In Reply to: A friend of mine just arrived back .. posted by hunter on Sunday, 11. July 2010 at 12:30 Bali Time:
I arrived 3pm on PB via Brisbane (22/6/10). There were 12 queues, 1000+ people (hubby and I counted them for entertainment), 30 degree heat and we ended up choosing the slowest line of course. It took us 3 hours and 5 minutes to get through immigration. (I just checked the time of my mobile text messages made during the wait - so yes, over 3 hours).
Last year in July (same PB flight) it took 2 hours with about only 36 people in front of us AND the immigration guy didn't even stamp my passport, just waved me through, and called the next person through - his mates at the other desk laughed at him when I refused to budge and stood there demanding he stamp it.
Anyway, long waits are not for the fainthearted, altho' I refuse to be pressured to use VIP - my trusty camp stool and an interesting novel will be tagging along as my props on the next trip.
It says alot for us hardy kiwis as an early morning PB flight means I've been travelling for either 19 hours (if I drove to Auckland airport from home) or 16 hours if I splurge on an overnight airport hotel.
It takes more than the frequency of the immigration officials popping off for their tea breaks to spoil my trek to get there.
However, having said all this, if you suffer any leg problems like being unable to stand too long or the heat gets too much for you in a confined crowded area - then seriously consider the VIP service.