Current border controls are a farce, says Trailfinders’ technology development director Ross Simpson after a trip to Portugal
Heading off on a family summer holiday would typically fill me with excitement, not confusion.
It is, however, the summer of 2021 and nothing is made simple. Undeterred, we set off anyway because why shouldn’t we? We are double vaccinated and need to get away to have some overdue sunshine and relaxation.
Before we could go there was a need to obtain a negative PCR test (not the more reasonably priced and convenient antigen test), no more than 72 hours prior to departure. Aside from the expense, was the anxiety of hoping the result came back in time.
At this point BA inform me I must upload all documents to ‘Manage my Booking’ in order to check in online. That’s two vaccine certificates, two negative PCR tests, and four Passenger Locator forms. Surely time well spent as this means a speedy airport experience.
I was proven wrong – at the bag drop out came all documents, only to be told that we didn’t need a PCR test as we had the vaccine! The chap was wrong, of course, but I did feel for him with so many changing rules to try and keep up with.
Thankfully, our negative PCR tests were required at Portuguese immigration, which left me feeling like my time and expense at getting the tests was for something at least.
Out came the vaccination certificates again and the Portuguese Passenger Locator forms, which I had completed online to save me again producing the paper copies. Sadly they did not make their way to the immigration officers’ computer.
In order to return to the UK, another negative test was required, which ranged from €25 to €100 and was a source of unnecessary confusion and anxiety for most holidaymakers that I spoke with. Why is an antigen test suddenly OK, and how do I know if my chosen test conforms to UK regulations? More confusion and a leap of faith.
As it turned out, I needn’t have worried as the cursory glance my test result was given at check-in meant I could have been producing a forgery. This was after I had spent most of the previous evening uploading our vaccination certificates, negative test results, UK Passenger Locator forms, and Day 2 return test booking references to VeriFLY – an app BA is trialling.
This would surely make the airport experience better on the return. Wrong. I was once again asked for all documents, BA seemingly not willing to take the already-verified documents on their own VeriFLY app as sufficient confirmation of my credentials – despite their insistence I use it.
Two of the three passengers in front of me had already been asked to step out of the line due to not having completed UK Passenger Locator forms or having Day 2 tests booked. The entire scene was chaotic – the poor check in assistants now having to take responsibility for checking documents to avoid lengthy queues at UK immigration.
I should mention that part was speedy, 20 minutes – none of the three-hour reported queues I was dreading – but then again, Border Force were only checking passports, having moved the work and chaos elsewhere.
What my experience clearly highlighted was a desperate need for a ‘global standard’ of documentation that can be pre-checked, removing the need to re-check at each stage of journey.
Trailfinders has long been highlighting the pressing need to recognise vaccination certificates.
We have long advocated that Iata, which has masterminded the safety and very good order of aviation since 1945, be given the task to avoid the chaos of multiple uncoordinated efforts by laymen.
The Iata Travel Pass awaits.
The current practice is not sustainable once travel resumes, even at 50% capacity.
Airlines and Border Force checks need to be joined up and passengers precleared. I have limited confidence that check in staff have any idea if the test results they are looking at meet the required standard or are even official documents (they aren’t trained in this after all), which makes the purpose and cost of them a farce for travellers.
Has the strength and impact of the vaccine not proved itself a worthy defence to allow us to unshackle ourselves from the needless confusion and expense associated with travel?
Whitehall really needs to get a grip and put a stop to persecuting the traveller unnecessarily.