To think only the computer literate can now go on a foreign holiday

[rookiemere]

We're just back from Tenerife and had a wonderful time, but oh my goodness the online forms to fill in were not easy for either Spain or UK, nor was the Randox registration for our PCR tests on return ( in Scotland).

I consider myself to be reasonably computer literate, but I was very grateful for some prompts I found on a Facebook help group. It took me an hour for each passenger locator for, and another hour roughly for three PCR tests ( plus an additional half hour to drive to a drop box as apparently they don't accept Royal Mail boxes anymore).

I get why the documentation is needed, so I'm not against that per se, but the fact it must be done on a device means that some people may not have that and are now forced to buy a smart phone which seems unfair.

You also need to be pretty literate to interpret the questions, so again could be tricky for some.

So my AIBU is, is it right that the form can only be completed online ?

MagpieMary

I feel your pain. I realised not long ago that ever single computer, printer, iPad, phone, my mum has ever had I have bought for her, set-up for her supported her with. She literally panics when the ‘phone rings.

This thread illustrates why there's no way we should be generalising about why some people are technology-savvy and others aren't. There's no 'one-size-fits-all'. I wouldn't assume that somebody who's never rode a horse in their life should be able to climb onto one and take part in a gymkhana. You'd need help, lessons, and be able to build up your confidence. And even then you may end up being useless. Or you may not be able to afford, or have access to, the teaching in the first place.

[quote julieca]@MagpieMary where I used to work ran courses for elderly people. I saw the tutor spend ages trying to teach one man how to use a mouse. I am not sure he was ever able to.[/quote]
🤣

@Franklin12

Printing is the correct way of doing it. You could lose your phone, the app is down, you could forget your password and be locked out for xxx hours.

If someone wants to see that I am using HRT medicine then so be it. It must be riveting for them

You can also screen shot it

@KrispyKale

Forget my little bundle of paperwork when going on holiday?! Never!

Same here. When we went away a couple of weeks ago, I had to upgrade to a bigger document folder because I couldn't get all the extra PLFs and covid passes in my Poundland A5 plastic envelope along with the normal boarding passes, insurance certificate, hotel booking etc.

I always print everything out because I don't want to be reliant on a phone that could be lost, stolen, out of battery, damaged so the codes won't scan or refusing to locate or open the crucial file or email when you get to the front of the relevant queue. Or decides that's a good moment to forget the password for the app that you need to open right now.

Only thing we couldn't print was the PLFs on the way back but we made sure they were both on both our phones, so we had a back up in case of any of the above.

[quote julieca]@juice92 Free IT courses are either for people in work or looking for employment. Or the ones aimed at retired people are basic. Basically how to email and how to skype. And libraries have been closed in lots of places.[/quote]
Not everywhere.

My MIL, in her 70s, did a series of tech courses a few years back as she was keen to keep up and be able to communicate well with her growing grandchildren. She now uses a smartphone, iPad and a MacBook (previously a windows based laptop) well and is able to do all manner of things using them, including sorting out holiday paperwork and online banking. Her interest encouraged her friends to do similar and tbh it was a godsend for them all during Covid lockdowns, especially for MIL when FIL died early on.

Having learnt those IT skills through some free courses at local venues she was able to keep keep in touch with friends and family so much easier and continue with hobbies, whether it's using ancestry fo research, zoom meetings for their women's group, or learning more about u3a courses and groups.

And when FIL was in hospital when no visitors were allowed and very ill then both knowing how to use tech meant they could at least see and hear one another, and send messages between themselves.

iPads and tablets have made a lot of it simpler too as they are easier to navigate without a mouse and keyboard. There is little you can't do on a tablet these days.

It takes interest but age is not necessarily a barrier these days.