The EES/ETIAS experience thread!

2H76 said:
Other than my one trip to Ibiza later this year, which I hope runs smoothly (it won't); that's it. No more until all this gets bedded down or gets scrapped - I take at least 6 trips "abroad"/year normally (2 - 3 to IBZ) but sod it. Had enough of all this nonsense, I'll spend my money in the Channel Isles and I wish millions of others would say "no" and hit EU in their pockets (which would hit airlines too and that would kick-off) - and kick-start our government into rejoining as well.

EDIT - just read that if you are on an European cruise, starting and finishing in the UK, you don't have to register EES when entering an EU/EEA port if that's part of a "day trip itinery". Blimey, those ships hold thousands, and they could easily "disappear" into Schengen Zone - so why on earth does everyone else have to be processed???
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I get it's annoying (and we had a relatively close call on a flight last week) but surely not worth cancelling trips over? I'd try not to worry any more about it. Book your trips, get to the airport early, only take hand luggage if you can and enjoy your hols!
 
Mondo99 said:
I get it's annoying (and we had a relatively close call on a flight last week) but surely not worth cancelling trips over? I'd try not to worry any more about it. Book your trips, get to the airport early, only take hand luggage if you can and enjoy your hols!
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I know what you mean, but "medical issues" means I can't really queue for over 30 mins (don't ask!) and anything over could be very embarrassing! I travel solo so there's no-one to look after my place in the queue (unless I ask a stranger nicely...) so I choose places abroad where hold-ups are unlikely. I never take anything other than cabin baggage so that's not an issue.

Does mean I'm continually buying cheap t-shirts from those shops near the bus station though!!
 
Mondo99 said:
I get it's annoying (and we had a relatively close call on a flight last week) but surely not worth cancelling trips over? I'd try not to worry any more about it. Book your trips, get to the airport early, only take hand luggage if you can and enjoy your hols!
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And as far as I understand things will get better with time, once you've registered once its saved for 3 years. So quicker on people's 2nd visit. It's just getting through this initial burst of people that will take time. And as far I know if it's too busy they can turn then off and manually stamp again many airports and ferry terminals arent even ready yet.
 
you have a problem for every solution @2H76 đŸ˜‚

I do understand, but that sounds like a general downside to solo travel (and there are plenty of positives too!) rather than a specific issue with EES
 
W_I_C said:
you have a problem for every solution @2H76 đŸ˜‚

I do understand, but that sounds like a general downside to solo travel (and there are plenty of positives too!) rather than a specific issue with EES
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Yes, there have been queues before (take one step forward Malaga AGP!) but the thought of this now being constant is a concern. Thing is though, it's all unnecessary if we went back to the old "show your passport and stay as long as you can afford" system countries and tourists would benefit! Rant over...move along....
 
2H76 said:
Yes, there have been queues before (take one step forward Malaga AGP!) but the thought of this now being constant is a concern. Thing is though, it's all unnecessary if we went back to the old "show your passport and stay as long as you can afford" system countries and tourists would benefit! Rant over...move along....
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tell me about Malaga hombre, due there 3 weeks today.
 
diver said:
tell me about Malaga hombre, due there 3 weeks today.
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Problems seem to be on the way back - they announce the gate an hour (or less) before the flight, and if there are several at once there are long queues to get through passport and many end up missing the flight.


In my experience easyjet/Ryanair have always gone from area C which is after passport; so I head for there if the queue's short before the gate's called. If the flight's from B that's not an issue either, you can walk between the two. However if the flight ends up going from from A then that's a problem getting back!!

Of course flights to other Schengen airports don't go through passport and use a domestic gate.

Good luck!
 
2H76 said:
Problems seem to be on the way back - they announce the gate an hour (or less) before the flight, and if there are several at once there are long queues to get through passport and many end up missing the flight.


In my experience easyjet/Ryanair have always gone from area C which is after passport; so I head for there if the queue's short before the gate's called. If the flight's from B that's not an issue either, you can walk between the two. However if the flight ends up going from from A then that's a problem getting back!!

Of course flights to other Schengen airports don't go through passport and use a domestic gate.

Good luck!
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We went in late Sept last year and it hadn't been implemented. What I do remember on return at Malaga is spending some time in an area with shops bars just past security then when gate "announced" joining another long passport queue to another area. Are you saying take a punt on the gate location and rock through passport area as soon as ive gone through security? Flying with TUI btw
 
diver said:
We went in late Sept last year and it hadn't been implemented. What I do remember on return at Malaga is spending some time in an area with shops bars just past security then when gate "announced" joining another long passport queue to another area. Are you saying take a punt on the gate location and rock through passport area as soon as ive gone through security? Flying with TUI btw
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I would myself, but wouldn't recommend it to others just in case of that very slight chance it's moved to "D" - if so where do passports get examined? Think all UK-bound flights go from B and C after passports; there are eat/drink facilities there and it's a lot quieter.

But I would deffo hang around the passport area (there's a cafe close by + loos etc) so when the actual gate's announced I'm ahead of everyone else. Security > quick shop > bed down near passport > wait for the gate > GO!!!!

The arrow shows the area before B and C and passports where I would hang around before the gate is called.

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