bklink

Have these gotten longer? I am a US citizen/UK resident signed up for Iris, but I often have to wait with a travel compaion who isn't British or Iris-registered. Last night we waited over an hour. Also, does anyone have any new info on when Iris will go away? And what is happening with its supposed replacement -- the equipment is installed but nothing more seems to be happening??

Swanhunter

The queues at T5 have been bad for several months now. I gather some form of work to rule by UKBA is causing this. Of course that doesn't excuse:

* Closing IRIS down in the near future
* Having the e-gates operational only at certain times
* Immigration 'workers' standing around having a lovely chat while passengers queue

Which shouts poor management throughout the organisation. Frankly it is a shambles and the one bit of T5 that really doesn't work well at all. I suspect BA's ability to influence this is very limited which is shame. Several recent trips on BA have been really very good, only for the feelgood factor to vanish when confronted with an enormous queue out of the immigration hall.

Another experience like this and I shall be writing a letter enclosing some photos of the shameful performance.

itsmeitisss

The last 5 or 6 times I have been through T5 arrivals, the e-gates have only been operational when the terminal is quiet. They are non operational when it is busy in my personal experience, which rather defeats the object

McCoy

Is there a fast-track for F arrivals into T5 border?

itsmeitisss

For non EU residents yes but only at certain times - 0630 - 1400 if I remember correctly - probably don't!

vla

Bearing in mind that BA 38 from PEK arrives at 1500 as well.

It was heaving beyond belief last Thursday afternoon. One Iris machine open though.

HIDDY

Must admit I got quite a surprise when I saw how large the non EU queue was last week.This was a couple of days after having to stand in an hour long queue at horrible GRU and saying to my wife "you wouldn't see this nonsense at LHR".

Scots_Al

Just occasionally there is a benefit to having to take a domestic connection - there was not a soul in front of me at the border for connections on Thursday last.

McCoy

My last INT-domestic connection in T5 was so busy, I was thinking of clearing border, and then coming back in through security next time.

I think we need an FAQ for the different options and advice for different connection/security combinations!

buddman

I flew SAS into T3 three weeks ago from Stockholm. I couldn't use IRIS as I was with my 7 year old son. Queue for immigration was 95 min. Only had 2 worse experiences in terms of wait in my life. One was T3 returning from Marrakesh at new years (2.5hrs) and one on arrival at ORD (2 hrs)

WHBM

The last three times I've been through, in the last several weeks :

1. Walked right over to e-gates, not operational.

2. Queue marshal on the regular EU queue looking at everyone's passport and sneeringly telling those with the little e-symbol on the front not to waste his time having to point out they could go over and use the e-gates.

3. Walked right over to e-gates, not operational.

vla

There have been massive cutbacks at the Home Office -- if my memory serves me, it's something like 600 immigration staff -- so the idea that they are working to rule does sort of hold water, one might imagine.

bklink

Does anyone have any details on the paid replacement for Iris -- Silverwing or something?

WHBM

Isn't some part of the fees charged in with your ticket supposed to be for the provision of border staff ? And wasn't this fee increased not so long ago ? So why might the staff be reduced without reducing the fee ?

ColdWalker

It's a hell of a way to welcome foreign visitors and tourists to our country At a time when we could do with every penny of the income they spend with us. I know proper checks must be done but keeping people waiting this length of time doesn't improve those checks.