Virgin Fies to Fort Lauderdale_ Oh yes it does!

Originally posted by Roxy-Popsy
As an aside, we used the check-in on line system - fantastic!
If you use this system for the return flight, the form on screen says words to the effect 'permamnent resident number, you can enter your passport no & expiry date.
Also, I asked the baggage drop assistant at HR about the iris identification system now advertised on the website. She knew nothing about it. However, as you clear security, the room is over to the right. It only takes 5mins to do. On your return flight as you reach arrivals, the screen & cameras are over to the sharp left apparently. I missed them & asked when I went thru the conventional system. I was told that it probably wouldn't have worked anyway. I'll let you try it & see what happens.
Great to hear what you are all thinking. I hope my computer doesn't go down again. I have a whizz due to give it the once over next Wednesday.

Hi Roxy-Popsy,

BTW, ignore my last post in another message - I am new here, and found what I was asking for (about the landing at FLL).

I can now help you (but someone has probably beaten me to it anyway)! The IRIS system at LHR works, and is great. When I got back to LHR last Saturday (8/7/06), immigration was very crowded, seemingly at all desks (UK and international). As I had registered for IRIS the previous week on the way out, I gave it a go, and it probably took less than 15 seconds to get through. Because I know how it works now, it will probably be quicker next time

The locations you mentioned are spot on. To register, go through departure security (at least in T3) and it is on your left, just before the shops. It is well signposted. Coming back, there are currently two IRIS booths, immediately on the left as you come into the immigration hall. Again, this is for T3.

Andrew

Thanks for that info Andrew. I'm pleased that the system works. The immigration staff in T3 didn't have much faith. I'll use it next time I fly out of T£. My next flight is due out of Gatwick.T.T.F.N.

Hi all,
I thought I would shed some light on this incident.

According to an A.net post at the time, almost all other commercial aircraft use one type of pin in the tow bar (1.8", IIRC) but the 346 uses 2". Since there is no regular 346 service (from any airline) to FLL, there is no 346 pin/tow bar.

Regarding deplaning, FLL most sees narrow-body service--not 346 service, so there was no jetway that could accommodate the plane. The only set of airstairs that would fit the 346 were being used by another airline, so there was no realistic way to get the PAX off (don't suggest using the slides ).

The US is very, very particular about international flights. If the folks at FLL said the pax could not be off loaded (because there was no way to get them off), then the plane would need to be considered "sealed" (with the exception of opening the door for fueling) and hence the galleys could not be emptied or loaded. In the UA incident someone described, there was no problem there because the plane was either still in the US or at a foreign country still at the gate.

On a similar note, alcohol and duty free carts must be sealed before the plane reaches the US. To enforce this rule, FAs (I'm not sure for certain if VS does this, but I can't imagine they don't) have to put plastic ties on the carts to show tampering. Breaking the seals would have caused a lot of problems.

Also at the time of this incident, as I remember reading, there were some other planes diverting to FLL. Someone described how had the ground control not put the VS 346 in a tight alley, after fueling she would have been able to leave on her own. This was just a problem with the ground crew not knowing the 346's capability.

The sheriff cars as mentioned were probably there to handle a situation if someone got off. Most international flights arriving to the US have a customs/border control vehicle meeting the plane, so the sheriffs car might have been doing double duty.

As for re-starting the IFE, my best guess is that if the plane was re-fuelling, VS would not have wanted the IFE going. As for the cell phone issue, some airlines allow phones to be used once the plane lands while others allow them only once the plane is parked at the gate. I'm not sure what Virgin's protocol on cell phones is, but the FAs might at first just have been trying to enforce the rule.

I hope this might clarify a few things.

-Will

Thanks for all that info, really interesting & informative I'll let you know what VA says in due course.