V-Flyer

This is one to keep an eye out for. Sorry an appauling pun for a news item on the VS sight (sorry another appauling pun)
[B)]
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/fr ... anning.jsp

Hmmm... it will be interesting to see how well this works.

If well, then this would make a good addition to present procedures!

I'm intrigued by the fact that it is 'non-evasive' - the curse of the spellchecker me thinks [V]

Where I work trialed this for withdrawals from ATMs, works really well

Looks to be a good idea, IF - after you have volunteered and they have all of your details on file, you are then allowed to go into some sort of fast track system. This would preferably be on both sides of the Atlantic

Nick

Hopefully quicker than the fingerprint and photo in the US. Im all for security but it does seem to have really increased the time it takes to get through immigration.

I love all this biometrics stuff, makes me feel one step away from Minority Report

Given that the US are now fully geared up to fingerprint scanning at all Immigraton booths, I would suspect that the iris scan will need to be matched with the F/Ps on file in the US before this could be fully operational on both sides of the atlantic

buns

quote:Originally posted by sailor99
This is one to keep an eye out for. Sorry an appauling pun for a news item on the VS sight (sorry another appauling pun)
[B)]
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/fr ... anning.jsp

Amsterdam Schiphol has had this for a year or two. Really pees me off watching the 2% of lucky folks who are registered and jump the long immigration lines on a Monday morning.

Cheers, Howard

Anything that effectively improves security has to be a good thing, effectively being the operative word. But I guess that for it to be effective the intelligence backing it up has to be good. The technology of course stops people making fake passports (assuming it is in general use) and possibly reduces manning at immigration points. It may even make immigration faster. But if that is all it achieves then I say "so what". But if the intelligence can prevent the real baddies getting a scanned image, then it has to prevent their ability to travel. Now that really would be a benefit, and it would address many of the concerns being expressed in another post about the ineffectiveness and possible paranoia of US controls.

I guess IMHO, it brings us back to the quality of the intelligence. Which I am afraid makes me wonder if the technology is much more than a sop to peopleÕs feeling of security.

99 - 15st1lb

Maybe I'm being a bit thick this morning, but I don't see any advantage.

The VS website article is talking about being scanned on departure. presumably a pax would still need to go through security - so where is the time saving.

I can understand how this would be great for pax arriving in UK, but this is not mentioned at all.

Good point about Departure security. I must admit that now you have made the point I can see little efficience benefit at departure.

I guess the drive for it is that the loading lists that "go with the plane", and used by immigration at the other end, have a greater perceived accuracy. However, IMHO, I think the true level of accuracy is open to questioning because for the reasons in my prev poisting. But I await to be shot down on this by people who have more knowledge than me.

If it makes imigration easier at the arrival airport due to data collected pre-departure..... I don't know. It would require very general use of the technology and good transfer of the data I suppose.

99 - 15st1lb

No, data that goes to immigration at destination is from machine read of passport at check-in.

After all, the iris scanner doesn't know your destination - it is merely a link to your passport details at UKIS.

There you go - I thought someone with more knowledge would shoot me down;)

Have to say I am struggling with the benefits based on what you have said.

99 - 15st1lb

Old post I know but Ive signed up for this and it works and works well. I was out and getting my bags at LHR T2 having bypasses the long queue completely

Well, I can't wait to do that this summer..

Also see the UK Home Office site about this at http://www.iris.gov.uk.

The iris of the eye is the most personally distinct external physical characteristic, making this the most unique biometric system of identification. However, there are many conditions/diseases of the eye that can alter the appearance of your iris - so fingers crossed you don't develop one of these disease on holiday, and get refused entry on your way home!

Does anyone know if the barriers will be wheelchair accessable?

I hate the idea - I'm very greatful for my eyesight and my eyes and the last thing I want to do is put them up to a machine controlled by someone else.

jules.

Originally posted by Howard Long
Amsterdam Schiphol has had this for a year or two. Really pees me off watching the 2% of lucky folks who are registered and jump the long immigration lines on a Monday morning.

Cheers, Howard

I'll wave at you next time I go through and laugh as you queue up in a long line. If you're a regular though, why not sign up?

Originally posted by Nottingham Nick
[brThis would preferably be on both sides of the Atlantic

Nick

The USA had a program in which USA people and people included in the VWP could get a 'PortPass.' You could have in picture and a biometric of your hand done and you could use your hand to enter the country. I was in the program before in got cut. The program work very well.

This program will be returning to USA land borders soon so papa bear says.

Would be happy to show you my USA FastTrack card at the next VF social.

Wasn't it INS-PASS, Ben? (Or was that something different?)

I remember having the paperwork for it some time ago.

Yepo. IIRC correctly the card self serve said PortPass but I also had the land border card so could be confused. I Jan. I still saw the machines at IAD sitting there.

Picture of the INS Pass Machine


Worked well. Sad to see it go. I know there is support for the system on the land border crossings.