Welcome to the UK!
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2013
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Welcome to the UK!

Current immigration queue at terminal 5...

#2
Join Date: Jul 2014
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😱
Im not surprised tbh. Coming through last Monday it was very quiet in the terminal and yet there was still a queue inside the tensa barriers. All e-gates were OOA and everyone having to see a UKBF officer and show their declaration form.
Im not surprised tbh. Coming through last Monday it was very quiet in the terminal and yet there was still a queue inside the tensa barriers. All e-gates were OOA and everyone having to see a UKBF officer and show their declaration form.

#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Global Britain ready for business as usual, I see.
This is going to end up like the USA where the immigration service is so bad that you are held on board aircraft for long periods before being permitted to join the end of the long queue.
This is going to end up like the USA where the immigration service is so bad that you are held on board aircraft for long periods before being permitted to join the end of the long queue.

#4
Join Date: Feb 2003
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It was nearly this bad on Friday, I would estimate that 70% of the people hadn't completed the arrivals document. By the time I got to the front of the queue there were about 10 people still trying to complete it on their phones getting in the way.

#5
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club

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I had a bit of a queue on Friday, but it wasn't that length. However it didn't take long, since it was just at the entrance to the UK Border and mostly people seemingly umaware of the Passenger Locator Form; alternatively they had done the form but didn't realise they needed a copy of the form (rather than the email) to show Border Force. It didn't actually take long to get through in the end once you worked your way around those doze-walking while clicking their phones. After that front desk check, the rest of the UK Border was quick.

#6
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My experience yesterday coming in around 1345. Came in on A12 so approached the entrance from the other end from the OP's photo. Few people loitering and trying to fill in forms. HAL employees asking whether you had doner it, but you just said yes as they weren't checking them.
No e gates on (I heard from someone who arrived later they were being used so depends when you arrive). Short queue for an office, and the office did want to see the form on my phone asking me to show page 1 and 2 of the pdf.
I was out under 5 minutes so thankfully relatively efficient.
No e gates on (I heard from someone who arrived later they were being used so depends when you arrive). Short queue for an office, and the office did want to see the form on my phone asking me to show page 1 and 2 of the pdf.
I was out under 5 minutes so thankfully relatively efficient.

#7
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They've now given up manual checking and just opened up the egates which has eliminated the queue

#8
Join Date: Oct 2014
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Originally Posted by cws
they had done the form but didn't realise they needed a copy of the form (rather than the email) to show Border Force.
Originally Posted by karfa
Short queue for an office, and the office did want to see the form on my phone asking me to show page 1 and 2 of the pdf.
I am confused, Do I need a hard copy or can I show it on the phone?
Another gripe, why can you not complete the form more than 48 hours in advance?

#9
Join Date: Jan 2016
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Thats crazy. Is it an organised line? Or are people skipping it. In T2 a week ago the E Gates were working.

#10
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#11
Original Poster
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#12
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Yes that's correct and has been the case for the last few weeks both in T5 and T2. If the e gates are on and you use them your form won't be checked.

#13
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#15
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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It is to ensure there are contact details recorded for when you arrive and also ensure the details of flight number, date & seat number are captured. I am sure you can fill it in correctly without someone checking your homework

