Weird Eurotunnel Security Question

[orridge]

Came through Folkestone Enroute to Belgium this morning very quick Checkin no queues for passport control so through 10 minutes tops.

strange question after UK passport where they ask if you gas is off or direct you for an explosives swab they asked if the vehicle was Manual or automatic.

Manual vehicles were being directed to the sheds and they we checking them thoroughly including emptying out a few vehicles.

Very strange perhaps a New security threat of some kind ?

 

[Cal54]

We came through on the 9.20 am train and only the gas check for us. No other intrusion at all.

 

[deleted79651]

Came through Folkestone Enroute to Belgium this morning very quick Checkin no queues for passport control so through 10 minutes tops.

strange question after UK passport where they ask if you gas is off or direct you for an explosives swab they asked if the vehicle was Manual or automatic.

Manual vehicles were being directed to the sheds and they we checking them thoroughly including emptying out a few vehicles.

Very strange perhaps a New security threat of some kind ?

'Manual, sir?'
'Just a minute, Officer. It's in the glovebox ...'

Steve

 

[SpeedyDux]

Came through Folkestone Enroute to Belgium this morning very quick Checkin no queues for passport control so through 10 minutes tops.

strange question after UK passport where they ask if you gas is off or direct you for an explosives swab they asked if the vehicle was Manual or automatic.

Manual vehicles were being directed to the sheds and they we checking them thoroughly including emptying out a few vehicles.

Very strange perhaps a New security threat of some kind ?

Perhaps manual ones on odd dates and autos on even dates?

 

[mikebeaches]

Perhaps manual ones on odd dates and autos on even dates?

Yes, but why differentiate...?

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[deleted79651]

Perhaps manual ones on odd dates and autos on even dates?

I think I read something about Border Security checks about 3 years ago at a Spanish airport, IIRC (time and location!). The theory was that terrorists would be primed with the answer to the standard security questions, but throwing in a question that a European (?) Traveller would not have to think twice about, would cause a Terrorist some difficulty, and the eyes and body language would give cause for detention and further questions.

Steve

 

[Landy Andy]

I think they just pick a “topic” and pull all those vehicles as a random check.
one day green vehicles, next day 4x4’s, then female drivers etc. Possibly just another “tend” to use.

 

[Raul]

It’s that the scanner where you leave the vehicle running out the gear, and it’s pulled trough the scanner?

 

[Badknee]

We were asked to open the bonnet once and the security geezer spent over five minutes searching for who knows what and nowhere else.The vehicle in front was searched internally by one and the garage by another. Most bizarre

 

[Stealaway]

We arrived at 5.30 for the 8.20 train and put on 6.30 train. Never expected that and flew through customs and the gas tap check. No settled down in the Aire at Sangatt

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[mitzimad]

m

I think they just pick a “topic” and pull all those vehicles as a random check.
one day green vehicles, next day 4x4’s, then female drivers etc. Possibly just another “tend” to use.

my nephew and co worker used to think up a theme when doing joint interviews and see how many times the could slip it in ie if the theme was animals phrases like working like a dog strong as an ox etc
maybe they are playing the same game

 

[Minxy]

It could be that they had been given a tip off to watch out for a MH with a manual gear box as they were hiding some contraband (not in the gear box silly!).

 

[Boris7]

Simple answer, the vehicles being searched were being put through the x-ray machine.

Ive no idea why, but they can’t x-ray automatics. With a manual you drive a wheel onto the conveyor and stick it in neutral. But for some reason (I know not what) theres a problem with an auto box.

I drive a manual works van and once asked about this and was simply told “no automatics can do through the x-ray”

 

[orridge]

Simple answer, the vehicles being searched were being put through the x-ray machine.

Ive no idea why, but they can’t x-ray automatics. With a manual you drive a wheel onto the conveyor and stick it in neutral. But for some reason (I know not what) theres a problem with an auto box.

I drive a manual works van and once asked about this and was simply told “no automatics can do through the x-ray”

Surely the crims would know this and smuggle via automatic cars.

 

[Northernraider]

Ah but was it manual. Or manuel ? Maybe they were looking for a spanish stowaway.

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[68c]

Back on the 1970s Germany and Holland would have the odd diplomatic difficulty, mainly over trading pre EEC. Coming from Germany on a motorbike Dutch Customs once stopped me and asked "Do you have any sugar or non-european rabbits?". I suppose they were instructed to make things difficult but had the typical Dutch sense of humour. Unless of course that's what they eat.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Simple answer, the vehicles being searched were being put through the x-ray machine.

Ive no idea why, but they can’t x-ray automatics. With a manual you drive a wheel onto the conveyor and stick it in neutral. But for some reason (I know not what) theres a problem with an auto box.

I drive a manual works van and once asked about this and was simply told “no automatics can do through the x-ray”

Some Autos don’t like being towed if one of its drive wheels is on the ground.

Back in the day most could be towed up to about 15 mph if I remember correctly

 

[Kirsten]

Thought electric cars can’t be towed so that will be interesting in the future !!

 

[Boris7]

Surely the crims would know this and smuggle via automatic cars.

That’s exactly what I said

Trucks have a drive through x-ray, so I’ve no idea why not vans

 

[David and Sally]

For vans and cars why not a travelling x ray machine? Like a car wash but without the water

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[Minxy]

That’s exactly what I said

Trucks have a drive through x-ray, so I’ve no idea why not vans

Perhaps they don't want to see all the skeletons of the occupants ...

 

[deleted79651]

Terrorists expect a series of security questions and are primed with the response. 'Weird' questions will throw them, whereas, say, Lenny HB, stopped on his return from Belgium, when asked how he coped with the toilet cassette pong would be able to explain in great detail the SOG, the installation process etc etc and could then offer a Master Class, whilst a Terrorist would be in need of a cassette, whilst trying to answer the question

The purpose is to throw the Terrorists off guard with the innocuous question that we Funsters with a fridge full of Dairy products and a garage full of wine and beer wouldn't be fazed by in the slightest ...

Steve

 

[glenn2926]

Just a gas check for us around 10 days ago. The dog now has a french pet passport, which could be fun going back. What has been really nice is there’s not any Brits so no whining about parking too close, no whining about using the wrong hose for swilling out the cassette, just friendly greetings. How different from the usual. I could get to like this.