Came through T5 immigration yesterday and the ePassport machines were all turned off AGAIN. This time it happened right in my face, BAA staff (who were very apologetic for this) had to redirect everyone to a quite lengthy queue for the manual desks. As we stood there the last of those allowed up to the E gates were cleared, then they were closed down.

I do wonder how UKBA manages to make what must be a very substantial investment in these machines, which is all then squandered by silly practices by the staff on the day. Are they going to be like Iris, which was apparently seen as a Threat to Jobs by the staff, so they would stick chewing gum etc into the machines in quiet moments ?