La Guerriere Posted July 19, 2008 Share Posted July 19, 2008 We toddled off to France this last week (Poole to Cherbourg last Sunday pm, back on Friday pm). It is seems obvious that our paranoid State is upping the Police Fever again: both coming and going passports were scrutinised with unusual diligence. Bloody great queue getting back in Friday night while the Poole dozies slowly examined everything....What is this all about ? Are we part of the EU or not ? How long before Gordon slams down the shutters and makes us fill in forms before we go abroad or change our deteriorating sterling into Euros ??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastines Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Pity they didn't check the Army Convoy a bit better.Now that the UK is in such dire financial straits,I'm surprised that they let anyone back in that might cost them a few bob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thibault Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 This has been a problem at Portsmouth for some time. A BF ferry and a LD Lines ferry get in at roughly the same time and the queues for passport control can be terrible, especially at non-summer times when they don't have many staff on duty! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monika Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I agree with you, we are part of the EU and the passport controls are becoming ever stricter. I was asked out of the car (while they searched my friend's tiny Fiesta) and body searched at Poole in front of everybody and I look really innocent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheldonrobbo Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 [quote user="Monika"]I agree with you, we are part of the EU and the passport controls are becoming ever stricter. I was asked out of the car (while they searched my friend's tiny Fiesta) and body searched at Poole in front of everybody and I look really innocent![/quote] i bet most terrorists look innocent too.....better a slight delay than we let everybody come and go freely...therein lies disaster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gastines Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 We use the Cherbourg -Poole B.F. quite regularly and it is getting the norm now to take an hour plus to get out of the port. I have been subjected to the body search a few times and was particularly worried when the chap searching me donned a pair of rubber gloves!!! Fortunately i did manage to keep my composure and my trousers on. After watching the Panorama programme this week on the chap dishing out passports/driving licenses and anything else required,for cash of course, I think these measures might be a bit late.It seems most of the crooks are already in the UK.Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trees 2 Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 [quote user="sheldonrobbo"]i bet most terrorists look innocent too.....better a slight delay than we let everybody come and go freely...therein lies disaster[/quote]OK, if this is true, why don't we see MAHOOSIVE problems in the other member states that have done away with border control?I've been moaning about coming back into the uk for some time now: passport control at Calais can be a nightmare, and UK customs is a complete joke. They file you through a little gap with warnings about catsclaws, and loads of people in dayglo jackets giving you hard stares.Meanwhile, at the tunnel exit, cars stream off the shuttles and straight onto the motorway.I still rate Dover as THE most unwelcoming place in the UK. I KNOW it's in the south, but really...........[;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayennaise Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I can't understand why my luggage is x-rayed at Ouistram, if I travel as a foot passenger but if I travel by car I just drive straight on the ferry!?!? Do terrorists travel on foot!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 [quote user="Monika"] body searched at Poole in front of everybody [/quote]Sounds like a basis for a compo claim under the yuman rights act to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 [quote user="trees 2"][quote user="sheldonrobbo"]i bet most terrorists look innocent too.....better a slight delay than we let everybody come and go freely...therein lies disaster[/quote]OK, if this is true, why don't we see MAHOOSIVE problems in the other member states that have done away with border control?I've been moaning about coming back into the uk for some time now: passport control at Calais can be a nightmare, and UK customs is a complete joke. They file you through a little gap with warnings about catsclaws, and loads of people in dayglo jackets giving you hard stares.Meanwhile, at the tunnel exit, cars stream off the shuttles and straight onto the motorway.I still rate Dover as THE most unwelcoming place in the UK. I KNOW it's in the south, but really...........[;-)][/quote]I wonder if it could have anything to do with us joining Mr Bush in Iraq ? What do you think ? [:)][:)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
powerdesal Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 If only Mr Bush was in Iraq, I can just picture him with an M16 and shades, with TB next to him asking if he borrow his body armour, and did he have any spare bullets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 We can dream.....[;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil & Pat Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 [quote user="Mayennaise"]... Do terrorists travel on foot!![/quote]Don't know, but they can easily pick up a knife or two in the restaurant. [6] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russethouse Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 You mean you found a sharp knife in the restaurant ? [:D] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Guerriere Posted July 20, 2008 Author Share Posted July 20, 2008 Judging by the prevelance of bent cutlery I can only assume that Uri Geller is a regular on BF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisb Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 [quote user="trees 2"][quote user="sheldonrobbo"]i bet most terrorists look innocent too.....better a slight delay than we let everybody come and go freely...therein lies disaster[/quote]Meanwhile, at the tunnel exit, cars stream off the shuttles and straight onto the motorway.........[;-)][/quote]Tunnel passengers have been through UK immigration control before they board the shuttle -and they can be just as strict. My wife got told off because she was engrossed in a book rather than looking at the officer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sheldonrobbo Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 as far as i am aware most of the other member states don't have the same terrorist threat level as the uk...mainly due to the fact that they don't get involved in other peoples wars ...but thats another story....its a fact of life i'm afraid and its only going to get worse not better .....also i think you'll find that cars stream of the tunnel because uk customs have done their checks at the french end ...hence the queues that end sheldon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nicos Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 [quote user="Monika"] I look really innocent![/quote]You think??????[:-))][:P] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monika Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Yes, once I had taken of my scarf and large sunglasses! [6], Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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