To consider cancelling my holiday because of the EES?

[idontwanttogoanymore]

I just can’t cope with this stress. I will be travelling alone and I can’t afford (literally or mentally) to miss a flight because of this system.

I just don’t want to go. It’s looming over me. I did it in February going into Norway, but that makes no difference. You’re still in the queue for hours. I’m flying with Ryanair and they only open their bag drop 2 hours before, they’re now saying three hours to get through. So it’ll be literally impossible.

She has not mentioned any mobility issues (just rants about footy and “gooning” - ugh) so why would she be entitled to assistance navigating a queue? People faking disability to queue jump via wheelchair escort disgust me (as a wheelchair user & frequent solo flyer)

The vast majority of airlines only open their drop-off / hours before travelling. You’re saying “Ryanair” are making this impossible - it’s not only them that has the 2 hour rule.

A person does not have to have a physical disability to have supported assistance through an airport. That person or child may have other reasons to request assistance.

Op take a deep breath. You must realise that slamming Keir Starmer for going to watch football rather than prioritising your holiday is a bit.... much?

Lots of people are travelling fine. Milan is a massive airport, there's every chance you can check bags early. If you're really that worries then just switch to hand baggage only (or cancel).

On the off chance that you get delayed in security, no airline would ever let your suitcase stay on the plane if you're not there.

We're going to Gran Canaria next month, on a package holiday with TUI. I'm aware there may be some delays at some point, but hell would freeze over before I cancelled.

I was in Milan when this was first introduced and it's fine if you understand how the gates work and get there on time. I had to wait slightly longer than usual but it was fine.

Go three hours early and see if you can drop your bag early

It's BS about bag drop times anyway. They don't open specific gates for bag drop at most airports any more. At Stansted with Ryanair we just walked up to any machine and got a self service label then stuck it on the conveyor. That was well over 2 hours before - more like 3.

In the UK yeah but in Europe it’s still desks.

In Lisbon the Ryanair bag drop was an area without specific desks, but there was still a bag drop window. The machine didn't let you do it until 2.5 hours before the flight.

It was fine though - we caught our flight no problem.

It wasn't on Friday in NL. 12 "desks" which were unmanned self-service machines. It makes the queues non-existent. I remember queuing forever back in the early 2000s for two desks for one flight.

@idontwanttogoanymore Did you take the flight in the end?

We flew in to and out of Milan Linate last week, with checked bags (with easyjet). On the way home they allowed us to drop our bag 2.5hrs before, and we ended up sat at the gate for ages killing time because we got through with about an hour to spare. It's really not a big deal.

People say all about Brexit but don't you think even non-EU citizens should have a smooth border experience. Shouldn't everyone?

I'm an Indian citizen living and working in the UK, I have to apply for a Schengen visa before going. Am I supposed to have a long border experience whilst you all get smooth travel? Why can't the EU make the border easy for all?

It really depends on the airline though. In Amsterdam there are bag drop off machines for klm flights but often not for some of the low value or more package holiday airlines

I’m only watching this post now for entertainment purposes!

I didn't. I used the e-gates at St Pancras (the registration machines weren't in use but the e-gates were letting people though anyway as long as you removed your glasses and hat (DH will remember to remove them both in future ;) )) and had a manual check and stamp coming back.

I have registered but it was the day before the new scheme started so I don't know if it worked, or whether my details are available in all countries.

I totally agree - UK citizens are feeling it because we're so close and it's annoying to spend hours in queues for a weekend away but of course we are making the queues that much longer for everyone else as well and other nationalities would like not to miss their flights home! Also they will be even more expensive if you have to buy another one.

People keep comparing it with the US but the difference is you don't get delayed leaving the US.

Yeah, time to jet thus one whinge to herself I think!

Hmm - I'm not sure which one is right, then.

To be fair, I'm inclined to blame Keir Starmer as well. I distinctly remember a press conference Starmer gave a year ago now - after he announced some giveaways to the EU he said his EU-reset deal was a 'win-win' and this was the end of the 'dreaded airport queues'. Quite clearly, we are still waiting.

Again why don't you feel anger at the EU for not implementing smooth border control

We recently visited India - they have introduced finger print security and it was utter chaos. I don’t think you can be so smug about the EUs failure! Delhi was a nightmare.

My DH is a UK citizen but is of Indian heritage so he has an OCI. He had to do finger prints and eye scan. Didn't find immigration too difficult.

Any so you'd ask the government to make immigration easier for all, you wouldn't ask to join India

😂Happy for your dh but we found the queues in Dehli to be much worse than they were in Madrid and I would not be asking the Indian Government to change immigration for me - if it bothered me so much I just wouldn't go back to India.
When a country makes life hard just stay away, go elsewhere - like the USA, I (and many others) are not visiting because of the hostile way they have behaved towards their international travellers - they might be within their rights to do so but there are plenty of other places for me to visit, I don't need to put myself through it.