Guys, Can someone settle an arguement.? I have been running Humaniatarian Aid to Bosnia, Belarus and Romania for the past 10 years. Here is the question.
Can vehicles displaying green crosses overtake queues at customs? I think they can but some charities disagree
I think that most of the time it’s not a case of if it’s possible but more if it’s advisable.
I used to run into bosnia under both IFOR and later on SFOR and occasions I have driven past up to a mile of queueing trucks only to be told to park at the back of the queue before trying to clear.
Usually it was just the customs playing the ■■■■■■■■ but you have to remember that in these places it wasn’t too many years ago that the customs were second only to god. Some of them are finding it hard to come to terms with there loss of power.
I think that as far as actually clearing is concerned most will give you a priority on the paperwork front but just bowling up to the barrier is like a red rag to a bull and tends to rub them up the wrong way.
Cheers
Neilf
I know that a lot of the countries in question don’t actually appreciate a convoy of God-botherers barging to the front of a queue to announce that they have brought yet more “charity”, for which the recipients should be grateful…
Eastern Europeans generally tend to be more appreciative of the goods which Kodak, Microsoft and Cadbury’s have sent them on a commercial basis, rather than genuflecting in deep respect for having been sent yet another Western child’s outgrown underpants.
I regularly used to see German humanitarian convoys turned back at the Belarussian border at Brest, and one such convoy was forced to join the rear of the stack, directly behind me, about half an hour after it had sailed past the entire three-day queue at 56mph, to the general contempt of all of us.
The lead driver was furious, and bitterly complained that “ve are bingink zem zee hilfe, und zey shud show uns zee gratitude”
“Well yes”, I said. “But if you hadn’t come here in the first place…”
Harry, I object to being called a ‘god botherer’ by some elderly bigot who has never had the pleasure of meeting me. If you are so up to date on Belarus you will remember that at the entrance to customs at Brest there was a sign stating quite clearly that humanitarian aid vehicles WILL be taken out of turn. In the customs there was a seperate lane for Humanitarian aid. In general customs have been helpful as long as they are shown respect . I also expect a little respect from a fellow driver. The reason for my post was to ascertain if other drivers were okay with humanitarian vehicle passing the queues. My friends and i are certainly not ‘godbotherers’ but by the same token we are not being paid to sit in queues. Commercial drivers are. I think an apology from you is in order
donjmoore:
but by the same token we are not being paid to sit in queues. Commercial drivers are.
I would dispute that. A majority of drivers doing European work will be on either a fixed daily rate or trip money while an OD will be on a rate for the job so they will not be getting paid for sitting in a queue.
To answer your original question, yes I would object to aid jumping the queue. The aid isn’t that urgent on the scale of things so a few hours won’t make any difference and while the officers at the border are dealing with you then someone who is working for a living is being delayed further.
donjmoore:
but by the same token we are not being paid to sit in queues. Commercial drivers are
In the “real world” I think you will find that most if not all are not. So why should your load get preference over the loads of everyday drivers.
I used to transport some loads one could consider to be more urgent and life saving than most without preferential treatment. This is my job not a feel good jaunt. The drivers stuck in the queues you seem so desperate and self important not to be inconvenienced by do infinately more good on a daily basis than the occasional load of freebies. Although I am sure you have the best of intentions as the old saying goes “they pave that road to hell” and do not encorouge countries to sort out there own problems.
So I personally do object to you queue jumping, Hey if you are really that commited then you would surely be commited enough to wait in line with every one else.
THANKS GUYS, THAT WHAT I WAS NEEDING TO KNOW . I WAS POSSIBLY MIS-INFORMED AND IN ACTUAL FACT WAS NEVER COMFORTABLE DOING IT. THE MATTER IS NOW ACADEMIC AS I HAVE STOPPED THESE TRIPS. I DID NOT EXPECT THE VITROL I GOT WHEN ALL I WAS DOING WAS TO ASK ADVICE. I EXPECTED HELP FROM THIS FORUM- NOT ABUSE
If you thought that was vitriol and abuse I don’t think internet forums are for you. 
WHAT you posted was correct Neil, as i would have
liked to seee him try and get past the queue at the stairs
in Dover,when we used to have to do customs,also trying
to pass the 12km queue on the motorway before Nicklesdorf
border, these two examples spring to mind straight away,
Even the ADR/HAZ,loads and the other catorgeries who were
exempt used to get problems, when they went past trucks,
To Coffeeholic and Brit Pete. As a regular user of Trucknet I see know that you are regular contributors and consequently I respect your views . I asked a simple question in the hope of a simple answer. I now know the answer to be NO. Nuff said
another satified customer.