New security area 1st Floor Gatwick south

[Haven't a clue]

Perhaps it's an age thing; as I head towards a bus pass I have seen things which were not acceptable become so. Some good changes - drink driving intolerance for example - but some bad ones and the surveillance state comes high on my list plus constant unwanted intrusions into my privacy by corporate marketing.

But yeah. This dude will chill. Off 6000 miles to the east tonight for some R&R. Will that do?

[Skipness One Echo]

It's what larger organisations do, they **** money up the wall at the sight of shiny new tech. What does it do that the old one doesn't? Well it costs a lot more and takes longer and generates longer queues and delays entry to security.

On the plus side, the one guy who looks like me and is dressed identically who pitches up at Gatwick on the same day I am flying domestic might just get caught.

It's not rocket science to see if the person in the photo taken no more than 2 hours before looks a little different to have a wee chat? Quite why that needs a multi million pound investment is beyond me, perhaps LGW think they're staff are really that thick or is there a racial element in here that dare not raise it's head and the machine can get the blame?

[surely not]

Oh no that means Mrs Sn will take longer applying her make up on the basis she will want to look good for the camera!!

[PAXboy]

SOE

Quite why that needs a multi million pound investment is beyond me

1. Because it looks like they are doing something.
2. It shows activity aimed at solving the problem.
3. By the time the problem is proved not to have been solved - the people who bought the equipment will be somewhere else.
4. The people who are left will be able to say that the company 'did all that they could and installed special apparatus. Next question please.'
5. Oh yes, and that it wasn't their fault.
6. They will then order more equipment and procedures that, by the time they are proved not ...

This is the same in 99% of the companies that I have seen or worked at across the 35 years of my adult life. But the speed of this kind of thing is increasing and the reasons for that are (I contend):

1. The UK has largely taken on the US idea that 'technology' can fix it.
2. We have had many discussions in this forum about how El Al uses intensive manual labour to screen pax and everyone else tries to do it with cheaper technology. One method has been shown to be consistently more successful, the more so that the airline in question is the one that is a favourite target.
3. As 'managers' understand far less about the company these days (on account of not having worked their way up) they like to rely on technology and other bolt-ons to make up for the expertise that they like.
4. It's easier to put in the press releases and annual report that you have spent millions on a 'system' than on hiring good people and training them and retaining them across 20 years to build up knowledge. That takes real money and real leadership and real brains.
5. Another example of this is H.R. departments using personality tests (Psychometric testing) that are judged entirely by algorithm and computer. Since no human made a decision = no human can be blamed. [Myers Briggs and Brainbench]

Much of this could also be posted in the 'Sterile Area at MAN' thread. When the system is breached, there is an inquiry and the statement 'We must make sure that this doesn't happen again'. Which it won't Next time, it will be a different breach!

[Skipness One Echo]

Reply from the IOC office below

Case Reference Number xxxx

Dear Mr xxxx

I am writing further to Ms Thompson’s acknowledgement dated 19 August 2011. I apologise for the delay in responding to you. My colleagues in our Strategic Liaison Department have visited Gatwick Airport, and have looked into this issue.

The Home Office have issued a written notice in accordance with Schedule 2 Paragraph 26(3) of the Immigration Act 1971. This states that the common departure lounge at Gatwick Airport must be secured to prevent international transiting passengers from breaching UK border security controls by exchanging boarding passes with a passenger on a domestic flight. Gatwick Airport must use biometric systems on the entrance and exit of the common departure lounge.

Having consulted with Gatwick Airport Limited, they have assured this office that the Iris scan information is only retained for 24 hours (and is retained for this period in case an incident were to occur). They have produced a page on their website to explain the process to customers, and they have assured us they will undertake staff training to ensure airport staff are aware of why the process has been introduced and how long the information is retained.

In light of the above we are satisfied that the above is in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998, but would thank you for bringing it to our attention.

I hope this information is helpful.

Yours sincerely

Just for the avoidance of doubt, correct me if I am wrong in saying Gatwick North and Heathrow T1 and T5 are non biometric. Typical of the Home Office to insist on an overcomplex multi million pound system when a photo works in all instances where the identical twin with identical clothing is not involved. Makes me glad I pay tax to let these fools **** money up the wall.