V-Flyer

I've always used the regular lines for LHR. As a GB Passport holder, I can use the 'automated kiosks'. Anybody have any experience with them? A hassle? Do they work well?

If you're refering to the E Passport gates personally I find them a bit of a pain to use and they're much slower than IRIS, but hey ho that's the way forward apparently

So does someone run the risk of trying to use the E Passport, only to have it not work, and then need to get in line anyways? Or is it worth a shot?

I've just never used them - not sure why.

There's a border official assigned to the e-readers so if there's a problem you'll be directed to see them - you won't be sent to the back of the main queue.

They do take longer to process each passenger than a manual check does, but the queue's normally shorter so it tends to balance out in my experience.

Heathrow T2 will have about 10 of them instead of the normal 4 so it'll be interesting to see if that speeds things up.

At t5 last week e passport gates were much quicker than the manned line

I used the e passport gates at T3 last week and was through in seconds. You have to make sure you're looking directly at the camera so it gets a good central picture of you and it's done. Simples.

Since the sad demise of IRIS I've been trying to work out whether epassport gates or manual checks are quicker, and alternating use of each at different times of the day to try and determine. Unfortunately I have no answer, at busy times they can be on a par with the winner flipping either way, at quieter times there is no doubt that the manual checks are quicker.

IRIS was so good I just don't see why it was taking away!

Mrs P and I often have the race as she has a new passport and I queue with the minions. So far she is definitely winning but when she used it the first couple of times it didn't would (or was it user error ): ) so she was sent to the border official assigned there. No problems lately! y)