Thanks - I am sure I read that this was a one-off process and you register in the kiosks only the first time you arrive. Then as part of the new entry process, at the e-gates (or manned kiosk) you insert-show your passport as usual but now also put your hand on a scanner for fingerprint verification? Indeed at AMS last month they now have the fingerprint scanners at the manned kiosks too and I had to do a second fingerprint step.
So are you saying that EU entry has now become a 3-step process, rather than simplifying and speeding it all up? Thought it was supposed to eliminate the manned kiosk and passport stamping.....but all this has done is replace it with another earlier step instead?
New Step 1: Join queue for first passport scan and fingerprint.
Step 2: Join queue at traditional e-gates for second passport scan and second fingerprint scan
Step 3 - Head to manned kiosk to answer questions from an immigration officer....ie purpose of visit, how long are you staying etc.
At the moment is a 3-step process. I bet in the future, after the full implementation, Step 3 will eventually disappear at least in some countries. Officer may still be there to interview suspicious travelers but it may be the exception rather than the rule.
Step 1 will also disappear for those using the Travel to Europe app pre-registration.
They can easily spot overstayers, visa violators and imposters through big data (statistics, movement records, abnormal travel patterns, PNRs, etc.) so an interview is not necessary in most cases.
Only the US and Canada still insist on interviewing each traveler (even citizens). Australia, UK, NZ have now shifted to a more pragmatic approach and I hope the EU will follow them.