Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jaganath69]

Flew back from Hanoi the other day and made it through the gates with almost no time to spare, despite the fact I arrived the mandated 2 hours early. I would have been there my usual 2.5-3 hours early, had it not been for Vietnam Airlines delaying my connection, but that is another story. Anyhow, to cut a long story short, the reason why it took me over an hour to check in on a reasonable sized line was that a group of young Koreans had taken it upon themselves to give all their passports (around 30 in all) to a single person who was checking them all in. What really infuriated me was that the line was in no way reserved for group check ins. Even though the VA rep tried to explain to them that this was not the correct line to do such a thing, they badgered him until he checked them through. What's more, once this turkey finally finished, another guy was allowed to cut in line and do the same thing.

I wouldn't even post this, except that its happened to me a number of times now. And what's more, after talking with friends, they have all run foul of this practice in the past. Can someone explain the need to do this, rationalise it or suggest some way in which certain segments of the Korean travelling public can be educated not to inconvenience others?

[mindmetoo]

I was just amazed flying last time. Detroit to Japan to Korea. Every line was like, a line. People stood in them. Waited their turn. Until I got to the Korean immigration line. The guy who checks your stuff just before you get out of immigration. Suddenly the Koreans fell into Korean mode and your ajusshi started trying to cut the line.

[crazylemongirl]

Part of the 'package tour' deal. When I was applying for my visa at Phnom Penh airport I had that happen to me. The leader of the tour group dumped down 30 applications infront of me and I got stuck behind them.

For added amusement the guy then tried to go around the back of the processing place to hurry along the applications!

[jaganath69]

First time it happened was in Jakarta last year, on my way to get married. There is a visa on arrival booth you must negotiate before fronting immigration and although I made a quick sprint off the plane to get through, a bunch of golfclub wielding adjoshis had got in and were making multiple visa applications. My mother and then fiance waiting for me outside thought I had done a runner. Not cool. Someone needs to repremand these buggers.

[Hater Depot]

I've always had good experiences with lines in Incheon Int'l. The security line is usually much more civilized than in the States -- nobody yelling at you reminding you to take your jacket off, for example. Last time I went home the contrast between Incheon and San Francisco was shocking.

[Jarome_Turner]

[VanIslander]

[laogaiguk]

[Jarome_Turner]

[Yu_Bum_suk]

I recently took a group of students to Canada and made sure that everyone had her own passport and ticket with her. The problem was that at Immigration we got all split up, so I can sort of see the point of doing it there. As for bording, I think it's just part of the group / lack-of-independence mentality. Some of these people really don't think they can do anything as individuals.

[jaganath69]

[VanIslander]

[jaganath69]

[periwinkle]

If they are checking in at the regular line, then I'd walk over to the group check-in line (only if its available- if a group is waiting, forget it) and ask them to check me in. If they say no, then I'd ask why a group is checking in at the regular check-in line.

If you are really running late, you can always flag down the guy who monitors the line, and maybe he'll let you cut in front- they only do this if it's like 30 min before departure, though.

[jaganath69]