but you can try, the gate is not so far anyway". Then I said "Okay" and went to the departure gate.

Eekkkkk ... it turned out the gate is not yet open so I have to wait outside. Ermmmm .... this is not so nice anymore. Under normal circumstances, I probably wont mind, but with this one heavy bag pack plus I have to open my belt everytime I walked in thru the security gate, so not practical.

I took my chances and I headed to the nearest exit. Exit wasnt very easy to find and at the end of the tunnel, there is this immigration guy asked me "Where are you going?" I said "I havent paid airport tax so I have to get out and pay". Then he said "You dont have to, you can pay at the departure gate". So I said Okay, I went back in and feeling a bit guilty to the security officer when I said "Why do you have to check me again?". Later I realized she's right, I am just being annoyed for being have to open my belt. Lesson Learnt: even if you are wearing belt, try to cover it bcos that will be the first thing they suspect when the beep is sounded. Anyway ...

I chilled myself, open my notebook and get busy. Not long after that, the departure gate open and I check in fast fast.

First, there is this random security check where you have to open your bags and all. And I have to let my rendang goes away because it is not sealed properly and the oil is dripping ... eww hahahha i know, gross. But it is quite expensive :p

Second, I proceeded to the gate and told the officer directly I havent paid the airport tax and he told me "You should have checked in first, because they need to check your passport, baggage and all. But it's okay, please have a seat while I'll try to call front desk.". Well, at least they are friendly.

So my question is, why do online check in first hand? :D If I still have to line up, check my baggage while it has been checked MULTIPLE times. Maybe online thingy doesnt suit Indonesia at all because my online check in experience with KLM in KL is seamless and very smooth.