Worlds worst airport for delays

[Anglian]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo

Yes, that's it

 

[Ruserious]

Im joining this thread a bit late but i wonder if they included the very frequent hour long traffic jams within 1km of the airport.. and up to 5 hour jams reaching the city...Im sure that adds to the chaos and delays

 

[rabbit_39]

... the arrivals hall was perfumed with the sweet clove smell of kretek

These days, lose the R and you got a great accurate description there

 

[londo_edan]

Alternatively, we could have a forum where we only said nice things: Indonesian food is delicious! Batik is beautiful! Volcanoes are stunning! People are nice! Bahasa Indonesia is not too difficult to study! Balinese dancing is so graceful!

Personally, I think honest discussion is better. No place is perfect, Indonesia (and our home nations) included.

Its a question of balance. What I observe, both here, and in other forums based in Asia / Asean is a load of over-entitled expats posting comments similar to the OP's recent posting. Viz, the legal system here is crap, the public infrastructure is crap, the government and all other public institutions are crap, Indonesians aren't particularly trustworthy, hardworking, open-minded, tolerant, well-educated, etc., aren't good at sports, don't drive well, teach their kids well, and the list goes on and on. Once the posting goes up, then other denizens pile-in with similar accounts decrying Indonesia and Indonesians and lamenting how life here 'is not quite as nice as that experienced in say Singapore, the US, Aus, UK etc.. Its laughable and rather sad.


Terus, I reckon I'm in the wrong forum so perhaps its time for me to shut-up, bow-out and possibly set-up my own 'forum' where visitors and guests in RI can exchange news, comments, views with Indonesians, without the overtones so evident here

 

[Anglian]

Its a question of balance. What I observe, both here, and in other forums based in Asia / Asean is a load of over-entitled expats posting comments similar to the OP's recent posting. Viz, the legal system here is crap, the public infrastructure is crap, the government and all other public institutions are crap, Indonesians aren't particularly trustworthy, hardworking, open-minded, tolerant, well-educated, etc., aren't good at sports, don't drive well, teach their kids well, and the list goes on and on. Once the posting goes up, then other denizens pile-in with similar accounts decrying Indonesia and Indonesians and lamenting how life here 'is not quite as nice as that experienced in say Singapore, the US, Aus, UK etc.. Its laughable and rather sad.


Terus, I reckon I'm in the wrong forum so perhaps its time for me to shut-up, bow-out and possibly set-up my own 'forum' where visitors and guests in RI can exchange news, comments, views with Indonesians, without the overtones so evident here

Don't know if you noticed but all the points you made are very obvious, so obvious in fact that the locals point them out too and moan about them, I think you must be leading a very sheltered life, when I have Indonesian visitors they all piss and moan, but like us just plod on and enjoy life, I've been here since 1997, would I or any other of this threads users prefer to be elsewhere with their Indonesian families, I think not, so try not to take the moans too seriously and stick with us, I'm sure you had a few moans when in your home country

 

[Davita]

Its a question of balance. What I observe, both here, and in other forums based in Asia / Asean is a load of over-entitled expats posting comments similar to the OP's recent posting. Viz, the legal system here is crap, the public infrastructure is crap, the government and all other public institutions are crap, Indonesians aren't particularly trustworthy, hardworking, open-minded, tolerant, well-educated, etc., aren't good at sports, don't drive well, teach their kids well, and the list goes on and on. Once the posting goes up, then other denizens pile-in with similar accounts decrying Indonesia and Indonesians and lamenting how life here 'is not quite as nice as that experienced in say Singapore, the US, Aus, UK etc.. Its laughable and rather sad.


Terus, I reckon I'm in the wrong forum so perhaps its time for me to shut-up, bow-out and possibly set-up my own 'forum' where visitors and guests in RI can exchange news, comments, views with Indonesians, without the overtones so evident here

All I get from the above is......"why cannot others see that my opinion is the right one and I should control where the balance lies."
Good luck with your new forum.

 

[fastpitch17]

Its laughable and rather sad.
Terus, I reckon I'm in the wrong forum so perhaps its time for me to shut-up, bow-out and possibly set-up my own 'forum' where visitors and guests in RI can exchange news, comments, views with Indonesians, without the overtones so evident here

Oh come on. You don't think locals complain about the same thing? You sound like a little spoiled kid who cry's because no one wants to play his game with his rules. So, he runs home and hides under his blankie.

It's a real world out there kid. Yeah, many point out the things that are wrong because they have open eyes and see where improvements can be made if only someone took some initiative to do the improving. The problems with improvement is many things like religion, corruption, and old ways get in their way and people here are not afraid to say so. It's a tough place for a foreigner to settle into. Especially a Westerner who has enjoyed the freedoms and experienced law abiding order. Still, they elect to stay here for one reason or another. No one ever said Indonesia doesn't have it's positive points and as a matter of fact, many do point them out. If someone is just looking for the negative so they can comment on them how good of heart they are like I suspect you do, so be it. Be the child. Or, you could grow up and face some harsh realities about where you have elected to live. If you go out and start a forum like you say, don't be surprised if you don't get the same things written there then you see right here. Unless you are planning on moderating them all out. It can be a lonely world then.

 

[Davita]

You sound like a little spoiled kid who cry's because no one wants to play his game with his rules. So, he runs home and hides under his blankie.

That comment has made my Friday...very funny and haven't heard that in a long time. Here's another I remember..."if you don't play my game I'll take my ball home..."

 

[El_Goretto]

Its a question of balance. What I observe, both here, and in other forums based in Asia / Asean is a load of over-entitled expats posting comments similar to the OP's recent posting. Viz, the legal system here is crap, the public infrastructure is crap, the government and all other public institutions are crap, Indonesians aren't particularly trustworthy, hardworking, open-minded, tolerant, well-educated, etc., aren't good at sports, don't drive well, teach their kids well, and the list goes on and on. Once the posting goes up, then other denizens pile-in with similar accounts decrying Indonesia and Indonesians and lamenting how life here 'is not quite as nice as that experienced in say Singapore, the US, Aus, UK etc.. Its laughable and rather sad.


Terus, I reckon I'm in the wrong forum so perhaps its time for me to shut-up, bow-out and possibly set-up my own 'forum' where visitors and guests in RI can exchange news, comments, views with Indonesians, without the overtones so evident here

Maybe you have a point, to some extent. Sometimes the grumpiness can be a little bit overwhelming. The thing is, in all communities, we have more negative people and more positive people. Like you said, it's a question of balance and I feel like your fall into the later category.

I actually enjoy reading your posts and input so it is a shame that you think this forum is not for you anymore. I would have much rather liked that you help balance negative comments out with some positive contributions which I am sure you have tons of. At the end of the day, the decision is yours.

 

[El_Goretto]

Agreed...in the old forum he might have been infracted for 'provocation'...here it is called 'spicing up'.
How ironic.

I should also know as I was infracted for a much less provoking comment than this...... "Great, lets join a forum and keep up a stream of on invective about the country we choose to live in "...

That comment has made my Friday...very funny and haven't heard that in a long time. Here's another I remember..."if you don't play my game I'll take my ball home..."

You talk about irony but your comments are bringing even more irony! I will call this... Irony Inception! After the film "Inception": a dream within a dream within a dream but instead irony within irony.

Complaining about which infraction you got in another forum compared to what others are or are not getting in this forum is puerile at best. Seriously, just get over it. Or, you know, use the report button!

Now, this can be considered as a moderation note. Which means that if you wish to discuss infractions ad nauseum, be my guest, but please use the report button or send us a PM, but please don't cry in the thread. Case closed.

 

[Bad_azz]

Maybe you have a point, to some extent. Sometimes the grumpiness can be a little bit overwhelming. The thing is, in all communities, we have more negative people and more positive people. Like you said, it's a question of balance and I feel like your fall into the later category.

I actually enjoy reading your posts and input so it is a shame that you think this forum is not for you anymore. I would have much rather liked that you help balance negative comments out with some positive contributions which I am sure you have tons of. At the end of the day, the decision is yours.

I have to agree with you L_E & ElG... I get a bit bored shitless at all the negativity, not just in here but all over the place in groups.
Negative people are like vampires for sucking the life and fun out of things.

Don't let it get to you tho'. These types of people just enjoy wallowing in misery- personally I like to see the good in things and try to build on that- doesn't mean I am blind to the quirks and faults etc. I just choose not to invest my energy into misery
Life is crap at times, life is funny more often and if all I did all day was to pick holes in everything around me & on the internet I would lead a very grim existence.
As has already been pointed out there is a mix in this forum & yes you will note that it is usually the same members who look for the superior slant, or the negative slant or the dull & boring slant on the topics.
Some of us do look for the fun in life though- BUT would I wish to be in a forum full of "fun" hmmm nah

 

[Davita]

Complaining about which infraction you got in another forum compared to what others are or are not getting in this forum is puerile at best.

It isn't puerile...it's a compliment to this forum for having the capacity to be less censored than previous...I call that progress.

 

[El_Goretto]

Now, about the topic at hand and to balance things out somewhat:

I feel that the airport situation has improved DRASTICALLY ever since 5 years ago when I moved to Indonesia:

• A new terminal for low budget airlines which is actually quite comfortable with a decent selection of food.
• A new toll road section (Lingkar Luar Barat) makes accessing the airport from South Jakarta much easier. It also helps accessing from pretty much everywhere else by redistributing some of the traffic.
• A new access road/exchanger at Pantai Indah Kapuk also seems to help.
• The development of E-Toll gates makes the traffic much smoother.
• Better flood management from Pak Jokowi back when he was DKI Governor and now taken much further with Pak Ahok.
• The road leading to the airport from the last toll gate has developed like crazy with new hotels, new offices, new shops and whatnot.

I also believe that a contributing factor to airport woes is the increase in accessibility to air travel via low cost carriers. There are more and more travelers and as a consequence, more airlines and more flights. And THAT's a silver lining if I've ever seen one.

Let's not forget the current improvements which include:

• A whole new modern (modern looking, haven't been there yet) terminal. While the launch has been a bit rough, this will surely relieve some of the stress on the other terminals.
• A new train line from the airport to central Jakarta. Once this line and the MRT are operating, it will make transport much easier.

 

[El_Goretto]

It isn't puerile...it's a compliment to this forum for having the capacity to be less censored than previous...I call that progress.

Thank you for the compliment, it us much appreciated, especially if it means you enjoy this place better. Although what you wrote earlier in the thread did not seem like it at all. But never mind, let's move on

 

[Bad_azz]

Back on topic- airport delays do not phase me- I guess I have been lucky that I haven't had to endure too many of them.
Longest was 8 hours... just jam myself in a smoking area with a drink & a book. I always carry something with me that doubles up as a seat for the floor usually a sarong & a travel pillow prop my bag behind me and chill.
Another thing I always carry on long journeys: a mini shower kit - comprising of a flannel, a solid shampoo (that doubles up as shower soap- lots of bubbles) and toothbrush with pre-packed paste on it, a sachet of Rexona, comb & a small towel.

I used to have a "magic towel" that was super absorbent but folded very small (being white it got scooped up by maid service in a hotel somewhere and went off to the abyss that is hotel laundry- never to be seen again :'( )

When at an airport for a long time or on a long flight I can get really freshened up and change clothes.
I carry a large plastic beaker that fits all my shower kit in it and use the beaker as a water scoop for the make-do shower.
I have found that over the years this makes me feel a lot better and a lot less grumpy- there isn't much worse than being hot sweaty , stinky and with lots of time to do nowt.

 

[El_Goretto]

I have to agree with you L_E & ElG... I get a bit bored shitless at all the negativity, not just in here but all over the place in groups.
Negative people are like vampires for sucking the life and fun out of things.

Don't let it get to you tho'. These types of people just enjoy wallowing in misery- personally I like to see the good in things and try to build on that- doesn't mean I am blind to the quirks and faults etc. I just choose not to invest my energy into misery
Life is crap at times, life is funny more often and if all I did all day was to pick holes in everything around me & on the internet I would lead a very grim existence.
As has already been pointed out there is a mix in this forum & yes you will note that it is usually the same members who look for the superior slant, or the negative slant or the dull & boring slant on the topics.
Some of us do look for the fun in life though- BUT would I wish to be in a forum full of "fun" hmmm nah

We're not about to censor people who bash Indonesia because I don't think it's productive. In fact, having a channel to let go some of the daily pressure is nice.

What I think is more productive is to make efforts to counter the negativity by making positive or useful contributions to the forum. And I think that it is somewhat already being achieved but is a constant work in progress.

 

[fastpitch17]

Now, about the topic at hand and to balance things out somewhat:

I feel that the airport situation has improved DRASTICALLY ever since 5 years ago when I moved to Indonesia:

• A new terminal for low budget airlines which is actually quite comfortable with a decent selection of food.
• A new toll road section (Lingkar Luar Barat) makes accessing the airport from South Jakarta much easier. It also helps accessing from pretty much everywhere else by redistributing some of the traffic.
• A new access road/exchanger at Pantai Indah Kapuk also seems to help.
• The development of E-Toll gates makes the traffic much smoother.
• Better flood management from Pak Jokowi back when he was DKI Governor and now taken much further with Pak Ahok.
• The road leading to the airport from the last toll gate has developed like crazy with new hotels, new offices, new shops and whatnot.

I also believe that a contributing factor to airport woes is the increase in accessibility to air travel via low cost carriers. There are more and more travelers and as a consequence, more airlines and more flights. And THAT's a silver lining if I've ever seen one.

Let's not forget the current improvements which include:

• A whole new modern (modern looking, haven't been there yet) terminal. While the launch has been a bit rough, this will surely relieve some of the stress on the other terminals.
• A new train line from the airport to central Jakarta. Once this line and the MRT are operating, it will make transport much easier.

That is all well and good for access to and from the airport but it doesn't really change anything in regards to flight delays unless they are delayed for someone on their way to the airport.

The delays are caused by the airlines themselves in most cases. One gets off track in the morning, gets out of the take off schedule for even a few minutes, then gets in line a bit later out of place now delaying the birds waiting to take off. Once the schedule is off, the incoming gets off for landings too. This goes on all day and by the end of the day there are planes an hour or more behind. I have seen flights canceled and people put on a later flight because they were so far behind schedule that the two flights were end up being close to each other. Garuda actually keeps extra planes at some of the airports that are constantly hampered by the delays from Jakarta. They put those planes into play when the schedules get way behind. The eventual arriving plane now takes the place of the extra plane. The thing is, most of the delays are caused by the airlines and then the lack of active runway for take offs and landings.

 

[Davita]

El-Goretto is correct that Jakarta airport is getting better. Terminal 3 was efficient and is now being refurbished to join Terminal 3 Ultimate (a massive building) so we should soon see some great improvements. The connection from the airport to the southern ring road thru' Puri Indah has also relieved some traffic. The railway ...is it even started?
I think the main thrust from the article I linked as OP has more to do with aircraft arrival/departure delays...and is caused more by inadequate air traffic control than problems in the terminal.
They are in progress to add another runway but I've not heard of any improvements to the Air Traffic Control Services.
I know in Bali the landing navigation features, for such a busy airport, is totally inadequate and can only surmise not much has improved at Soekarno-Hatta either.
Yet Indonesia wants to take-over ATC around Batam/Riau Islands, which has been controlled from Singapore for ages, as Indonesians don't want their sovereign state under the control of another state. Going to be interesting.

fastpitch also has a point as I read Lion and Air Asia are so budget they have no wiggle room if an aircraft has a malfunction...most airlines will have some standby at their main hub.

To see how ATC operates go to 'Flightradar24'. If you see a trail going around in circles it means ATC have put an A/C in a holding pattern because they cannot handle the congestion. This causes delays which mount up overtime.
At a terminal I look for the A/C to arrive...that gives a good insight as to when it might depart with me on board. If it's already on the ramp/gate...good news.

 

[El_Goretto]

I guess that's also a case of you get what you pay for. Those budget airlines offer low price with lower reliability.

 

[Davita]

I guess that's also a case of you get what you pay for. Those budget airlines offer low price with lower reliability.

That's true but it isn't always the airline as I suggested in my earlier post.
My B-in-L lives in Jakarta and always travels on Garuda to visit Bali as he has their gold-card, or something, so he always boasts he's a VIP.
I take great delight when he's late arriving and I lie that the Air Asia coinciding flight arrived on-time. Makes him mad...I'm