Originally Posted by
PAL62V
Of course there is a clear gain to the workforce at the border, that’s clear. But the argument also runs both ways, and my point is about the fairness and reciprocity which I assume the EU could easily bring about if they wanted to with some relatively simple adjustments to the operation of their e-gates. And think of the benefit to EU border force staff at the current points of entry where e-gates are not permitted with a UK passport.
The fact that last year I could have gone thru an e-gate using my Australian passport but kit with my UK passport is really rather pathetic.
Where in the EU are e-gates permitted for Australians but not UK citizens? I don't think I've spotted that myself, though from memory HEL lets Japanese and maybe some others use them.
Anyway re the 'easy' point, clearly one of the main barriers to allowing Brits e-gate access is the need still to stamp the passport, which at least partly defeats their efficiency. That said e-gates are increasingly available at more EU airports (LIS as above being one, and many in Italy for example). But the real gain will be when stamping is eliminated. That has been in the works under the EES project for a long time but as also noted upthread, repeatedly delayed. I don't think anything is easy when it comes to Schengen border controls tbh, frustrating as that is for UK citizens.