Way to Russia Talk Lounge

mishutka53 · Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 3:50 am Post subject: Sheremetyevo 2 airport

I had exactly the same problem on October 5. There was security at the entry to the airport and after the check in, but nothing at the check in area. I left with the same as I brought in, my small back pack, large case and laptop computer. I was told that the laptop, large case and back pack were all heavily overweight and several times in a loud voice did the woam ask me if I was not listening. The woman was very rude and loud. I was told to leave all the luggage behind the check in counter unattended, which I refused to do. Every one walks past this point and I did observe people carrying the same amount of luggage that I had yet, it was accepted. I spent some 25 minutes at the excess baggage counter. I was then shown on a calculater nearly 36,000 roubles, which is about A$1,700. I was fortunate that the lady that I had been travellng with was still at the airport and I left the back pack with her. All it contained was breakables. When I returned to the check in counter and it was clear that there would not be any excess baggage paid, my large bag and laptop suddenly became within weight limits. The whole process had taken some 90 minutes and I made the aeroflot flight with 20 minutes to spare.

The chap ahead of me had the same problem, he just abandoned his luggage and I came to the conclusion that foreign nationals were being targeted at this time, I assume as people are simply delivered by taxi or bus and do not have the ability to send so called excess baggage away for collection later. I was also able to walk around the xray machines a few times to confer with the lady I had been travelling with and was never checked again.

This airport badly needs to lift its game and although I found no problem with Aeroflot planes, the next time I fly into Moscow it will be with another airline so that I can avoid Sheremetyevo 2 airport. I have flown with Qantas, Thai, Korean, Uzbekistan, Virgin and Jet Star and I have never had any problem in the past at any check in counter. I have always brought with me, a backpack, lap top and a large bag for the luggage hold.

regards,
Michael.

cdnexpat · Posted: Sat Dec 03, 2005 11:37 am Post subject:

The issue of excess baggage is common to many developping airlines, and the reason that they issue the hand baggage tags, is to show that it was weighted. I frequently fly with Uzbek Airways to Moscow and St-Petersburg, and they do the same thing if baggage is too heavy, but you can pay someone to take care of it...
The new Aeroflot, however has too many people watching. My opinion is that the employees are still not happy with this situation, because in the past they collected bribes, and now they can't.
I found Pulkova domestic terminal as bad as Sheretyevo. Last time two check-ins only were open for a full flight, every one late through, plane departed two hours late, etc... And arrival in Tashkent was as bad...
I had a friend waiting outside for more than five hours...
My holiday later this week will see me going three times through She 1 and 2. I am not looking forward to it!