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Spent too much of my last couple of weeks in the joint gateways to hell that are Gatwick and Heathrow. How do we as a nation tolerate the third rate attitude that means we are leaving Europe, ditching the rational that is Schengen. Who chooses to spend their lives queueing rather then moving freely? Have the English given up the will to live? And why do the stupid ****s who voted for Brexit not **** right off to Russia which is clearly where they'd rather be.
And why do the stupid * who voted for Brexit not * right off to Russia which is clearly where they’d rather be.
What colour are Russian Passports?
What colour are Russian passports
Blue
Needs MOAR CAPs and lack of coherent argument to actually make sense.
Be honest, we still have running water, democracy and throw away almost as much food as we eat despite the obesity epidemic.
Having to queue at an airport to get on a plane to travel thousands of miles burning tons of fuel for non essential reasons, definitely a first world problem.
Having spent a while in Indonesia watching people live in gutters, fish from the rivers they shit in and choke on pollution getting to Gatwick can't be that bad.
Completely illogical security procedures. Pointless and often useless tech in that process.
And yes a queue is not the end of the world but when we could be moving freely it is a pointless waste of time.
Errrm I'd hardly say the "security procedures" were illogical. I think if we were all just allowed to pile on various planes it might get a bit bomby at times.
Oh and about the democracy that we apparently have. The corrupt and venal Brexiteers haven't exactly been becons of democracy in practice or principle. The promotion of irrational thought and behaviour through deceit and obfuscation is hardly conducive to a well functioning society.
Mebbiieeess we could get a floptop blond haired gammon faced buffoon to oppose another runway at Heathrow, get him to lay down in front of a bulldozer or two.
That’ll fix the queues.
Broadly airport security functions as a theatre. If I have cleared security in one airport there is no logic to the requirement for me to clear again in transit.
Similarly if the passport scanners at the gate can "see" my kids then the poor implementation of scanners which limits there use to adults at border security merely inconveniences and slows what could be a simple process.
ditching the rational that is Schengen
We're not in Schengen.
Moronic behaviour and slooow security procedures are nothing new at airports. Not sure how Brexit (I hate myself for typing that word) related.
We seem to have developed a national strategy for government titled 'cackling manically into the abyss'.
It's not all bad though. I'm looking forward to trying the British wines in Weatherspoons to wash down my powdered egg
I just checked, the UK is not part of Schengen, which surprised me as I thought it was.
In any case, it's a huge shame. When i travel from here elsewhere in Europe, it's a flawless process that does not involve me having to use a passport. I can walk past the crowds of package holiday tourists heading back to the UK and having to queue and wonder what the hell the UK is doing wrong.
Completely illogical security procedures. Pointless and often useless tech in that process.
And yes a queue is not the end of the world but when we could be moving freely it is a pointless waste of time.
Biggest problem is people who don't know what to do at security. I can have my shoes off, pockets are always empty, laptop & table it hand before I get to the scanners and back in the bag as I walk to the lounge after.
If you are travelling this week then it's peak holiday season so less regular travellers and more people trying to fit a weeks worth of clothes in hand luggage, probably have their passports in the little blue wallets they hate and don't know how to move through a queue.
Errrm I’d hardly say the “security procedures” were illogical. I think if we were all just allowed to pile on various planes it might get a bit bomby at times.
I think the point is the security procedures have little to do with that.
Every airport seems different (even terminals) ... what one airport/terminal tells you to put in a separate tray another tells you to put it back. My clear bag doesn't get more than 5% full... small toothpaste and small shaving cream then I'm told it must be in one of THEIR bags as opposed to a different same sized bag from a different airport.
Passport signage is actually incorrect and contradictory in several terminals. (LHR T2 and T5 have EU passports and the BIG sign that directs everyone doesn't mention EEA passports)
Instructions are contradictory... I was forced to leave my then 6yr old in the queue because I was directed to use the electronic passport gates whilst he was told to go through the manual check.
Then there is always someone wearing 15kg of jewellery and asking for every bit they take off... I'd think it's obvious but clearly many don't so why should everyone else wait and potentially miss a flight ... why not have big signs and refuse anyone wearing jewellery and send them to the back??
Several times I've been refused entry to security because of my destination and had to go back.
The thing is this is the process... they issue boarding cards, I know it will be refused at the scanner BUT if you go directly to the desk they won't process it UNTIL you've been refused by the scanner... and all it say's is to see a staff member... it doesn't tell you where to go.
Then .. you queue and it's either T2 or T5 that have exactly 3 destinations (Moscow, St Petersburg and Kiev) that refuse the boarding card and direct you to the staff (I know to go to the desk but I still have to go to the scanner and get refused before ) .. then I get to the desk and the person manning the desk can't read cyrillic! (really what's the point?)
Going back to the bomby thing.... this isn't a queue at Greg's it's meant to be immigration and security.
FFS... either do it properly and consistently (or don't).
Having spent a while in Indonesia watching people live in gutters, fish from the rivers they shit in and choke on pollution getting to Gatwick can’t be that bad.
yep getting to gatwick is pretty grim
I didn't know that the measure of a first world nation is the length of queue of holidaymakers heading to majorca in the school holidays.
Also, if you think security and immigration is bad at Gatwick then I suggest you don't visit Newark or any other airport in the US.
Gatwicks a cake walk.
Try port Harcourt if you dislike queues. They just do ramies
Likewise Turkmenistan. 1 person door and the "queue" is 30 wide and 15 deep. Looked like a boxing match
and the person manning the desk can’t read cyrillic!
Along with 99.5% of the UK population...
I spent a while commuting to Moscow, I know which airport I prefer, and it's not Sheremetyova!
Re: inexperienced travellers - they are all out at this time of year, I just adopt a calm serenity and pick the queue that has the least muppets in it.
I was forced to leave my then 6yr old in the queue because I was directed to use the electronic passport gates whilst he was told to go through the manual check.
They shouldn't have done that, unless it was the manual check next to the electronic gates - in which case I can sort of understand it.
then I suggest you don’t visit Newark
Just run from the gate to immigration, you might keep the wait below 45 minutes then.
Try port Harcourt if you dislike queues.
Never had a problem with queues at PH. Being shaken down for bribes, maybe. Avoiding mozzies in the so-called Business Lounge, for sure. (Best memory is of a super-hot babe in military dress carrying a large gun, but maybe that says more about me)
Similarly if the passport scanners at the gate can “see” my kids then the poor implementation of scanners which limits there use to adults at border security merely inconveniences and slows what could be a simple process.
Trouble is that kids' passports are valid for 5 years and the biometric data stuff that the facial scanners use can change quite a lot in that time. Although i do remember reading about a trial for older children.
Op only mentions England. Do the other 3 nations escape the vitriol?
Do the other 3 nations escape the vitriol?
Do they have international airports? 😉
But seriously, its not that bad, just that the country's leadership is so lost that it has permeated down. All the border stuff can basically be blamed on Our Theresa of May, and the sterling job that she's been doing for the last 8 years.
Biggest problem is people who don’t know what to do at security.
Definately. I worked at HMP Frankland & It was second nature to virtually strip off getting in there so the airport was easy peasy!
Definately. I worked at HMP Frankland & It was second nature to virtually strip off getting in there so the airport was easy peasy!
To a point. In life, I've generally found that it is best to seek some kind of affirmation before beginning to remove items of clothing.
Go through a lot of airports around the world and was just in T2 Heathrow a week or so ago, thought it was OK.
On landing I must have gone through the scanners and picked my luggage up within 25 minutes, coming back I found it all reasonably simple, queues tend to move efficiently when people heed the security advice prior to reaching the security checkpoints.
Britain, or England in this case, is not a 3rd world country, you only need to visit an actual 3rd world country to realise that.
Anyone who thinks the UK is Third World really needs to get out more.
Last time I looked passport control and security are 2 separate things.
I fly in and out of Schiphol a lot and last time I looked, there was a lot of European's queuing with me at security.
Also, there is a lot of the World outside of the Schengen area.
OP - If you are going to rant at least get some facts straight.
To the OP I suggest that rather than blaming Brexit, you concentrate more on not boring everyone with your first world issues of travelling around the world and angrily writing click bait titles whilst you stand in a queue. There have been queues in airports for as long as they have existed, it has got progressively worse since people decided blowing up planes was the thing to do. Personally Id rather queue then get blown up. It is what it is, just accept it and move on. Although I will agree with points mentioned above of why it takes some people so long to put stuff in a tray at security.
"England a third world hell hole" . Personally I have never been to a third world country but I'm pretty sure it is not similar to the UK of now.
Bit ironic that often the security staff are provided by the same firms who are also running mercenary private military contracts overseas, which no doubt leads to radicalization and terrorism, not to mention the mass migration of refugees escaping conflict, which was a big factor in Brexshit.
A queue at an airport?
Never go to O'Hare or Dulles then. You'd spontaneously combust in a maelstrom of rage.
....ever go to O’Hare or Dulles then. You’d spontaneously combust in a maelstrom of rage.
....and god help him when he has to deal with the TSA, even people from the 3rd world don't want that hassle.
Biggest problem is people who don’t know what to do at security. I can have my shoes off, pockets are always empty, laptop & table it hand before I get to the scanners and back in the bag as I walk to the lounge after.
Can we have a queue for “People who know what they are doing” at security. You get 20 secs to be ready for the scanners, or you have to leave the line up.
Personally Id rather queue then get blown up.
You’d join a queue in order to be blown up? You’re either a beach ball or a mad man.
I commuted through Heathrow T2 for a few months. It was fantastic. I could often be on the M4 within 15 mins of the plane landing.
Biggest problem is people who don’t know what to do at security. I can have my shoes off, pockets are always empty, laptop & table it hand before I get to the scanners and back in the bag as I walk to the lounge after.
The scanners always pick up my plates & screws in my shoulder. My biggest first world problem at airports is therefore remembering not to wear socks with holes in.
Be honest, we still have running water, democracy and throw away almost as much food as we eat despite the obesity epidemic.
Im not sure about the democracy bit.
We have an unelected prime minister, party in power because of a bribe and and a head of state in power because of an accident of birth. Sounds more like a banana republic
😂😂😂
We have an unelected prime minister, party in power because of a bribe and and a head of state in power because of an accident of birth. Sounds more like a banana republic
PM leads the largest party with support, MP's have the option of a vote of no confidence. Our head of state is purely a ceremonial position which avoids the even more complex idea of having a head of state who is elected to run the country in a different direction to the rest of the elected representatives.
Im not sure about the democracy bit.
For goodness' sake.
Obviously, we're not allowed to call countries 'third world' any more, it's 'developing countries', thank you.
I wonder if a new category of 'regressing countries' will be invented for the UK post-Brexit as we hurtle backwards into the 70s?
PM leads the largest party with support, MP’s have the option of a vote of no confidence. Our head of state is purely a ceremonial position which avoids the even more complex idea of having a head of state who is elected to run the country in a different direction to the rest of the elected representatives.
You forgot the bit about Her Majesty's Party whips...
And Rupert Murdoch n chums...
(Funnily enough, Rupert Murdoch was a big player in the Aviation industry)
Along with 99.5% of the UK population…
Yes but you'd think that for a desk SPECIFICALLY for Russian / Ukranian speaking destinations it would be a requirement. FFS it takes half a day of someones time to learn enough cyrillic to read a visa.
<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">I spent a while commuting to Moscow, I know which airport I prefer, and it’s not Sheremetyova!</span>
It's not exactly a high bar though.... which is really the point. At least the signs are accurate if you can read cyrillic. I'd rather be setting a bar somewhere like Germany or Denmark that saying "Oh its better than Russia"
They shouldn’t have done that, unless it was the manual check next to the electronic gates – in which case I can sort of understand it
For my 6yr old It's not something would worry HIM in the slightest but the point is they shouldn't have ..
In the same way like they told the Norwegian woman I was chatting to EU passports only... when she queried the EU only sign... it just creates chaos...
I'm sure both of these could be resolved by escalating to a supervisor... but my point about just getting stuff correct when we are talking about airport security etc..
"I'd rather queue than get blown up"
If I were looking to kill lots of people, I'd detonate my bomb in the queue of 1,000 people waiting for security checks rather than on the plane containing 100 people. And since I wouldn't have to worry about my bomb being too heavy for my luggage allowance, I could have a real big one that I'd move on those handy trollies that you get at airports.
A well known nationalist and racist I expect he preferred trains to flying.
as we hurtle backwards into the 70s?
Wish we could, great times when people were happiest and equality was at it's best. Unfortunately Brexit will be taking us back to 1950s
We have an unelected prime minister, party in power because of a bribe and and a head of state in power because of an accident of birth. Sounds more like a banana republic
PM leads the largest party with support, MP’s have the option of a vote of no confidence. Our head of state is purely a ceremonial position which avoids the even more complex idea of having a head of state who is elected to run the country in a different direction to the rest of the elected representatives.
I know how it works. My point is that we have no say over who is prime minister, which party governs us. We vote for an MP who can then sit with any party they like and change party as many times as they like without the need for involving the electorate.
Our head of state does still have lots of power, its only convention that they dont use it.
It was only in 1963 that the Queen unilaterally appointed Alec Douglas-Home to be the prime minister.
The monarch can still appoint any one they like as prime minister
The monarch has the power to dismiss a prime minister
The monarch doesnt have to give royal assent to any legislation if they dont want to. Without it the legislation can not be enacted.
The monarch can grant pardons to any convicted person if they want to
It is the monarch, not the government, that chooses to recognise any new countries
The monarch also has the power to annex territory, as was done in 1955 with the island of Rockall. Once territory has been annexed, the monarch has complete discretion as to the extent to which the government will take over the former government's liabilities
I accept it is highly unlikely that a monarch would use them. But they do have them and it seems crazy to me that they even could use them in a democracy
OK then....
https://www.transparency.org/news/feature/corruption_perceptions_index_2017
This tells me a lot more than a bunch of hypotheticals
OP,
I always have to go through immigration check in the non-EU/UK queue whenever I came back to UK so queuing for hours is the norm for me.
The last time I lost my old passport with all my necessary stamps on I was "interrogated" by the immigration officers for hours until the airport was nearly empty. No big deal really. Just chill as I was not in the hurry.
😀
Completely illogical security procedures. Pointless and often useless tech in that process.
The procedures are to make you feel safe not to find anything. Well unless the guy is really 💩
oddly when I fly through USA I had to use 7 little trays to comply with their system. It was 1 in Israel and I can guarantee they were a lot more thorough... mind you I flew from US to Canada and no one check my passport except the girl on the gate.
Also if traveling throug Gatwick ang heathrow makes you believe it is third world don’t ever fly through Rome, Paris or any actual third world airport...
chrismac
...It was only in 1963 that the Queen unilaterally appointed Alec Douglas-Home to be the prime minister...
If you want to add to lists of the powers used by our so-called 'ceremonial' monarch, don't forget she dismissed an elected Australian govt in 1975.
don’t forget she dismissed an elected Australian govt in 1975.
She as in the crown?
Or really a political stalemate was resolved by an election that was forced.
Anyway as many things show the UK is not a banana Republic is it. As I sit on efficient public transport, in a place where I can vote for multiple levels of representatives who govern. We have an independent judiciary rights to appeal and all those things you don't get in failed and developing nations.
ditching the rational that is Schengen
We’re not in Schengen.
Brexit happening faster than anticipated shocker.
It’s a terrible place to be is the UK. This morning I had to walk about twenty feet to get a drink of clean water, tragic. Then I had to go downstairs in my insulated, warm house to get fresh food for breakfast from my well stocked fridge. It’s horrendous, every day is such a struggle.
