Border searches, extra delays?

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
01/09/2010 09:01

Now that CTA has folded a lot of folks are opting to fly out of Cyprus via Larnaca, I hope this will be a short term thing and that we get a proper service out of Cyprus via Ercan.

Meantime I have heard that the GC side customs are searching luggage

I have no problem with that, but can anyone tell me what delays this causes these days, at either of

the crossing points of Ayios Nic and Pergamous??

Geoff

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
01/09/2010 09:14

Geoff



Afraid that I can't speak for the above crossings but at Metahan I haven't noticed any change in the amount of vehicles being searched and therefore no additional delays.



Paul

greylag


Joined: 08/04/2009
Posts: 1110

Message Posted:
01/09/2010 09:17

No extra delays at Metehan last week,

Grey.

NCMan



Joined: 19/09/2009
Posts: 670

Message Posted:
01/09/2010 11:45

Close all the borders , what do you say.

Maz


Joined: 29/03/2009
Posts: 1924

Message Posted:
01/09/2010 11:58

My experience is that these things come in waves. Have been occasions when suitcases had to be opened, and others when not. Does not depend on the crossing, but on the 'will of the workers on the day'. Delays only really occur when there are lots of people wanting to cross.

Shouldn't worry about it. It seems to date back to years agto when they thought everyone had a Title Deed of a property to sell. I even had to throw out newspapers and property magts from the car before going over.

It is all just 'whims' and not be fretted over. As to closing the borders - I have ony one word to say 'Barmy!

fiendishpaul


Joined: 18/05/2008
Posts: 1720

Message Posted:
01/09/2010 12:02

Maz



Have to agree with you. I have crossed over the 'Green Line' hundreds of times and have only been stopped and searched once, which was almost 4 years ago at the height of the 'building boom'. Have been searched more times coming North, particularly after the 'Ikea Incident'.



Paul

Geoff


Joined: 25/06/2008
Posts: 1370

Message Posted:
01/09/2010 15:24

Thanks everyone.

Geoff

RachB



Joined: 07/05/2010
Posts: 75

Message Posted:
01/09/2010 16:11

I was searched in June just before CTA went bust, and even though we had to stop and open both our suitcases (but not hand luggage) the stop took a matter of minutes before we were on our way again. This was at the Pyla crossing where it is apparently quite common to get stopped.

come_on_aylin


Joined: 14/06/2008
Posts: 908

Message Posted:
01/09/2010 16:27

It is very common to be searched at Pyla crossing, nearly everyone we have taken to Larnaca with a suitcase has had it searched. If they detect a smoker then they quite often search the car too.

proger1



Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 2919

Message Posted:
01/09/2010 16:36

I know it sounds pedantic but as has just been pointed out to me recently, Pyla is essentially UN controlled so it is reasonable to expect tighter search rules I suppose.

Saying that I have only been checked once going north and once going south in about 20 crossings at Pyla.

tomsteel


Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 482

Message Posted:
01/09/2010 20:12

There is NO crossing at Pyla. The crossing is at Bayarmudu (TC) or Pergamos (GC and British recognised name village). Pyla (Pile) is 4.5 kms from the actual crossing and contains a UN vehicle only access point. Both Pergamos and Black Knight (Famgusta) are British Sovereign Base Area (SBA) crossings and are subject to UK-standard Customs & Excise inspections.



Enough of this rant!!

newscoop


Joined: 23/12/2007
Posts: 2197

Message Posted:
01/09/2010 20:30

tomsteel;



spot on mate!

proger1



Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 2919

Message Posted:
02/09/2010 06:27

point taken Tom but everyone I know of calls it the Pyla crossing so I called it the Pyla crossing, sorry



Paul

magolina


Joined: 06/12/2008
Posts: 461

Message Posted:
02/09/2010 10:31

not been searched for ages but had hastle yesterday getting insurance they wont let you buy it without showing a british driving liecence turkish one (so make sure you have it with you ) no good, it was as well we had plenty of time for out airport pick up.

proger1



Joined: 18/04/2009
Posts: 2919

Message Posted:
02/09/2010 10:36

magolina, maybe it is just me but I can't quite understand that post, which licence works and which doesn't, please

tomsteel


Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 482

Message Posted:
02/09/2010 13:38

Ref msg 13, proger 1 - sorry to be pedantic and maybe everyone you know does call it Pyla. However, visitors need accurate information and if they thing they can cross n-s/s-n via Pyla, they will be very much mistaken. Ex-pat common error usage/arrogance/indifference does not make the issue a true fact, so we might as well get it right for our visitors and n-based expats alike.



Still support your map locating guide.



Ref msg 14, magolina, which crossing point was the problem at?

tomsteel


Joined: 22/06/2009
Posts: 482

Message Posted:
02/09/2010 13:43

Ref msg 13, proger 1 - sorry to be pedantic and maybe everyone you know does call it Pyla. However, visitors need accurate information and if they think they can cross n-s/s-n via Pyla, they will be very much mistaken. Ex-pat common error usage/arrogance/indifference does not make the issue a true fact, so we might as well get it right for our visitors and n-based expats alike.



Still support your map locating guide.



Ref msg 14, magolina, which crossing point was the problem at?

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
02/09/2010 14:14

Stopped and searched on both last journeys out from the Nort to South. Delayed us by half an hour, Border control staff very nice . Just doing their job .

stellasstar1



Joined: 02/07/2008
Posts: 1519

Message Posted:
02/09/2010 14:27

I've always had to show my Englsh driving licence when getting insurance for the South. That seems quite normal as it is an EU country. You should always take your Engish driving licence when going their, the TRNC one isn't recognised in the South.

joandjelly


Joined: 24/02/2008
Posts: 2953

Message Posted:
02/09/2010 18:26

Went across today and didn't get searched either way. However, my friend who does not have temp residency was only given 30 days. He was told that you will only be given 90 days if you enter and leave via Ercan.