As an American, going to the UK from Europe is a pain. My husband is living there, so I've gone over frequently to visit. Each time I went through Heathrow it was the same harsh interrogation. Why are you coming here? Where is your UK visa if you're coming to visit your husband (um, nowhere, as I live in Switzerland - but they never wanted to see my Swiss permit even when offered). I've been accused of living there illegally - and surprised they let me in the last few times.
I flew American Airlines from Zurich a few months back and I was quite surprised to see that they were screening passengers prior to check in. The lady who saw me was pretty intense, asking where I had travelled from, what time I left Basel, did I come by train or car, profession, company, where I was staying in the US, purpose of visit etc... The point at which my irritation started to peak was when she asked to see my Permit B. Gritting my teeth I patiently explained that this was not a travel document needed to fly to the States and therefore why should I bring it with me? The look on her face made me think that I was not going to fly that day, so I desperately offered up my driver's licence instead. Looking back I think its nothing more than a 'Psyche you out' test to examine your reactions under strain. The question is, why don't they pre-screen passengers on the Swiss flight to JFK too?
No experience with Heathrow but the worst airport ever is CDG. After security checking, they let you in a tiny place for boarding without toilet. Of course you are not allowed to bring water in, you have to buy something from their shops and the flight is late, nightmare. You also have a very intelligent direction signs.
Hello, we have a trip coming up to visit friends in the UK. We are contemplating using easyjet, the prices seem very reasonable.
Just, nowhere on the site do I find a list of what is and what is not allowed as far as baggage content goes, apart from the obvious dangerous ones.
Of course, it is possible I am being blind, it's just our friends have requested we take them some Ovomaltine spread, which I will happily do, unless for some reason it goes against requirements.
I beg your pardon for being somewhat off topic here, just, we have experienced things like Honey, not being allowed through customs, if they are in containers larger than 100ml, as it is considered a liquid.
Would Ovomaltine spread be considered in the same light? Or is it more likely to depend on the mood of the security officer on the day?
I have been searching on here, as well as the net in general, but my question is perhaps too specific and I haven't found anything yet.
Perhaps one, of some of you well travelled people can enlighten me on this one, if so, I will be very grateful.
TSA - "Why did you write England on this entry card?"
Me - "Er, it asked from which country I flew, which was England"
TSA - "You should have written UK"
Me - "Er, actually the UK means the United Kingdom of Great Britain - the island - and Northern Ireland and isn't technically a country, it's a united Kingdom"
TSA - beady stare for the longest 15 seconds of my life...
He must have been feeling horny for me as I received the stamp anyway.
yes, it would. if it's larger than 100ml, according to the rules you should not take it in your hand luggage. Might get lucky though, I've managed to smuggle creams etc through security control several times recently. Have heard rumors that they'll get rid of the stupid restrictions soon. Seriously, how much liquid do you need to make a bomb anyway? Take a few friends, everybody brings the allowed litre bag and surely you should have enough?
Thank you very much for responding. So the one holdall suitcase I have, that I have to store overhead, is okay for the Ovo spread!? Are you sure that they, at the checkin are not going to throw it out?
Truth be told, I didn't about it either and whether it could be considered a liquid or some other confiscable item or not is what makes me unsure.
Stupid really, I guess I could just ship it to them, probably a lot less troublesome, if rather expensive and long. Edited: Thanks ullainga, yes, that's kind of what I rather suspected, dissappointing as it is, shall just go with shipping it to them.
i recommend everyone to use city airport when flying to and from london, its the most convenient and enjoyable of all london airports. the worst are heathrow and luton.
First they took away the metal cutlery, then cutting down the size of meals... then replacing them with a meagre sandwich, cutting down on baggage allowance to make more room to carry Courier and commercial stuff... to now charging for preference seats... when in the good old days, the friendly cabin crew would help people move around anyway, where possible, once the passenger count was done...
Where the heck are all the Revenues going?
Starbucks dont make "profit" out of selling coffee but the add on muffins and croissants etc. Airlines dont make money providing transport services but actually selling preferred seats ?!!
Thank you Herc82, I was being unbelivably obtuse just now, fixating on the hand baggage, forgetting about the checked in luggage, we obviously don't fly very often, got it all sorted now, cheers.
The market gets - eventually - what the market wants. Everyone bangs on about budget travel and only sees the price of the ticket. However, everyone also bangs on about the state of the experience.
Sooner or later there'll be a market for low-stress check in, modern fleets and fancy cutlery and wine on board. Meanwhile, it's a price war between the old guard - who used to offer such service - and the cheap seats for the masses. The old guard can't manage with all this uppity competition, and it's not a level playing field.
I'm more than happy to pay 20% extra to get human check-in (what's with the 'Self Service' check-in these days? Could the flying experience get any more frustrating? ), space in the cabin and decent onboard service where there's more on offer than Cadbury's Get Fat Snacks and depressing lottery card sales pitches, as found on the budget airlines. Swiss still just about manage this.
It certainly applies on their standard bookings. I guess that if you are paying a higher price for other services it may already be built into the price.
I hope i am not jinxing anything now , but over the past few years i flew five times to the Uk (4 x Luton, 1x Manchester) , always booked Easy Jet and never experienced any trouble at all on either Airports nor with flights or security. I have found a friendly hello or good day or so accompanied by a smile also makes the people at the ariport sort of more friendly back towards me
Also,being handicapped and showing my card when i have problems understanding what's being said to me has always brought the best out in people and more often than not they go out their way to make sure i understood everything, not like stuff i encounter here with my swiss compatriotes!!!!