End of Iris? [effective 17 September 2013]
Nov 29, 2012, 12:24 am
#901
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
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I understand the UKBA is ultimately responsible. But the public service and politicians seem to have this idea wedged in their heads that IRIS is expensive, slow, and causes queues. The only people for whom IRIS is slow is unregistered dolts.
Nov 29, 2012, 1:32 am
#902
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LHR
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Nov 29, 2012, 1:38 am
#903
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 1
IRIS @ T5...
Hi all,
This is my very first post on here. I have just joined...
I fly very often between LAX - LHR(T5) and have always found the Iris closed :-(
This is very frustrating as I don't hold an EU passport but am registered with the Iris and I used to use it ALL the time...
Please update when the last time you heard anything factual re T5's Iris machines (staying or going/when/etc..)
Whenever I enter T5 I hear a different answer from border officials!
This is my very first post on here. I have just joined...
I fly very often between LAX - LHR(T5) and have always found the Iris closed :-(
This is very frustrating as I don't hold an EU passport but am registered with the Iris and I used to use it ALL the time...
Please update when the last time you heard anything factual re T5's Iris machines (staying or going/when/etc..)
Whenever I enter T5 I hear a different answer from border officials!
Nov 29, 2012, 1:59 am
#904
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: SK Gold, ITA Executive, Sixt Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis PC, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,164
Nov 29, 2012, 4:03 pm
#906
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: London
Posts: 6,265
This is a daft question I know - but am putting it out there.
When I first registered for IRIS, they subscribed me for 1 or 2 years (can't recall). Didn't renew.
Does IRIS definitely stop working when the registration expires? I have a foreign passport and haven't used it for entry for about 3 years - so I assume the answer is yes. But has anyone experienced otherwise?
When I first registered for IRIS, they subscribed me for 1 or 2 years (can't recall). Didn't renew.
Does IRIS definitely stop working when the registration expires? I have a foreign passport and haven't used it for entry for about 3 years - so I assume the answer is yes. But has anyone experienced otherwise?
Last edited by Aus_Mal; Nov 29, 2012 at 4:13 pm
Nov 29, 2012, 8:12 pm
#907
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
I want to encourage them to install something. It's better than nothing. I'd in fact be prepared to pay more for a reliable system that is always open and available. May even be prepared to part with £5,000 per year if the queues are too long! I don't have 30-60 min to waste every trip, and the fast track isn't open after 1pm.
Last edited by LTN Phobia; Nov 30, 2012 at 12:27 am
Nov 30, 2012, 12:15 am
#908
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
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This is a daft question I know - but am putting it out there.
When I first registered for IRIS, they subscribed me for 1 or 2 years (can't recall). Didn't renew.
Does IRIS definitely stop working when the registration expires? I have a foreign passport and haven't used it for entry for about 3 years - so I assume the answer is yes. But has anyone experienced otherwise?
When I first registered for IRIS, they subscribed me for 1 or 2 years (can't recall). Didn't renew.
Does IRIS definitely stop working when the registration expires? I have a foreign passport and haven't used it for entry for about 3 years - so I assume the answer is yes. But has anyone experienced otherwise?
Nov 30, 2012, 1:40 am
#909
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: London
Programs: SK Gold, ITA Executive, Sixt Diamond, Hertz PC, Avis PC, IHG Platinum
Posts: 5,164
Nov 30, 2012, 1:48 am
#910
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: LHR
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Posts: 10,187
I am a US Passport holder with a UK visa. According to my registration paperwork, my IRIS is good for 4 years (May 2010-2014), which is just a few months short of my visa expiration.
Nov 30, 2012, 2:09 am
#911
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 645
It's totally stupid to get rid of it. I'm sure start up costs were high, but maintenance can't be that bad surely - and it provides a lot of relief to the main queues.
Not to mention being technology-forward (even though it's a few years old) - if they're intent on cutting UKBA staff, at least systems like IRIS can effectively replace them in some respects.
Not to mention being technology-forward (even though it's a few years old) - if they're intent on cutting UKBA staff, at least systems like IRIS can effectively replace them in some respects.
Nov 30, 2012, 3:26 am
#912
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Join Date: Aug 2000
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Posts: 17,008
It's totally stupid to get rid of it. I'm sure start up costs were high, but maintenance can't be that bad surely - and it provides a lot of relief to the main queues.
Not to mention being technology-forward (even though it's a few years old) - if they're intent on cutting UKBA staff, at least systems like IRIS can effectively replace them in some respects.
Not to mention being technology-forward (even though it's a few years old) - if they're intent on cutting UKBA staff, at least systems like IRIS can effectively replace them in some respects.
Who knows - once fingers are pulled out, and the chip-gates multiply and are up to speed, we won't give poor Iris a second glance. But on the other hand .....
Nov 30, 2012, 3:35 am
#913
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 645
I believe the thinking is that they can't/won't provide parallel technologies. Iris, bless her, while completly wonderful for her adherents and devotees, doesn't offer the wider access to our European brothers and sisters carrying chip-equipped passports.
Who knows - once fingers are pulled out, and the chip-gates multiply and are up to speed, we won't give poor Iris a second glance. But on the other hand .....
Who knows - once fingers are pulled out, and the chip-gates multiply and are up to speed, we won't give poor Iris a second glance. But on the other hand .....
I could see a subscription thing working. It being free all this time was probably a little unrealistic anyway. But I suppose it's all testing/R&D.
Nov 30, 2012, 1:18 pm
#915
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA - Gold for Life, CCR & GGL; IC Spire Elite Ambassador; Diamond Hilton Honors; Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 6,720
No IRIS or the passport scanning machines working/open when I returned from HKG a few days ago at T5, unfortunately.