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The DUB Passport/Immigration Queue Thread

180567

Would anyone know if anything is being done to solve the issues at Terminal one passport control ? Extremely long queues for passengers arriving in the evenings. An hour or more seems to be the new normal now.

There seems to be a real problem with the number of inbound flights after 10 and not having enough passport control staff to cope with the numbers. For some reason Terminal two is not affected and it never takes more than five minutes to get through there. I see in T1 they are scanning the passport through a scanner machine now so I think that is what is also slowing it all down.

I'm kind of surprised Ryanair haven't been on going bonkers about this as it's really affecting their passengers rather than anyone elses. Any of their evening flights arriving later than 10 are going to be caught up in these massive queues. After being caught up in the long queues a couple of times I'd really think twice before I'd book a T1 evening arriving flight again. Regardless of the price I'd now pay the extra to go Aer Lingus through T2 just to avoid that.

We're not even into the peak summer holiday season so I don't know what it is going to be like come July or august.

I can think of a few ways to improve the system myself - separate the UK \ common travel area arriving passengers like they do at Gatwick where people show their boarding card to confirm they are traveling from the UK. Or loads more of the automatic scanner gates.

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ED E

90 seconds. Amazed.

Noxegon

bk wrote: »

My other half is a non EU passport holder, so when with her, I go through this queue. It takes absolutely ages

Same here.

I really wish those with a current valid GNIB card could use the EU Passport queue.

trellheim

One that scans a driving license as well would be useful; the new DL standards are very strict .

ED E

Would love to see a passport card only queue. The kind of traveller to carry one glides through most parts of the airport, might as well streamline the last hurdle.

plodder wrote: »

Passed through a couple of times over the last few days. First time, on Wed eve last week in T2, the queue looked very long, but I timed it, and it took exactly five minutes. Some guy decided to skip the queue anyway and head for the shorter, non EU passport line. He kind of had a point as the desks said "all passports" but he was challenged and sent back with his tail between his legs, as the DAA person was directing EU passport holders to some of those booths as well.

Anyone including EU Passport holders can use the "All Passports" queue, but even if it looks shorter, trust me it typically takes WAY longer. That is why he was likely directed back to the EU queue, for his own benefit.

My other half is a non EU passport holder, so when with her, I go through this queue. It takes absolutely ages. They do a very thorough and detailed check of each passport and person on this queue and if there is even a minor wrinkle, then you could be stuck there waiting 15 minutes as they interview the person ahead of you!

The EU passport queue might look much longer, but mostly they just quickly wave people through and for the most part much quicker. Needless to say I always use this queue when on my own.

trellheim

In that situation the person should have been taken to a private room and dealt with there.

I had a look at UK stats and their approach to the problem , if anyone takes the time to read them , yes its a different country with different laws, however the public nature of the stats published and public accountability can only be applauded ; these are slightly dated but you get the idea. Really good reports

http://icinspector.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/An-Inspection-of-Border-Force-Operations-at-Stansted-Airport.pdf

https://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201213/cmselect/cmhaff/523/52304.htm

plodder

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Either that, or move the queues further away from the booths, and if necessary out along the corridor

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

plodder

Passed through a couple of times over the last few days. First time, on Wed eve last week in T2, the queue looked very long, but I timed it, and it took exactly five minutes. Some guy decided to skip the queue anyway and head for the shorter, non EU passport line. He kind of had a point as the desks said "all passports" but he was challenged and sent back with his tail between his legs, as the DAA person was directing EU passport holders to some of those booths as well. Then yesterday afternoon, in T1 it was quick and unremarkable as well. Traveling in and out of France was similar too.

It seems to be only specific times where the problem occurs. A work colleague was telling me the last time he went through, a non national in front of him was subjected to a public grilling that included reading out social media conversations off his phone with his girl friend. It sounded pretty humiliating for that to happen in public earshot. Apart from that the process took about 10-15 minutes and presumably it's when things like that happen that the queues start to backup.

Jamie2k9

screamer wrote: »

I think we better get used to longer queues, the way the world is these days. Dublin is just one example of long queues. I went through Schipol with small babies a few weeks back and it took over an hour, trying to hold wriggly babies who were over-tired and fed up being handled. Even those using the automatic scanners were being called forward to processing booths. TBH, it's put me right off flying, and next time we go on holidays, it'll be on the ferry to France.

There are significantly worse queue's in Europe this summer. It's the new norm.

Hasschu

The answer is yes unless it is a flight that originated within Ireland.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

munchkin_utd

trellheim wrote: »

only sometimes.

Our respective governments have worked out an arrangement to minimize them, this arrangement is not consistently implemented at our side.

indeed,
cross the land border either direction theres no systematic passport or ID checks
cross the border by sea either direction theres no systematic passport or ID checks
cross the border by air into the UK, theres no systematic passport or ID checks
ONLY crossing the border into Ireland by air are there systematic passport or ID checks

Anyone saying that this makes sense, is logical, is consistent or that checks of all UK passengers in Dublin airport is necessary where in 5 out of 6 IRL-UK border crossing possibilities it isnt, needs to sit down and have a wee think

trellheim

when you cross a border there are formalities involved

only sometimes.

Our respective governments have worked out an arrangement to minimize them, this arrangement is not consistently implemented at our side.

Noxegon

Pat Dunne wrote: »

I have used Irish Ferries, Dublin to Holyhead on 5 seperate occasions in the last 12 months. Apart from one random and exceptionally brief UK Customs check in Holyhead, neither my passenger nor myself have been asked to produce any form of I.D on either side of the crossing by any of the authorities.
This is in complete contrast to flying, where I have be requested to produce I.D on each and every flight over the same time period, with all return flights been through T1.

Just as a data point (and yes, I realise this has gone off-topic) – the last time I took the ferry was the late arrival into Holyhead. Our car was stopped for a random inspection on disembarking at about 12:30am, and it was almost ninety minutes later when they'd finished. I wasn't happy.

To move back on topic (mostly), when you cross a border there are formalities involved. While it'd be nice if they were quick it doesn't always work that way.

Pat Dunne

Irish Steve wrote: »

And your point in relation to long passport control queues at Terminal 1 is?

The fact that the UK authorities choose to implement a different control system to that which is in place in Ireland is more than very close to being off topic.

My point is, that I am responding to a number of comments made by other members in relation to the topic. Along with relaying my own personal experiences of T1 in comparasion to travelling by ferry. Contrasting how rigorous the checks are for air travel in comparasion to the almost complete absence of officialdom on both sides of the Irish Sea when travelling by ferry.

boccy23 wrote: »

To be fair, sitting in your own car is a lot nicer than standing in a hall with hundreds if not thousands or tired, upset, angry passengers.

EverythingGood wrote: »

As long as it was a good sailing.

EverythingGood wrote: »

1 hour in a queue v 22 hours on a boat? I'd take my queuing chances...

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

J.pilkington wrote: »

1 hour holding an upset baby in a confined space with hundreads of other pissed of people is worth about 40hours on a nice comfortable ferry

Pat Dunne

boccy23 wrote: »

To be fair, sitting in your own car is a lot nicer than standing in a hall with hundreds if not thousands or tired, upset, angry passengers.

Even nicer in a Camper.

with T.V, bed, jacks, comfy seats, a near endless supply of tea, in your own lovely and warm surroundings

Irish Steve

Pat Dunne wrote: »

I have used Irish Ferries, Dublin to Holyhead on 5 occasions in the last 12 months. Apart from one random customs check, I or my passenger have never asked to produce any form of I.D.

And your point in relation to long passport control queues at Terminal 1 is?

The fact that the UK authorities choose to implement a different control system to that which is in place in Ireland is more than very close to being off topic.

Pat Dunne

I have used Irish Ferries, Dublin to Holyhead on 5 seperate occasions in the last 12 months. Apart from one random and exceptionally brief UK Customs check in Holyhead, neither my passenger nor myself have been asked to produce any form of I.D on either side of the crossing by any of the authorities.
This is in complete contrast to flying, where I have be requested to produce I.D on each and every flight over the same time period, with all return flights been through T1.

trellheim

In the spirit of balance I came through T1 off a Ryanair at about 3pm yesterday . Less than 30 secs queuing so well done.

EverythingGood

J.pilkington wrote: »

1 hour holding an upset baby in a confined space with hundreads of other pissed of people is worth about 40hours on a nice comfortable ferry

As long as it was a good sailing.

boccy23

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

To be fair, sitting in your own car is a lot nicer than standing in a hall with hundreds if not thousands or tired, upset, angry passengers.

Fred Swanson

This post has been deleted.

J.pilkington

EverythingGood wrote: »

1 hour in a queue v 22 hours on a boat? I'd take my queuing chances...

1 hour holding an upset baby in a confined space with hundreads of other pissed of people is worth about 40hours on a nice comfortable ferry

EverythingGood

screamer wrote: »

I think we better get used to longer queues, the way the world is these days. Dublin is just one example of long queues. I went through Schipol with small babies a few weeks back and it took over an hour, trying to hold wriggly babies who were over-tired and fed up being handled. Even those using the automatic scanners were being called forward to processing booths. TBH, it's put me right off flying, and next time we go on holidays, it'll be on the ferry to France.

1 hour in a queue v 22 hours on a boat? I'd take my queuing chances...

screamer

I think we better get used to longer queues, the way the world is these days. Dublin is just one example of long queues. I went through Schipol with small babies a few weeks back and it took over an hour, trying to hold wriggly babies who were over-tired and fed up being handled. Even those using the automatic scanners were being called forward to processing booths. TBH, it's put me right off flying, and next time we go on holidays, it'll be on the ferry to France.

The Veteran

Nomis21 wrote: »

Interestingly enough if you did happen to be from Mars you would not need a visa to enter the UK because you would not be on the list of countries who's citizens require a visa. (Not yet anyway)

The Republic of the Maldives citizens do not need a visa to enter the UK, perhaps because there are so few of them and Mars citizens would probably qualify for the same reason.

I would say tonight about half eleven will be hectic. Daa website showing 7 flights with delays that will add them to those landing between 23:20 and 23:35 or so.

Nomis21

tina1040 wrote: »

When you fly Ireland to London Gatwick (not sure about other uk airports) you go straight to the baggage area and into arrivals. No one asks where you were born. You could be American, African or from Mars.

Interestingly enough if you did happen to be from Mars you would not need a visa to enter the UK because you would not be on the list of countries who's citizens require a visa. (Not yet anyway)

The Republic of the Maldives citizens do not need a visa to enter the UK, perhaps because there are so few of them and Mars citizens would probably qualify for the same reason.

P_1

Having experienced the queues at Lodz airport (coming in and going out) I have to say T1 in Dublin may not be as bad. Nothing like a Polish military man staring between you and your passport for 5 minutes to wake you up

Noxegon

For what it's worth, I landed tonight at 21:35 and was through passport control in less than sixty seconds.