Passed through again tonight....
Arrived to the hot & sweaty, no aircon, Shanghai Pudong airport and was told to go through immigration, get bags and then proceed to transfer hall
bag never arrived, waited until the bags were done (wasted a good 30min)
went to lost luggage area, waited 30min there, finally they said my bags should be checked all the way to BKK
went to transfer hall, they told me to go to 3rd floor, where new passengers are checking in
there, they told me to wait in the line to get checked in
all the while i have my tickets and seats already
i waited in line, finally asking again, to a group of employees who said "sorry, you dont need checkin again, go straight to immigration" (again) (more wasted time)
so i go thru immigration again, for 2nd time (once for arriving, once for departing)
go thru security
and finally get to the gates area, where i go to the free wifi desk, they said internet is not working today
i go sit down and try anyways, it's working just fine
go to charge my phone, the power outlet doesnt work
Pudong airport never ceases to amaze me, always proving they are worse than the previous visit.
I am posting about this not so much to complain but to inform future passengers. I am creating a list of tips for travelers going through Shanghai Pudong, China airport:
1. bring a change of clothes, the airport has little to no working air conditioning so if you're wearing sweater/jeans best to bring shorts/tshirt in your backpack
2. plan ahead, dont expect their internet or power will be working, if both are working, consider yourself a very lucky person, be sure to find your way to casino somewhere in the world on that day
3. There are no information desks, and many of the people working there do not speak English very well, read the monitors closely to try finding self help, if you are confused on what to do, you may as well be fcked
4. bring food/snacks in your bag, Pudong, in one of the most populated cities in the world, Shanghai, has the fewest and shittiest food options i have ever seen in any airport. There is 1 Starbucks and 1 Family Mart that allows you to use your credit/debit card, I found these to be the best options for food/drink.