Are Irish People Still Being Targetted For Special Treatment On Entering The UK?

[yehbut_nobut]

Where are you flying from?!?

That simply has NEVER happened on any flight I have ever been on between Ireland and the UK and I have been on hundreds!

I seriously think you're making this up.

I remember flying from Gatwick back in the 90's, travellers to Ireland had to go through a special gate before the security area. You showed your baording card, and had to stand at a specific place, while a cctv snapped your photo, and the Clerk stuck a printed barcode onto your boarding pass. (after I went through I could see the screen with each photo of people behind me, as the printer reeled out new barcodes).

Then at the gate to board the flight, someone else scanned the barcode- photo appeared on their screen.

I know this becaue I peeled the barcode off and threw it in the bin, and the second guy got furious with me, then explained their procedure,, and wouldn't let me board till I showed some photo ID.

As I said this was in the mid 90's - don't know if its still done.

[slx]

I've been flying between NI/Ireland and the UK for years now and the only time I've ever seen anything was a sniffer dog in Knock earlier this year. There's never any police when you enter the UK side but always on this side.

Yup, in general the security coming into Ireland from the UK (or even other Irish airports) is *FAR* more intimidating than the "security" (a couple of CCTV cameras) entering the UK from Ireland.

It's nuts that we can't split Ireland and UK traffic from other traffic. All it requires is a different door at Cork & Shannon airport or a pier at Dublin airport for internal and UK flights.

Some of the smaller airports almost exclusively handle UK / IRL flights only so I don't see why they even need passport control!

There's a vast volume of UK-IRL traffic and it would make more sense to take a leaf out of the UK's book on this issue and put your passport checking resources into traffic from flights that actually need to be checked i.e. non UK/IRL.

[disgruntledcitizen]

I'm not making anything up. They photograph you as you enter the terminal from the aeroplane and again when you are checking in.

I'm not making up the Special Branch cards they require passengers to fill in under the provisions of the so-called "Terrorism Act" either. I can assure you that it happens.

interesting, first you use misinterpretation of what the photograph are for (as well as omitting its done to everyone regardless of nationality) and then flat out lie about filling in forms...

as someone whom travels from Dublin to London at least 10 times a year i can with absolute certainty state we are treated as well / poorly as those from any other part of the these Islands...

perhaps the Special Branch have an issue with you

[slx]

Honestly, Special Branch have far more pressing issues than Irish flights to worry about!

They're pretty low risk compared to flights to/from certain other areas which are genuinely risky, not to mention all the fuss that has to go into protecting flights to the US.

Their main concern is the overall security at the airport and keeping any nutters off any flight.

[Old Thady]

I'm not making anything up. They photograph you as you enter the terminal from the aeroplane and again when you are checking in.

I'm not making up the Special Branch cards they require passengers to fill in under the provisions of the so-called "Terrorism Act" either. I can assure you that it happens.

Do you do something to wind them up? Perhaps you wear a continuity IRA T-shirt?

Of course, if you support that lot, the metal detectors are probably being set off by the lump of rusting pig iron between your ears.

[Risteard]

Do you do something to wind them up? Perhaps you wear a continuity IRA T-shirt?

Of course, if you support that lot, the metal detectors are probably being set off by the lump of rusting pig iron between your ears.

Indeed not. I just get told any time that it happens that it is "random".

[slx]

Indeed not. I just get told any time that it happens that it is "random".

You're clearly on a "watch list" then !!

What have you been up to ? ??

[Sailor]

Indeed not. I just get told any time that it happens that it is "random".

Are you travelling on an Irish passport?

[Risteard]

Are you travelling on an Irish passport?

What is your point?

[Skypeme]

I personally have no objection to being asked to identify myself on entering or leaving any country. I always carry my passport whenever I leave the country, IMO we need more, not less control of those crossing borders.

I have been frisked, photographed, searched, had my laptop dismantled, luggage opened, had items confiscated, been sniffed at by 'Buster' at Shannon, stood in 'non-Shengen' queues in various European countries and finally, spent time in the passport line at Dublin airport.

If this is what it takes to prevent undesirables of every type, shade or nationality from doing their worst, then its a small price to pay for our security.

If you have nothing to hide what's the problem, just relax and enjoy the journey!