Hello all,
We are actually still at the CDG waiting to take our plane back to the U.S. On the way into France, my U.S. passport scanned fine in the machine into France. On the way out, just now, three different machines said access denied. My husband had no issues. They had to take me to a live agent and he had to stamp my passport. Has anyone else had this issue? Do I have to worry about this on my next trip into France? Any ideas? I know they are just trying to track me going in and then leaving the country but I don't want to have any problems next time I come - I travel here frequently. I would love some input. Is there anything I should be doing? Thanks.
Posted by
OP
new brighton, USA
60 posts
I thought that maybe too, but they kept trying to get the machine to take it, so it didn't seem like they encountered that frequently.
Posted by
Boston
260 posts
The same thing happened to me last week leaving CDG. The reader took four tries, the last attempt from a different officer who seemed to have the right touch. I don't think it's anything to do with anything you did or didn't do. I believe it's the sensitivity of the readers.
Posted by
Darmouth, MA, USA
406 posts
I agree, no problem with your passport, just the scanner. I have seen it happen many times.
Posted by
Historic Savannah, GA
1443 posts
This has happened to me as well.
Also I've noticed that if I am Sky Priority on Delta it doesn't print on my tickets. Very annoying. Flying is awful. lol
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8512 posts
It is possible something about your passport is making it difficult to read, but really hard to tell if it is a fluke or a real problem based on one incidence.
But certainly something to keep an eye on. These scanning stations are part of the EES system they have been trying to get implemented, as a precursor to ETIAS, to be used on entry as well as exit.
A true glitch in your passport chip will just cause future delays, you still get in, but rather than scan and go, you will get diverted to a manual line. About all you can do is try again, the machines are relatively new in some airports, maybe some bugs they are working out. I suppose if you are near renewal for your passport, that would help.
Posted by
Chicago
177 posts
Kate, I was just thru CDG yesterday, terminal 2. I had no problem scanning, but there was a fellow ahead of me that tried several different machines and had to be assisted. The agent implied it was just a fluke. I wouldn't worry about it.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
15446 posts
I agree with the others that it was the machines not your passport. On one transit thru CDG I had an employee take my passport and say (in English) "Let me do this for you, this machine is touchy" and boom, it was done.
Posted by
Loire Valley
837 posts
It happens. It even happens to French passports entering France.
It didn't happen to me last year, but it happened to my wife. It has happened to me entering Australia on my Australian passport once.