Millions of passengers queuing at Heathrow because Iris doesn't work !
Jan 10, 2007, 5:05 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Warfield, England
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Millions of passengers queuing at Heathrow because Iris doesn't work !
So says an idiot Tory MP - Ben Wallace ... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770
Really this article shows that Ben Wally has no understanding of either the technology, what it is used for, the immigration process, or the fact that the objective is to avoid queuing.
For example: "Millions of people are going to arrive at Heathrow and wait in a queue because the system has crashed for over eight hours."
Do "millions of people" arrive at LHR in 8 hours; are they really going to queue at the Iris machines if they're not working ??
Not to mention that there's only 50,000 people registered thus far for IRIS.
And this guy will want people to vote for him
Really this article shows that Ben Wally has no understanding of either the technology, what it is used for, the immigration process, or the fact that the objective is to avoid queuing.
For example: "Millions of people are going to arrive at Heathrow and wait in a queue because the system has crashed for over eight hours."
Do "millions of people" arrive at LHR in 8 hours; are they really going to queue at the Iris machines if they're not working ??
Not to mention that there's only 50,000 people registered thus far for IRIS.
And this guy will want people to vote for him
Jan 10, 2007, 5:22 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,924
To be fair, IRIS doesn't work. Or at least it didn't last Sunday. And there were..well not millions, but hundreds certainly queuing for passport control.
FYI, when I registered the kids for Iris last week, the guy in T4 said there are now 500,000 registered.
FYI, when I registered the kids for Iris last week, the guy in T4 said there are now 500,000 registered.
Jan 10, 2007, 5:25 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2006
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It works fine for VC10 and has saved me a lot of time. I think part of the problem is that people move too quickly when it asks you to back up. Often just standing still works best. Align on the left eye rather than trying to fit two eyes on the green circles.
I love IRIS, I just hope too many people don't use it and there is a queue when I arrive. 500k registered when you think of the passenger movements through Shi*row isn't too many in the cheme of things.
I love IRIS, I just hope too many people don't use it and there is a queue when I arrive. 500k registered when you think of the passenger movements through Shi*row isn't too many in the cheme of things.
Jan 10, 2007, 5:28 am
#5
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But what he's saying is that you will queue by the broken Iris machine and wait for it to be fixed, so that you don't have to queue at a manned immigration desk ... even if it takes 8 hours to fix the machine.
And millions of other people will queue up behind you !
Jan 10, 2007, 5:30 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2004
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IRIS thread
We need an IRIS update sticky!
My general summary is
LGW North, always works
T1 never works
T4 usually works
all updates greatfully received
My general summary is
LGW North, always works
T1 never works
T4 usually works
all updates greatfully received
Jan 10, 2007, 5:35 am
#7
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Sydney, Aus
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I registered about 4 months ago. In my ten arrivals into the UK since then, it hasn't worked once. At T1, T4 or LGW N. I don't know why I bothered. Although it didn't matter on T4 yesterday - as it took 90 minutes for my baggage to make it to the carousel anyway. 3 747s allocated to one carousel. 1000 people waiting. Not pleasant.
Jan 10, 2007, 5:37 am
#8
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Jan 10, 2007, 5:46 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2004
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(Probably means I won't the next time though
).
Jan 10, 2007, 5:53 am
#10
Join Date: Jun 2005
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Mind you I do keep a spare AA, CX & BA fast track invite in my travel wallet along with a completed immigrations card - just in case.
Jan 10, 2007, 5:54 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Jan 10, 2007, 6:09 am
#12
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Florida
Posts: 1,867
It has worked well for me. However, I wonder how long it will be before IRIS registration is more restrictive. They allowed my entire family to sign up three weeks ago at Gatwick even though we are US passport holders and my children go through UK passport control about three times per year.
I haven't been through LHR (due to FT horror stories) so I can't comment on my IRIS experience there. However, I will get to experience LHR on Feb. 17. I am curious to see the circus.
I haven't been through LHR (due to FT horror stories) so I can't comment on my IRIS experience there. However, I will get to experience LHR on Feb. 17. I am curious to see the circus.
Jan 10, 2007, 6:12 am
#13
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Jan 10, 2007, 6:16 am
#14
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IRIS has always worked for me but my SO has had it fail on him at T4 once.
I think we should all shut up about IRIS, how long before enough people have registered and it becomes like "Fast" Bag Drop and not worth the effort?
I think we should all shut up about IRIS, how long before enough people have registered and it becomes like "Fast" Bag Drop and not worth the effort?
Jan 10, 2007, 6:20 am
#15
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Another good trick for overseas airports is to use the Diplomatic channels. Go on a visit to the House of Lords and buy one of their passport covers in the shop. Insert your passport and then front up at the diplomatic/aircrew desk overseas. I have never been refused. I even ask politely if the boyf can come through, although I refer to him as my assistant, and it's never a problem.
I can't tell you how much time this saves if you have an early morning arrival in Oz - why wait two hours when you can breeze right through.
I can't tell you how much time this saves if you have an early morning arrival in Oz - why wait two hours when you can breeze right through.