Differing standards in airport security during check in.

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R36snowbound

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As an asthma suffer, I carry an inhaler in my carry on.

About 4-6 weeks ago security screening staff instructed me that the asthma inhaler has to be removed from the carry on bag and scanned in a blue container, along with your wallet, phone etc.

SYD based staff seemed very vigilant in policing this (I check in and go through security in the SYD VA lounge). Yesterday morning, I forgot to remove it and it was detected in the scanner, I was asked to remove it and the bag sent back through the machine.

At MEL, its a completely different story, no one asks and demands that the inhaler be removed from the bag for scanning.

I was told by SYD staff that the reason for the change in security was the discovery of an asthma inhaler holding mace and other dangerous chemicals / sprays, hence security was being upgraded (was not told if this was discovered in AUST or overseas).

Seems a bit worring that our security screening points are not all on the same page and enforcing the same procedures.

Any other VA FF's experienced this?
 
Yeah I have also. Its also different every time. Sometimes I take it out they say I don't need to worry then I don't and then its picked up on the scanner. Now I just take it out to be safe but its annoying there is no clear defined rule. This is also at Syd VA lounge entry.

However when travelling other places I have had an issue sometimes.

Same with international. The first time I didn't declare it on the card then was picked up on it and told I have to. Then the next time I was told I don't have to declare it. Its very confusing.
 
There has been a number of threads on AFF with regards to differing security standards at various airports around Australia.

A asthma inhaler is a aerosol, so technically it should be scanned and inspected separately ( like a deodorant can ) . As for security staff saying it was related to mace, I find that statement confusing as how would they know the content without spraying it ?

I have been asked to remove a umbrella ( small fold up version) from my bag in BNE ... however I went thru Sydney earlier in the day without removing from bag.

My shoes seem to set off the scanner in BNE ... however the same does not happen in any other airport MEL SYD CBR PER ....
 
They are different companies doing all this, so whats important to one side, the other side, might not feel so.
Ie, for me, its the **** residue test.
At a certain Australian airport, I always get the "WAND", at other airports, I never get it. (This is all Australian domestic flights),
I can tell you that the "guards" at SYD dom (QF & VA) are very strict, and will always pick on me for the **** residue test.
Have had it at ADL, but less, never had it in MEL. Of course, I don't carry anything else that will pick me off to them.
BUT I guess, if we had something like the US TSA, then it would all be of equality all over Australia.
Best of luck for your future trips though.
 
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Brisbane seems to always want to inspect my scuba regular and tell me it's a potential weapon (by swinging it around), Sydney doesn't care. Considering Brisbane is the gateway to the GBR, I would hope they were better educated on scuba gear but nope.
 
I agree that inhalers should be treated uniformly as they're an aerosol, but I've definitely noticed a different ... vigilance... in security points at different airports. Brisbane definitely seems to try and stop people for more.
 
If/when a particular 'security screening incident' occurs at a particular port..you will find, that particular port/screening point will focus on pax with similar 'articles' that may resemble an offending article on the screener monitors, for a period of time afterwards (and there was an incident involving a pax carrying mace, which is not allowed to be carried on board an a/c)...My advice...just go with flow..do what is required..it's really no big deal/major inconvenience to take certain items out, if requested by security officers.

BUT, there is a completely separate 'issue' that simply comes under the banner of 'abuse of power/position of power' by particular screening staff, and at particular ports...I won't 'name n shame'...but during my time as a F/A that required domestic/international flights from major ports, there were certain ports/staff that 'just had a chip on their shoulder':shock:
 
Oh and don't forget about portable DVD players and or laptop computers and the whole in the bag or out of the bag on the tray inconsistency. Weapons of mass destruction or the most common form of electonics taken on board aircraft? Depends on which airport you are at!
 
"the wand" amuses me!!

How many times is the wand waved diligently: outside of bag; undo zips, inside bag; stand like a starfish, then cuffs and pockets ... all done with the coordination of an orchestral conductor.

When it comes to placing the pad in the machine the (usually) young kid just pulls the pad off the wand with their fingers and place it in the slot.

First couple of times, I couldn't believe it; now I put out to them how I appreciate them trying to do their job but can they not cross-contaminate the pad. "But I know I'm not carrying explosives" is the usual reply. "Yes", say I, "but I don't!!"

Regards,

BD
 
I saw an elderly couple - 1 male 1 female on a flight leaving Hamilton Island. They chose the man to do secondary bomb testing on - take off his shoes etc etc.

The people could barely walk so it was really hard work for them - they weren't travelling with anyone.

I think that the security personel could have been a little more discerning in who to pick etc.
 
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They pick people who don't or can't or won't complain.
I think it's about $3.57 per pax the company earns from the airline via flight taxes component of fare.
They will always note down their tally and then disappear into that back room with piece of paper once per hour.
 
VA lounge screening always has plenty of time due to fewer passengers so bound to be thorough.
 
I could/must be wrong, but when I sit at a certain place in the VAd SYD lounge, I can very clearly hear the words, "any liquids aerosols - laptops out of bags", its near where the 3 computers are...
The general all and sundry security screening point is quite a few mins walk away from the VAd SYD lounge.
I took a look on Sydney Airport website map, and it only shows one set of security screening in the VAd/JQd area, there MUST be a special screening (the lounge member only?) area, thats not on the map, that you (Aupirate) allude to.
VA Lounge screening ... so there is a special at VAd SYD airport, a security screening point for VA Lounge guests only? To the right hand side of general security screening point?
Must do a recon mission next time I pass through VAd SYD's terminal.
 
VA Lounge screening ... so there is a special at VAd SYD airport, a security screening point for VA Lounge guests only? To the right hand side of general security screening point?

Sydney Lounge Premium Entry - available to J and PE guests and Gold and Platinum members. Enter curb side next to the VA Premium Valet.
 
Had a classic last Thursday at SYD, 9pm and the place is deserted (only two departures to go).

Approaching security and the last of the shutters on the LHS were coming down, leaving just the one screening point on the extreme RHS. I approach and drop my phone and coin into the tray which disappears into the machine ... and stops.

Meanwhile, the 5 staff standing around have decided to "rotate". Half of them are arguing that they can't sit in the screening chair because they are about to go off shift. The rest have got no idea. One finally sits in the chair and starts chatting to the remaining ones (those that haven't started walking off). The guys who stands to redirect you back through the metal detector leans over and 3 times has to tell the person manning the screen that I'm waiting for my stuff. Everyone continues to chat. I'm still standing waiting.

It's now at least 2 mins since I first walked through the gate and I'm getting quite annoyed (easy to do, yes!!)

In a very loud voice - I state "Bizzare" and ask what they consider customer service to be. After lots of tutting - and not one apology - the belt splutters back into life and I finally get the phone and coin returned.

Unsurprisingly, I wasn't selected for an explosives test - I would have gone off!!


Regards,

BD
 
I am not defending the security staff, because I have encountered some who are gruff or worse, but despite being 'rotated' on and off the task of looking on the screen at the items coming through, wouldn't it be a deadly dull and boring job even for those without a tertiary education?
 
I am not defending the security staff, because I have encountered some who are gruff or worse, but despite being 'rotated' on and off the task of looking on the screen at the items coming through, wouldn't it be a deadly dull and boring job even for those without a tertiary education?

Surely not, you're defending the righteous and upholding the rights of 1 in 10 to be searched.

Plus, you get the occasional outing at MEL with a jacket saying "Landside Security" and a large lollypop sign to inflict upon innocent motorists.

What's that? ... you mean they're not really security...??

Regards,

BD
 
Classic bit of theatre in Brisbane over an aerosol can in my bag. "Don't touch the bag, just indicate where the aerosol might be". Don't touch the bag, WTF! Why not? What am I going to do?

Quizzed secondary screening clown to ask what's the point of that BS. "It's SOP". These people are complete idiots!

Oh well I hope they enjoy putting their hand into my smalls.
 
I call the MEL security guards at the pick up and drop off points red shirts, they think they are a law unto themselves.

Had the same experience tonight, straight through security, no requests.

At least no ones asks for my epi-pens......
 
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