gangitano85
A2OC Donor
Good afternoon all,
Just a little rant about an unpleasant experience I had yesterday when coming back from Belgium and France.
I was travelling in my little A2 by myself, so from previous experience, I knew that upon arrival in Dover there would be a fair chance that I would be 'selected' (read profiled) for UK Customs. I just wanted to go home after a week away from my wife, but hey "can't be that bad, right?"
At first, nothing to worry about. Got a few questions about where I had been and what I had been doing. I had to show my passport and ferry ticket. Then, questions become - at least in my opinion - borderline intrusive. "Where have you been staying in Belgium?" "And in France?" Things got worse when I couldn't immediately show the hotel reservation for my stay in France, as my Italian friend had made it. Then came the questions about the car "Is it yours?" "How long have you had it?" "Can we see the registration / V5?" The officer checked everything. I had to open the boot and get everything out, had to show what was under the false floor, and knocked on the spare wheel to see whether it had any air inside. "That's all fine, SIr, just two seconds and I will be back". He went off with my passport, ticket and V5. I was happy that I could get on my way in just a few moments... or so I thought...
He came back. "There is a small problem Sir, could you please get out of the car and take a seat". No explanation whatsoever. Three extra officers were called, removed the mats from the front of the car, and manhandled the carpet to see what was underneath. They checked for several minutes, flashlights galore. Officer came back "All fine, Sir", with no explanation about what that was all about. Got into the car, the carpet was not properly put back, and the mats were just thrown in. I just wanted to get out of there but felt violated to whole way back home.
Apparently, I either look like a drug courier or I drive a car which could be used as such.
It could have been worse, the poor guy in front of me (Belgian car, non-white male travelling alone) had all his luggage checked (item per item). Had a short chat with him, said he had this all the time. From February onwards, I will be travelling back and forth to Belgium on a weekly basis, which is going to be fun...
Rant over
Just a little rant about an unpleasant experience I had yesterday when coming back from Belgium and France.
I was travelling in my little A2 by myself, so from previous experience, I knew that upon arrival in Dover there would be a fair chance that I would be 'selected' (read profiled) for UK Customs. I just wanted to go home after a week away from my wife, but hey "can't be that bad, right?"
At first, nothing to worry about. Got a few questions about where I had been and what I had been doing. I had to show my passport and ferry ticket. Then, questions become - at least in my opinion - borderline intrusive. "Where have you been staying in Belgium?" "And in France?" Things got worse when I couldn't immediately show the hotel reservation for my stay in France, as my Italian friend had made it. Then came the questions about the car "Is it yours?" "How long have you had it?" "Can we see the registration / V5?" The officer checked everything. I had to open the boot and get everything out, had to show what was under the false floor, and knocked on the spare wheel to see whether it had any air inside. "That's all fine, SIr, just two seconds and I will be back". He went off with my passport, ticket and V5. I was happy that I could get on my way in just a few moments... or so I thought...
He came back. "There is a small problem Sir, could you please get out of the car and take a seat". No explanation whatsoever. Three extra officers were called, removed the mats from the front of the car, and manhandled the carpet to see what was underneath. They checked for several minutes, flashlights galore. Officer came back "All fine, Sir", with no explanation about what that was all about. Got into the car, the carpet was not properly put back, and the mats were just thrown in. I just wanted to get out of there but felt violated to whole way back home.
Apparently, I either look like a drug courier or I drive a car which could be used as such.
It could have been worse, the poor guy in front of me (Belgian car, non-white male travelling alone) had all his luggage checked (item per item). Had a short chat with him, said he had this all the time. From February onwards, I will be travelling back and forth to Belgium on a weekly basis, which is going to be fun...
Rant over