Vocal Voices

I arrived at the tunnel really early Saturday. Just as well as I was suffering from a cold and had all but lost my voice. So I didn't want to be late. My tunnel was 23:37 and I arrived at 19:20. When I went to check in it offered me my original train at 23:37 or I could pay €76 and go at 20:20.

Now I clearly remember that there were several trains in the window of my departure (the tunnel gives you 3 or 4 trains to aim at and you choose the most likely one). So I pressed the info button and squeaked my unhappy state. The woman behind the mic said "I can get you on the 22:20 for free, I will restart the booking". Which she did. She took control of my screen and entered the booking code in by hand. Up came my options, 4 of them. €76 for 20:20 and free for 21:20, 22:20 and the 23:37.

I'll have the (free), 21:20 says I. Got my hanger and went to the departures area to fuel my suffering body. They are doing security and passports after you have been to the rest area now, just before you leave for the train. So I sat there till my hanger code was 1 minute away from being called and drove the car round the car park to where the departures lane was. I went straight through French and UK passport and followed the lights, straight through, all the way, down to the train without stopping and way, way, down the train almost to the front.

I was sitting there wondering why we were so early, listening to the announcements when the train left. At 20:50!

This is particularly scummy behaviour. They know most UK cars are coming to Calais to go home. They're well aware that by the time they are going home most people will have forgotten all but the time on their booking. Personally I know how the tunnel works and have taken an earlier tunnel free many times. So I watched the booking very closely. I was going out, not coming back, so it was fresh in my mind.

If you are intending to take the tunnel, be warned, challenge them. Don't pay them a penny more until you find out all your options.

The ferries on the way home do a similar thing at Calais.

They know that people will have driven half way across Europe to catch their 5 AM to 8 AM ferry home and will have got there early because it is hard to judge traffic, hold-ups, accidents, etc.... "Would you like to travel on the 2:45 ferry, we have room...?"

They do this because they know that it frees up space on the popular morning ferries and they can then sell them for a premium, at least to mid morning. They already have your dosh, they do not give you a rebate for the earlier ferry, but they can sell your place on the later ferry for just a small upgrade for Jack and Elsie; and on it goes.

They sound like a right bunch of robdogs.

This is a bit more severe than what the ferries are doing though. You Pay for a window of times which you can use. When you arrive they hide what you have paid for and show you a paid option.

That is much worse than what the ferries are doing.