LHR Shame on you!
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
LondonPax
Money?
Money. BAA plc makes more money from shopping than it does from getting aircraft on and off the ground.
You are right. In an ideal world, we would select the items we want on a terminal in departures and collect them when we arrive. But we have to shift large amounts of stuff on and off the aircraft (and it has to be carried by the airline and may contain glass and flammable liquid in the form of whiskey rtc) because the airports make more money out of having shops in departures.
Sorry to harp on about money but I'm just too cynical for my socks.
Why is it still happening?
but you have to slog through the shops on two floors to get to it
tragic little duty free shop that you have to go through between customs and the exit to the arrivals hall.
Sorry to harp on about money but I'm just too cynical for my socks.
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,415
Likes: 2
From: Europe
tragic little duty free shop that you have to go through between customs and the exit to the arrivals hall
Is there anything in that TFTTS that is not at least 15% more expensive than it would be in any shop in the UK?
......................????
Thought not.
I should add that I have never, ever, seen anyone stopping to be robbed there, but I suppose it probably does happen.
It's a con, and people fall for it. I have never understood why.
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland
An even bigger con is the Geneva duty free on departure. Thee's whisky there that I can get more cheaply in Tesco in Cirencester!
You can buy most of it more cheaply at the nearest Denner supermarket in Geneva. And now Geneva airport has opened a 'duty free' shop in the Arrivals hall too
You can buy most of it more cheaply at the nearest Denner supermarket in Geneva. And now Geneva airport has opened a 'duty free' shop in the Arrivals hall too
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 731
Likes: 0
From: England
Does IRIS still exist?
I came through Gatwick on Sunday and went looking for the IRIS readers and was told "they were withdrawn months ago"
I came through Gatwick on Sunday and went looking for the IRIS readers and was told "they were withdrawn months ago"
1 extra human does more for the queues than 4 of those machines when you see people stuck in there gurning and pulling faces until the computer says yes. I'd say 50% of people end up getting sent to a human anyway
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
What's the betting the project has been signed off as a great success, with just a few teething troubles?
I recall a meeting with my then employer (early 90s) as everyone agreed that the IT project was a great success and the chairman signed the memo to the MD. Since I was the one sorting out the mess, I had to keep shtumm. There was no budget to fix the mess because (i) they'd spent all the money, (ii) to spend more money would be a public admittance they they had got it wrong.
Here is an example from today of how IT projects can go wrong:
BBC News - Failed fire project wasted £469m, says committee of MPs
But we won't learn the truth about the IRIS because it is being implemented by private companies and the UKBA will claim 'national security' means they cannot say anything.
I know, I know, I'm too cynical for my socks ...
I recall a meeting with my then employer (early 90s) as everyone agreed that the IT project was a great success and the chairman signed the memo to the MD. Since I was the one sorting out the mess, I had to keep shtumm. There was no budget to fix the mess because (i) they'd spent all the money, (ii) to spend more money would be a public admittance they they had got it wrong.
Here is an example from today of how IT projects can go wrong:
BBC News - Failed fire project wasted £469m, says committee of MPs
But we won't learn the truth about the IRIS because it is being implemented by private companies and the UKBA will claim 'national security' means they cannot say anything.
I know, I know, I'm too cynical for my socks ...
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland
If people don't want to slog down an escallator, walk past all the shops then up another 2 to get to the lounge (or 1 escallator if Gold card or Concorde room) then just go through south security, turn left and use the lounge right there on the same level.
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland
True, (and I realise I got my North and South mixed up - thanks for knowing what I really meant 
) Suppose it all depends on what an individuals needs are, quick bite to eat or drink then of course either are fine.
Must admit I do like sitting in the South lounge at the window overlooking security watching all the infrequent flyers panic when they think their try full of stuff is about to vanish back into the system
) Suppose it all depends on what an individuals needs are, quick bite to eat or drink then of course either are fine.Must admit I do like sitting in the South lounge at the window overlooking security watching all the infrequent flyers panic when they think their try full of stuff is about to vanish back into the system
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,726
Likes: 103
From: The Winchester
went to register for IRIS but was told not to bother as they were phasing it out in favour of those crappy face recognition machines.
Trouble is my non-chipped passport still has 3 years of validity...ah well back to the future ( and the EU nationals queue) for me in
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: N. Spain
Is this the way to go rather than employ more staff and open more positions? Personally, I'd rather see more staff than a relaxing of checks at busy times.
Warning over hasty passport checks - Telegraph
Warning over hasty passport checks - Telegraph
Paxing All Over The World
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 10,842
Likes: 328
From: Hertfordshire, UK.
Money (lack of) wins again. The REALLY interesting point is that this is now public knowledge. Thirty years ago, staff in the relevant departments would have kept shtum, now they don't.
It will be interesting to see if this breaks out to be a problem for the Tories who shout about the borders so much.
It will be interesting to see if this breaks out to be a problem for the Tories who shout about the borders so much.
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,488
Likes: 35
From: Hong Kong
It's strange - I thought our continued war in Afghanistan was to keep us all safe from terrorism - yet the enhanced security at airports is what keeps us safe...well it's either one or the other isn't it? Surely if the war isn't what keeps us safe it's the security we can discontinue the war already. If it does keep us safe a rapid passport check isn't a major issue anyway.
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: UK
Came through Heathrow T5 yesterday (Sunday) afternoon. Thank God IRIS is still working as I managed to use it and dodge a massive queue for EU passports. Then waited almost 30 mins for luggage. I know Sunday is a busy day but they need to do better than this.
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 92
From: south of Cirencester, north of Lyneham
Last friday night, the machines for reading passports electronically were not working very well, rejecting lots of passports. Lots of pissed off staff moaning about staff being cut and the service going to hell.
I bet Cameron and co don't have to line up. If they did, they might change things.
I bet Cameron and co don't have to line up. If they did, they might change things.
