New York is a very special place to many, and perhaps the most competitive destination for all airlines. JFK International Airport’s Terminal4 is however, a far cry from what one would expect from the Gateway to Heaven(here, New York).
The good part is the immigration queues are systematic - there are people to help.Immigration Officers ask many questions - in the interest of their Homeland Security, which is acceptable.However, the immigration could be quicker.
What is NOT ACCEPTABLE is that
1.the Airport is old and dull.
2.this is the first International Airport where I have seen luggage trolleys being charged.
My experience was worse on the way out.Checked in bags were tagged and the bags were given back to us to put on belt4 for screening.Most airports have in-line baggage screening and this practice at JFK is shocking to say the least.We had to wait in the queue for close to 50 minutes before we were on our way for the Security check.The long wait was because TSA were not able to process/screen bags quick enough and as a result, there was a huge back up .
Security was under-manned-nobody to even place trays/baskets for teh passengers to put their belts, shoes, metallic objects, etc.Even Houston Hobby Airport was better.The only thing that impressed was that the approach(air bridge) to the aircraft was neat and could hold approx 75 passengers without there being a roadblock at the boarding gate.
I don’t know if other terminals at JFK are better but the most developed country in the world sure must deliver faster services at their most preferred destination.