To consider cancelling my holiday because of the EES?

I went to Germany on the weekend that was supposed to be’chaos’ as reported in the media and it was absolutely fine! I didn’t know what the fuss was all about!! There was a queue but it moved very quickly, no problem at all. As pp said, you are catastrophising, the media is whipping everyone into a frenzy for clicks and you need to ignore it. Enjoy your holiday!

Mate, you need to calm the fuck down. Mr Monkey went from London to Hamburg a couple of weeks ago, it was about 5 mins extra to do finger prints. That was all.

Airlines always advise that peole of arrive early, mainly to account for faffers and complex needs. The only time I have ever needed all that time was when flying to Spain literally days after the liquids ban following the rumbled terrorist plot. That was chaos as new rules were being imposed on passengers, many of whom were unaware of them. We still made the flight.

On a side note, I assume you have never been to America, even before Trump, immigration queues there can be brutal. It took is over an hour and a half to get through Logan aiport in 2024.

”I just can’t cope with this stress.” OP, kindly - and I would say this to a friend - cop yourself on.

I would hope so, but a medical assessment would at least weed out the piss takers.

Which Milan airport are you using? If Malpensa, yes it's the bigger one. If I was as worried as you were I'd change flights to a smaller airport (fewer flights) like Bergamo or even Verona or Genoa and take the train to wherever you're going. The distance is around 100km which is nothing these days, in comparison to not getting there at all! Be creative, suck up the money hit to change flights,(worth it for your headspace), bring underseat bag with two changes of clothes and essential meds/toiletries/electronics. And go!

Every third country (non EU/EEA) has to use EES system. Don't be daft into thinking Starmer or anyone else can get a separate deal for the UK. There's the hubris again that led us to this path. It's life and I can't see anything changing any time soon with regards to EES. Other co-operation and reciprocal arrangements, yes, but not EES.

So do what you have to do. Or stay at home forever and never go to EU again in protest!

This is the intellectual calibre of the people who voted us out. 😡

I’ve been through Milan twice (with checked luggage) since the system came into play with zero issues. You’ll be absolutely fine.

We always were able to pass our own laws, what do think the 2 Houses spend some of their time doing. Our politicians were elected - including the sainted Farage who wasn't backwards at accepting European money.

As for trade deals and controlling borders, now that we have Brexit that's really working well isn't it.

Your argument doesn't stack up.

I don’t get what the fuss is all about. I’ve travelled a few times since the system was introduced, you have to do the fingerprint scan and have your photo taken, takes an extra 2-3 mins - I didn’t have to do this every time either. I haven’t noticed an increase in queuing time

Its everything to do with Brexit

I think you are letting your anxiety get the better of you! Go to the airport well in advance so you are first in the queue. You are travelling alone so it should be a breeze. I travelled to portugal with 2 children and managed fine. Things took time but we didn’t miss our flight either going or returning. Please calm down and breathe deeply. It will all be fine. Stressing about the past like brexit is not going to change the current situation. It is what it is.

Just gone to Italy. Not true. It depends on the airport. I went through the e-gates without issue.

I flew with Ryanair yesterday. Checked bag in 2 hours and 45 mins before departure. Adults with no kids went straight through ESS with very small queue, children checked manually, about a ten minute queue.

but it sounds like you have already decided it will be a stressful nightmare, so you are probably better off cancelling than working yourself in a frenzy and not enjoying the holiday anyway.

Have you checked what Ryanair have to say about it?

Pay for a small suitcase as hand luggage, ho early. Book an airport lounge

Well, I suspect she'll instantly find something else to worry about.

It’ll be fine, OP! You’ll forget any hassle as soon as you land in your destination. Enjoy! 😊

To do what, what do you expect. Europe's not going to change things because some Brit wants to go on holiday.

You really need to do something to manage your anxiety.

So even in those circumstances the worst the OP has to deal with is standing. Which as other PP said if there is a perceived mobility issue they can ask for help from staff.

Honestly I think part of the problem is all the hype about it. It’s anxiety inducing. If I’d read the news, and mumsnet comments, and listened to people telling me about all the potential problems I’d have cancelled my recent holiday thrice over jet fuel shortages, EES and the new hantavirus.

As it was, the holiday (EU) went fine, got there 3 hours before, checked in online, bag drop was done and flights were fine, no closures or delays, the only thing was the queues at passport control on landing were longer than usual to get adults scanned in and for young families to go through the old system.

On the way back it was similar, bags checked in quickly, we had to wait a while in the family passport queue to get through to the flight but the staff were efficient and helpful.

I think the warnings are fair but the hype and panic are a bit much. For most people, it’ll be a minor inconvenience not a disaster.

I would hope so

But he hasnt got any medical 'proof' of this other that trips to the doctor, referral to physio and advice to do the exercises and painkillers (which dont work). Theres no treatment as such, just management. But he cant stand for that long without getting severe pain which then impacts his walking.

And I need the loo frequently just due to fibroids and age issues, again, not a diagnosable 'condition' as such.

We just stay away from things that are likely to require long queues now to be honest.

It wasn't a big deal for ME, no, but when I was pregnant and in a similar queue, I found it hard to stand and if you'd been claustrophobic it would have been hard as it was just a big mass, not an organised queue.

Fortunately the friend collecting me got stuck in traffic or it would have been pretty inconvenient for her too, as she wouldn't have anticipated needing the long stay parking.

I think someone who can’t stand for more than ten minutes should be eligible though, no?

OP you said your flight lands at 9:30 and the AirBnB's check-in closes midnight and that's an issue. Contact the Airbnb now and explain you're worried re timings. If it's a company-run Airbnb they'll probably say it's fine, just stay in touch with us on the day and someone will wait for you.

If a later arrival is really not possible - and I've found they're usually at least a bit flexible - then plan a back-up. Shortlist a few budget, 24-hour reception hotels/hostels with availability where you could stay for one night if you had to. Yes it might cost you £80, but in the context of a holiday to Italy, is it really impossible?

I don’t have time to read the whole thread, but if you are that concerned, take carry on bags only, check in online the day before and arrive at the airport >3hours in advance.