removing hijab going through customs

[pdust]

I've been told when I go through customs I will have to remove my hijab is this right? I dont have it on in my passport photo so i look totally different. I also was told that i could have a passport photo wearing it, is this right?

Im not bothered either way but if i know i have to remove it i can chuck a pull on one on to save messing about tying it all up again.

[coccinelle]

I've seen women going through customs wearing a hijab and haven't been asked to take them off. maybe depends which country you're visiting.

[jake-the-peg]

Good argument in support of retinal scanning on biometric passports

[EcclesCake]

Except Iris is being phased out.

[naomi24]

I agree with Jake.

If you're not bothered, why not just wear a pull-on one anyway? Problem solved.

[pdust]

thanks coccinelle.... im just doing a test flight to ireland lol Only time ive been in an airport was a couple months ago when we dropped mates off to go on holiday and i ran in to go to the loo so i had no idea ...

[pdust]

oh sorry only coccinelle was there when i answered.

I thought retinal scanning was something new, how come they are phasing it out? I do agree with you though Jake.

the one piece ones make you really hot naomi and they tend to slide around your face whereas if you just use a scarf and tie it they stay put better and are cooler :)

[Old_Geezer]

It seems insane to me that passports have photos to aid identification and yet an acceptable one is apparently one which can not identify the genuine passport owner. Something wrong there. Muddled thinking methinks.

[EcclesCake]

http://www.ft.com/cms...c0.html#axzz1pArKflcy

The unofficial reason is that it doesn't work!

[pdust]

it can identify them if they remove anything covering their face (or in my case my hair) OG

lol eccles, i just answered you on the sarnie thread ...

[Old_Geezer]

As I understand it, it is being phased out as it isn't good enough to avoid many occassions when a proper check by an actual person is needed afterwards. These things need to be very good at what they do to be trusted with the role.

[Old_Geezer]

Ah ok, fair enough. I've failed to recall what type of covering is what. Never was much good at remembering stuff and it gets worse as I age. In which case I don't see an issue. Surely the whole point is to be in the photo a) identifiable and b) the same as you would be when presenting it.

[pdust]

not sure i understand that OG, surely if you had your iris scanned you wouldnt need another check to prove who you were....or do you mean something different?

[Old_Geezer]

I mean there has to be a very high rate of getting a correct result. If the machine flags a match when the person is not the one in the passport, or says it isn't a match when it is the person in the passport, then there is a problem.

I'd have to go search the Net for details (not checked Eccles' link) but I suspect there must have been too many 'doesn't match' claims that the staff then had to double check personally.

[pdust]

ah thanks... i thought it would have been 100% accurate. I cant check eccles link eithere as you have to register to see it.... thanks btw eccles

[Old_Geezer]

Well I'm relying on my memory but I believe that is what I read. I'll do a quick Google and see if I can find anything.

[bednobs]

hi pixie - what is a hijab - is it the one that covers all the face except the eyes?

[ummmm]

Just the hair bednobs...

[Old_Geezer]

No sorry, not coming up with anything :-(

[EvianBaby]

Last time I renewed my passport I remember it saying the picture must show your ears but mine doesn't and it was fine.

What about people who die their hair?

[EcclesCake]

Very odd, considering I don't subscribe to the FT!!!

In short it's being phased out due to not having enough staff and because they are looking at the whole biometric security challenge.

The Iris system has been found not to be as good as hoped but they are playing it down for political reasons, i.e. insecure borders and waste of tax payers money.