Return to U.K.

[Georgyporky]

Anyone else returned recently?
I thought we all had to fill in forms about where we'd been, aircraft seat no. etc.

Did all that, but just transferred stuff from my travel handbag to my usual one & the form is still there. No-one asked for the forms when we arrived.

Seems like another massive fail

When I've arrived in the UK by air recently "Border" haven't been in the habit of routinely collect the Passenger Locator Forms (PLFs) though on rare occasions they have been known to ask if you have filled one in..i.e. a random check.

One theory doing the rounds is that since the form is completed online before printing it's possible your passport number is linked to the data you provided, so if you scan your passport ( or have your passport scanned) on arrival in the UK and you haven't completed a PLF a bell will ring somewhere and questions may be asked... but I have my doubts.

Interesting theory, & quite plausible.
In our case, we couldn't get internet access at the foreign airport, so filled in paper forms supplied on board.
We went through the self-scan passport control, along with passengers arriving from other destinations, so I don't see how they could link us.

Interesting, and hence my comment about "I have my doubts".

FWIW the UK Gov guidance (link at bottom of post) quite clearly states:

"You must complete the form online. Do not print out the form and fill it in by hand."

FWIW I've seen customer service staff with i-pads doing the rounds at airport check-ins abroad and again just prior to "border" itself at one UK airport to ensure people had done the on-line form.

Since you filled in a paper form onboard and then Border didn't check it then yes, it does look like a fail...I take it you can tell I'm not that surprised..

www.gov.uk/provide-journey-contact-details-before-travel-uk