Well, we flew into Calais this morning landing 1205 local time - all very easy. At that time we were the only aircraft there but shortly after a C172 and French customs helicopter appeared.
We paid just 9 euros to land, a true bargain, but waited ages for the paperwork to happen. They couldn't accept a 10 euro note for payment (no change!) so we had to use a card. They happily accepted and filed our return flight plan and waived our passports away (not interested). I'd faxed our passport info across 24 hours before to the number requested in the AIP but who knows whether that was ever processed by anyone.
Went into the cafe (bar) where a French man and woman were stood quietly at the back, behind the bar. My schoolboy French fell on deaf ears and English faired little better. No food at all was available so out to the vending machines in the hall. The machine coffee, 50 cents, was truly grim, and the food machine wouldn't accept any coins - just kept returning them. A lady with many keys then appeared and opened up the food machine but she faired no better even from the inside. Eventually she let us pay her for a ham sandwich. Back in the bar to sit down the bar man made us coffees which did help. We were advised that not even a drink would be available tomorrow (Friday).
It's no wonder British pilots just use Calais airport to clear customs. For that it's quick and cheap but if they want any more trade they need to make an effort to show willing and put in some effort. Maybe they just don't care...
