I’ve been signed up tot the UK’s Iris programme for several years now. Though I initially signed up to it because of the long queues I encountered coming in on US to UK flights in the non-EU passport line, it’s also been the speedier option on inter-European journeys, too. In March, on our way back from Sweden, I made it through in a fraction of the time my husband did when standing in his normal queue. In fact, I was probably the second or third person from our flight through. The only two drawbacks are, firstly, the disappointment when the Iris machine isn’t working and, secondly, the fact that I am just a tiny bit too short to be detected by the taller scanner (they sit at three different heights) so I have to stoop over like a weirdo to use the middle one.

I’m not 100% comfortable with packing off lots of personal data to the government, but since I’ve already gone through all the UK’s visa and then citizenship regulations, I don’t think there’s a lot left they don’t know about me anyway. Besides, I’m in countless CCTV footage and with the Iris programme, it’s a one-off and I actually benefit.

So I’m glad that the US is looking into other ways to do their own security better at the departure end of the process. I’m tired of having to take off my shoes! Now if they could just make immigration checks quicker (for free), I’d be set…