Additional passport checks on arrival
Sep 20, 2012, 3:34 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,925
Additional passport checks on arrival
Yesterday when we got off an about 0700 arrival from GRU, there were four border guards checking passports as we left the aeroplane door. We were off early but if they continued some passengers would have had very long waits to disembark.
I've never experienced this type of additional check before. Any suggestions why? No police offficers there.
I've never experienced this type of additional check before. Any suggestions why? No police offficers there.
Sep 20, 2012, 3:51 am
#2
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Some flights will be targetted to prevent anyone disposing of their password before the border who may otherwise be returned to their home country. Without a passport it becomes far more problematic to refuse entry.
Sep 20, 2012, 4:08 am
#3
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Never had it at T5, but it frequently happened at T1 International. However it wasn't particularly effective as the check consisted of two young ladies sitting on a bench inside the terminal building, completely ignoring the inbound PAX and rather discussing last night's events! 
Compare to FRA T2 where two border police are at the first "bend" in the jetty and two more with dogs at the next "bend". And all passports were checked.
Compare to FRA T2 where two border police are at the first "bend" in the jetty and two more with dogs at the next "bend". And all passports were checked.
Sep 20, 2012, 4:16 am
#5
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You now need a passport and a password? What's the password this month?
Sep 20, 2012, 4:42 am
#7
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People do lose/destroy their passport - deliberately - once they have successfully boarded so that they can claim asylum (or whatever) when they arrive.
If someone arrives at immigration claiming not to have any passport, then it can at least be determined if they "lost" it between exiting the plane and arriving at the border. (If the passport checkers at the plane door already detect a paper-less person, then a different procedure can be followed - such as trying to find the passport or its remains on board, and/or determining whether the airline therefore broke the law by bringing a person to the UK without the necessary passport (and visa, where required).
If someone arrives at immigration claiming not to have any passport, then it can at least be determined if they "lost" it between exiting the plane and arriving at the border. (If the passport checkers at the plane door already detect a paper-less person, then a different procedure can be followed - such as trying to find the passport or its remains on board, and/or determining whether the airline therefore broke the law by bringing a person to the UK without the necessary passport (and visa, where required).
Sep 20, 2012, 4:52 am
#9
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Experienced this once on a flight from Spain. Thankfully, I was in CE and was out first before the queue really started. Pax at the back of the plane would be waiting for ages.
Sep 20, 2012, 5:00 am
#10
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Sep 20, 2012, 5:27 am
#12
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Last time it happened to me was at T3, coming off a near-full SQ A380 from SIN in June. After 13 hours in Y, it wasn't the best moment for anyone to ask, although fortunately fairly quick and painless, at least for us Brit passport holders - even with just two people looking at 450-odd passports!
I would have to say that was the first check I can remember for several years - previous to that was at AMS, most likely on a USA originating flight.
I would have to say that was the first check I can remember for several years - previous to that was at AMS, most likely on a USA originating flight.