What was supposed to be a smooth journey back to London after a brief state visit to Paris quickly turned into a test of patience and endurance at Gare du Nord last Friday.
The new EU Entry/Exit System (EES) for rail passengers was in full effect, and for UK passport holders, it felt like stepping into a bureaucratic nightmare.
Queues That Never Ended
Arriving more than an hour before departure, it seemed we had plenty of time.
That illusion vanished the moment we joined the snaking queues, which stretched back onto the street.
The French authorities had chosen the weekend rush to launch the EES, and for British travelers, it was chaos.
Families were split up, technology faltered, and the lines moved at a glacial pace.
Passport Problems and Family Separation
Luck briefly smiled on me as my passport worked at the e-gate, but Mrs Littlejohn wasn’t so fortunate.
She was whisked away to a distant line and had to navigate three separate passport checks before we could reunite.
Meanwhile, other travelers faced similar frustrations, with some reduced to tears after losing track of their partners.
The clock ticked mercilessly toward our 13:07 departure.
Security Mayhem Before Boarding
Even after the EES ordeal, the train wasn’t yet in reach.
Only a single security scanner was available for hundreds of passengers, and rules changed by the minute.
Electronics needed to be alternately removed and replaced in bags, and signage warned women (and perhaps some men) to remove earrings.
My daughter ended up enduring a body search that felt uncomfortably invasive, bringing back memories of post-9/11 airport security in the US.
EU Biometric System and British Frustration
The EU is, of course, entitled to operate a biometric passport system, but its rollout seems almost purpose-built to frustrate British travelers.
UK passport holders were treated like second-class citizens, a continuation of the post-Brexit challenges we’ve seen before: lorries stuck at Calais, bureaucratic hurdles, and ongoing disputes over trade and Northern Ireland.
Political Context and Domestic Discontent
Back home, political leaders have done little to defend British interests.
The current government’s approach to Europe has been criticized as overly conciliatory, from fishing rights to Northern Ireland agreements.
Meanwhile, the EU continues to enforce regulations in ways that seem designed to remind the UK that leaving the union carries consequences, however minor or absurd.
The Bigger Picture: Migrants and the Seas
Adding insult to injury, footage regularly shows young men crossing the Channel to the UK, while French authorities appear to take a hands-off approach.
Yet, British citizens trying to leave France legally are subjected to interminable delays and confusing procedures.
It’s a frustrating demonstration of how post-Brexit relations continue to leave ordinary travelers caught in the middle.
Reflections on Brexit and UK Sovereignty
Despite the hassle at Gare du Nord, the experience only reinforced my conviction that leaving the EU was the right choice.
The frustrations at the border highlight ongoing political mismanagement and the tendency of some leaders to prioritize appeasing European counterparts over defending British citizens.
For many, including myself, these daily annoyances underscore the continuing need for the UK to assert control over its own affairs.
Lessons from a Frustrating Journey
Friday’s experience at Gare du Nord was not just about long lines or malfunctioning machines—it was a reminder that bureaucracy, politics, and national pride collide in unexpected ways.
From start to finish, it was a day that tested patience, exposed inefficiencies, and highlighted how post-Brexit life still demands resilience from UK travelers abroad.
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