Fun with UK Border Force

gangitano85

A2OC Donor
Belgium
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 :)
 
I'm sorry to read this, Thomas.

I suspect that border forces may have been made aware of the A2's sandwich chassis design. I have seen solid evidence of the under-floor compartments being used to smuggle drugs.

These experiences are never nice, however sure you are that you've not done anything wrong. I totally understand why you use the word 'violated' to describe how you were left feeling. The sense that you are judged to be guilty before being found innocent isn't nice, nor is it nice to have your car partially dismantled by people who don't care for it.

My sister is always 'randomly' selected at airport queues to unpack all her luggage. She cannot remember when she last boarded an aeroplane without being asked to unpack everything. She's never carrying anything forbidden, so the process is simply a massive inconvenience, but it's hard not to take it personally when it happens over and over again. She has very distinctive, wavy ginger hair, which she suspects makes her stand out in a crowd; it is the only thing to which she can attribute this happening every time. It does demonstrate that certain visual appearances probably play a role in selection.

Chin up! We all know you're a lovely bloke with great taste in cars. :)

Groetjes,

Tom
 
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 :)
Violated is surely when the rubber gloves come out?
I had the same flying to France via Amsterdam and the Dutch border staff started asking me about my holiday. When they asked me how my French was, could I think of anything to say in French? It reminded me of doing my French oral exams for O levels. (Keep it clean)
 
Didn't Belgium city of Antwerp used to be connected to drug trade? Perhaps it was that.
 
I know it`s not nice, to be picked out of a crowd and taken to the cleaners.

However, I`m pleased to hear our border force are being tough and stringent, its a good message to send out to the crooks and scammers, who seem to profit from international travel.
 
So looks like they're aware of the false floor and hidden compartment, which isn't great when you travel around and about, but at least those trying to smuggle drugs might stay away from these great cars, so it's reputations won't be deteriorated anymore, and driven by people whom actually like A2s, which is also good for their values too.
 
The same, but different. I was in USA, North Carolina, I had a connecting flight Greensboro to main hub (can't remember which one).
Airline had my phone and email, in case of problems. Arrived only to find the flight was cancelled. Got a bit grumpy, (as you do, long week, just want to get home), so had to wait for next flight, which would probably (did) mean I'd miss the UK flight.
When I eventually got to go through the gate, I was selected for full search, (down to under pants). Flight did not depart, problem with refuelling, the fuel man had gone home. Hotel for the night. Next day, same search at the gate. Same again boarding UK flight (to Heathrow, car a t Gatwick).
It seems that the staff at Greensboro had marked my card, because I complained, and that stayed with me for entire journey.
So quiet stoicism is required.
Mac.
 
I know it`s not nice, to be picked out of a crowd and taken to the cleaners.

However, I`m pleased to hear our border force are being tough and stringent, its a good message to send out to the crooks and scammers, who seem to profit from international travel.
My sentiments exactly. These guys are doing their job. I remember a few years ago my ferry docked in Ancona from Greece. I was on my own in my Jeep Cherokee XJ. Italian border force detained me for over an hour. Shades and guns. Stripped the back of the car out, unscrewed stuff, sniffed the air in my tyres, dogs the lot. Apologised for the inconvenience. To his surprise I shook his hand and thanked him. "I'm glad you are doing your job Sir...." I said. He smiled and wished me a safe onward journey.
 
My sentiments exactly. These guys are doing their job. I remember a few years ago my ferry docked in Ancona from Greece. I was on my own in my Jeep Cherokee XJ. Italian border force detained me for over an hour. Shades and guns. Stripped the back of the car out, unscrewed stuff, sniffed the air in my tyres, dogs the lot. Apologised for the inconvenience. To his surprise I shook his hand and thanked him. "I'm glad you are doing your job Sir...." I said. He smiled and wished me a safe onward journey.
I agree, it’s good to hear a story of our borders not being “porous” for a change, seeing as the media don’t seem to report this as much as they do examples of the opposite. You’ll be glad to know you weren’t profiled, when I and the family of three young children came home off the ferry from France earlier last month in our Touran we too were thoroughly searched.

That said, I can see why your new friend would get annoyed.
 
Don’t feel like you’ve been targeted, they’re only doing their job. A2s have been known for smuggling on the continent, and a few people on here have had the same searches in the past.
 
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