EES. The new hot topic

I wonder if just when all of the EES's problems are eliminated and we become accustomed to it the roll-out of ETIAS will begin.

It was the final impetus I needed to get the EU passport my chicken and I are entitled to.

Great summary Carol. And you are correct— no way to predict the time it will take. Hope for the best but prepare for the worst.

In March, it took me just a few minutes in Madrid. I had to use EES machines then eGates then see border agent who stamped passport.

A few days ago in Copenhagen it took 45 minutes. No EES machines in sight. Had to give my fingerprints again.

Thank you Carol NR. I have always had problems with anything that requires finger prints. Your hints are very useful (I’ll know for sure in September).

I know many people prefer to make flight connections in Europe but I’m thinking that leads to some of the EES anxiety. Connecting in the US with final stop in Europe lessens the anxiety about making your connecting flight in Europe if there are EES delays. Or does it?

At least I'll be able to avoid worrying about it for my next two trips. The first one in July has a stopover in Iceland, but I'm spending 7 nights there with my daughter, so if it takes longer than so be it. The next flight is going into Stockholm, and that's my final destination by air. I suppose it might be an issue flying back from Bergen to MSP with the Iceland layover, but KEF is a small airport, so I can't imagine it would be that bad. Of course, those could be famous last words!

And then when I head to Germany in December, my layover is in Atlanta, of all places. It's the first time I've had a layover in the US on a European flight in probably 15 years.

There is a phone app called "Travel to Europe" that is in currently only in use by Sweden (passport data, facial image and entry questionnaire) and Portugal (questionnaire only). But may be expanded in future to other countries so it merits checking before your departure. https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/Travel-to-Europe-mobile-app

I am flying to Rome in October and the plan is/was to start the trip in Salerno. I figured we could take the train there after our flight arrives mid-afternoon and save Rome for the end of the Italy portion of the trip. After reading about other people’s experiences I decided it would be less stressful to spend the first night in Rome and take the train to Salerno the next morning. We will eventually be flying home from Munich and I will allow plenty of time there before our flight. I’m hoping that by October and November things will have gotten easier by then. 🤞🏼

@Horsewoofie. Where you enter the EU depends on what airport you are making connections at and how passengers in transit are dealt with. For example, a connection through London means you won't enter the Schengen Zone until your final destination. You will simply stay airside at LHR and transfer to the next plane.

Thank you for this information Carol!

If you are using the machines that involve fingerprints, it is crucial to press down on the glass with sufficient force that they register. If you are having challenges with this, simply use your other hand to help push down. That seems to help.

I presume you mean use the other hand on top of the hand getting fingerprinted, right?

One would think the machines would be sensitive enough to capture one’s fingerprints without having to apply extra force. 🙃

One would think the machines would be sensitive enough to capture one’s fingerprints without having to apply extra force.

I have bad fingerprints. I know this from multiple work-related background investigations where it always took numerous tries to get satisfactory fingerprints. When I went to get global entry, my fingerprints failed to get a high enough quality score many times. Finally, the CBP officer had me put some moisturizer on my fingertips and then wait about 5 minutes. On the next try, I ”passed” with the minimum acceptable qulity score.

He suggested that I put moisturizer on my hands about 30 minutes before landing to improve the quality of my fingerprints.

"One would think the machines would be sensitive enough to capture one’s fingerprints without having to apply extra force."

They are not, in my experience last month. It took about 5 tries for me. Of course I had my personal item hanging across my shoulder, had my hand on my roller bag and was trying to juggle my passport as well so I did not immediately remember the "hand on top" trick OR the wipe your hand across your forehead to pick up some oil.

I also used to have problems when Global Entry required fingerprints at a kiosk. At one entry I was having problems and the line minder came over, asked permission to lay his hand on mine and that took them immediately. Press too hard and you apparently squash out the ridges. The other hand on top is just enough.

I'll add to everyone else's suggestions that you should ignore the fear-mongering going on on YouTube/FB/IG. I've watched a few and seriously none of them are reporting first hand as to what their experience is.

I think not trying to catch another form of transit the same day is a great idea...cut your stress any way you can!

@Laura - "He suggested that I put moisturizer on my hands about 30 minutes before landing to improve the quality of my fingerprints." This is good to know. I usually head for a comfort stop before I get to the Immigration line and washing with soap is a problem but I'm not not going to wash! Know what I mean??

What happens when one of your fingers has partial amputation?

I wonder how much of the problem with the fingerprint reader is the glass/screen getting dirty ?

How many people took the advice to lotion their hands before using it to 'help' the reader and the accumulated residue is impeding the scanner.?

Bring a lens wipe with you to make sure the screen is clean?

Some folks have fingerprints that don't scan easily. When we got Pre-check, I had no problem (once I got fingers properly located on the scanner) but wife had to do 2-3 tries to get a successful scan

The thing about the discussion on EES is if someone previously would ask about how long it takes to get through immigration (well, usually they ask about customs) the common answer was that it could be 10 minutes or 2 hours. Now? it could be 10 minutes or 2 hours, but the delay is due to EES.

Many reports of horror stories come from airports that have had problems for years (Lisbon, CDG, etc.) I get the sense that airports that have trouble implementing new things are doing poorly, if they had staffing issues, they still do, if they have no room to place kiosks or add manned booths, they still do.

My experience with the kiosks was uneventful. As for the fingerprints, be careful with "hacks". The sensors are designed to contrast between the ridges and valleys of your fingers. There is a relatively fine happy medium. So too little pressure, problem. Too much, problem. Fingers too dry, Problem. Fingers too wet, problem. If you are dehydrated, problem. The best advice I saw was to make sure you are well hydrated on the flight, make sure your hands are somewhat warm (blood flowing), use a moderate amount of pressure, if dryness is a problem, you can use lotion, but do so maybe a half hour before landing. At the kiosk, if a problem, you can wipe your fingers on your forehead to pick up a little oil and moisture.

My fingerprints were a big issue when I was applying for my TSA Precheck two years ago. I pressed hard, I used my other hand over it, and the lady helping also pressed her hands over mine! So I was dreading this one.

Cathy, from our local RS group, recommended the “wipe your hand across your forehead” plus not washing your hands right before. I usually go to the bathroom after arrival, so I skipped that last breakfast coffee on the plane to not need to go. At the EES kiosk, I was shocked that my prints were accepted (other hand on top of first hand) after the second try.

When I entered EES in Vienna a month it took about 45 seconds to get through. I knew to press hard with my fingerprints and they went through the first time.

I am leaving Schengen in three weeks. The original plan was to leave via Amsterdam. But after hearing the serious problems there, I'm departing from Dusseldorf. Hopefully, it won't be as bad.

What happens when one of your fingers has partial amputation?

It depends on where you enter....in France, you get the guillotine. If Italy, you are forced to eat plain pasta with no sauce or cheese. In Spain, you must eat dinner at McDonalds every night at 5:00 pm.

The true answer...nothing. You will be registered with what you have.