Airport Security, as consistent as (add words here).

[ziggypop]

ASIC is "aviation security identification card". I have to take it with me when travelling for work to check out airports for various reasons.

 

[Skyring]

A gold / platinum security check – dedicated – oh a dream that will never happen… However, it should! (just for fun though, we will make the chairman’s lounge members line up with the plebes…)

Depends whether the focus is on convenience or security. If the standards are relaxed for elite flyers, it just means that the terrorists will gain gold membership before making a serious attempt. The S11 guys flew at the front of the plane because it was easier to gain access to the coughpit.

I'm not a big fan of consistency in airport security, actually. The metal detectors and explosive wands are all very good, but as been demonstrated time and again, you can smuggle just about anything short of a howitzer through these things. My guess is that the box cutters the S11 hijackers used wouldn't be difficult to get through again - or something equally lethal.

My favorite security measure is the experienced guard standing back and just looking at the passengers as they come through, looking for things out of the ordinary, the guy "acting hinky".

My interest in airport security is in getting through as efficiently as possible, and not being seperated from my laptop, watch, wallet and so on. If my belt and boots are likely to trigger the alarm, I take them off. Hell, I even remove foil-wrapped chewing gum, because that beeped the gate in Dunedin. It's no skin off my nose if I have to spend a couple of minutes putting myself back together, but if someone walks off with my unguarded laptop because i'm being forced to walk through the gate several times, that's going to really p*iss me off.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

not to mention screeners who refuse to let you pick up your wallet off the belt while they make you follow them for secondary

since that little episode I always make sure to put my wallet into my carryon or other bag, so that at least it is not quite so obvious a target should it be separated from my sight

 

[Altair]

not to mention screeners who refuse to let you pick up your wallet off the belt while they make you follow them for secondary

since that little episode I always make sure to put my wallet into my carryon or other bag, so that at least it is not quite so obvious a target should it be separated from my sight

Whlie being secondary screened in MCO I was told to keep my eyes on my belongings and if anyone touched to tell the National Guardman standing there with the M16.:shock:

 

[simongr]

Depends whether the focus is on convenience or security. If the standards are relaxed for elite flyers, it just means that the terrorists will gain gold membership before making a serious attempt. The S11 guys flew at the front of the plane because it was easier to gain access to the coughpit.

I think you can have both - same standards for each line - just a lot faster for premium

 

[JohnK]

I think inconsistency with security screening is good. May cause a minor inconvenience to some travellers but I feel safer that people cannot get too comfortable and used to the security drill at different airports.

I have not had any hassles in Australia apart from explosives testing in BNE twice. Overseas in SIN and BKK the machine seems to beep for at least every second passenger. I used to put my my wallet through the x-ray machine but now have to go the metal detector with it. Almost always get the wand treatment. No great hassle and nothing to hide but just keep an eye on the rest of your belongings, like mobile phones, keys and coins etc.

 

[simongr]

I have a pretty simple routine for the metal detectors which is working most of the time. After checkin all my belongings are chucked into the pouch on my backpack/laptop bag and at the same time the laptop comes out. Its actually good on some levels as it means I am not carrying anything in my pockets on the plane - so less to fall out Also good for int'l as all my Oz change then hides in my bag for the rest of the trip

 

[coco50]

Went through the Right hand detector at MEL this morning with a dirty big belt buckle (metal) and a pocket full of change and left leg full of metal. Did not trigger the detector. Actuslly went through 2 detectors because we regionals need to be screened when we deplane and enter the terminal.

 

[straitman]

Deleted / repetitive.

 

[oz_mark]

I have not had any hassles in Australia apart from explosives testing in BNE twice.

Not sure I find the explosives thing a hassle. Last time I had it he just did the thing with the wand while I was repacking my laptop.

 

[thewinchester]

Airport security is the bane of my existance. In Dec 05/Jan 06 I was going PER-BNE to help a friend with a data cabling job and some other computing stuff around his place. I had a toolkit in tow used for data cabling which had plugs, end covers, cable ties, etc within it (the most concerning stuff was made to be clearly visable at the top of the unit). It was tied and locked closed to make sure nothing would escape.

Check-in agents at PER didn't have a problem with the unit, and accepted it on board without additional screening. Different story at BNE, where I was sent down to the oversized luggage counter (unit was small enough to be allowed on as carry on) where it was immediatly subjected to a chemical and drug swab before it would be accepted. Joked laughingly with the screeners that the worst they'll find on it was icing sugar.

One royal pissoff is the security checkpoint. Being a tech you're always carrying assorted devices, cables and whatnot for cameras, computers, and the like you don't trust to be placed in the hold. Normally it's not a problem, but this month again going PER-BNE the security team held the laptop bag for additional screening. They were "deeply concerned" about a metal business card holder and a CDMA data card in the bag they wanted to recheck in x-ray unit before allowing me to go thru.

It's bad enough having to take out the laptop from your bag when it's as usual full to the brim. However, when you also have to spend five minutes searching for items buried at the bottom it becomes a real annoyance.

 

[oz_mark]

And here I was thinking it was cans of shaving gel they were inconsistent with. Sometimes they want to inspect, sometimes they don't. Sometimes they inspect but want to x-ray the bags again without the can in the bag etc etc etc.

I am glad I never have to carry around a toolset

 

[Skyring]

Airport security is the bane of my existance. In Dec 05/Jan 06 I was going PER-BNE to help a friend with a data cabling job and some other computing stuff around his place. I had a toolkit in tow used for data cabling which had plugs, end covers, cable ties, etc within it (the most concerning stuff was made to be clearly visable at the top of the unit). It was tied and locked closed to make sure nothing would escape.

Check-in agents at PER didn't have a problem with the unit, and accepted it on board without additional screening. Different story at BNE, where I was sent down to the oversized luggage counter (unit was small enough to be allowed on as carry on) where it was immediatly subjected to a chemical and drug swab before it would be accepted. Joked laughingly with the screeners that the worst they'll find on it was icing sugar.

One royal pissoff is the security checkpoint. Being a tech you're always carrying assorted devices, cables and whatnot for cameras, computers, and the like you don't trust to be placed in the hold. Normally it's not a problem, but this month again going PER-BNE the security team held the laptop bag for additional screening. They were "deeply concerned" about a metal business card holder and a CDMA data card in the bag they wanted to recheck in x-ray unit before allowing me to go thru.

It's bad enough having to take out the laptop from your bag when it's as usual full to the brim. However, when you also have to spend five minutes searching for items buried at the bottom it becomes a real annoyance.

The oversized luggage unit was probably where the kit they needed to test your bags is kept.

The big thing about security is that you know everything's kosher, but the security wonks don't, and for all you know you could be spinning them a line just to blow up a plane and go to Allah. Once the security wheels are set whirling, they have to follow through.

It's like having a heave - you keep going right from that first "uh-oh" moment until you are spitting out little nuggly bits. It's in the script. I hope that's an appropriate metaphor for modern airport security.

 

[Skyring]

Whlie being secondary screened in MCO I was told to keep my eyes on my belongings and if anyone touched to tell the National Guardman standing there with the M16.:shock:

Swift and merciless justice. Eventually the Septics will computerise it all and you'll just have to point your finger at some guy for robot death to strike them down.

 

[Shano]

It's like having a heave - you keep going right from that first "uh-oh" moment until you are spitting out little nuggly bits. It's in the script. I hope that's an appropriate metaphor for modern airport security.

One of the best analogies I have heard for quite a while

 

[Skyring]

I think you can have both - same standards for each line - just a lot faster for premium

They could put the experienced operators on for premium flyers, just like Qantas does.

"Hey you. You with the bronze card, yeah, you with the fake Rolex and the sh*it-eating grin. See that long line over there, yeah, go and stand at the end of it. And hey, have a nice day!"

This could work.

Pete, gleefully WP, by act of Qantas

 

[munitalP]

"Hey you. You with the bronze card, yeah, you with the fake Rolex and the sh*it-eating grin. See that long line over there, yeah, go and stand at the end of it. And hey, have a nice day!"

I personally love the idea, we could have added to our frequent flyer cards a care factor as well... now theres an idea...

NO FF - care factor 0%

BRONZE - care factor 10%

SILVER - care factor 50%

GOLD - care factor 75%

PLATINUM - care factor 100%

After passing through the security screen point, a computer terminal with that lovely female voice similar to the ones on automated telephone systems - the one everyone loves could ask you to rate your experience! With an average deviation of say 10% over 25 customers, the security gorilla gets either demoted or promoted! (and extra bananas of course).

Wow, what an idea - come on ppl, lets build on this one!

 

[coco50]

I personally love the idea, we could have added to our frequent flyer cards a care factor as well... now theres an idea...

NO FF - care factor 0%

BRONZE - care factor 10%

SILVER - care factor 50%

GOLD - care factor 75%

PLATINUM - care factor 100%

After passing through the security screen point, a computer terminal with that lovely female voice similar to the ones on automated telephone systems - the one everyone loves could ask you to rate your experience! With an average deviation of say 10% over 25 customers, the security gorilla gets either demoted or promoted! (and extra bananas of course).

Wow, what an idea - come on ppl, lets build on this one!

I'd be interested in the care factor for CL members:!:

 

[serfty]

I'd be interested in the care factor for CL members:!:

Does it matter.

At least in BNE at the moment they have to slum it out in the QP.

 

[Bob]

I was at an airport in the Carribean (it shall remain nameless, to protect the innocent), checking onto a flight direct for Philadelphia, USA. They do not have xray screening of checked baggage, so all the economy pax were lined up at the check in counter, having their suitcases opened and hand searched. I breezed up to the first class counter and checked in and my bags were sent off down the conveyor to be loaded without checking. The moral to the story is obvious...