Holidays

Rory Bluelow said:
Just on general chaos at European airports and to emphasise the need to arrive early - a little story.
My 15 year old niece was in Lisbon a week or so ago representing Australia in a gymnastics competition. She arrived at the airport three hours ahead of the departure for a flight to London then Sydney. Cleared security and baggage checked-in pretty quickly. Then got stuck a non-moving queue of non-EU nationals. Time ticked away and the adult chaperone looking after a group of 4 young girls approached a number of officials becoming increasingly concerned about missing the flight - only to be met with a terse "not my problem" from each of them. Ultimately their luggage was offloaded from the aircraft and they missed their flight. Relatives in Australia up all night booking London hotel and new flight tickets. Cost $4000 Aussie dollars with little chance of recompense. Four very distressed and tearful young girls 000's of miles from home who followed all instructions and guidance. Needless to say vowing NEVER to visit Portugal again.
Expect/Plan for the worst in Europe this summer - and hope for the best. Fortunately, I've no European trips planned this year, but unfortunately this chaos will catch some people out. Be mindful.
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I’d vaguely heard something like this earlier this week. Thought that it was in Italy and related to an easyJet flight.
Not sure if it’s true but apparently the Greeks have today announced that UK passport holders will not be required to do the EES thing.
 
RobMCFC said:
Enjoyed both. In Vienna, don’t miss the Austrian National Library, which is like something out of a fantasy book/film. Whilst St Stephen’s Cathedral is probably the most well known religious building, I thought the Karlskirche and Votive Church were both brilliant. And of course, no trip to Vienna would be complete without a ride on the world famous Riesenrad.

We are currently putting up our Vienna videos from last year’s trip on our YouTube channel. Hot off the press, released just today, is our Vienna top 10.

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Vienna is on my visit at Xmas list I love a good market
 
Rory Bluelow said:
Just on general chaos at European airports and to emphasise the need to arrive early - a little story.
My 15 year old niece was in Lisbon a week or so ago representing Australia in a gymnastics competition. She arrived at the airport three hours ahead of the departure for a flight to London then Sydney. Cleared security and baggage checked-in pretty quickly. Then got stuck a non-moving queue of non-EU nationals. Time ticked away and the adult chaperone looking after a group of 4 young girls approached a number of officials becoming increasingly concerned about missing the flight - only to be met with a terse "not my problem" from each of them. Ultimately their luggage was offloaded from the aircraft and they missed their flight. Relatives in Australia up all night booking London hotel and new flight tickets. Cost $4000 Aussie dollars with little chance of recompense. Four very distressed and tearful young girls 000's of miles from home who followed all instructions and guidance. Needless to say vowing NEVER to visit Portugal again.
Expect/Plan for the worst in Europe this summer - and hope for the best. Fortunately, I've no European trips planned this year, but unfortunately this chaos will catch some people out. Be mindful.
Click to expand...
Something has to be done about this because no one is taking responsibility, airlines say you’ve missed flight, airports don’t give a fuck even if you arrive hours before, I’ve only got Turkey booked this year so that shouldn’t be a problem, but my wife and daughter go to Amsterdam in 4 weeks so that might give them issues. The thing is even when you’ve done it once they are are apparently making you do it multiple times on other trips so obviously the system is fucked and before anyone mentions Brexit this affects anyone not in the EU, so it will piss a lot of people off, I mean missing flights to Australia ain’t cheap.
 
Penfold the Duke said:
I’d vaguely heard something like this earlier this week. Thought that it was in Italy and related to an easyJet flight.
Not sure if it’s true but apparently the Greeks have today announced that UK passport holders will not be required to do the EES thing.
Click to expand...
There was an easyJet flight out of Milan reported in the press. I think different airports and different Countries approach these issues in their own way : some choose to be more ‘flexible’ (helpful) than others. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Greeks take that approach - hope so as my son and his family going to Samos in August. I was just flagging my niece’s experience as a general warning to allow plenty of time for airport departures across the EU this summer.
 
Rory Bluelow said:
There was an easyJet flight out of Milan reported in the press. I think different airports and different Countries approach these issues in their own way : some choose to be more ‘flexible’ (helpful) than others. It wouldn’t surprise me if the Greeks take that approach - hope so as my son and his family going to Samos in August. I was just flagging my niece’s experience as a general warning to allow plenty of time for airport departures across the EU this summer.
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We've just been to Budapest and were "done" there. Pretty easy as they had staff walking along the existing passport queue when we landed doing fingerprints, and then the eye recognition done when we got to the booth. Pretty painless and well organised.
We're off to Lesvos early July (but were looking at Samos) and didn't want to be stuck doing it in a small Greek airport. No real benefit that we've been done though, as however long it took in Greece as it's a package the coach will only leave when everyone is on it. :-)
 
Blue Maverick said:
Something has to be done about this because no one is taking responsibility, airlines say you’ve missed flight, airports don’t give a fuck even if you arrive hours before, I’ve only got Turkey booked this year so that shouldn’t be a problem, but my wife and daughter go to Amsterdam in 4 weeks so that might give them issues. The thing is even when you’ve done it once they are are apparently making you do it multiple times on other trips so obviously the system is fucked and before anyone mentions Brexit this affects anyone not in the EU, so it will piss a lot of people off, I mean missing flights to Australia ain’t cheap.
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You're right. But it only affects us BECAUSE of Brexit, and we were one of the EU countries pushing hardest for it before we left.
 
Blue Maverick said:
Something has to be done about this because no one is taking responsibility, airlines say you’ve missed flight, airports don’t give a fuck even if you arrive hours before, I’ve only got Turkey booked this year so that shouldn’t be a problem, but my wife and daughter go to Amsterdam in 4 weeks so that might give them issues. The thing is even when you’ve done it once they are are apparently making you do it multiple times on other trips so obviously the system is fucked and before anyone mentions Brexit this affects anyone not in the EU, so it will piss a lot of people off, I mean missing flights to Australia ain’t cheap.
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The big problem is with the airlines not opening check-in until 2 hours before departure.

That’s what annoyed me about the report after the Milan Linate debacle. EasyJet said it wasn’t their fault, but I’d like to hear them explain how you are supposed to check in your luggage, clear EES and security and then reach the gate in less than 90 minutes if there’s anything but a short queue for EES.
 
RobMCFC said:
The big problem is with the airlines not opening check-in until 2 hours before departure.

That’s what annoyed me about the report after the Milan Linate debacle. EasyJet said it wasn’t their fault, but I’d like to hear them explain how you are supposed to check in your luggage, clear EES and security and then reach the gate in less than 90 minutes if there’s anything but a short queue for EES.
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Ye heard that as well mate, something needs to be done, it’s ok if you just have carryon luggage you go early and get through, but leaving kids stranded from Australia is a disgrace.
 
hampshireblue said:
You're right. But it only affects us BECAUSE of Brexit, and we were one of the EU countries pushing hardest for it before we left.
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I get that but this system was not in place then, how about we introduce it here for everyone then let’s see how that goes down but I know we will bend over backwards for people. It wouldnt be so bad if once you’ve done it that’s it but people are having to do it multiple times that suggests just like every other electric system it’s not working and shouldn’t be rolled out unless it’s works.
 
Penfold the Duke said:
We've just been to Budapest and were "done" there. Pretty easy as they had staff walking along the existing passport queue when we landed doing fingerprints, and then the eye recognition done when we got to the booth. Pretty painless and well organised.
We're off to Lesvos early July (but were looking at Samos) and didn't want to be stuck doing it in a small Greek airport. No real benefit that we've been done though, as however long it took in Greece as it's a package the coach will only leave when everyone is on it. :-)
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You may have to do it again according to reports.
 
Blue Maverick said:
I get that but this system was not in place then, how about we introduce it here for everyone then let’s see how that goes down but I know we will bend over backwards for people. It wouldnt be so bad if once you’ve done it that’s it but people are having to do it multiple times that suggests just like every other electric system it’s not working and shouldn’t be rolled out unless it’s works.
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I agree. I suspect the problem is multi nations being involved.

Thailand has a similar system which works well.
 
Blue Maverick said:
Ye heard that as well mate, something needs to be done, it’s ok if you just have carryon luggage you go early and get through, but leaving kids stranded from Australia is a disgrace.
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Returned from Faro, this week. Ryanair advised to arrive early at the airport, due to the queues. Arrived 3 hours before the flight and they opened the check-in, 1 hour 55 mins before the flight. Chaos!
 
Mr Pie said:
Bring plenty of money. The prices in albufeira are extortionate. 4-6.50 euros a pint, 14 euros for a gin and tonic. For a couple you need £200 a day for 2 meals a day and 6 drinks each.
Used to be cheap 2 years ago!
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Alvor is less expensive, a few bars like the Cactus do a beer for around €2 - €3 and restaurants like Wok Fusao are good value, for two of us with three drinks each and 6 starters (had four as the “main” course) it was about £55, excellent food and service. Lovely resort, well worth a trip, only downside is it’s about 50 minutes from the airport.
 
Blue Maverick said:
You may have to do it again according to reports.
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But as of yesterday the Greeks have said they won’t implement it for UK travellers.
Hey ho, we wanted to be done before we got to Greece and we were. Now one way or another it might not matter anyway!
At least we’ll be on our favourite Greek island.
 
Penfold the Duke said:
I’d vaguely heard something like this earlier this week. Thought that it was in Italy and related to an easyJet flight.
Not sure if it’s true but apparently the Greeks have today announced that UK passport holders will not be required to do the EES thing.
Click to expand...

www.independent.co.uk

Greece goes its own way – and drops EU entry-exit biometrics for British travellers

The Man Who Pays His Way: Flying in or out of Corfu, Crete or Rhodes? No fingerprints necessary
www.independent.co.uk www.independent.co.uk
 
ell said:
www.independent.co.uk

Greece goes its own way – and drops EU entry-exit biometrics for British travellers

The Man Who Pays His Way: Flying in or out of Corfu, Crete or Rhodes? No fingerprints necessary
www.independent.co.uk www.independent.co.uk
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Going to kalamata airport in aug, its about as big as my garage.
One booth for passport control anyway, we always book seats near the front so are at the front of the queue as otherwise its an hour or so.

Thank god they are binning the biometrics off , wed be there all day
 
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