There may be questions over the number of people detained by those members of the armed forces standing in for Border Force staff (Just nine passengers detained at Heathrow during Border Force strike, 31 December), but my experience at Heathrow on 29 December shows just how the process could – and should – work.
There were plenty of airport staff to direct people to the appropriate queue, encouraging use of e-passport gates where possible. I needed to go through the “family” lane with my children and US citizen husband; the soldier on the desk was thorough but also friendly. And incredibly, he had the stamp we require, whereas normally there appears to be one stamp between all of the desks and we have to wait for our agent to locate it from among their colleagues. It was easily the most efficient and stress-free journey through immigration we’ve ever had, much welcomed after a transatlantic flight with two toddlers.
Sophie Cisler
Herne Bay, Kent
