 Poster: A snowHead
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Did they say that they were short staffed and asking questions to cause delays?
Sounds to me like they were doing their job and checking on who is entering the UK. They should be asking questions about travel and who is in vehicles etc. I don't think it is much to spend a few minutes asking some questions.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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They always ask how mnay people, where have we been etc, it would be a rarity if they didn't.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Hurdy, Again can only speak for my experiences, of course no-one ever said "we're doing this to make a point" or words to that affect, however operating with only 2 lanes open definitely didn't help with the smooth flow of traffic. Why this was I don't know - I'm sure they were meeting their contractual commitment with le Shuttle.
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We weren't asked anything by UK (or French) immigration this trip, but I'd agree with Hells Bells that you are often asked how long you've been away, where you've been etc.
LeShuttle claim each train has space for 120 cars and 12 coaches per train. At busy times, 3 trains per hour seems the norm, so 360 cars per hour. If there are only 3 passport lanes open, then that's 120 cars per hour per lane, so 30 seconds per car. I'd say that is virtually impossible, unless they just wave you through - which they often used to do but not anymore.
LeShuttle could put on as many trains as they want (although I was once told they only have 4 slots per hour each way), but if there are only 3 lanes open at either UK or French passport control, then that's going to be the limiting factor. One minute per car with 3 lanes means 180 cars per hour, so each of the trains can only leave half full - which is what happened on Saturday afternoon/evening.
At Calais I think you can see the immigration lanes from the initial checkin booths. If it's busy, and there aren't a lot more than 3 lanes open then you're probably in for a long wait. Don't think you can see the immigration lanes at Folkestone though.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Judwin, do not mix up immigration and security. The thought of a bomb in the tunnel doesn’t bear think about.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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@johnE, Doesn't really matter if it's UK/FR immigration, UK/FR Customs or UK/FR Security. If there is a bottleneck then that's what is going to limit the throughput. Less than 6-8 lanes at busy times simply has to cause a backlog.
As for security - my view is it's all just for show at all airports, seaports and other similar crossings. If there is intelligence of a threat then they stand a decent chance of intercepting the offender. Random checks - virtually zero chance.
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@johnE, @Judwin, it’s often been said that, as the tunnel was built at the height of the troubles, bomb threats were at forefront of security and there is a lot of scanning etc we are all unaware of!
When we come home from skiing we will with have boy and rifle with us - should be interesting! Is perfectly legal to carry BTW on Le Shuttle
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I have had the car checked for explosives several times, not had a positive result. At least one of these times was just after skiing in Scotland, where we had been using lots of fertiliser to harden the snow.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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We've been swabbed for explosives several times, often the day after carrying a car full of shotguns, used and unused ammunition. The car positively reeking of gunpowder (yes, I know...it's not actually gunpowder!).
Never come up positive on the swab though!
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| rungsp wrote: |
We've been swabbed for explosives several times, often the day after carrying a car full of shotguns, used and unused ammunition. The car positively reeking of gunpowder (yes, I know...it's not actually gunpowder!).
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I know in WW1 and WW2 British service personnel talked about "the smell of cordite" as that was the common propellant used in British firearms and artillery of the period (cordite got its name because it did actually consist of many long thin cords)
I've no idea what the propellant used in modern British firearms is.
Apologies for the thread drift. 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| rjs wrote: |
| I have had the car checked for explosives several times, not had a positive result. At least one of these times was just after skiing in Scotland, where we had been using lots of fertiliser to harden the snow. |
That would be urea based fertiliser not ammonia based which is what bombs use.
I suspect the xray gadget you drive through can see a lot of things without it being obvious
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@Alastair Pink,
Smokeless Powder: Modern shotguns use smokeless powders, which are cleaner and more efficient than black powder.
Double-Base Powders: Contain both nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin, providing high energy for powerful loads, especially in magnum shells.
Single-Base Powders: Primarily nitrocellulose, offering consistent performance and storage stability.
Wadding: Sits between the powder and shot, sealing gas and ensuring efficient energy transfer to the shot charge.
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| Hurdy wrote: |
Did they say that they were short staffed and asking questions to cause delays?
Sounds to me like they were doing their job and checking on who is entering the UK. They should be asking questions about travel and who is in vehicles etc. I don't think it is much to spend a few minutes asking some questions. |
Yes totally agree that asking questions is reasonable, after putting your passport in the scanner it should tell them how long you have been out of the country, how when you see several staff sitting in the booths doing nothing or having only two open when there are large numbers of vehicles is not good service, a private company should be able to give a better service/ value for money, the problem would be like lots of privatised companies its the same staff wanting to work as they always have done
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You know it makes sense.
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Came back yesterday at 5pm ish. 2 lanes of French border control, massive queues. As we got closer to the booth another 3 opened.
The lane we went in had a high booth-like a lorry one. So to hand the passports over the wife had to reach really high up. He couldn't see me at all, not even a tiny bit of me-he didn't ask a question or ask me to lean over and up and show my face.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I think the difference between Le Shuttle and airports is that all hold and hand baggage is scanned, Le Shuttle is only random checks. But I’m not sure what the scanners there can do, I’m not sure there’s much technology that can see through the steel skin of a car.
That said, early calculations said it would need a 40tonne bomb to breach the Tunnel. The rolling stock is obviously stronger than an aircraft body. But that’s of no solace if you are in the compartment with the bomb.
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Poster: A snowHead
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| Quote: |
Yes totally agree that asking questions is reasonable
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A lot of the asking questions is to pass the time whilst the passports are scanned and the watchlist checked. It to fill that awkward gap.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Alastair Pink, that's clearly spaghetti
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Origen wrote: |
| @Alastair Pink, that's clearly spaghetti |
Deflagrating spaghetti though!
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@robs1, and that’s what EES is intended to do
Not sure privatising it would make the slightest bit of difference, Border Force have an agreement with Eurotunnel about how many staff will be on. I’m sure they’re just sticking to that
Of course if we were part of Schengen it wouldn’t be an issue, but that’s another discussion
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| Boris wrote: |
@robs1, and that’s what EES is intended to do
Not sure privatising it would make the slightest bit of difference, Border Force have an agreement with Eurotunnel about how many staff will be on. I’m sure they’re just sticking to that
Of course if we were part of Schengen it wouldn’t be an issue, but that’s another discussion |
I went through the chunnel many times pre brexit , apart from the passport being stamped its not changed at all in my experience, I've crossed from france into Switzerland by various routes and not once stopped at Geneva but have been twice on other routes in, we are in a common travel area with Ireland but always have had to have a passport although its not meant to be a legal requirement, once showed my photo driving licence but was refused until I produced my passport, border control is whatever they decide it is on the day
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Nobody here, but service disruption apparently. That said, we were being told to go through for a train in 20 minutes from arrival, but missed that due to a security check on tha car (good day for them to fill the quotes I guess as so few people here!). No other trains for an hour, but this is the most empty I have ever seen the terminal.
Service station on the other side is closed due to an electrical issue, so if you are low on fuel, fill up in the UK.
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I've read most of this thread and don't see any mention of the new biometric testing and possible delays because of this... Anyone being through and care to say how it all went... We're heading for the shuttle in February, so keen to understand as best we can, what to expect...
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| AlpineAddict wrote: |
| I've read most of this thread and don't see any mention of the new biometric testing and possible delays because of this... Anyone being through and care to say how it all went... We're heading for the shuttle in February, so keen to understand as best we can, what to expect... |
There are no biometric systems in place currently for passenger cars at Eurotunnel….the date is yet to be decided by the French authorities as when to commence sometime early 2026.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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We came through the tunnel on Friday from Calais. We missed 2 trains while waiting at the uk passport control. Some cars seemed to take ages to be processed though I didn’t see any evidence that they were collecting biometric data. Perhaps there should be two lanes: one for uk passports and one for every one else.
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Came through (from UK side) this morning.
No issues at all...passport checking by UK was cursory and by French very quick too.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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| johnE wrote: |
| We came through the tunnel on Friday from Calais. We missed 2 trains while waiting at the uk passport control. Some cars seemed to take ages to be processed though I didn’t see any evidence that they were collecting biometric data. Perhaps there should be two lanes: one for uk passports and one for every one else. |
We had that last Feb, it looked to be a deliberate ploy for some reason, presumably they want more money or better conditions
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Calais -> Folkestone was very slow yesterday late afternoon/early evening. 60-90 minute delays, entirely caused by slow progress through French and British passport control as the trains seemed to be running normally. Once we'd cleared border control we were put on the next train and had departed within 15 minutes.
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It's a busy time of year to travel so there are going to be queues to cross the border.
I am not sure that the Border Force staff wake up in the morning and say "Let's create a queue today so that we can annoy people" as they then have to deal with "feedback" from people in the queue. If they do want to take industrial action then there are mechanisms for doing that.
Maybe they are just doing their job and securing the UK border?
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You know it makes sense.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Hurdy wrote:
I am not sure that the Border Force staff wake up in the morning and say "Let's create a queue today so that we can annoy people" as they then have to deal with "feedback" from people in the queue.
Of course you’re right but only having 4 booths open on a bank holiday is not helping the situation. We came through on Friday afternoon. It took 55 minutes to get from French Border Control through British border control. Because of this cars were backed up so French control couldn’t process anyone behind us. Once through Border control we were whisked straight onto the train. All staff were very friendly and patient - there just weren’t enough of them.
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Poster: A snowHead
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6hr delays currently.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Oh dear…is that from calais?
I was due to leave 5am tomorrow…..
Im reckoning tomorrow evening maybe disrupted too…..
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Get the boat!
(Just a suggestion  )
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I don't know whether they still have reciprocal arrangements, but we have moved from ferry to tunnel and vice-versa in the past. Otherwise, submit your claim to them for a refund and rebook.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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No thanks…. A 14 hour day is about as long as I can manage…
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@Jwh138, I agree, it is Eurotunnel for me 99% of the time, but we have done it when faced with an extended delay- I think last time was when trains were iced up due to extreme weather. It would be preferable to a 6 hour wait at Le Shuttle.
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| Jwh138 wrote: |
Oh dear…is that from calais?
I was due to leave 5am tomorrow…..
Im reckoning tomorrow evening maybe disrupted too….. |
It was both directions, due to a power failure.
They reckon it will be back to normal tmorrow.
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This morning the website showing 30 min delays. So looks like they have caught up.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| alex_heney wrote: |
| Jwh138 wrote: |
Oh dear…is that from calais?
I was due to leave 5am tomorrow…..
Im reckoning tomorrow evening maybe disrupted too….. |
It was both directions, due to a power failure.
They reckon it will be back to normal tmorrow. |
We love the tunnel but they need to spend some money on replacing some of the infrastructure and rolling stock , its all getting a bit past it now
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| Casa wrote: |
| This morning the website showing 30 min delays. So looks like they have caught up. |
That's better than usual! (if its true)
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FAQ
