Brisbane Domestic Airport Security Chaos

[JohnK]

Did I miss an announcement recently? Is there a strike?

Got to the airport at 5:25pm and noticed that the security queue at the Qantas terminal was snaking round and round with what appeared to be well over 100 people waiting. It took about 10 minutes to check-in and the Qantas Club queue was quicker than the business class queue.

When I turned around I noticed the queue for security was now almost down to the arrivals area. No way am I waiting here so I walk down to the Jetstar area. Around 20 people in the queue with only one x-ray machine attended. It took almost 10 minutes and I had to go through the x-ray a number of times for items I never had to worry about in the past.

What is happening?

 

[Mal]

Have seen this occur on occasions. If the queue looks long, just go for a walk to see what Jetstar's or Virgin's queues are doing.

Perhaps security was understaffed, or they're on "go slow" or something similar.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Well you made it though; so it couldn't have been such a big drama.

 

[docjames]

Did I miss an announcement recently? Is there a strike?

Got to the airport at 5:25pm and noticed that the security queue at the Qantas terminal was snaking round and round with what appeared to be well over 100 people waiting. It took about 10 minutes to check-in and the Qantas Club queue was quicker than the business class queue.

When I turned around I noticed the queue for security was now almost down to the arrivals area. No way am I waiting here so I walk down to the Jetstar area. Around 20 people in the queue with only one x-ray machine attended. It took almost 10 minutes and I had to go through the x-ray a number of times for items I never had to worry about in the past.

What is happening?

It's Friday night @ 5pm - it seems it's like this evey friday night. I now always use the "JQ" screen area - it's never busy at that time (very few JQ flights at that time) and you more than make up the walking time. Another QF issue that they seem to ignore that really p1$$es off their pax.

 

[JohnK]

It's Friday night @ 5pm - it seems it's like this evey friday night.

Possibly but I doubt it considering I have been going to BNE domestic airport at the same time almost every Friday night for the last 4 months, with no more than 6-7 people in the security queues at any given time.

Anyway I feel there was something suspicious about security today. People having to go through multiple times, x-ray machines closed. Who knows? Maybe staff off sick or go slow as someone else mentioned.

 

[docjames]

Fair enough - it was chaos on Oct 3 and 12 when i was there last, and every firday i can recall going to pick up friends arrivng (various dates) it's been the same. There was no obvious reason for any of those delays, i presumed it was just understaffing vs demand.

 

[medhead]

I have seen this type of thing once when they had to clear the secure area as someone got in without being screened.
Apparently it had also happened one other time

 

[djm1965]

Regarding the Security at Brisbane Airport - I must have struck it in a quiet day - Sunday 1 February 2009 - as it was quick and efficient (which surprised me for a 3pm Sunday flight to Sydney).
I was lucky to be given a Comp Invitation to QC Brisbane - WOW! Talk about leaving Sydney Domestic FOR DEAD!!!! It has to be 5 times the size of SYD, staff are very friendly and the food seems to be of better quality too. The SYD QC is tired and worn (just look at the carpet next time) but still.... when you're given a freebie or lucky enough to be travelling with a QC member its still a very nice way to start or end your holiday! This is my first time on the site - have just subscribed and its informative and entertaining. Keep up the communication people!

 

[Homer]

Regarding the Security at Brisbane Airport - I must have struck it in a quiet day - Sunday 1 February 2009 - as it was quick and efficient (which surprised me for a 3pm Sunday flight to Sydney).
I was lucky to be given a Comp Invitation to QC Brisbane - WOW! Talk about leaving Sydney Domestic FOR DEAD!!!! It has to be 5 times the size of SYD, staff are very friendly and the food seems to be of better quality too. The SYD QC is tired and worn (just look at the carpet next time) but still.... when you're given a freebie or lucky enough to be travelling with a QC member its still a very nice way to start or end your holiday! This is my first time on the site - have just subscribed and its informative and entertaining. Keep up the communication people!

Welcome to AFF djm1965. I think you might be referring to the T2 lounge at SYD, which is small and fairly shabby, rather than the T3 lounge(s)? The T3 QC is at least twice the size of BNE, possibly three times the size, and the J/WP lounge is also substantially bigger than the equiavalent at BNE. Both BNE and SYD lounges have been freshened in the past few years in terms of furniture and fixtures, with SYD being the more impressive.