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Appium 1.8+ is brutally slow using Geb and Spock framework on iOS because AppiumDriver.getSession() became slow

See original GitHub issue

The problem

It appears something changed between Appium 1.7.2 and 1.8.0 in how Appium interacts with Geb/Spock framework. On Appium 1.6.5 and 1.7.2 I had no issues automating a hybrid app on iOS and the speed was pretty stellar. However, after updating to 1.8.0, 1.8.1, and 1.8.2-beta, the performance has absolutely tanked. The same tests on 1.6.5 and 1.7.2 that took 5 seconds now takes upwards of a minute since 1.8.0. Android is unaffected, the speed with Geb/Spock is still great. This is only affecting iOS and the mobile safari browser.

NOTE: Selenium performance is normal.

Environment

Appium version (or git revision) that exhibits the issue: 1.8.0 and above. I did not test beta versions between 1.7.2 and 1.8.0
Last Appium version that did not exhibit the issue (if applicable): 1.6.5, 1.7.2
Desktop OS/version used to run Appium: MacOS High Sierra
Node.js version (unless using Appium.app|exe): 9.6.1
Mobile platform/version under test: iOS 11.3.1
Real device or emulator/simulator: Real Device
Appium CLI or Appium.app|exe: CLI

Details

I have an example test written with Geb/Spock:

def "should go to Individual button"(){
        given:
        page = waitFor { at HomePage }

        when:
        $(id: "cwl").click()
        waitFor { $(id: "state") }
        enterInput($(id: "age"),"18")

        then:
        waitFor { $(id: "ageError").displayed }
        $(id: "ageError").text() == "Please enter an age between 0 and 17."
    }

This test takes about 3 seconds on a desktop browser and about 5 seconds on a mobile device using Appium 1.6.5 and Appium 1.7.2. This very same test on Appium 1.8+ on iOS takes about 1 minute. Android is still 5 seconds.

Link to Appium logs

Log using Appium 1.7.2 working as expected Log using Appium 1.8.2-beta, very slow

Code To Reproduce Issue [ Good To Have ]

This is internal to our company app so not sure how much help this is but:

def "should go to Individual button"(){
        given:
        page = waitFor { at HomePage }

        when:
        $(id: "cwl").click()
        waitFor { $(id: "state") }
        enterInput($(id: "age"),"18")

        then:
        waitFor { $(id: "ageError").displayed }
        $(id: "ageError").text() == "Please enter an age between 0 and 17."
    }