Delays at Metehan crossing today (Sunday)

[Jonesygirl]

My husband is on his way to Larnaca airport today to meet our friends .....he's just called saying there's huge tailback of vehicles waiting to go over the border .....people are getting out of their cars to find out what the delay is .....but no-ones sure?

Fortunately hubbie left in plenty of time .... He's saying traffic is moving albeit very slowly ......anyone know what's going on??

Thank you!

Jonesygirl

[frontalman]

I don't know, but please let us know when (if) you find out, thanks.

[Geoff1131]

Notsure if this is conected, but i went through the crossing ( not border!!) between Famagusta and Larnaca ( we all know the one, but i'm not opening that can of worms again!!!) and everyone crossing was asked to show their passports on the Greek side. The immigration official took our passports and another guy was using what looked like a hand held scanner to check the documents. I have crossed at most of the points over the years but this was the first time the Greeks had bothered to take such an examination of passports. The crossing at Pyla ( oh no i've given it away ) was busier than normal because of the delay it was causing.

[Jonesygirl]

Hubbie said Turkish officials were conducting searches of cars (thoroughly) ie car boots and inside etc ..... For some reason they never stopped him.... just waved him on! His car has Turkish plates.....

Maybe it was initiated by security receiving information? but we'll never know! Just wanted to mention for awareness of other travel!ers who had specific timelines ie to reach the airport......

[tomsteel]

No delays at the ESBA/Beyarmadu crossing point and there are no GC officials there, only SBA Customs and Excise officers. However, monthly insurance now risen to 105 TL.

[carrierbag]

However, they are using the handheld scanner for passports at Beyarmadu SBA crossing point. It comes up with your name and a picture. Very high tech but very new I feel.

[PapaBravo]

Off Topic, but we had a surreal experience at Metahan Crossing a couple of weeks ago - we pulled up to the police booth after the car in front moved off and when my wife handed in our passports, to our utter amazement, the policeman greeted me by my first name before he even looked at the passports! We did not recognise him, so wonder if they have new number plate recognition.

[ozankoys]

Yes we have been greeted similarly before, mostly with our surname but the officer said my christian name as well on one occassion it was a while ago.

[13roman58]

The particular officer concerned puts your car registration in the computer as you pull up very pleasant person

[Deniz1]

No problems crossing at Metehan this morning.

[Panchocat]

On the GC side yesterday, at Metahan, the lady in the kiosk took our passports and said to the officer behind her, "British" we were then waved through as normal.
Coming back through Guzelyurt later on the officer asked if we had insurance for the Turkish side! He also had one of the scanners.

[Hedge-fund]

Yes we have been greeted similarly before, mostly with our surname but the officer said my christian name as well on one occassion it was a while ago.

Had that one time around midnight. Pulled up to the booth and he exclaimed "Hello - first name middle name and last name".......with a big smile. I asked him how he knew my name and he said "You are famous in north cyprus"............For a few days I was puzzled but happy - until it dawned on me that he'd put my reg number in as I approached Lovely touch though.

Also - my sister in law got back to mine one afternoon with a spring in her step saying she'd been bibbed up by 3 seperate drivers on the way home. I asked if by chance the vehicles were transit van types.........and they all were

[Keithcaley]

If they try that one on me, I'll smile brightly and say "Hello Adonis!"

[frontalman]

I know you are good looking Keith, but I hardly think you could refer to yourself as "Adonis"!