Iris enrollment-

Thought I'd enquire about signing up for the programme a couple of weeks ago whilst on the way to MIA via LHR.
BA check in staff seemed to think it wasn't operational due to the increased security measures that had been forced into operation but as HL had indicated it was just after security in T3 departures and fully functional.
Wandered in and asked about enrollment in the programme (it was empty with 3 staff sitting around doing nothing)and was subjected to the third degree by one of the officers who wanted to know how many times I'd been out of the country in the past twelve months and didn't appear to believe the ammount of times when I told him (checking the visa and entry stamps accrued in my passport over this time).Having satisfied homself that I was in fact telling the truth he then snarled "but enrollment is at my discretion" and wanted to know how often I'd be travelling in future (reply was the same as currently!!)and when my next trip would be (October).At this point I was tempted to leave as the process was beginning to make me feel like a criminal enduring an interrogation.Following this his attitude seemed to change and I was asked to sit at the desk where the process was completed in about 5 minutes (the other 2 staff were helpful and polite from the outset).Mr DL and DL the Younger were also offered enrollment and the process completed in about 5 mins flat for them too. I'm still unsure as to why the officer was initially so "passively aggressive" (can only conclude he didn't like my pink outfit[:0]).Surely anything that speeds up the immigration process and improves the security of our fine island needs to be maximised to it's full potential.Doesn't it?
Anyone else been given a hard time when enrolling or is it just me???
Julie

All I can say is that when I enrolled for IRIS back in July, the staff at T3 were very pleasant, efficient, and spent a lot of time singing the praises and extolling the virtues of the system. I have no idea why the immigration officer you were unlucky enough to meet was like that, unless he had recently been on an exchange visit to the USA

Decker and I enrolled in August, a few days after the new security measures were put in place.

The staff were charming. They simply asked how many times a year we traveled and didn't ask for any proof. The whole experience was painless.

When we came back we decided to go through the Iris recognition even though there were no queues at Immigration. I've got to admit I found the whole "having to crouch to be recognised thing" quite strange!

I too enrolled recently, the staff were charming and as I expected were very thorough. Don't forget, their computer system tells them your movements to a T. Perhaps since you're not flying till October they viewed your journey's as infrequent and may be not qualifying? Or more likely you simply had a band 'un?

Do we think everyone should have it? I'd like to see all airport processes improved but also, well I'm selfish, I think some benefits should be restricted to the most frequent flyers.

Yeah DL, seems like you had a bum deal. I registered on 30th June with no problem whatsoever. The office had three staff who positively leapt on me, as they seemed to have nothing else to do. I doubt I was in there 5 minutes!

When I came back from Miami on 7th July, immigration was packed. For about 5 seconds I was despondent, until I remembered that I had registered for IRIS. Those booths were empty. Took me about 10 seconds to work out I needed to crouch and get a lot closer, but then I was outta there! It was great to breeze past the queues.

My next trip out, I came back into Stansted - the last international flight in on August 10th (the 'security' day). Absolute nightmare at Stansted. I was praying they had had IRIS installed, but alas no. I understand it is coming though very shortly.

Must have been that suit !

Originally posted by slinky09

Do we think everyone should have it? I'd like to see all airport processes improved but also, well I'm selfish, I think some benefits should be restricted to the most frequent flyers.

[:?] ISTBC but I thought this was a means of improving security rather than the airport equivalent of a turn down / mint on the pillow service ?

Paul

Ok just a quick question Re. IRIS The Government information leaflet says

If you are eligible to apply, you will have to meet certain criteria in order to be accepted on the IRIS scheme, and the enrolment officer will explain these to you.

What are these criteria?
I doubt being an infrequent flyer i qualify [B)]

Originally posted by slinky09
I too enrolled recently, the staff were charming and as I expected were very thorough. Don't forget, their computer system tells them your movements to a T. Perhaps since you're not flying till October they viewed your journey's as infrequent and may be not qualifying? Or more likely you simply had a band 'un?

Do we think everyone should have it? I'd like to see all airport processes improved but also, well I'm selfish, I think some benefits should be restricted to the most frequent flyers.

I'm afraid the attitude had been adopted before my passport had even been scrutinised or put anywhere near a computer.He did conceed however that I exceeded the "criteria"
I'm not sure that it should be reserved solely for the "most frequent flyers"(whoever that group constitutes),like pjh states I think the emphasis should be on security equally as much as speeding the immigration process.
Have to add that the last 3 visits through MIA immigration have been a joy -mega quick with humourous pleasant officials (generally unheard of !!!)They did pick up very quickly this time that DL the younger had flown to Cairo recently but that neither Mr DL or I had (taken by her indulgent grandparents) and that I had been to Dubai recently but neither Mr DL or DL the younger had and quizzed us about the whys and wherefors of both trips.
Guess you get surly staff everywhere -the official manning the booth (well sitting at the side)back at LHR was a joy and laughed his head off at me contorting in the "crouch/strain your neck to be recognised" pose.Said he sees it all the time and it still makes him smile!

Originally posted by infrequentflyer
Ok just a quick question Re. IRIS The Government information leaflet says

If you are eligible to apply, you will have to meet certain criteria in order to be accepted on the IRIS scheme, and the enrolment officer will explain these to you.

What are these criteria?
I doubt being an infrequent flyer i qualify [B)]

I found the eligibility guidelines contradictory. The initial list gives the impression that you can use it to speed up formalities, which sounds great. However, when you read further, it makes it sound (to me anyway) as if it's only meant for those non-UK residents - clearly that's not the case from what's been said here -and other criminals and unsavoury characters. I can't remember the specifics, but that was the flavour of it.

One other thing that I wonder, is just where is the extra info stored and who has access to it? You'd assume it would be restricted to BAA (aaargh), but who knows? Could we be facing a scenario where our irises are passed to unauthorised persons, in a way similar to other ID fraud????

You'd assume it would be restricted to BAA (aaargh), but who knows? Could we be facing a scenario where our irises are passed to unauthorised persons, in a way similar to other ID fraud????

Doubt it Cat. IRIS recognition is also available at MAN (not owned by BAA).

[Neil]

Cat & Infrequent flyer,

here is the offical Governmnet site about Iris, which gives all the info you will about how/who can enrole and also Cat gives you the info of how/where the data is stored (look in the FAQ section for this).

Neil:)

Originally posted by Attitude23
Cat & Infrequent flyer,

here is the offical Governmnet site about Iris, which gives all the info you will about how/who can enrole and also Cat gives you the info of how/where the data is stored (look in the FAQ section for this).

Neil:)

I do stand corrected as looking at these references it is clearly currently intended for those who travel frequently though with the emphasis on non UK citizens. That said;

- the PDF presentation says "IRIS will make life easier for you if....you are a returning resident" (covers most of us I think)

- there's an interesting lack of detail about the criteria in the leaflet "who can apply". Basically the immigration officer will assess your eligibility. Perhaps this disconnect suggests they intend to take advantage of some flexibility.

Ultimately though if every UK resident went on IRIS would it be any quicker getting through immigration - there'd still be 300+ people queuing for the IRIS scanners..

Paul

Well, I am definitely a UK citizen and resident, and I was welcomed into the system. The system is operated by HMRC (Customs) so BAA have nothing to do with this. I don't remember any extra data being taken, except of course a picture of the back of my trusty Mk1 eyeball .

here is the official Government site about Iris, which gives all the info you will about how/who can enrol

Thanks Attitude I had found this site (thatÕs where I got the quote from[:I]) but it still doesn't clarify the criteria for acceptance. Is there a minimum amount of travel needed, do you have to have status etc.[?]

Originally posted by infrequentflyer

here is the official Government site about Iris, which gives all the info you will about how/who can enrol

Thanks Attitude I had found this site (thatÕs where I got the quote from[:I]) but it still doesn't clarify the criteria for acceptance. Is there a minimum amount of travel needed, do you have to have status etc.[?]

I don't really remember if there were any special requirements, though I think you do need to update the registration occasionally, maybe every two years? i really can't remember. In any event, the easiest way to find out is to go . It takes so little time, and is on the way to Duty Free. If you are a fast-track security user, you need to turn left immediately after security and follow other passengers towards DF. The small office is on the right before DF.

Anything that speeds up the awful process of immigration is welcome - I can see a demand for this, and not just for those who travel a lot for work.

[Darren Wheeler]

I tried to register to use it but was told I don't fly enough to qualify. This struck me as a little odd as I would think they would need as many trialist as possible to get the bugs worked out. Also, it's the B&S side they really need to sell the idea to.

[Neil]

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
I tried to register to use it but was told I don't fly enough to qualify. This struck me as a little odd as I would think they would need as many trialist as possible to get the bugs worked out. Also, it's the B&S side they really need to sell the idea to.

Darren, it is not the B&S pax that this is really aimed towards. The whole point of Iris is to cut the normal immigration queues, but if everybody just uses Iris instead the the queues for that will just be huge instead and nothing will of changed. If the more regular pax use Iris and the not so regulars normal immigration then you will have 2 systems each with an managable number of people using them thus making the whole porcess quicker for everybody.

Neil:)

[Darren Wheeler]

Maybe, but with the introduction of and eventual replacement with biometric passports the Iris scanning will become more and more prevelant and will need to be 'sold' much more to the general travelling public.

[Neil]

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
Maybe, but with the introduction of and eventual replacement with biometric passports the Iris scanning will become more and more prevelant and will need to be 'sold' much more to the general travelling public.

Yes - but that is not something that needs to happen yet and is probably why you were turned away by the Iris people, when it is needed I am sure they will do a huge charm offensive to get everybody on board but for now, just the regulars I'm afriad.

Originally posted by Attitude23

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
I tried to register to use it but was told I don't fly enough to qualify. This struck me as a little odd as I would think they would need as many trialist as possible to get the bugs worked out. Also, it's the B&S side they really need to sell the idea to.

Darren, it is not the B&S pax that this is really aimed towards. The whole point of Iris is to cut the normal immigration queues, but if everybody just uses Iris instead the the queues for that will just be huge instead and nothing will of changed. If the more regular pax use Iris and the not so regulars normal immigration then you will have 2 systems each with an managable number of people using them thus making the whole porcess quicker for everybody.

Neil:)

Which makes it odd in a way that LGW South had it before North ... would seem to encourage holiday makers?

I was going to enrol at Manmchester on 1st September and sorted out where the IRIS office was - got there and it was closed!!!

And surely its a service for any passenger regardless of how often you fly - there's nothing in the blurb that says only frequent flyers can use it.

I read that in the US they are or were going to introduce a frequent flyer option but that its now likely to cost the passenger $200 so its been knocked on the head!!

Hey ho!

[Neil]

Actually Mark if you do look at the Iris site and read the "blurb" it does seem to be worded to say that the enrollment to intended for frequent flyers, and going on some VF's experiences staff do seem to be checking.

Neil:)

Originally posted by Attitude23
The whole point of Iris is to cut the normal immigration queues, but if everybody just uses Iris instead the the queues for that will just be huge instead and nothing will of changed.
Neil:)

Yes, agreed, but I give credit to the Immigration Service to install more readers before this happens.

Why don't they go one step further and install the readers in the departure lounges of foreign airports so that you can pass through UK immigration control before flying? (tongue in cheek). A bit like what happens when returning to the UK through the Chunnel.

We used it on our return from SFO last week, it is a bloody waste of time if you ask me. On entering the cubicle you have a choice of 4 mirrors to look into, I seemed to be looking around for ages before I managed to find the one with my reflection in it. Then the process of getting your eyes to line up correctly with the red dots in the mirror seemd to take ages. then I had to hold still for 15 seconds before it recognized my iris. So it took me a full 2 minutes to get through. My wife could not even find the mirror that had her image, as there are no instructions on entering,so she had to back out and re-enter because she had run out of the allowed time. There is no one to help you, you are left completly on your own. She took about 4 minutes to get through. when we had managed to finaly get out after sweating our way through, we noticed that there was absolutly no lines at the immigration desks. It will be chaos if more people sign up for the system. All they need to do is put2 big red arrows on the machine, and write "look here" that simple. I will defo not be bothering with it again