Security Checks at Gate - MNL

[Mrmaxwell]

Having flown out of MNL many times now on QF20 I have gotten used to the additional security checks undertaken at the gate prior to boarding of my cabin luggage. I recall these checks are a requirement by the AU Govt but can anyone advise me on the specifics on why these are required and what is the purpose?

Some security officers just have a quick look and wave you on however some seem too curious with my last experience involving the security personnel opening my wallet, my toiletries bag and even asking what was in my pockets! These 'officers' seem to just be general airport staff and certainly not official from an Australian standpoint. Several times I have seen arguments and screaming matches when one of these officers have upset a passenger by going through every little item (one lady had the entire contents of her cabin bag laid out on the table!).

I have experienced these checks at both BKK and KUL and they were never as annoying or inconsistent as MNL - perhaps just another quirk of the great and wonderful MNL T1?

 

[JohnPhelan]

The Australian Government apparently considers that the standard security procedures in a handful of foreign airports are not up to the required standard (such as in Australian international terminals, Europe, USA). So they require additional security in those ports prior to embarkation of pax to Australia. But how inquisitive they are probably depends on the staff involved.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

The Australian Government apparently considers that the standard security procedures in a handful of foreign airports are not up to the required standard (such as in Australian international terminals, Europe, USA). So they require additional security in those ports prior to embarkation of pax to Australia. But how inquisitive they are probably depends on the staff involved.

I think it is a little more specific, consistent (in theory if not in execution) and widespread than that. My understanding is as follows:

Australia requires passengers to be subjected to separate scrutiny of LAGS (liquids, aerosols and gels) prior to boarding.
This is why we can only carry liquids in containers with a capacity of no more than 100 ml each, all in a single plastic zip lock bag with a volume of no more than one litre.
Some airports implement this requirement routinely as part of their general security checks. Airports in the USA, the UK and much of Europe do this. As do international terminals in Australia.
Other countries don't, and choose to comply with the requirements of destination countries such as the US, UK & AU through additional checks at the departure gates for flights bound for those countries.

Now the part I don't understand is why we don't enforce LAGS checks for domestic flights.

 

[ajw373]

I think it is a little more specific, consistent (in theory if not in execution) and widespread than that. My understanding is as follows:

Australia requires passengers to be subjected to separate scrutiny of LAGS (liquids, aerosols and gels) prior to boarding.
This is why we can only carry liquids in containers with a capacity of no more than 100 ml each, all in a single plastic zip lock bag with a volume of no more than one litre.
Some airports implement this requirement routinely as part of their general security checks. Airports in the USA, the UK and much of Europe do this. As do international terminals in Australia.
Other countries don't, and choose to comply with the requirements of destination countries such as the US, UK & AU through additional checks at the departure gates for flights bound for those countries.

Now the part I don't understand is why we don't enforce LAGS checks for domestic flights.

Simple. There are no duty free shops to profit from extra LAGS screen domestically.

Whereas internationally the requirement is for duty free liquid purchases to be brought to the gate by the shop, which makes it hard in some cases to the extent that many passengers don't bother and buy on arrival in Australia where there are massive duty free shops in arrivals.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Simple. There are no duty free shops to profit from extra LAGS screen domestically.

Whereas internationally the requirement is for duty free liquid purchases to be brought to the gate by the shop, which makes it hard in some cases to the extent that many passengers don't bother and buy on arrival in Australia where there are massive duty free shops in arrivals.

So the Aust Govt has such powerful lobbying from the Duty Free Assoc (doubt there is such a group) they keep these laws and checks in place?

Having confirmed the checks are for LAGS then there is absolute no reason for these local 'security' officers to be going through personal items such as wallets and purses where 100ml plus liquids couldn't possibly be located.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

So the Aust Govt has such powerful lobbying from the Duty Free Assoc (doubt there is such a group) they keep these laws and checks in place?

Having confirmed the checks are for LAGS then there is absolute no reason for these local 'security' officers to be going through personal items such as wallets and purses where 100ml plus liquids couldn't possibly be located.

First my understanding is that they still have to visually inspect liquids in amounts less than 100 ml that's why the more usual LAGS check requires them to be in a transparent zip lock bag and removed for separate screening.
Second I doubt the training of the staff actually doing these checks is very good and they probably don't have a very clear idea of what they're looking for.

 

[ajd]

I think it is a little more specific, consistent (in theory if not in execution) and widespread than that. My understanding is as follows:

Australia requires passengers to be subjected to separate scrutiny of LAGS (liquids, aerosols and gels) prior to boarding.
This is why we can only carry liquids in containers with a capacity of no more than 100 ml each, all in a single plastic zip lock bag with a volume of no more than one litre.
Some airports implement this requirement routinely as part of their general security checks. Airports in the USA, the UK and much of Europe do this. As do international terminals in Australia.
Other countries don't, and choose to comply with the requirements of destination countries such as the US, UK & AU through additional checks at the departure gates for flights bound for those countries.

Now the part I don't understand is why we don't enforce LAGS checks for domestic flights.

There was significantly more pressure on the government to implement LAGs restrictions on international flights because it meets international guidelines and countries such as the US would impose restrictions on flights originating from Australia if the LAGs rules weren't in place. Implementing it domestically would also be very expensive due to the number of airports and passengers involved, I imagine.