Delays at OR Tambo as Biometric System is Launched

[Delta5Cav]

They took my photo in Namibia in 2015 but no fingerprints.

 

[PeteG]

Just come through Jhb and I asked the immigration official what the situation was. He says they have put it on hold because of all the complaints about the system being too slow.
I don't know if they are rethinking things or when/if it will be put back into operation anytime soon.

 

[Hank2211]

Just come through Jhb and I asked the immigration official what the situation was. He says they have put it on hold because of all the complaints about the system being too slow.
I don't know if they are rethinking things or when/if it will be put back into operation anytime soon.

Thanks for the update. Have a connection there in a few months.

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

For those who have been through Tambo this year, was this system running again? If so, what was your experience particularly with respect to how long it took?

 

[sierraone]

Entered S.A. on 2 July this year. No biometric.

 

[Adrian]

I went through a couple of weeks ago. I went through the fingerprint system on my to Namibia but actually can't remember doing it on the return journey.
It was fairly quick but then it was early morning, not many people and four desks were open.
I queued for maybe ten minutes but I got a move on after I left my flight in and tried to get ahead of as many people as possible.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Went thru OR Tambo in mid July and did the in transit check point for a connecting flight to Luanda, Angola. No biometrics. I was on the SAA flight from JFK and my connecting flight to Angola was also SAA. My checked bag got lost for 7 days and finally got to me in Luanda the day before I left and went back to JNB. Went thru the normal immigration the end of July and again, no biometrics. Zipped thru pretty quickly.

 

[Dinsdale]

Went thru OR Tambo in mid July and did the in transit check point for a connecting flight to Luanda, Angola. No biometrics. I was on the SAA flight from JFK and my connecting flight to Angola was also SAA. My checked bag got lost for 7 days and finally got to me in Luanda the day before I left and went back to JNB. Went thru the normal immigration the end of July and again, no biometrics. Zipped thru pretty quickly.

Can I ask how long was your layover at J'berg heading to Angola?

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Can I ask how long was your layover at J'berg heading to Angola?

Just under 2 hours.

 

[Spooksar]

Went through in mid September no delays and no biometric testing

 

[CAustin]

Was not in use when I went there back in July

 

[cagkt3]

Went in March/April and it was, went back through in August/September and it was not in use

 

[Mark Biggerstaff]

Went thru in first week of June. Wad not in use.

 

[barbells.and.arrows]

My husband and I did the Delta 200/201 option Aug 27 & Sept 7, and the only place we saw biometric anything was ATL. We had to have our photos taken for our boarding pass. Some googling while in flight informed me that would eventually become standard practice when exiting the US.
I was just appalled at how quickly it recognized me based off the terrible exorcist style photo the scanner took.

 

[Ryan]

Arrived in August to OR Tambo- no Biometrics, left in September out of Cape Town- still no biometrics. No biometrics in in Frankfurt either time though I went into town and back in to the airport both times.

 

[GuttormG]

Well they must be because I have never witnessed anyone being printed at any airport in the states, at least in the regular course of business in entering.

I take it you are travelling on a US passport?
There is a reason my employer have hard time getting anyone to go to US....

 

[sestoppelman]

I take it you are travelling on a US passport?
There is a reason my employer have hard time getting anyone to go to US....

Yes, but not sure what your point is.