End of Iris? [effective 17 September 2013]
Mar 14, 2011, 6:39 am
#91
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: UA-Plat, AA-Plat, PC-Plat Amb, tons of others...
Posts: 114
Was closed at T1 this morning around 5:45AM. Short regular line, but while I was in line, I saw someone successfully use it. Didn't want to risk my spot in line to go check it again.
Mar 16, 2011, 5:43 am
#94
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,851
Global Entry is excellent. I have never waited to use the machines. Saves a lot of time. Well worth the effort to interview.
IRIS is even better and saves even more time. Just emailed them to ask if the cancellation of the system will mean much longer waits for non-EEA passport holders. Will post if they reply. For the record, I would be more than happy to pay for a similar replacement system, if necessary.
Might be time for me to get one of them fancy biometric passports...
IRIS is even better and saves even more time. Just emailed them to ask if the cancellation of the system will mean much longer waits for non-EEA passport holders. Will post if they reply. For the record, I would be more than happy to pay for a similar replacement system, if necessary.
Might be time for me to get one of them fancy biometric passports...
Mar 16, 2011, 8:59 am
#95
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RBKC
Programs: AA EXP and Eurostar Carte Blanche
Posts: 3,851
I understand that the IRIS system will be phased out, and I understand that EEA citizens with biometric passports will be able to use the new e-passport readers. That's great.
However, what about current IRIS users who are not EEA passport holders? As a UK resident, I travel through Heathrow dozens of times a year. The IRIS system saves me from 10 to 30 minutes of time -- that's many hours saved per year, which I can use to get back to the office more quickly.
How will the new system address the many UK residents who use IRIS but who are not EEA passport holders? Will our UK entries now take much longer?
However, what about current IRIS users who are not EEA passport holders? As a UK resident, I travel through Heathrow dozens of times a year. The IRIS system saves me from 10 to 30 minutes of time -- that's many hours saved per year, which I can use to get back to the office more quickly.
How will the new system address the many UK residents who use IRIS but who are not EEA passport holders? Will our UK entries now take much longer?
Dear Mr ExpatExp,
The contract for the Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS) is due
to come to an end in 2011. IRIS has proven to be a valuable test bed for
automated border controls and the UK Border Agency is currently
considering the longer term future of the service in the context of our
wider Automation at the Border strategy. Once we have agreed a way
forward we will communicate plans including, if appropriate, how IRIS
users will be migrated to alternative border controls.
As you are aware the ePassport Gates may only be used by EEA nationals
(aged 18 or over) who hold "chipped" passports.
The agency remains committed to improving the passenger experience and
we will seek where possible to exploit technology to enable us to do
that in the context of finite resources. This is a commercially
sensitive area and I am therefore unable to disclose any further
information at present.
Yours sincerely
Mick Storey
HM Inspector
Automation at the Border (IRIS)
The contract for the Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS) is due
to come to an end in 2011. IRIS has proven to be a valuable test bed for
automated border controls and the UK Border Agency is currently
considering the longer term future of the service in the context of our
wider Automation at the Border strategy. Once we have agreed a way
forward we will communicate plans including, if appropriate, how IRIS
users will be migrated to alternative border controls.
As you are aware the ePassport Gates may only be used by EEA nationals
(aged 18 or over) who hold "chipped" passports.
The agency remains committed to improving the passenger experience and
we will seek where possible to exploit technology to enable us to do
that in the context of finite resources. This is a commercially
sensitive area and I am therefore unable to disclose any further
information at present.
Yours sincerely
Mick Storey
HM Inspector
Automation at the Border (IRIS)
Mar 16, 2011, 9:09 am
#96
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
One of the IRIS working this morning at LHR T5. I was worried that the lady in front of me would send it gaagaa when she didn't seem to know what to do with it (I suspect she wasn't even registered?), but it was OK when the booth spat her out.
Apr 4, 2011, 4:03 pm
#98
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: BA GGL, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,314
Came through T1 this pm (giving bmi a go) and found out the new passport machines werent working properly. My scan took about 2 mins and then failed, despite having used the machines a number of times before with no issue. They seemed to be failing about 2/3 of people, the immigration guy said they were 'having issues'.
I knew there was a good reason for liking IRIS.........
I knew there was a good reason for liking IRIS.........
Apr 4, 2011, 5:20 pm
#100
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Varies
Programs: BA Silver, HHonors, SPG, Marriott, A|Club, Tesco CC, Costa Coffee Club
Posts: 421
But then there was no obvious sign of said fumigation actually taking place. Is the whole process invisible/silent/odour-free? Or is it only deemed necessary down the back of the plane? We happened to be sitting in F, by the way
Apr 4, 2011, 11:04 pm
#101
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
On Friday morning at T5, there was one IRIS machine working but three of the passport reading machines, with a staff member inviting people to use them.
Seemed to work reasonably well.
Seemed to work reasonably well.
Apr 5, 2011, 1:25 am
#102
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,217
Hopefully they will string IRIS out until the end of next year or thereabouts, at which point I have to renew my passport 
Apr 5, 2011, 1:36 am
#103
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Canary Wharf, London
Programs: MyWaitrose, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond & BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,685
Apr 5, 2011, 1:45 am
#104
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: Lord OPebble - Mucci of the Hour. Diamond Class MUCCI.Chevalier du Circle Intime de Pucci
Posts: 7,088
The point is that if you want to use the new entry machines you must (AFAIK) have one of the new biometric passports with the funny gold symbol at the bottom of the front cover.