Increased aviation security at Australian airports

[Berlin]

This drives me nuts. Are they supposed to check every single person that might look like a Muslim? What does a Muslim look like exactly?

Exactly- how can one draw from looks of a person to which religion they are following, let alone whether they're amongst the tiny minority that wants to kill innocent people in the name of their god?

 

[OATEK]

This drives me nuts. Are they supposed to check every single person that might look like a Muslim? What does a Muslim look like exactly?

Exactly- how can one draw from looks of a person to which religion they are following, let alone whether they're amongst the tiny minority that wants to kill innocent people in the name of their god?

Funny how you can read something quite different to others. I thought the point of the original post was that at a time when security had been increased in response to an alleged attempt at bombing a plane by suspects with a middle Eastern background, the explosive testers were ignoring people of a middle Eastern background. I didn't read into it that only persons of a certain background should be tested, but that people of all backgrounds should be tested and none excluded for the sake of political correctness.

 

[Melburnian1]

Regarding the process of checking passengers entering the airside areas at major airports in Oz, it is notable that with the possible exception of ADL domestically, things seem to be pretty much back to normal in queue times. The extra explosives trace testing occurring does not seem to be unduly holding passengers (or meeters and greeters) up.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

This drives me nuts.

TSA Hit a Man in the Groin During Screening Then Argued He Shouldn't Be Able to Sue - View from the Wing

 

[badseed]

Racial profiling, as well as being de facto discriminatory, also doesn't work:

Racial profiling, in other words, doesn't work because it devotes heightened resources to innocent people -- and then devotes those resources to them repeatedly even after they've been cleared as innocent the first time. The actual terrorists, meanwhile, may sneak through while Transportation Security Administration agents are focusing their limited attention on the wrong passengers.

Much more effective to spend the effort and resources earlier in the chain of events that lead to groups or individuals taking action. And leave the risk assessment to the professionals. The main problem in this case seems to be that explosives came in undetected. From a source in Vic. Police who acts as a liason to the AFP (and frequently is out at Tulla supervising the opening of mail and parcels) there are meetings happening 'around the clock' about how to quickly roll out more sophisticated screening equipment nationally.

 

[Tassieoptom]

Racial profiling, as well as being de facto discriminatory, also doesn't work:



Much more effective to spend the effort and resources earlier in the chain of events that lead to groups or individuals taking action. And leave the risk assessment to the professionals. The main problem in this case seems to be that explosives came in undetected. From a source in Vic. Police who acts as a liason to the AFP (and frequently is out at Tulla supervising the opening of mail and parcels) there are meetings happening 'around the clock' about how to quickly roll out more sophisticated screening equipment nationally.

There are certainly customs and AQIS and Police members watching you as you approach immigration and bag collection. You will not see them but they see you. They spend time assessing behaviour and looking for warning signs rather than skin colour/race appearance. It is much more selective that the BS that TSA go through. Glad to hear about more sophisticated screening equipment.

 

[TheRealTMA]

There are certainly customs and AQIS and Police members watching you as you approach immigration and bag collection. You will not see them but they see you. They spend time assessing behaviour and looking for warning signs rather than skin colour/race appearance. It is much more selective that the BS that TSA go through. Glad to hear about more sophisticated screening equipment.

Yes that's why 65+ yo white women ALWAYS get chosen for explosives scans. Always happens to us. Always.

 

[jb747]

Yes that's why 65+ yo white women ALWAYS get chosen for explosives scans. Always happens to us. Always.

No, that's because they don't think you'll argue. It has nothing to do with the effectiveness or otherwise of the system.

 

[drron]

Racial profiling, as well as being de facto discriminatory, also doesn't work:

Tell that to security at TLV-
In Israel, racial profiling doesn't warrant debate or apologies - Israel News - Haaretz.com

And so far their High court lets it stand-
High Court rules on racial profiling at Ben-Gurion Airport - Israel News - Jerusalem Post

Now some say it is not racial profiling but Al Jazeera begs to differ-
When 'human intelligence' is just racism - Al Jazeera English

 

[ozflier]

My earlier point exactly!

Yes that's why 65+ yo white women ALWAYS get chosen for explosives scans. Always happens to us. Always.

 

[Tallfont]

I flew PER>BNE>POM last Saturday night. Arrived three hours early as suggested in the media. No queues at QF check in. Straight through security although I did get picked for explosives testing. Ended up with way to much time to stay in the lounge but at least I slept well across to Brisbane!

Brisbane early on Sunday was much the same except I did get the full body scan and explosives test.

All up I did sense that there was extra security and certainly getting a full body scan and two explosives tests on this route that I do often is not a common occurrence.

Good to see this happening in my opinion. A little inconvenience is OK compared with the possible alternatives.

 

[Berlin]

Just went through Melbourne QF domestic, very long queues- luckily I was in the priority one which was still quite long. Business lounge is full to the brim but that's always the case in MEL from memory.

 

[suze2000]

No, that's because they don't think you'll argue. It has nothing to do with the effectiveness or otherwise of the system.

This is the problem, and why - unless I'm too tired or in an outstandingly good mood - I always voice my objection to it.

I realise that makes me an coughhole, but if they are going to shy away from the more difficult parts of their jobs, I don't see why I should allow "middle-aged white woman" to be an easy target.

 

[TheRealTMA]

This is the problem, and why - unless I'm too tired or in an outstandingly good mood - I always voice my objection to it.

I realise that makes me an coughhole, but if they are going to shy away from the more difficult parts of their jobs, I don't see why I should allow "middle-aged white woman" to be an easy target.

You've explained it in your answer. It's outsourcing of security to the lowest bidder so they don't get paid for their intelligence and are not necessarily good at the job. But hey, they have to work somewhere.

 

[deka2]

Just went through Melbourne QF domestic, very long queues- luckily I was in the priority one which was still quite long. Business lounge is full to the brim but that's always the case in MEL from memory.

I must have gone through close to your time
How things change quickly. Only one person in front of me, and explosive tested on the run whilst getting my bag off the belt.

 

[ashleyn]

This is the problem, and why - unless I'm too tired or in an outstandingly good mood - I always voice my objection to it.

I realise that makes me an coughhole, but if they are going to shy away from the more difficult parts of their jobs, I don't see why I should allow "middle-aged white woman" to be an easy target.

Because profiling is politically incorrect, apparently. Seems to me that is exactly what they should be doing !

 

[marki]

Post heavily edited due to thread drift

 

[marki]

*Mod hat on*

Let's not have 'thread drift" here talking about wars - back on topic please lest posts get deleted for being OT...

*Mod hat off*

Oh sorry moderator I drifted off and then read your thread ........I will back track

 

[JessicaTam]

Oh sorry moderator I drifted off and then read your thread ........I will back track

You have 24 hours to edit/delete posts if you wish.

 

[Quickstatus]

Interestingly QF and VA are both charging $50 and $30 respectively for information requests by the AFP. Apparently other corporates are doing the same. QF even has a portal for this...Great corporate citizens...

From The Australian:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/bus...e/news-story/77707e783cce442d15ee63358e1c43a5