Iris scanning - do it!

sarah1972

Me and my husband tried to register for Iris recognotion at Heathrow last month only to be told that we couldnt because they are only letting people register who fly at least 6 times a year!

sarah1972

............bump................

stoneman

angel wrote: »

I usually fly from Gatwick and I've wanted to get mine scanned the past few times that I've travelled but the desk is never open as I usually have to get early flights.

Having said that I've often seen bigger queues at the Iris than at the usual passport desk too, maybe they need to open more Iris queues to speed it up?.

I have used IRIS at LHR on at least 8 occasions and each time I was the only one there. As I am a U.S. citizen it really saves a lot of time going through immigration. Now only if the could IRIS my luggage as well!!!

Carol444_2

Iris scanning is really only worthwhile if you are a frequent traveller to and from America.
You get a short interview and your eye scanned.
It only lasts for 2 years before you have to sign up again and can only be used in airports which have the equipment installed (currently only London and US airports as far as I know).
The equipment is quite dodgy at the moment as well so a lot of times you would need to go back to a normal immigration point when it doesn't recognise you.

Not worth doing this yet. Wait for about 5 more years until they have sorted out the equipment, got devices set up in airports in many different countries, and extend the period you are signed up for to at least 5 years.

stoneman

Carol444 wrote: »

It only lasts for 2 years before you have to sign up again .

Where did you get this from. I have heard this from a few people but when I enquired about it i was told that it lasts forever. We got ours done about 2 1/2 years ago and used it last month at Heathrow. I can't see them only making it good for 2 years as the first most people would know they were out of date would be when the machine refused to accept your scan.

M4RKM

as long as you travel once every 2 years, it keeps you on record..

me, i travel about twice a year, and used it back in march, sailed straight through, so easy to use when we got back into LGW, and the queue were just staring at me and my sister, as they had no clue what it was, and why we didn't have to queue up... haha!

M

Carol444_2

got it from the people who installed it into Heathrow. Was going to go for it myself but was put off by the fact they are barely in use in any airports except for london and US, and the fact that it only lasted 2 years.

However, maybe people complained and they have upped the limit since then? When you registered for it how long did they say it lasts?

stoneman

markymoo wrote: »

as long as you travel once every 2 years, it keeps you on record..
M

Ahh, I think that's where the confusion comes in. I was never told anything about how long it lasts, or I wasn't paying attention.;)

TBeckett100

i wouldnt want the state having any of my fingerprints or iris scans.

WiseInvestor_2

TBeckett100 wrote: »

i wouldnt want the state having any of my fingerprints or iris scans.

I bet you carry a mobile phone? So "the State" know exactly who you are and where you are already.