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.

And don't really on Google ai summaries they OFTEN talk absolute shite.

Yes, but you wouldn't be in the Shengen area

We just came back from Germany today. We arrived at the airport 2.5 hours in advance. I think something that does catch some people out on leaving the EU is that you go through security into departures but only go through passport control at the gate.

If you are really anxious, I would get there as early as possible (3 hours, wait until bag drop opens if hold luggage), go straight through security and then join the passport control queue. Don’t browse duty free/settle in for a meal, just grab water and anything you need as facilities beyond passport control are minimal, and then join the queue.

We were told “a few minutes” and it took half an hour with every desk open. I hate to think what it’s like on a day when several non-EU flights are leaving simultaneously, but I think you’d be unlucky to miss a flight home if you go straight to passport control - and you won’t miss the flight from the U.K. as EES is done on arrival in the country if you’re flying.

I'm going on holiday in 2 weeks and am not worrying about it. It's likely it will be fine and at worst I'm sure the airline will sort you out. Cancelling is an extreme reaction - relax it will all work out in the end. Go and enjoy your holiday.

It can’t be impossible for you to get your flight, that makes no sense.

YANBU that Brexit is a pile of shite though.

I've been there when they were long queues and they shout out the flight number and you go to the front of the queue
however, I would suggest that the original poster doesn't actually want solutions they just want to panic

No, you can't go because of your anxiety.

Thousands are flying with absolutely no problems.
With the numbers of people flying there will inevitably be issues with a small %

While it's not ideal when your suitcase doesn't make it to the same destination, it really isn't the end of the world

What?!! It's fine. I did it this week. Arrived at Köln airport. Registered for it at a kiosk. Took a couple of mins. Then waited about 15 mins to go through. Flew from Gatwick. Did nothing there.
Came home. At Köln, went through PP control. They scanned my passport. I put my fingers on the pad. Was all fine.
Don't stress about it and enjoy your holiday.
They can revert to normal if problems build.

I’m just back from Spain. Less time to get in and out of Spain than usual. Portugal was slightly busier getting into the country but getting out never seems to be as bad. Don’t take hold luggage though if it’s worrying you. An underseat bag and a cabin suitcase is usually enough?

My DH has travelled to Milan a few times in recent months as his company has an office there. There was one flight in then news that people missed at the start wasn’t there but hundreds of flights leave every day without any issue. He’s not had a problem, he started off getting there a bit earlier than usual but has stopped now as he just was sitting around for so long as the queues were minimal.

I’m not sure I understand what your flight landing at 9.30 has to do with it? Presumably that’s what you were expecting?

I’m in Italy at the moment. Got to Heathrow 90 minutes before the flight left, dropped my bags, as normal, it was fine. I didn’t even remember there was a new system till I got to Rome airport.

OP you are catastrophising. There is no EU law about getting to the airport 3 hrs in advance. Maybe the queues will be a bit longer than last time. Just fly as normal.

What?! You’d be at the original airport so you’d get your bag and recheck it.

You won’t get stuck in some infinite loop of checking your bag and then not getting through security. Plus Ryanair will accept your bag earlier most likely. I’ve checked a Ryanair bag more than 2 hours in advance before, and if they know the queues are so bad they definitely will. If you think you’re going to miss your flight, alert staff and ask what to do. No one wants the hassle of having to take your bag off the plane, they’d rather get you on the plane with it.

And I’d be taking Ryanair to small claims court if they wanted to charge me for a replacement flight if they booked me on one that was impossible to catch.

Worst case scenario, get yourself to a lesser affected airport and fly from there - there’s plenty a train ride from Milan.

Also nothing you just described is the end of the world.

You’re hugely overreacting.

It literally is as we are now 3rd nation status

You can’t just walk out from being airside and pick up a bag that’s been put on another plane 😂

Because the Airbnb cut off for check in is midnight. Normally would be fine. Now the government is spineless and allowing this to happen, it’s not going to be fine.

OP I did Italy in March, Austria in April and Greece in May and they’ve been fine. I was maybe delayed 10 minutes compared to my partner who is a EU citizen. Norway is hardly a major British holidaymaker hub. You really will be absolutely fine. It sort of sounds like you don’t want to go and are just looking for reasons to justify not bothering?

Of course it’s the end of the world if your suitcase goes to London and you end up across the country. Fucking government not stepping up and sorting it is a joke

I want to go. I’m heartbroken that I’m going to have to cancel, but I guess that’s what spineless Starmer gets you. He’s more bothered by the football than getting us closer to Europe and sorting this mess out.

@idontwanttogoanymore you are literally basing your reaction on totally wrong information from the shit AI summary. The actual Ryanair website says at the latest 2 hours before departure and the screenshot you shared of the AI summary says "earliest 2 hours" which just... isn't correct.

Edit to add link again: https://help.ryanair.com/hc/en-gb/articles/12890531028497-How-far-in-advance-can-I-drop-my-bag-at-the-bag-drop-counter

Norway isn't in the EU.
You'll be fine OP especially travelling alone. Take a book.

What exactly do you expect the UK government to do about it? Other than re-join the EU before your holiday?

This AI information is incorrect, as @hilariousnamehere has pointed out.

If you want to know Ryanair policy, go to their website.

It sounds like you're letting your anxiety spiral. The reality is, you will very likely be able to drop off your bag 3 hours before the flight at Milan (or is it Bergamo?), you will very likely be able to get through security on time, you will possibly be able to buy a fast track security pass, you will be able to tell staff your flight is leaving soon and ask for help. You won't be the only one. Ryanair can be awkward, but they are also pretty efficient. As the systems bed in things will improve.

I would suggest some CBT but in the meantime maybe rescue remedy or similar for travelling. Go and enjoy your holiday, seriously. Don't let this not happen after looking forward to it for so long.

OP you’re being slightly hysterical. You CAN go on holiday and in all likelihood you will be absolutely fine. Tens of thousands of Brits are travelling in and out of Europe every week, hundreds of thousands this week for half-term, many of them with Ryanair and/or to Milan, without issue.

Also, your suitcase will not fly without you. That is for obvious security reasons absolutely not a thing. If you don’t make the flight they’ll offload your bag, which is exactly why they have people with a flight boarding jump the queues where necessary, because they never want to offload a bag.

Just flew London to Alicante bank holiday Monday and back today. Literally 15 min through both ways.