Smartgate and immigration lanes

[flyingmachine]

I've renewed my passport for an ePassport about a year or so ago and wonder what the rules are with using Smartgate.

In the past I've had to use the Aus/NZ citizen lanes when returning to Australia but it seems like Smartgate is for everyone that has an eligible passport (now there are 10+ nationalities that can use them). It was just a bit frustrating when the machines get clogged up by tourists etc who haven't used them before and are just visiting the country for the first time. I've also seen a Border Official at Darwin airport who seem to ask people whether they hold Australian passports - I'm not sure why they're doing that if the Smartgates aren't reserved for citizens only?

 

[Dr Ralph]

Are you referring to smartgates in Australia or around the world?

 

[kermatu]

I rarely use smartgates but last week on arrival in SYD was asked for my passport and then shown to a smartgate - I declined and went to an empty queue where there were 3 agents waiting - much quicker!

Understand frustration with the gates being clogged but it's not just tourists who may not know how to use. And I benefitted in Helsinki a couple of months back from being an Aussie yet able to use the eGates - so it shouldn't be locked to locals only.

I may be wrong (because again I have never used) but I think in Auckland for example the eGates are for Aus/NZ passports only (or at least there are dedicated lanes).

 

[Himeno]

I rarely use smartgates but last week on arrival in SYD was asked for my passport and then shown to a smartgate - I declined and went to an empty queue where there were 3 agents waiting - much quicker!

Understand frustration with the gates being clogged but it's not just tourists who may not know how to use. And I benefitted in Helsinki a couple of months back from being an Aussie yet able to use the eGates - so it shouldn't be locked to locals only.

I may be wrong (because again I have never used) but I think in Auckland for example the eGates are for Aus/NZ passports only (or at least there are dedicated lanes).

I tried to use the eGates at HEL this year after seeing the AU passports could use them. Gates were turned off. I guess they only turn them on for peak times. I was getting the first AY LHR flight of the day.

Part of the deal to add US access to the Australian Smartgates was so that Australia would be added to the US Global Entry. That hasn't happened yet.

 

[OATEK]

I tried the Smartgate returning to Sydney a few months ago, and it was a FAIL. Obviously wan't holding my mouth right.

BTW, smartgate queues were empty at the time, and I had to join the masses queued for "personal' service.

 

[Colster]

Never had any issue with them, outbound in SYD, inbound at Mel, SYD, AKL, or WLG. my photo must match my traveling demeanour - no smiling, eyes open and look straight ahead

 

[flyingmachine]

I was wondering about the Smartgates in Australia Dr Ralph.

I haven't had any issues with Smartgate either and often it gets me through quicker than waiting in line for manual processing. Just find it nice to be able to get through immigration control quickly and most places have separate lines/machines for citizens returning home. Seems like they've now expanded it to let a lot more people use them and you end up having to queue to use Smartgates too.

 

[Awesom Andy]

If anything, back when the smart gates started, we were the one clogging up the queues.

 

[Rebekkap]

I tried the Smartgate returning to Sydney a few months ago, and it was a FAIL. Obviously wan't holding my mouth right.

BTW, smartgate queues were empty at the time, and I had to join the masses queued for "personal' service.

Do you wear glasses? I have to take mine off to make it works despite it only specifying that you need to remove sunglasses.

 

[OATEK]

Do you wear glasses? I have to take mine off to make it works despite it only specifying that you need to remove sunglasses.

I did have my glasses off...

 

[Cynicor]

I can leave mine on, now. Previously it never worked no matter what I tried. No change to passport.

 

[kyanar]

I used to have no trouble with them, but now they almost never work. The queue to use them is longer than that to see an official which I'd end up forced to do anyway, so I personally just figure I'll join the manual processing queue. Screw it.

 

[jb747]

I've used them hundreds of times, and never had any issues. They do need a lot more of them to be installed though....