HELP! Passport less than 3 months left...

NoodleDoodleMan

Simon Calder has a good article in his weekly newsletter today concerning this issue.

Well worth signing up for ............. https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/independent-travel-newsletter-holiday-b1806887.html

Ryanair getting a special negative mention - now there's a surprise !!!

Elsewhere, compensation being mentioned where appropriate.

photome

Did he or didn’t he ?

Rony

Okay here's an update guys.

So I went to the airport and got through everything (not that I needed to show my passport anywhere, just boarding pass) until the end (at the boarding gates).

I was in the queue and watching the people in front of me. The people there scan the boarding pass and take a split second look at the passport and then let them through. I was thinking I had a chance considering they look so quick, maybe just at the picture.

Come to me, they look but then the lady was unsure and so directed me to another guy, who basically explained to me the 10 year and 3 month rule, and I got rejected.

The groom has texted me apparently that when he went with easyjet, they did not even ask for passports at all at boarding. They went through speedy boarding fast track. I have booked another flight for tomorrow, same as the groom, Easyjet at Gatwick to see if I can get through as well without looking at my passport.

Anyways, I spent today going in person to the passport office in Victoria as a last resort.

I explained myself and apparently there is an unofficial in-person service (cannot apply online) where you are apparently placed in a queue (after emailing this special email address), prioritising earlier flight departures. I had to make an application first, in the normal renewal passport process online (not the premium/1 week service where it is fully booked, but a standard one) to get a PEX booking reference.

So I am currently in this queue, and they will get back to me whenever they can. Considering my flight is tomorrow at 6am they are probably working on it right now (fingers crossed). Or even if they don't mange to get it done today, the wedding is on 1 May, and so I have some leeway still.

Just need to fork out loads of money if I have to book a third flight LOL.

EDIT: I should have gone in person to the passport office last week. I have learnt a lesson that even if everything is booked up officially, still turn up in person and talk it through as if I had done it last week, I most likely would have had it done in time, I think. I even called the passport office last week and they said nothing I can do, just wait for cancellations. 

The saga continues, wish me luck lol

Pollycat

Rony said:

Okay here's an update guys.

So I went to the airport and got through everything (not that I needed to show my passport anywhere, just boarding pass) until the end (at the boarding gates).

I was in the queue and watching the people in front of me. The people there scan the boarding pass and take a split second look at the passport and then let them through. I was thinking I had a chance considering they look so quick, maybe just at the picture.

Come to me, they look but then the lady was unsure and so directed me to another guy, who basically explained to me the 10 year and 3 month rule, and I got rejected.

The groom has texted me apparently that when he went with easyjet, they did not even ask for passports at all at boarding. They went through speedy boarding fast track. I have booked another flight for tomorrow, same as the groom, Easyjet at Gatwick to see if I can get through as well without looking at my passport.

Anyways, I spent today going in person to the passport office in Victoria as a last resort.

I explained myself and apparently there is an unofficial in-person service (cannot apply online) where you are apparently placed in a queue (after emailing this special email address), prioritising earlier flight departures. I had to make an application first, in the normal renewal passport process online (not the premium/1 week service where it is fully booked, but a standard one) to get a PEX booking reference.

So I am currently in this queue, and they will get back to me whenever they can. Considering my flight is tomorrow at 6am they are probably working on it right now (fingers crossed). Or even if they don't mange to get it done today, the wedding is on 1 May, and so I have some leeway still.

Just need to fork out loads of money if I have to book a third flight LOL.

EDIT: I should have gone in person to the passport office last week. I have learnt a lesson that even if everything is booked up officially, still turn up in person and talk it through as if I had done it last week, I most likely would have had it done in time, I think. I even called the passport office last week and they said nothing I can do, just wait for cancellations. 

The saga continues, wish me luck lol

Hmmm.
I can't recall any flight departing UK where my passport was not checked at the gate.
If an airline allows a passenger to travel without the appropriate travel documents e.g. passport/Visa, they are responsible for bringing that passenger who has been denied entry back to the UK and the airline faces a fine.

NoodleDoodleMan

Was the flight held back, or have a delayed take off due to luggage having to be removed ?

If I were on that flight I would not be a happy bunny.

sheramber

Might have been hand luggage only,

I have read that Easyjet have changed their rules after he EU advised  that the statement had been misinterpreted and are now allowing travel  but Ryanair have not changed their rules.

https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/passport-easyjet-compensation-denied-boarding-b2066803.html

Britain’s biggest budget airline has removed its misleading advice on UK passport validity for trips to the EU: easyJet now appears aligned with European Commission rules and no longer imposes harsh conditions of its own invention.

But in the five months between easyJet being told the post-Brexit rules and the airline aligning with them, ground staff have wrecked the travel plans of thousands of passengers by turning them away needlessly.

Those travellers can now seek recompense from the airline.

Rony

Pollycat said:

Rony said:

Okay here's an update guys.

So I went to the airport and got through everything (not that I needed to show my passport anywhere, just boarding pass) until the end (at the boarding gates).

I was in the queue and watching the people in front of me. The people there scan the boarding pass and take a split second look at the passport and then let them through. I was thinking I had a chance considering they look so quick, maybe just at the picture.

Come to me, they look but then the lady was unsure and so directed me to another guy, who basically explained to me the 10 year and 3 month rule, and I got rejected.

The groom has texted me apparently that when he went with easyjet, they did not even ask for passports at all at boarding. They went through speedy boarding fast track. I have booked another flight for tomorrow, same as the groom, Easyjet at Gatwick to see if I can get through as well without looking at my passport.

Anyways, I spent today going in person to the passport office in Victoria as a last resort.

I explained myself and apparently there is an unofficial in-person service (cannot apply online) where you are apparently placed in a queue (after emailing this special email address), prioritising earlier flight departures. I had to make an application first, in the normal renewal passport process online (not the premium/1 week service where it is fully booked, but a standard one) to get a PEX booking reference.

So I am currently in this queue, and they will get back to me whenever they can. Considering my flight is tomorrow at 6am they are probably working on it right now (fingers crossed). Or even if they don't mange to get it done today, the wedding is on 1 May, and so I have some leeway still.

Just need to fork out loads of money if I have to book a third flight LOL.

EDIT: I should have gone in person to the passport office last week. I have learnt a lesson that even if everything is booked up officially, still turn up in person and talk it through as if I had done it last week, I most likely would have had it done in time, I think. I even called the passport office last week and they said nothing I can do, just wait for cancellations. 

The saga continues, wish me luck lol

Hmmm.
I can't recall any flight departing UK where my passport was not checked at the gate.
If an airline allows a passenger to travel without the appropriate travel documents e.g. passport/Visa, they are responsible for bringing that passenger who has been denied entry back to the UK and the airline faces a fine.

Yes, this is exactly what I said! I have never been on a flight where they have not asked for my passport. However the groom was travelling with his fiance and so it is unlikely both of them  were dreaming lol!

@NoodleDoodleMan - No I only have carry on, no hold luggage, only going for a few days (even shorter now lol) so no delays.

@sheramber - Just had a read of that, Easyjet were imposing the two rules incorrectly (cumulatively). I technically still fall out of the rules. However because of the change in policies and having to retrain staff, I am hoping the confusion might give me some leeway :P

Passport office came back to me just before it closed saying that they cannot upgrade my passport at such short notice.

I will attempt Easyjet tomorrow, and if it fails I will wait for the Passport office to finish the upgrade then attempt another flight on Sunday if they get it done in time.

At this rate I might be flying on the day, and flying the back the day after....crazy. (Or not flying at all lol)

onashoestring

Pollycat said:

Rony said:

The groom has texted me apparently that when he went with easyjet, they did not even ask for passports at all at boarding. They went through speedy boarding fast track. I have booked another flight for tomorrow, same as the groom, Easyjet at Gatwick to see if I can get through as well without looking at my passport.

Hmmm. I can't recall any flight departing UK where my passport was not checked at the gate.
If an airline allows a passenger to travel without the appropriate travel documents e.g. passport/Visa, they are responsible for bringing that passenger who has been denied entry back to the UK and the airline faces a fine.

Agree with @Pollycat -I wish you all the very best @Rony in your efforts to get to the wedding.
However I would be worried about travelling on a flight where the passengers identity had not been checked . Hope the passport office come through for you and thanks for sharing the information which will help others in similar position.

eDicky

I find such persistence admirable, and could well be successful.

I haven't flown easyJet for a few years but for online check-in they (and others) required input of API including passport details, which may now include date of issue..(?).

onashoestring

@Rony have you  got to Corfu for the wedding?