Explosives test procedure change

[opusman]

Has anyone else noticed that the (DOM) procedure for the explosives test seems to have changed recently? Instead of just picking the next person walking out, it looks like they actually choose a target before they've even gone through the xray. Presumably makes it harder to avoid by timing your exit from the conveyor belt.

 

[samh004]

I wandered through the airport last Friday and didn't notice anything different to normal. I find that if you make unnerving eye contact with them they don't pick you... it's like you're choosing them to spare someone behind you, so they become suspicious and let you through. Most times I am picked though it's over in 10 seconds, it's such an easy procedure.

My biggest slow down is usually getting through the scanner as there's usually every person that has never stepped through a scanner before in their whole life in front of me! And if you even step ahead of them they usually have a hissy fit... but then continue to slow you down for the next 5 minutes!

 

[leadman]

Yes, I got "picked out" transferring from Int to Dom at SYD last Friday. The guy told me as I was picking my gear up from X-ray. Told me I was "selected". I told him it was another waste of time and I was going to miss the bus, which I did, by 15 seconds!!!!!

 

[RooFlyer]

Since they did up the security area in HBA about a year ago, explosive testing has been before the scanner. They just pick you out of the queue lining up. As a security protocol, that seems more sensible to me (you are 'stuck' in the queue therefore they just select who they want and you can't time faffing-about putting gear back in bags to 'miss' the test).

 

[bismarck]

I think the procedure has changed. The metal detector now seems to beep to select someone for the explosives test. At least according to the security person who did me on Monday.

 

[Skyring]

…you can't time faffing-about putting gear back in bags to 'miss' the test).

Damn! All my secrets exposed.

 

[harvyk]

Didn't notice anything different last month, my general rule when going through is to avoid eye contact and don't waste time at security.
Doesn't always work but I am rarely stopped.

 

[OZDUCK]

Flying out of Halifax NS recently my wife was selected for the test as she picked up her hand luggage from the X-ray machine. She was one of 3 people in a row selected and the woman doing the screening was saying that she didn't know why the system - not a human - selected 3 pax in succession.

 

[NZflygirl]

I've seen it mentioned on here and been "selected". Walking through the detector the lights change colour if you've been selected so you get tested. Im not sure if that's all airports methods eg regional as well as main but time will tell.

i think it just adds in randomness to remove any potential bias by the person selecting screening.....you know.... Been watching the news too much.

 

[Milboo]

VA screening mentioned this to me the other week.

It is now purely randomised by the detector. If it flashes red then you get the explosive test.

Still does not concern me at all if I get selected and I don't try and avoid it. Takes mere seconds and I use the time to repack my laptop.

 

[NZflygirl]

VA screening mentioned this to me the other week.

It is now purely randomised by the detector. If it flashes red then you get the explosive test.

Still does not concern me at all if I get selected and I don't try and avoid it. Takes mere seconds and I use the time to repack my laptop.

What I disliked was having packed everything away laptop included and THEN getting selected so having to unpack and repack again!

 

[downgraded]

At NTL the other day everyone pressed a button as the queued for screening and the machine "randomly" chose you for manual check - removes any potential bias in selection by the screening person.
Previously I've seen they will wait for you if you're fumbling repacking bags having made their selection before you walk past - again it stops you deliberately trying to avoid it by waiting for them to be busy.

 

[Quickstatus]

Now selection is random and apparently by some machine. I would have thought it is better to target certain passengers based on tangible and intangible factors. Safety and security has one arm tied behind their back due to "risk of bias". Politically correctness once again running the show

 

[robtemt]

My partner is convinced on this. He's Australian born Asian, and he gets stopped every time, I never believed it until we started traveling a lot together. Recently the tester had nobody, I walked towards him thinking I was next, and the guy pushed past me to tell my partner to join him at the machine. He's also been told to stop, by a agent (no idea what these jokers are called) who was still finishing up with another test subject...

Has anyone else noticed that the (DOM) procedure for the explosives test seems to have changed recently? Instead of just picking the next person walking out, it looks like they actually choose a target before they've even gone through the xray. Presumably makes it harder to avoid by timing your exit from the conveyor belt.

 

[24601]

I am often picked but it doesn't bother me, it is so quick and simple. I've never been asked to unpack any bag and haven't seen that either; just open a zip. I make sure to thank them too. I'd rather they did it than not.

 

[Skyring]

My partner is convinced on this. He's Australian born Asian, and he gets stopped every time, I never believed it until we started traveling a lot together. Recently the tester had nobody, I walked towards him thinking I was next, and the guy pushed past me to tell my partner to join him at the machine. He's also been told to stop, by a agent (no idea what these jokers are called) who was still finishing up with another test subject...

The danger here is that this sort of thing causes resentment (and rightly so), and if it is standard procedure, or at least a significant departure from random, then the "bad guys" will pick up on it and find someone who won't draw the same attention.

Good security screening - so I'm told - is about watching people. One reason that security queues don't seem to be efficiently run is that it gives time for the agents to take a look at the passengers, lest they be overwhelmed by a flood all at once. Anyone "acting hinky" is going to get a good look. Say what you might, but if you're carrying enough explosives to bring down an airliner or kill dozens of people, you aren't going to be treating this day like any other.

It might be that someone who routinely gets stopped is feeling tense because of the perception that it's racial and unfair, and that gets picked up on.

Another reason that random selection is good is that sometimes the explosives are carried aboard by "mules" - people who have no idea that the gift they are couriering for a friend is actually a block of C4. That kindly grannie could actually be a greater threat than the chap with the long beard and the traditional clobber.

 

[leadman]

My partner is convinced on this. He's Australian born Asian, and he gets stopped every time, I never believed it until we started traveling a lot together. Recently the tester had nobody, I walked towards him thinking I was next, and the guy pushed past me to tell my partner to join him at the machine. He's also been told to stop, by a agent (no idea what these jokers are called) who was still finishing up with another test subject...

Racial profiling in Australia, no never happens!; My wife is of middle eastern heritage and our son now looks a bit like Mile Jedinak (OZ soccer captain), beard and all. Every day for five days at the OZ tennis open was picked out from his 10 mates to be scanned and checked, to a point it was a running joke with his mates (and at different gates). Airports the same thing, girlfriend in WA; has never missed an explosive check, even had a double bag scan. His thoughts, "just human nature", mine "shave the bloody beard off!"

 

[under the radar]

I am often picked but it doesn't bother me, it is so quick and simple. I've never been asked to unpack any bag and haven't seen that either; just open a zip. I make sure to thank them too. I'd rather they did it than not.

I am chosen every time (which involves AVV-SYD-AVV flights every 4 months ish), and I get chosen at AVV AND SYD every time. I don't take it 'personally', maybe because I don't have a chip on my shoulder . I certainly agree there is no 'unpacking' required. Just unzip/open all compartments of your bag/s, and they swab along/in the opening. Takes 1 minute, no muss, no fuss If one minute of your time is sooooo precious, I suggest you manage your time/life a bit better.
All just my opinion of course

Maybe I was 'targeted' as part of bogan profiling.

 

[kiwitripper64]

My favourite was CBR mid morning. I was the only passenger in the zone and I was randomly picked for explosive testing. When I jokingly said it couldn't be random with a sample of 1, the screener agreed but they are to scan randomly and continuously and he was bored.
How will the machine cope?

 

[JohnK]

I was chosen at SYD T3 recently. Was told as I was walking through scanner. Tester goes back and waits. If I take my time then anyone coming through is ignored until I am tested?

What a waste of time.