New Security Checks ex-MNL

[Mrmaxwell]

I just flew on QF20 MNL-SYD and was surprised to be asked to open my checked suitcases and have them checked and scanned by airport staff right in the check in line.

Does this happen anywhere else? I certainly have travelled from a fair few countries and don't remember being checked like this....some poor folks had already shrink wrapped their suitcases - what a waste. Check in team said it was new measures requested by QF?

This now takes the number of security checks to three when departing MNL; terminal entrance, check in and then cabin baggage at gate. I am all for safe flying but this seems a little over the top considering other international airlines to the left and right of me had no such check.

I've attached a pic of the QF sign that greeted me at check in.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I departed from BNE domestic a few days ago, and it had a notice on the door that checked in bags could be xrayed.
This is probably an Australian federal government law, but that QF has take to mean having security check the contents of bags for suspicious items.
If Australian domestic flights have xrays for checked and carry on bags, most likely its the same for international flights.
I am not surprised though, several times flying out of SYD. I notice that at the departure gate, they pull across privacy screens and do extra checks for flights going to the US.
Those US bound flights checks seem more onerous than just a cursory look at passport page for flights to NZ when BP are scanned.

 

[whughes3]

No such checks when flying SQ ex-MNL recently; it is hard to see why QF should be any different?

 

[moa999]

Suggest someone failed a security audit.

 

[Katy]

They do this ex-CGK as well.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Because "probably" not that I work in AvSec, so its pure speculation, but maybe its because there are no direct SQ flight from MNL - Australia, but they do have direct flights MNL - SYD.
They could also do xray of every bag, both hand luggage and checked plane hold luggage, but that would be more expensive, but it was decided that it would be cheaper to pay security staff to have a look at bags at checkin.
Thinking about it, (differing from the ideal, and contracdictory to but still AvSec related), departing Au, there is a high probability that a lot of males and some females and less kids will have to do the whole body hands up in the air whirling glass xray, but coming back from NZ to Au, none of such procedure.
OR (bit OT - but still related to QF) the fact that now departing ADL, they pick a load of 10 people to do bomb residue wand wipe scan, what the??? Yes, and how do they then differentiate who is the suspect?
Its like one rule for one airport, another rule for another airport.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

OR (bit OT - but still related to QF) the fact that now departing ADL, they pick a load of 10 people to do bomb residue wand wipe scan, what the??? Yes, and how do they then differentiate who is the suspect?

Presumably they reset the testing equipment and then test each of the 10 pax individually. Not complicated

 

[mannej]

Presumably they reset the testing equipment and then test each of the 10 pax individually. Not complicated

It all comes down to statistics doesn’t it.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I'm semi-regular in and out of CGK and the tertiary bag checking there on departure is somewhat tedious, with the last two usually being within 50 metres of each other. A bit sad MNL has gone the same way.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

If you are travelling light then not so much of an issue but unfortunately this was a shopping trip and we had 5 suitcases crammed within millimetres of full so having to open these right at check in without any prior notice really annoyed me.

In addition to this having the security staff insist on pulling things out to examine and rub for residue with no real process flow was not a good experience, and top it off they forgot to attach their security stickers to 2 of the 5 suitcases - I had to remind them of their mistake. Not exactly a smooth operation.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Sorry for this long winded blah OT ness, but just to show the officialdom going on, and OP is not the only one being the patsy!
But, oh, no, they don't reset the wand fabric, my colleagues.
This lady was like a Senior Sargent, barking out orders, like a cop wannabee.
It was like a block of car where they pick 10 cars to have drivers pull over, ...
She did not go back to the machine, she tested the whole group, I was travelling alone, and a few in front were as well, behind me was a chatty fellow trying to chat up the older (don't know her rank), but trying to chat up I assume a mid range private ISS officer.
I kept quiet, but he was chatting his mouth off.
Didin't take long, but its a pause for thought.
It was already mentioned on this forum it was happening, so I wans't shocked, but in BNE domestic, it was still 1, 1, 1 for the bomb resudue wand.

 

[Franky]

Yes, and how do they then differentiate who is the suspect?
Its like one rule for one airport, another rule for another airport.

Having two knee replacements, I've found there are no two airports in the world with the same procedures..

PITA to say the least. I have mentioned this one before, but passing thru AUH two years ago and pinging the alarm as I entered the terminal from my incoming flight, I was confronted by a Commando. I pointed to my knees, and said 'knee replacements'; He responded with 'show me your scars' which I did and must admit it was a whole lot quicker than having the frisk with the electronic wand and the body pat down.

 

[nitsuj]

I flew QF20 back in September 2017, they were checking baggage then. I asked about it, they said it was mandated by the Australian government.

 

[Deleted member]

They do this ex-CGK as well.

Good to know. Random? Or everyone?

 

[Jmrocky]

They do this ex DPS as well, on QF. Baggage wrappers will ask you which airline, if the response is QF they won't wrap it because of the requirement. Every passenger was checked (March 17).

 

[whughes3]

All in all, yet another reason to not fly QF to this destination (as if any more were needed?)

 

[Must...Fly!]

Yes...why be safer...

They'd be doing this for a reason. They may have advice from security that extra checks may avoid anything untoward as anyone seeking to smuggle anything in checked baggage travels with another airline. Or as above, perhaps they are not satisfied with the security/x-ray procedures at MNL. Either way I find it surprising this is a reason not to fly with QF.

 

[straitman]

All in all, yet another reason to not fly QF to this destination (as if any more were needed?)

Yes...why be safer...

They'd be doing this for a reason. They may have advice from security that extra checks may avoid anything untoward as anyone seeking to smuggle anything in checked baggage travels with another airline. Or as above, perhaps they are not satisfied with the security/x-ray procedures at MNL. Either way I find it surprising this is a reason not to fly with QF.

It is the only comeback that people have so some will use it.

Also is it so unreasonable that people have at least a little privacy with their personal belongings?

 

[whughes3]

Yes...why be safer...

They'd be doing this for a reason. They may have advice from security that extra checks may avoid anything untoward as anyone seeking to smuggle anything in checked baggage travels with another airline. Or as above, perhaps they are not satisfied with the security/x-ray procedures at MNL. Either way I find it surprising this is a reason not to fly with QF.

If it is genuinely a safety issue, why does it not apply to all airlines/destinations? Which as I noted above, it does not.

I am afraid that this seems to me a classic case of "security theatre".

 

[Must...Fly!]

If it is genuinely a safety issue, why does it not apply to all airlines/destinations? Which as I noted above, it does not.

I am afraid that this seems to me a classic case of "security theatre".

Given QF would be paying for this, I doubt they'd be much interested in the theatre show without good reason. Perhaps someone from QF security has done a test run with something that should be picked up (but not necessarily illegal) and it was not. For example, a large battery. Or perhaps government have advised a specific threat from MNL and QF are responding (if you are told, do nothing, and something happens...oh boy).

I understand the personal privacy aspect and not wanting to unzip the bag in front of all and sundry. But personally I wouldn't mind too much as my bag is only ever full of clothing and chargers etc. If people want to dig through my underwear, they can enjoy finding out which is dirty and which is clean for all I care. But that's just me. Having worked in an airport I saw more than enough pieces of underwear while people repacked their bags at the front of the queue/check-in desk. And I wasn't conducting any security checks!