Reply to: EES delays

[budgetastronaut]

I really wonder if this system is actually sustainable, and for how long we will have to put up with it? Or will we all be again part of the EU?

[woody1]

If they don't suspend it soon, and throughout the summer, it's going to be hellish especially next month.

[ladymuck]

What I don't understand is why airports don't segregate one or two flights for EES processing and just let the others arrive in the old/normal way. It's entirely possible to do that in most airports with a bit of extra staffing and use of tensa barriers. Then gradually increase the number of third country arrivals put through the EES channel. Trying to do every arrival all at once is just bonkers.

It might be a bit harder to do this with flights leaving Schengen as passengers are idiots and it doesn't matter how many signs you put up, a fair proportion of people will think it doesn't apply to them.

[woody1]

https://www.eureporter.co/politics/s...xit-system-ees

[woody1]

I was traveling back from Gran Canaria at the start of January (peak season for them) and their was no issue. I think the issues are partially down to luck and how many people hit the gates at the same time.

Getting out isn't a problem. The delays are getting in. But you're right, it's dependent on how many flights arrive at the same time.

Apparently, Jet2 try to time their departures from UK airports to arrive at the same time so it reduces the number of bus trips to the hotels. We witnessed this in Lanzarote on a Sunday afternoon in November when there were loads of them on the arrivals board from all over the UK. Thankfully the EES machines weren't on at the time but nevertheless it still took nearly an hour to get through immigration.

[NotAllThere]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0k699pxwzo

Going to a Schengen country next week, I will sail through the EU gates, my wife however who thought it was a good idea to get Britisch citizenship will have to queue. I will wait in the arrivals bar

I'm just glad I've a Schengen and a British passport. Mind you, an five ETAs is still cheaper than a British passport.

[pjt]

I was traveling back from Gran Canaria at the start of January (peak season for them) and their was no issue. I think the issues are partially down to luck and how many people hit the gates at the same time.

[Eirikur]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0k699pxwzo

Going to a Schengen country next week, I will sail through the EU gates, my wife however who thought it was a good idea to get Britisch citizenship will have to queue. I will wait in the arrivals bar

[WTFH]

Although if I was travelling over the summer, I think I'd avoid the Schengen area altogether just in case.

Could you apply for an Australian passport?

[woody1]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn0k699pxwzo

"Videos posted on social media in the past week describe three-hour queues at Geneva airport's passport control."

"Long waits have been reported at Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, too."

-----------------------------

I suspect many airports will end up turning the machines off in July and August to avoid absolute chaos. Although if I was travelling over the summer, I think I'd avoid the Schengen area altogether just in case.

[ladymuck]

Who the hell would want to spend that long in Gibraltar?

Inclined to agree. Have been there once as a cruise stopped there. I almost didn't bother going ashore and wasn't massively impressed when I did.

[WTFH]

Who the hell would want to spend that long in Gibraltar?

The Spanish?

[Uncle Albert]

As an aside, you can't even avoid EES going to Gibraltar because they're now part of Schengen.

Moreover, even though it's a British territory, we can only stay there for the 90/180 days.

Who the hell would want to spend that long in Gibraltar?

[woody1]

As an aside, you can't even avoid EES going to Gibraltar because they're now part of Schengen.

Moreover, even though it's a British territory, we can only stay there for the 90/180 days.

[TestMangler]

Arrived at TFS on Wednesday last week, around 2 PM. ESS was off and the old passport scanners were on. Landing, pisspot control and baggage in total took about 30 mins, and that included an extra trip to a different baggage area for an outsize item.