Last Saturday we went from Dover - Dunkirk for a week camping in the Netherlands.
As we approached the check-in lanes for DFDS we were waved into the security check area.
I parked up inside the shed, as directed and stepped out of the car. My wife stayed put.
The security guy asked me to open the boot and he gave it a cursory look, obviously it was rammed full of our camping gear and bags but he didn't want anything removed, thank goodness.
Then, bizarrely, he asked me to walk through a metal detector. I put all change, keys, belt etc in a tray and walked through the scanner. Nothing beeped, so all good.
That was that, I got back in the car and drove off to the check-in.
My incredulity was that I had been scanned but my wife, the contents of the car, which included cooking knives etc. were not even looked at. It was clearly a box-ticking exercise rather than a serious attempt to detect anything which could cause harm.
------------- I can remember when this was all fields.
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There's 3 things here that we have observed over the last few years.
First, yes it is a box ticking exercise, they will be obliged to check a number of people.
Secondly, they know who they are looking for, it's generally not retired couples in campervans, but they have to be seen to check without discrimination.
Thirdly, apparently 'the public' feel safer if they can see these checks being made, despite them being mainly not required.
Does anyone know the reason P&O have emailed to stay with immediate effect check in is now no longer than 45mins beforehand? My parents who went with someone else last week where sent a similar email?
Ive had the P&O email. Check in up from a minimum of 30 mins before to 45 mins before. I wonder if that's to allow for security checks. Eurotunnel is also 45 mins but I have a feeling that that was once 30 minutes too.
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I must admit I thought P and O was an hour before - it's what we always calculated on. I'm surprised that it went down to thirty minutes as that wouldn't leave a lot of time to deal with everyone before the ferry needed to be loaded.
Eurotunnel are also asking people to check in 45 mins before when it used to be 30 mins. Dosent seem to make much difference though as last Tuesday returning from France we missed our shuttle but was put on the next one waved straight through and away.
Quote: Originally posted by lyanabint on 02/7/2018
Eurotunnel are also asking people to check in 45 mins before when it used to be 30 mins. Dosent seem to make much difference though as last Tuesday returning from France we missed our shuttle but was put on the next one waved straight through and away.
I think it used to be 30 minutes too, but maybe that was without a caravan. I can't remember.
Recently, both going out and coming back we were fairly early for our crossing, but were only offered the crossing we had booked for. Have they stopped offering earlier crossings? They were in the same price band.
------------- Freedom is a light caravan and an open road.
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We've not been offered an earlier crossing for a while either, though we have been waved straight through for the next crossing. However we tend to go through if we can, we get parked in an odd lane, then sometimes we get sent on anyway.
When we went to France in May, at Eurotunnel in Folkestone, the French customs used a drug sensor on both our steering wheel and driver's door. The fact we are both in our sixties seemed to embarrass them!
A couple of weeks ago we were early at the check in. After going to the pets check in we proceeded to the booth.
The attendant asked my name etc etc and obviously armed with registration from his computer, pressed the button.
I asked him could we go on an earlier train, no was the reply spaces not available.
From the number of people and vehicles about this was, in my opinion, extremely unlikely.
I think I should have asked as soon as I rolled up to the checkpoint, once he had pressed the button it was obviously too much trouble to undo what he had done, by the way no vast queues behind us so it would not have caused a delay.
The lesson, if you are early, ask straight away!
I might of course be wrong, it was not a conspiracy.
Quote: Originally posted by Trotamundos3 on 02/7/2018
When we went to France in May, at Eurotunnel in Folkestone, the French customs used a drug sensor on both our steering wheel and driver's door. The fact we are both in our sixties seemed to embarrass them!
it isnt a drug sensor, its to detect the chemicals used in explosives. i have gone through the tunnel on my motor bike and have been checked they checked my gloves and helmet.
i also travel with my work a lot and always get checked at the airport security. i have carried instruments before and the machine that the filter (from that wand)is checked with has alarmed. after a short interrogation i was allowed on my way. i didnt have any contact with explosives but had been in a plant where various aggressive chamicals are used.
when leaving the car deck on the ferry all adults have been checked by a security guy searching bags etc..in the stairwell before entering the upper decks.
------------- First van bailey ranger 550/6
Now the proud owner of a coachman amara
The last time I used Dover, about 5 years ago, we were subjected to a "security" check by a female operative, who made me realise that the security firms or port authorities or whoever, are really scraping the barrel and just playing a numbers game.
She asked if I had any offensive weapons in the caravan and I said that I had knives for food preparation, which could be offensive weapons in the wrong hands.
She informed me that I was committing a criminal offence and that she could seize the knives and have me arrested, but she would let me off this time.
She tried to sound as though she knew what she was talking about and I didn't argue as I know how obstructive these jobsworths can be.
If we are relying on people like her for our national security, then heaven help us!
And remember to take plastic cutlery to France and buy food that doesn't require to be cut or chopped!
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Dover "security" check
