This is the main V-Flyer Forum for general discussion of everything related to flying with Virgin-branded travel companies.
#144953 by locutus
25 Oct 2006, 20:28
I signed up on my recent trip, I did say I travelled more than I did, but was looking forward to comparing it to Privium which I've used quite a lot at Schiphol.

The main difference is that with Privium you keep your scan on a credit card sized smart card. Iris is stored on their computer.

Registration was a little tricky, having to look into a mirror and get your eyes to match the circles in the display. It took them a few goes, but they managed it, and unlike Privium, I still had my contact lenses in.

On the way back, I saw the Iris lane as soon as I entered the hall, no one was using it, and not having had any instructions to use it, worked out you just walk up and the door opens. Took a few seconds to get my eyes in the right place, but it allowed me through with no problems.

Unlike Privium, it seems completely unmanned. If Privium fails, you step out sideways and appear at the front of the queue, pushing past all the common people. Not sure what happens if Iris fails.

Privium can also be used after checking in, you have your own line and dedicated security staff to frisk you and scan your hand luggage, saves a lot of time when checking in, very useful if late for a flight. Apparently if the lane is unmanned, a red light goes off and security come running over to help, leaving less people working on the normal lines :D

Overall, Iris worked well, but it would be nice if they had more machines installed, and used it to get through central search for departures too.

Iris is at least free, unlike Privium, but hopefully they can improve on the technology soon and get it fully rolled out.
#145000 by slinky09
26 Oct 2006, 07:04
Originally posted by locutus
The main difference is that with Privium you keep your scan on a credit card sized smart card. Iris is stored on their computer.


I always worried a little bit about what happens if you lose your Privium card ... think Iris is better in that it requires no extras.

Took a few seconds to get my eyes in the right place, but it allowed me through with no problems.


As stoneman says, it can be a bit tricky and it's not immediately obvious which scanner to look into, and then whenever I go through it seems to be one of the lower ones so I have to crook my knees, then steady myself for long enough ...

Overall, Iris worked well, but it would be nice if they had more machines installed, and used it to get through central search for departures too.


Wouldn't it ... but BAA are so crap at managing security it'll take an age for them to work out how, oh and don't forget unlike The Netherlands we don't have an immigration check on departure, just security, so perhaps Iris should have an automatic bag scanner too!

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 160 guests

Itinerary Calendar