Express Pass For Security at LGW and IRIS

[angel659]

Hiya

Last time I went through Security it took a long time. This time I am travelling with three children. When I travelled in August I noticed there was an "Express Lane" certain people had passes where they could get them through quicker. Is this only available to Upper Class passengers or can you buy them? I have looked everywhere on LGW's website, but cant find any information. It would save us sooo much grief if there is a pass you can get. Not that I am mocking the tightened security, but if there is a way I would like to know

I saw they did a IRIS? Is it really worth me registering at departures in Gatwick for our return trip? Last time 4 planes arrived at the same time. There was a massive wait, along with a very rude employee shouting and literally being verbally abusive to passengers whilst waiting in line. There was no need for her attitude at all.

Couldnt I just tell that I had landed at UK? Where was my jolly CM's?

 

[AliceGardner]

"Fast Track" immigration (at both Heathrow and Gatwick) is only available to those passengers arriving in Business/First Class who do not hold UK passports. Even if you fly Business Class and have a UK passport you cannot use it. Those passes are handed out in the Business Class cabins just before arrive in the UK. You cannot buy them. Even if you could, assuming you have British passports, you couldn't use them.

Do you always travel with your children? If you do, how old are they? Children need to be at least 8 years old to register for IRIS - http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/iris/faqs

Alice

Hiya

Last time I went through Security it took a long time. This time I am travelling with three children. When I travelled in August I noticed there was an "Express Lane" certain people had passes where they could get them through quicker. Is this only available to Upper Class passengers or can you buy them? I have looked everywhere on LGW's website, but cant find any information. It would save us sooo much grief if there is a pass you can get. Not that I am mocking the tightened security, but if there is a way I would like to know

I saw they did a IRIS? Is it really worth me registering at departures in Gatwick for our return trip? Last time 4 planes arrived at the same time. There was a massive wait, along with a very rude employee shouting and literally being verbally abusive to passengers whilst waiting in line. There was no need for her attitude at all.

Couldnt I just tell that I had landed at UK? Where was my jolly CM's?

 

[Claire L]

IRIS is excellent, even though I have heard it is tempremental, in October when the immigration queues were huge we walked staright up to it and were through in a couple of minutes, no-one else was using it

Claire

 

[angel659]

"Fast Track" immigration (at both Heathrow and Gatwick) is only available to those passengers arriving in Business/First Class who do not hold UK passports. Even if you fly Business Class and have a UK passport you cannot use it. Those passes are handed out in the Business Class cabins just before arrive in the UK. You cannot buy them. Even if you could, assuming you have British passports, you couldn't use them.

Do you always travel with your children? If you do, how old are they? Children need to be at least 8 years old to register for IRIS - http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/iris/faqs

Alice

Hi Alice

Yes we always travel with children, but the holiday in August was an exception to the WDW girly tour.

I didnt read that about them being 8 years old. It makes sense really. Oh well. Worth a try.

Thanks Alice

 

[AliceGardner]

If you travel without your kids again, then it would be worth doing... also worth doing it after the youngest turns 8

Alice

Hi Alice

Yes we always travel with children, but the holiday in August was an exception to the WDW girly tour.

I didnt read that about them being 8 years old. It makes sense really. Oh well. Worth a try.

Thanks Alice

 

[CustardTart]

IRIS is excellent, even though I have heard it is tempremental, in October when the immigration queues were huge we walked staright up to it and were through in a couple of minutes, no-one else was using it

Claire

Sounds good! Will enrol with DS in December. If we enrol at LGW will it work at LHR too or would we need to re-enrol there?

 

[Claire L]

Sounds good! Will enrol with DS in December. If we enrol at LGW will it work at LHR too or would we need to re-enrol there?

Once enrolled we were told it works at all UK airports.

Claire

 

[Frances999]

"Fast Track" immigration (at both Heathrow and Gatwick) is only available to those passengers arriving in Business/First Class who do not hold UK passports. Even if you fly Business Class and have a UK passport you cannot use it. Those passes are handed out in the Business Class cabins just before arrive in the UK. You cannot buy them. Even if you could, assuming you have British passports, you couldn't use them.

Do you always travel with your children? If you do, how old are they? Children need to be at least 8 years old to register for IRIS - http://www.ind.homeoffice.gov.uk/applying/iris/faqs

Alice

Does LGW not offer FastTrack security anymore?! The OP said they wanted a fast-track through security - we've used the fast-track at Gatwick numerous times and it's usually much faster than the regular line.

As for purchasing tickets, FastTrack can only be used by passengers travelling first/business, although you could purchase a first class Gatwick Express train ticket as I believe one of the "perks" is fast-track access (somebody in the line was telling us about this when we last used it). However, although fasttrack saves time, it probably isn't worth the cost of the train ticket to gain access.

 

[AliceGardner]

Frances

You are talking about fast track security for departing flights I believe. The OP is talking about trying to fast track through immigration when returning to the UK.

Fast track through security (departing the UK) IS still available.

Alice

Does LGW not offer FastTrack security anymore?! The OP said they wanted a fast-track through security - we've used the fast-track at Gatwick numerous times and it's usually much faster than the regular line.

As for purchasing tickets, FastTrack can only be used by passengers travelling first/business, although you could purchase a first class Gatwick Express train ticket as I believe one of the "perks" is fast-track access (somebody in the line was telling us about this when we last used it). However, although fasttrack saves time, it probably isn't worth the cost of the train ticket to gain access.

 

[angel659]

So fast track through security is for upper class and business class passengers. ??

 

[AliceGardner]

So fast track through security is for upper class and business class passengers. ??

Yes, that is on the way out of the UK. You know - you check-in, then go through security (where they x-ray your carry-on bag), then through to the shops and things in the departure lounge.

If you travel Business/Upper or First Class, you are give a little "fast track" sticker on your boarding pass and you can use a quicker queue (which is labelled "fast track"). Frances also mentions that you should be able to use it if you have a First Class ticket from the Gatwick Express (https://www.gatwickexpress.com/content.asp?SID={0340E62E-093B-405C-98C9-5AF99063CBB6}&pageid=33).

Alice

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Plus nif you are Virgin Gold Card holders or BA premium card holders.

If its busy, try going upsatirs to The Village, there is a security station up there which takes you through to Departures, but its not open all the time, but when it is, it can be quicker than fast track, which on many occaisions should be called slightly faster but not much track