UKBA started to passport check at LHR boarding gate?

[asianchubby]

I heard this happened to my friend traveling back to China from LHR last week. He was asked to show tthe passport to UKBA staff at the boarding gate and the staff made note about it.

What does this action about?

Only for the people over-stay from the visa validity?

[ouflak1]

I heard this happened to my friend traveling back to China from LHR last week. He was asked to show tthe passport to UKBA staff at the boarding gate and the staff made note about it.

What does this action about?

Only for the people over-stay from the visa validity?

I've had this happen several times on my trips back to America over the years. I think it is really just a last minute can-they-go-there check before letting you on board, or perhaps a further ID check. I don't think it has anything to do with UK immigration.

[asianchubby]

My friend's flight was to Hong Kong and there had never had passport check by UKBA for this flight before.

I saw UKBAS built some border-check desks before the boarding gates in some airport but did not see them used for a while. Are they operated recently?

Some countries have the passport control when leavin, but USA and UK don't have this. Or UK is beginning to change this rule?

[geriatrix]

To reintroduce exit checks is an ongoing deliverable as per UKBA business plan.

Exit border checks will be (re)introduced at all UK ports by 2015.

[wf]

They have been doing them intermittently at Heathrow (in particular T2 IIRC) for years.

They are UKBA personnel and they check that you have valid leave.

[Casa]

And at Gatwick