Over the last year and a half I have had a merry old time travelling throughout Europe on weekend getaways, soothing the travel bug within.
In order to minimise holiday transit time I have refined my airport strategy, always carrying spare landing cards in my carry-on luggage and racing off the plane to be at the head of the queue at immigration for ‘Non-EU Passport Holders”.
I have come to terms with my alien existence in the European Union. There is the consolation that when I return to the Land Down Under I will have the benefit of the short wait and a speedy entry into Australia. This becoming even more rewarding after a 22 hour flight!
And so, adding a two hour delay by Qantas back to Melbourne to the travel time, I was pleased to have landed at Tullamarine International Airport on a Saturday evening. Walking past the last minute duty free shops and through the arrival halls to the immigration counter the only sign I could see was “Australian and New Zealand ePassport holders”. The country had implemented the SmartGate system while I was away! A scan your passport embedded microchip and we’ll scan your ugly face so you can get through customs quicker technology!
In order to minimise holiday transit time I have refined my airport strategy, always carrying spare landing cards in my carry-on luggage and racing off the plane to be at the head of the queue at immigration for ‘Non-EU Passport Holders”.
I have come to terms with my alien existence in the European Union. There is the consolation that when I return to the Land Down Under I will have the benefit of the short wait and a speedy entry into Australia. This becoming even more rewarding after a 22 hour flight!
And so, adding a two hour delay by Qantas back to Melbourne to the travel time, I was pleased to have landed at Tullamarine International Airport on a Saturday evening. Walking past the last minute duty free shops and through the arrival halls to the immigration counter the only sign I could see was “Australian and New Zealand ePassport holders”. The country had implemented the SmartGate system while I was away! A scan your passport embedded microchip and we’ll scan your ugly face so you can get through customs quicker technology!
My older and well travelled passport did not make the grade.…and it needn’t be said that I had no joy on my face as I joined the queue for ‘All Other Passports’!
Item 36: SmartGate? WAITING!
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