Belgian Air Force Days 9th & 10th September 2023

[Red Dragon]

I went through Brussels airport yesterday to meet up with overs going to KB. The passport control was an absolute sh!tshow with one guy processing nearly 200 visitors, it increased after quite a few arguements between passengers and staff, the cops had to step in a few times. Eventually 5 staff processing visitors turned up, when the queue had grown to around 400+ an utter shambles!! It was 2 hours+ in the queue.

[deusvult_photo]

Got there early on both the 8th and 9th , smooth ride from start to finish. Will share a few pics in the according thread if I found it. ( Of course a lot of people complained but why come 5 minutes before the door opens when you know there's gonna be thousands of people there smh )

[Supra]

Got there early on both the 8th and 9th , smooth ride from start to finish. Will share a few pics in the according thread if I found it. ( Of course a lot of people complained but why come 5 minutes before the door opens when you know there's gonna be thousands of people there smh )

He WAS talking about his experience at the Brussels AIRPORT I'm 99.9% sure?....Not the mega-queue at Kee Bee!
Clearly to us humble "Spotters" ( I *kin' hate that title!) they were Never gonna process all the people with pre-sold tickets through a 6-lane Security-Check starting at 09:00.
I don't organise Airshows...BUT I know they needed to start that process by 08:00 latest! Probably 07:30 on the 'Spotter Friday to avoid heat-induced rage'?

[Supra]

I forgot to mention that they opened the check-in process at 08:20 for the Saturday Show-day. An improvement, but still too late for the "Thousands" to be in-place by 10:00?
It would seem the 'Core of Base Personnel' with a working knowledge of 'Spotter' requirements have been posted elsewhere? Why did ATC not direct the 'Air Defender 23' A400 to do a full length flyby before landing from the other end in deference other arrivals? Exactly the same applies to the new 2023 Tornado Tiger jet from 51 at Jagel. They had specifically wanted to bring that jet to debut at KB. & we at the arrivals end?? were denied another chance to shoot a special marks a/c in-flight.... Just takes the 'edge' off an perfect day imo.

[Gary]

Out the car park B and back in the hotel in Bree within 20 mins. Had a brilliant time, the heat was oppressive at times. Spent a lot of the time in an empty stall down near marker 3 just for some rest bite. No commentary down there but 20 Sqn were having a party in their stand which was fun to watch.

Gates were opened at least 30 mins early each day in B or 30 mins early than the 9am advertised opening

Food prices seem to be up on last year, think I had used my €10 gift from the issues last year and €50 I pre bought by the end of the spotters day. A lot of alcohol was consumed. Didn’t help they only sell shot size beer

The pre pay card the way forward, speeds every thing up. I would love UK shows to think about implementing it. Especially with the refund for recycling the cup / plastic

[deusvult_photo]

Got there early on both the 8th and 9th , smooth ride from start to finish. Will share a few pics in the according thread if I found it. ( Of course a lot of people complained but why come 5 minutes before the door opens when you know there's gonna be thousands of people there smh )

He WAS talking about his experience at the Brussels AIRPORT I'm 99.9% sure?....Not the mega-queue at Kee Bee!
Clearly to us humble "Spotters" ( I *kin' hate that title!) they were Never gonna process all the people with pre-sold tickets through a 6-lane Security-Check starting at 09:00.
I don't organise Airshows...BUT I know they needed to start that process by 08:00 latest! Probably 07:30 on the 'Spotter Friday to avoid heat-induced rage'?

Oh yeah ofc I know haha !
I just added a layer of my experience

[deusvult_photo]

Out the car park B and back in the hotel in Bree within 20 mins. Had a brilliant time, the heat was oppressive at times. Spent a lot of the time in an empty stall down near marker 3 just for some rest bite. No commentary down there but 20 Sqn were having a party in their stand which was fun to watch.

Gates were opened at least 30 mins early each day in B or 30 mins early than the 9am advertised opening

Food prices seem to be up on last year, think I had used my €10 gift from the issues last year and €50 I pre bought by the end of the spotters day. A lot of alcohol was consumed. Didn’t help they only sell shot size beer

The pre pay card the way forward, speeds every thing up. I would love UK shows to think about implementing it. Especially with the refund for recycling the cup / plastic

That is pretty cool ! I usually don't consume much in events ( only If I forget to bring food & water ) , but it is nice to see this idea in place

[Supra]

A useful piece of information is that the Organisers of these Events are mandated to supply Water if the Temperature exceeds 27°c. What they are NOT required to supply is a receptacle to put it in! Take a bottle or two, drink it & refill ?
Saves a fortune in money spunked on paint-stripper labelled 'Jupiler'. Jeez I've swallowed truck-wash that left a lesser aftertaste than that stuff!

[Red Dragon]

Got there early on both the 8th and 9th , smooth ride from start to finish. Will share a few pics in the according thread if I found it. ( Of course a lot of people complained but why come 5 minutes before the door opens when you know there's gonna be thousands of people there smh )

He WAS talking about his experience at the Brussels AIRPORT I'm 99.9% sure?....Not the mega-queue at Kee Bee!
Clearly to us humble "Spotters" ( I *kin' hate that title!) they were Never gonna process all the people with pre-sold tickets through a 6-lane Security-Check starting at 09:00.
I don't organise Airshows...BUT I know they needed to start that process by 08:00 latest! Probably 07:30 on the 'Spotter Friday to avoid heat-induced rage'?

Correct Supra

Checking in for the homeward flight was easier, but my god it was a long walk from the central departures terminal to gate B14! along with the flight delay, it made for a long day!