Iris changes - master thread from March '09

Glad I spotted this otherwise I'd get stuck in the Iris Machine at Heathrow next week [:o)]

When did the rule change to six months [?]

-Steve




Edit to thread title by mod.......Nick

If you become ineligible for the scheme they will keep your data for six months. You have to use it at least once every two years to keep using it.

[HighFlyer]

I didnt know this, however, IRIS is supposed to be for regular travellers and given the very large number of people registered now I can well understand and agree that if you are not flying more than once every six months then you probably shouldnt be using IRIS. I have become increasingly irritated at the long queues at the booths. I have been flying around once a month and the queus at T1 and T5 around 7pm can be really long.

Thanks,
Sarah

quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
I didnt know this, however, IRIS is supposed to be for regular travellers and given the very large number of people registered now I can well understand and agree that if you are not flying more than once every six months then you probably shouldnt be using IRIS. I have become increasingly irritated at the long queues at the booths. I have been flying around once a month and the queus at T1 and T5 around 7pm can be really long.

Thanks,
Sarah


No, you have two years between uses before they stop you using it, then six months later they'll delete your data.

quote:Originally posted by locutus
If you become ineligible for the scheme they will keep your data for six months. You have to use it at least once every two years to keep using it.


Thanks,
Just realised that that's what it means. Why couldn't they put the part about using it within 2 years before the data deletion section.

Sorry for any confusion [:I]

Am right in thinking that as I have a new passport that I have to visit the Iris registration office and change my details[?]

-Steve

quote:Originally posted by Stevieboy
Am right in thinking that as I have a new passport that I have to visit the Iris registration office and change my details[?]

-Steve


I went to do this last time as I had a new passport. I was told it wasn't needed, and I'd have to re-register if they were to update it. I didn't bother and it still works.

[HighFlyer]

Cheers for clearing that up. Does make sense I think.

When I changed my passport I didnt have to do anything for IRIS, it continued to work just fine with the new details.

Thanks,
Sarah

I don't see any queues when I get in to any terminal at Heathrow. As they are normally broken. The T1 one was out of action on Sunday afternoon, and usually 1 out of the 2 are broken in T3.

Stanstead has different scanners which are far better and don't need registering for, although they do require a Bio-Metric passport.

Also, when I changed passport my ability to use the IRIS machine was not impacted.

When I registered my wife, we were told that you only needed to use it every couple of years, and as my wife infrequently flies this appears to be accurate information.

Iris is a great scheme, badly managed IMO - agree about the number of times scanners are out of operation, the lack of expansion of the scheme especially in terms of facilities at busy airports and airports themselves (why couldn't it become a Europeanwide system?) and I also think that the two year rule should be a lot shorter, say 3 months.

That it is successful should be seen as a trial - now change / extend / improve. Sadly no one seems to be putting any effort into this.

I don't agree with the shorter time period, as when I travel with my wife twice a year, I don't want to miss the opportunity to go through IRIS in 15 seconds and head down to get the bags, just because my wife has to go through the other channels.

I've never seen the queue at T3 more than 3 people deep, even with a broken machine.

[preiffer]

Won't affect your wife - it's only removed 6 months AFTER you haven't used it for 2 years. [y]

quote:Originally posted by ukcobra
I don't agree with the shorter time period


There is no shorter time period. You just have to use it once in a two year period, when the clock resets and you have two more years before it gets cancelled if you don't use it.

[RichardMannion]

I agree with Slinks, the time period should be shorter as 2 years is far too generous. I'd make it 3 or 6 months before you become inelligible. As he said, badly managed.

The queues have been silly at times, though they are getting better; glad they stopped under 18's registering for the program. When we used it on Sunday, the guy next to me was informed his 'registration was no longer valid'.

I'm surprised they haven't gone down the fee route yet - the flyclear.com system in the US for example. BAA are obviously keen to earn more money, as they sell the FastTrack benefit out to certain organisations. One of the new AmEx Centurion benefits as use of FastTrack at BAA terminals which I am sure earns them a tidy sum.

So there would be not much point registering for IRIS if I only fly about once a year? Also, if I'm flying UC will I'll get to use the FastTrack queue anyway?

[preiffer]

FastTrack is only for non-EU passport holders. You'll be redirected to the regular queue, even if travelling Upper Class.

Once a year? Well, if *every* year, why not? (under the current rules).


Personally, I think it should be limited to travellers who go through there at LEAST 4 times a year, but as I say - rules is rules, so under those there at present it would make sense for you to register.

[Darren Wheeler]

I was under the impression that IRIS was the way forward for all UK citizens. That would reduce the need for manual checks at the desks, enabling more at the non-UK areas.

quote:Originally posted by preiffer


Personally, I think it should be limited to travellers who go through there at LEAST 4 times a year, but as I say - rules is rules, so under those there at present it would make sense for you to register.


I agree that the BAA term (& that of others) of being a frequent traveller and mine are miles apart. Even at four times a year I struggle to class that as frequent - I think the queues should be monitored and if they remain 'excessive' then either more IRIS installed or the criteria for their use sharpened up !

Sorry - I am going OT so I will shut up and get off my hobby horse [B)]

Hackneyguy

[Darren Wheeler]

quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
Sorry - I am going OT so I will s**t up and get off my hobby horse [B)]

Hackneyguy


Oh my!!!!! [:w][:D]

quote:Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
Sorry - I am going OT so I will s**t up and get off my hobby horse [B)]

Hackneyguy


Oh my!!!!! [:w][:D]


[:I]

What was I thinking ????

[Darren Wheeler]

If I had a pound for everytime I make the same mistake with ''shift work'...

[RichardMannion]

quote:Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
If I had a pound for everytime I make the same mistake with ''shift work'...


Isn't that a Freudian slip?

I'm sorry, but I'm lost in this one guys. I'm having trouble understanding what the rationale is for the notion that only frequent flyers should be allowed to use IRIS.

[HighFlyer]

quote:Originally posted by Ian
I'm sorry, but I'm lost in this one guys. I'm having trouble understanding what the rationale is for the notion that only frequent flyers should be allowed to use IRIS.


From my viewpoint I think the logic is quite obvious. There are only a limited number of IRIS booths at each airport restricting the number of users. It seems logical to have the pilot (for that is what its supposed to be) there to serve a set number of travellers to test the booths for further expansion, and it makes sense that the testers are individuals who travel a fair bit and are familiar with the proceedure.

When I signed up for IRIS they asked me how often I travelled. They were only taking applications from regular travellers (I believe for the admin overhead at the time and to ensure that users would be using the booths often enough to warrant participation).

It doesnt make any sense to me to register individuals who may only use the booth once a year. If the scheme was extended (i.e; so more than one operational booth at the airport) then I would have no issues at all, I'd welcome it infact, but right now there is a natural restriction due to lack of booths.

I have seen too many people at IRIS that I do not think should be using it. People who do not seem to understand how it works, who need help from an official to tell them where to look and so forth. Part of the joy of IRIS is/was a speedy and smooth entrance to the UK and this is getting to be less so now.

Thanks,
Sarah

[honey lamb]

To add to what Sarah has just posted, I am not registered with IRIS even though I fly a fair amount. I did consider it but last year in three of my four long-haul flights with VS I travelled with either long-haul and Virgin virgins or with someone who was not going to be travelling to the same extent. I therefore felt that on those occasions it would be churlish of me to abandon them while I went through IRIS. My other trips have been to/from Ireland and therefore at this stage is part of the Common Travel Area and therefore not subject to Border Control at present. I have felt that to use IRIS under those circumstances - namely one trip - would be unfair for me to register.

The other side of the coin is that the reality is that the lines for EU members that I experienced on my last several flights have been extremely short and probably just as quick as IRIS

quote:Originally posted by Darren Wheeler
I was under the impression that IRIS was the way forward for all UK citizens. That would reduce the need for manual checks at the desks, enabling more at the non-UK areas.


It is for all UK residences too, as OH is on his Aussie passport and had an anestry visa and was able to use it.

The past few times I have been through LHR they have been down and had to go through the normal channels.

I agree with what others have they should do more with it, expand it more, make sure they are more reliable etc.

Dominic