I stated in other threads and will repeat it here. Given the new queuing system, the arrival pattern and work process has changed. There are both Pros and Cons to the new system.
Perhaps the biggest Pro is that you can obtain a QR queue numbered ticket. then leave the pilgrim office check into your accommodations, have a meal, drinks, etc. before returning in time to be seen at the counter.
You can and should check the progress of the queue remotely, by using the QR scanning function together with your smartphone internet browser. The queue sometimes moves in bursts, and the waiting time can reduce quickly. YOU MUST PAY ATTENTION.
Just make certain you return in enough time before your number is called, DO NOT be a 'No Show.' If they call your number and you are not there, your number will be cancelled. Then, you must obtain another, higher number and restart the process.
Perhaps the biggest Con to the new system is that they now know how many people they can process in a given day, given available time and resources. It is not a linear calculation, but based on experience, it appears that they are now processing about 1,200 pilgrims daily, plus whatever groups arrive outside the queue system.
Based on this, the QR ticket kiosks are turned off when the maximum number of people that can be processed for the day receive numbers. So, you might arrive at 13:00, after the noon Pilgrim Mass, only to find out that no more queue numbers are being issued for the day.
The takeaway from this is that pilgrims must now and into the future revise their Santiago arrival plans. If you are intent on receiving a Compostela and / or Distance Certificate, you MUST proceed directly to the Pilgrim Office FIRST, on arrival in Santiago to obtain a QR queue ticket number.
Having one of these QR tickets, no matter how high numbered, ensures that you will be seen that day.
Do not plan to attend the Pilgrim Mass and THEN go to the Pilgrim Office. You may be disappointed.
However, YOU MUST PLAN ENOUGH TIME to remain in Santiago long enough to be there to be processed. This means that all arriving pilgrims who want a Compostela and / or Distance Certificate should plan to stay a minimum of one night at Santiago after arrival. I recommend staying for two nights to ensure you can both receive these documents and see the other pilgrim arrival ritual things around Santiago.
When I am next at the Pilgrim Office, I plan to push for several process improvements to address these issues. These ideas for
non-group processes include:
- Establish one or more Solo Sello locations at the Pilgrim Office, and around the old town, to provide authorized Cathedral sellos / stamps on credencials to signify that you made it to Santiago, and to close out the credencial for future use. This necessarily precludes obtaining a Compostela. However, most repeat pilgrims value their credencials more than repeat Compostelas. Plus, this is free and takes seconds. It does not require waiting in line. It would be an option...
- Continue to lobby for express, automated advance data provision via the internet so you can skip the queue entirely and go to a separate entry to have your credencial validation and be issued your laser printed, using a calligraphic font, Compostela and / or Distance Certificate. Again, this would be OPTIONAL. If you wanted to take a QR ticket and be interviewed at the counter to receive a Compostela the old-school way, you would have that choice.
I continue to maintain that managing the burgeoning numbers of pilgrims, particularly into the coming 2021 Holy Year required adding optional choices for satisfying pilgrim demand. These choices must necessarily introduce automation as an option, at least iMHO.
Hope this helps.