Melbourne International new security schemozzle

[serfty]

This happened to me just after 2pm yesterday - in the end, the staff member overseeing the what was put into the trays, started carting empty ones across from the adjacent station (not being used).

Going through Monday about 4pm it was busy but not packed.

They had taken to stopping the conveyor landside and not letting trays go through until the other side was clear.

So I had to wait 4 minutes before my stuff was scanned; meanwhile I had plenty of trays to choose from so it fixed that aspect.

 

[Beano]

When I went through there were 5 bags waiting to be checked and all opened and searched through clothing. Luckily no explosive check, or is that part of the "new security". I also thought that with the new systems liquids did not need to be removed?

 

[Denali]

When I went through there were 5 bags waiting to be checked and all opened and searched through clothing. Luckily no explosive check, or is that part of the "new security". I also thought that with the new systems liquids did not need to be removed?

That seems to be excessive for a new bag security screening process that just went auto.... wonder if there is some security chatter going on.

 

[Beano]

Perhaps they are looking for a hidden metal nail file. Also one guy had half a litre of water. That might have been picked up before X-ray in the old system. You'd think people would have got used to the rules by now.

 

[Mr H]

I did this - was told to put my sand-coloured Akubra hat in its own tray. The hat was dislodged by the plastic dangling strips and ended up in the mechanism - with a dirty grey/black smudge up one side. I was told it was my fault for putting it through the x-ray. I was told to speak to a manager - none was immediately available - and I had a flight to board. Oh well, I guess I have to learn to love the smudge.

 

[dajop]

staff member there checking was a great scout and totally apologetic for holding me up - amazing how attitude from other side of the fence changes your view of the process

I've always found the staff doing the secondary checks to totally reasonable and amicable. Also those doing the explosive checks before you reach the scanning points, reasonable, friendly and amicable. Those at the hand luggage/tray loading points, IME, less so.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Mr H - classic - just a classic. OT does anybody seriously think ‘Yes Minister’ will ever date?

 

[Jusrus]

I concur with statements above that this system is slower than the old manual way.

The 3-4 times I've done it while the wait to begin hasn't been awful, they've only had one open carousel for priority and one for regular guests - get an air crew through and all of a sudden priority is slower.

 

[JessicaTam]

There's the undignified corralling to swab bags and persons. So far I haven't seen the alarm go off and thank goodness - if it does I guess we're all suspects and they need to swab us individually again.

I have had this a couple of times. I have made it clear that I am to be swabbed first or separately after everyone else. I don't want a swab wiped through someone's dirty underwear anywhere near me or my things. This has caused some posturing from the staff but I have held firm when the manager eventually gets called over. I make it clear I am not refusing the check and eventually get my way.

And the new automatic tray system at MEL int is just stupid.

 

[kermatu]

I have had this a couple of times. I have made it clear that I am to be swabbed first or separately after everyone else. I don't want a swab wiped through someone's dirty underwear anywhere near me or my things. This has caused some posturing from the staff but I have held firm when the manager eventually gets called over. I make it clear I am not refusing the check and eventually get my way.

And the new automatic tray system at MEL int is just stupid.

The first time I got caught under this I was shocked so just complied like a lemming. Next time I was fortunately the 3rd person stopped so I just said "No I'm not travelling with them, but I'm happy to wait". Proceeded to put my bag down and stand in the middle of the lane, with a couple of people then also stopping behind. Asked again to step in. I didn't respond. Got waived through. Fortunately never been stopped again.

I find the tray system here and in AKL a shambles. They've finally learned in AKL that the person in position 1 (closest) often gets stuffed so in my two most recent trips through this past fortnight the staff ask pax to hold and only put their tray through in some order. But still massive delays and very slow belt clearance. And I remain unconvinced anyone is paying close enough attention to actual contents.

 

[Berlin]

I HATE these but have to disagree with the OP on one thing- the ones in LHR and Auckland are as awful as the one in MEL. I fear we will continue to see more and more of these though

 

[jpp42]

I HATE these but have to disagree with the OP on one thing- the ones in LHR and Auckland are as awful as the one in MEL. I fear we will continue to see more and more of these though

I noticed at DFW that one of the checkpoints had one of these automatic tray systems and one normal one. While I was in the line, the TSA staff were opening up the normal/traditional one as an overflow - and it was clearly moving much faster once it got going.

The various trusted traveller programs in the US are interesting. TSA Pre-check is so popular now that the pre-check lines are sometimes just as long or longer than the regular lines. They also offer some benefits like not needing to take your shoes off, but the TSA also seems to have a setup where the rules are different at different times. For example at DFW once everyone was told not to remove laptops or liquids/gels from your bags. Went back through the exact same checkpoint a week later and it was back to the normal spiel of removing everything.

 

[Berlin]

the TSA also seems to have a setup where the rules are different at different times. For example at DFW once everyone was told not to remove laptops or liquids/gels from your bags. Went back through the exact same checkpoint a week later and it was back to the normal spiel of removing everything.

This is one of the most annoying things about security checks- the inconsistencies. And as you say very rightly, even WITHIN the same country (had various of these myself in the US so I know only too well what you’re talking about).

 

[Atleastonce]

I went through Auckland on Thursday morning and it was a mess. There were so many bags being diverted behind the perspex and people walking around trying to find their bags because nothing came out in order. One guy tried to walk back through to check if his bag had actually entered the screening, that caused more havoc as you would expect.

 

[serfty]

One guy tried to walk back through to check if his bag had actually entered the screening, that caused more havoc as you would expect.

I wait for my bags to enter the screening chute before proceeding.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I wait for my bags to enter the screening chute before proceeding.

Yes so do I on most occasions - but do you defy those over zealous self important staff members who direct you to proceed through screening before your bags enter chute?

 

[serfty]

Yes so do I on most occasions - but do you defy those over zealous self important staff members who direct you to proceed through screening before your bags enter chute?

Plan B? I pretend I forgot something and fiddle with my bags .... but failing that then I have little choice.

I have been doing the wait for over two decades since some poor experiences similar to that described by @Atleastonce .

 

[Austman]

One experience for me was when I kept my wallet in my pocket. At the body scanner they were mad at me! Put it in a bag tray! So it did.

Then the body scanner needed "re-calibration". That took several minutes. My wallet was out of sight.

Finally, when through the scanner, I found a lady offering my wallet to another pax. Literally handing it to them.

Great!

 

[flyingfan]

I went through yesterday and it wasn't too painful, however it was relatively quiet. No express/regular differentiation and queues were short. It was still a bit messy as people were waiting for one of the 'slots' to put their bags and things onto the trays. With trays being loaded at different times it becomes less sequential and a bit of queue jumping happens.

I can't help but think part of the problem is there is so much space between pax and the security officers, separated by one row for the trays and another for the belt on which the trays run. It means security can't easily move/manipulate the trays and items. With the demographic of people travelling (age/language/etc) there's a real need to help some pax out.

Give me old fashioned security any day.

 

[bosox76]

Went though MEL on Tuesday with Mrs B and Baby B in tow. So we had quite a few items to place in bins, stroller, laptop, iPad, bags, nappybags etc. Between us probably 8 trays were needed. I appreciate it was quite the palava for those behind us but really didn’t appreciate everyone cutting in and just placing trays between ours so that we were further delayed getting our things through. Naturally by the time I had the last tray ready to go the first 3 trays were through and one was flagged but we were still standing on the wrong side of security. Absolutely no policing of the situation makes a painful situation so much worse.