May 20, 2016: CDG, a major international travel hub airport as well as entry to France, is a travel horror and mess. The airport, located in the beautiful French countryside and miles from Paris, keeps expanding to accommodate more world airline flights and less passenger convenience. If using CDG as a flight transfer point, then allow a minimum (MINIMUM — more time if you want less hustle) of 2 hours or more to navigate the maze of terminals via moving sidewalks and terminal bus transfers. Once you figure out where you’re going then be prepared for multi security stops and check points — and the unfriendly “French TSA” agents, most who look like they haven’t slept in days or pressed their uniforms in years. Even a friendly good morning brings a scowl. And, here’s another piece of advice and CDG travel strategy: if you’re connecting to one of Europe’s low cost budget carriers like “Not so Easy Easy Jet” or Ryan Air — or smaller Air Baltic — after going through all the internal terminal changes and security mazes, be prepared to actually physically exit Terminal D to re-enter on the other side of the same terminal — and go through more lines and security checks. I think that’s the French government’s way of punishing travelers for using a low cost budget carrier? The French need to learn from their neighbor the British and how they’ve figured this out with BA’s Terminal 5 at Heathrow — yes, it can take up to 2 hours to move from one terminal to another and navigate the security maze — but it’s efficient and user friendly. And maybe even enjoy a “spot of tea” along the way!
