Mick D Posted 18 March , 2015 Share Posted 18 March , 2015 I'm sure I read in the press about a pre- crossing check in that is about to come in. I thought it sounded like checking in at home before you fly, i.e. Putting your passport details onto the database and checking in on line. I've looked at the tunnels website and there seems to be no mention at all of this feature, am I mistaken in what I read or has it yet to come in ? Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scorer Posted 18 March , 2015 Share Posted 18 March , 2015 I don't know how to paste a link to it, but see the "Advance Passenger Information Eurotunnel" topic elsewhere in this section. Is this what you are looking for? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 18 March , 2015 Share Posted 18 March , 2015 The DM is predicting 5 mile tailbacks, but then they are giving space to Piers Morgan. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2998709/Coachloads-little-old-ladies-bear-brunt-new-passport-checks-set-cause-long-queues-Eurotunnel-ferry-ports.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick D Posted 18 March , 2015 Author Share Posted 18 March , 2015 I don't know how to paste a link to it, but see the "Advance Passenger Information Eurotunnel" topic elsewhere in this section. Is this what you are looking for? Yes that's it! I thought it was in a magazine. I'll try the random search function to find it, still though I couldn't see it on the actual site. Thank you Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Scorer Posted 18 March , 2015 Share Posted 18 March , 2015 Yes that's it! I thought it was in a magazine. I'll try the random search function to find it, still though I couldn't see it on the actual site. Thank you Mick No problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIRKY Posted 18 March , 2015 Share Posted 18 March , 2015 We were swabbed going out to France this week along with every odd else which has never happened before Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph Kerr1 Posted 18 March , 2015 Share Posted 18 March , 2015 The Freight Transport Association / HGV UK are warning that this could lead to OPERATION STACK being used much more often. We were hoping that as we use small vehicles we wouldnt be dragged into it but word at Dover is that the big problem will be cause by coaches. It is expected that customs etc will get the hump with the new system and insist on a full check on every coach passenger so a coach stopped at the booth witll take ages to be checked and let through. Say 20 or 30 times longer than a car with 2 people in it. That would take no time to clog the road from the check ins back to Dover sea front and up the hill to the east. Once its grid locked it will take forever to clear. Starts after easter. J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 18 March , 2015 Share Posted 18 March , 2015 We were swabbed going out to France this week Tony What about the vehicle? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Cross Posted 18 March , 2015 Share Posted 18 March , 2015 Not impressed thus far. Input all of my minibus passengers for some upcoming trips and got email... "Thank you for providing your Advance Passenger Information, which will be passed to the UK Border Force and Home Office". 24 hours later... "We can see that when completing this information you have included an invalid booking reference therefore your details have not been stored". But which booking ? And do I have to type the darn lot all over again ? Teething problems ? MC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank_East Posted 18 March , 2015 Share Posted 18 March , 2015 According to the "authorities" the passport of every traveler from now on leaving the UK for France will be checked.I presume that means scanned. What they are saying is that should a queue at Dover become greater than 650 vehicles,then there is a possibility of Operation Stack being enacted. Some have raised the point that it could mean that cars are stacked among HGVs with occupants baking in the sun and denied access to toilets etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIRKY Posted 19 March , 2015 Share Posted 19 March , 2015 Mick, yes it was the car that was swabbed! Passsport not checked on way out and only glanced at on way back. Train pretty empty as well. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beselare Posted 19 March , 2015 Share Posted 19 March , 2015 I gave up using the tunnel a long time ago except for one-day shopping trips. The DFDS sea crossing Dover/Dunkirk is extremely pleasant unless there is a gale blowing and it is considerably cheaper than the tunnel. If there are going to be considerably long and unnecessary delays for the tunnel, then my one-day shopping trips might just as well be by boat. I wonder if the management teams of the tunnel crossing are aware that they might lose some business? Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin spof Posted 19 March , 2015 Admin Share Posted 19 March , 2015 On 18/03/2015 at 17:46, Mick D said: Yes that's it! I thought it was in a magazine. I'll try the random search function to find it, still though I couldn't see it on the actual site. Thank you Mick It is just a few posts further down the page here On 19/03/2015 at 02:27, Joseph Kerr1 said: The Freight Transport Association / HGV UK are warning that this could lead to OPERATION STACK being used much more often. We were hoping that as we use small vehicles we wouldnt be dragged into it but word at Dover is that the big problem will be cause by coaches. It is expected that customs etc will get the hump with the new system and insist on a full check on every coach passenger so a coach stopped at the booth witll take ages to be checked and let through. Say 20 or 30 times longer than a car with 2 people in it. That would take no time to clog the road from the check ins back to Dover sea front and up the hill to the east. Once its grid locked it will take forever to clear. Starts after easter. J It has been a while since I went through on a coach (and that was on a ferry) but they used to be pulled aside and checked separately and not at the booths used by cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbarchetta Posted 19 March , 2015 Share Posted 19 March , 2015 Just had a request for API for our April trip, despite filling one in for the trip about a month ago so had to do it all again (Windows still remembered all my answers, but Eurotunnel clearly didn't)... This time I took a screen dump of the 'Thank you' page, lest I have further requests in the coming weeks... Doesn't bode well for a smooth transition to the new system... IMHO James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 19 March , 2015 Share Posted 19 March , 2015 Thought it started in time for Easter? Does this coincide neatly with HMG selling its stake in Eurotunnel? A government minister on "Today" said that if it caused problems , the immigration dept could contact London for permission to use a less onerous regime - well that's OK then. No doubt an instant decision will be made on this! Well on the Monday after the weekend travel nightmare anyway. Suspect this is designed to give HMG a "Well you wanted tighter immigration checks" riposte to critics. Back to the ferry for me I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beselare Posted 19 March , 2015 Share Posted 19 March , 2015 Checking passports for the ferry has always been the case. On average, from arriving at the port you will be parked, waiting to board, in 30 minutes. If you are on an early crossing, you can look forward to an inexpensive full English breakfast and the latest morning newspaper. I admit there is the occasional idiot who cannot find their passport and those from eastern European countries are given a longer scrutiny. Using a little imagination, you can now imagine you are on your way to the front line or going home for leave. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug504 Posted 19 March , 2015 Share Posted 19 March , 2015 Having previously been a regular ferry user, over the past couple of years I've used the tunnel on 3 occasions each year. After listening to the proposed changes I have wondered what the actual changes are. On each occasion I've used the tunnel, (twice a year in car and once a year in a minibus of 10 people), vehicles have been swabbed as described in earlier posts, steering wheel and door handles. In addition all passengers passports have been taken and scanned at the booths. This was never a lengthy business, especially if you've got your documents ready. What is infuriating are those people who when they reach the booths then spend a ridiculous length of time searching bags, pockets, glove compartments etc. for their passports! So my question; what additionally, if anything, is proposed? Doug. p.s. The taking of swabs is always a nervy business, being a regular target shooter who reloads my own ammunition I keep expecting sirens and blue lights! Or are the swabs for drugs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redbarchetta Posted 20 March , 2015 Share Posted 20 March , 2015 Alan, What's new is this 'advanced' notification process, so the dread is that 50% of cars won't have quite got around to doing it when they rock up to the terminal, meaning messing about at the passport control filling one in on spec... There doesn't appear to be anything on the Eurotunnel 'Your Booking' page to say whether you have done it or not, so if you miss the email prompt, you won't know (unless the reminder emails get more and more frequent as you approach your departure date!). Not going until 25th April, so they have a couple of weeks to get the system working for me...! James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Bennitt Posted 20 March , 2015 Share Posted 20 March , 2015 There doesn't appear to be anything on the Eurotunnel 'Your Booking' page to say whether you have done it or not, so if you miss the email prompt, you won't know (unless the reminder emails get more and more frequent as you approach your departure date!). Unless you are lucky enough to be a member of the GWF and so know all about it already . I am heading to the UK on April 26 and out again on May 6, so guess I will have to fill in the form before I leave France, whether prompted or not. At least it will give even more incentive to the French police to just wave you through, knowing their UK counterparts will already have picked up anyone heading for Syria, or wherever. Cheers Martin B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 20 March , 2015 Share Posted 20 March , 2015 What is this API please and might it apply to the ferries also? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobsta Posted 20 March , 2015 Share Posted 20 March , 2015 (edited) From the Eurotunnel website We are ready for exit checks How you can be ready too... 3 Easy steps Complete your API data before travel Have your passport ready when you arrive Turn up on time: there is no need to change your travel plans as a result of exit checks Complete your API data now What are exit checks? The UK government have introduced Exit Checks at all ports and airports from 1st April 2015. This requires Eurotunnel Le Shuttle to gather information on the identity of every person leaving the country, at their point of departure, and pass this information to UK Border Force. In order to comply with this new legislation, and to speed up your journey through our Folkestone terminal, we will be asking you to provide us with your passport or identity card details in advance of your travel to the Continent. The following details will be required from you and each of the passengers travelling in your vehicle: Name Surname Gender Date of birth Nationality Document type Document number Issuing state Expiry date You can provide us with your Advance Passenger Information (API) via the following ways: Once you've made a booking, by visiting www.eurotunnel.com/uk/api By calling our Contact Centre on 0330 1233207 where one of our team will add your travel information for you You will need to have the travel information for each of your passengers to hand. Once collected, this Advance Passenger Information (API) is sent securely and encrypted to the UK Border Force and the Home Office. Edited 20 March , 2015 by tc2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Filsell Posted 20 March , 2015 Share Posted 20 March , 2015 I had a half hour wait for passport control for the tunnel in October. Since every one was in the same long lines of traffic, many ducking and diving to get an edge, we got on the first ferry available to us, like everyone else.Two passport control points open. When I complained the officer he apologised and said "Its only going to get worse mate. They've cut front edge staff in the check booths. Meanwhile there were about Border Guards give cars the going when they got bored with standing around and doing sweet FA.. We are truly a third world country - perhaps a bribe next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 20 March , 2015 Share Posted 20 March , 2015 I wonder what the going rate is? Or do they play "car snooker" by colour? And guess who has a bright red car. Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 20 March , 2015 Share Posted 20 March , 2015 And guess who has a bright red car. . Can't be Noddy he drives a red and yellow car, must be Postman Pat, although on reflection that's a small van. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael wilmot Posted 20 March , 2015 Share Posted 20 March , 2015 Came through today with passports checked by both Uk and French border control for first time ever. Saying that no problems and no more than 30 secs at each stop. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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