 Poster: A snowHead
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I had an email from Eurotunnel this morning that there is new signage in operation at the Calais terminal.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Hells Bells, saying what?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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It doesn't actually say !! Just to watch out for new signs.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@Hells Bells, 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Hells Bells, I drove into the Calais terminal last night and get have built a giant roundabout from interlocking red and white plastic barriers in the checkin area to better divert all the cars to the overflow carpark when needed. I was on the 20:40 crossing ans had minimal delays other than French security swabbing cars for explosives which only took 5 mins. The French autoroutes were also flowing well with not too many lorries. Drove solo from Chatel to SW London in 10:50 hours door to door which a new PB. The slowest part of the journey was the 10 miles or so of hard-Brexit lorry parking contraflow on the M20 which I understand will take a few weeks to remove.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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So from that overhead, Flexiplus will file down the lefthand side and escape the queues whereas standard ticket holders endure the lottery roundabout, straight ahead or overflow. I use the tunnel about 6x per year, I never worry about the outbound trip, but I'm becoming increasingly anxious at traveling back from the alps after an 8 hour journey to be faced with tunnel carnage unless I pay for Flexiplus.
That said I had a good run back on Monday evening/Tuesday morning from Chatel to SW London, despite only one UK border kiosk being open and the 20 min processing time, I managed to get on an earlier train that according to the schedule never existed.
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@rwilson, it looks as if Flexi will bypass it, but if you look closely I think the Flexi lane is closed off with the plastic things. It certainly was when we came through a couple of weeks ago. It made no difference as it was quiet, but think there would have been an issue with Flexi being stuck in the main queues if it was busy unless they were clearing to the overflow car park very quickly.
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That layout was there when I drove back a couple of weekends ago.
Flexiplus ticket holders just went into the overflow carpark along with everyone else. I did see someone in a Mercedes-AMG GT try to argue that he should get priority but he went through the Flexiplus checkin at the same time I was going through the standard checkin.
They could improve the signage after all the checks, I missed getting in the lane for low vehicles.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Did flexiplus return last Saturday. Dedicated check in was open but you then had to filter into main queue for passport control. Once past passport control get directed straight onto train rather than into holding area. Enabled us to get onto the next train but didn’t help that much with queueing beforehand.
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My observation from Feb Half Term, was that Flexi were directed into the holding pens before you get to check-in and were then held seperately.
Everyone else turned right and did a loop around, back out, then into the holding pens by different entrance. Then called through as and when customs queues cleared. Flexi given priority for this.
I cannot understand with all this redevelopment, why they aren't making everyone check in, then direct them to the holding pens in Train/Letter order  Then call the letters through to customs in order. Basically what happens in UK and what used to happen in France
Current system is a lottery as to whether you get your train, an earlier one or a later one.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Boris, they probably don't have the space on the other side of check-in to hold the cars at peak times - and I suspect they are also under more obligation to deliver their service once cars have checked in. We were diverted to the holding area at half term and it only added 15 mins - but it would probably have been worse if it was a free-for-all melee trying to queue for check-in along the auto-route.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Is that the same turning out towards where the pet reception centre is?
Thanks
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@sno trax, yes
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You know it makes sense.
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@Ozboy, thanks. Will be heading back with the pooch in about a week and so will need to head towards the overflow area, regardless.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Ozboy, surely they could divert the cars somehow to where they hold them now?
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Poster: A snowHead
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@Boris, before check-in? Think tats tricky as the approach road is a long elevated section.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Ozboy, after check in, the holding pens are pretty much next to the check in now.
To me it would seem sensible and fairer that you check in, get your letter and then go to wait and get let through in order.
That's what they used to do in France, with customs after terminal building, like UK. But they changed it to encourage more people to use terminal building, which has never worked as customs slows it down so everyone just heads to trains.
They don't need any more space, just need to use it better
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@Boris, the issue is probably security and the perimeter fencing. Holding cars before check-in means they could be held in an unsecured compound.
Agree though, getting people checked in and managing flow from there makes more sense.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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There used to be some horrendous tailbacks, several km along the motorway, so perhaps that is what they are trying to stop
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@sno trax, @DJL, yes this is driven by avoiding the issues of motorway tailbacks and (potential) migrant issues - the holding pens are now secure (or being made secure).
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