Inconsistencies in airport security around the world

[drron]

The only problem I have had with LI batteries was having 5 AAA batteries-2 in my computer bag and 3 in my carryon.Those in my carryon were in separate baggies,the 2 in my computer bag were in different compartments.All were seized and binned.This was GET.Can't trust those sandgropers!

 

[jb747]

Ive had this at MEL before. They swap 5-6 people at a time and then run the test. No idea what happens if something shows up. Once you get through that your then left to go find the back of the security line.

I object to this one too. They've never heard of hygiene. I have no objection to individual, but not group. Not that it matters one iota what I think.

 

[juddles]

I agree with jb747 regarding the dislike of being group-swabbed, but I also suspect what is the true rationale here.

The multi- person swab could be promoted as a way of enabling even greater coverage of people, as more pax can be done per hour. If there was ever any sort of positive result, then individuals would then be re-screened - all makes sense.

But I suspect the real reason is something far more prevalent in the modern world - the need for "stats". As in how many sheer numbers of pax are screened. Not for any real benefit, but just so bosses can satisfy their bosses... I will explain:

When I used to work in the police, doing RBT's (random breath testing) was part of every general duties policeman's functions. And again, excellent idea - drink driving is truly a killer. But every region, every district, got set "targets" of how many RBT's to perform. So the bosses worked out (as they had to) how many RBT's each road crew needed to perform to meet these over-riding targets. This went down to shift-supervisors, who would get in trouble if these numbers were not met. The shift-supervisors, obviously, then enforced these on each crew. So, as a member of the road crews, I would spend almost the entire shift doing things like sorting domestic disputes, attending road crashes, house break-ins. But in the last few minutes of the shift I knew that everything I had done did not "count" on the current assessment of stats, so would have to try to breathalyze a few drivers. Quite often to achieve this required working unpaid overtime. Just to get the numbers.

I suspect it is the same for the border control / security people. They get no credit for actually using their experience to target truly potential bad people. But if they manage to line us up and do "bulk sampling", their bosses get to report bigger figures.

Does this make sense?

 

[Happy Trails]

https://www.theage.com.au/business/...amaged-our-moral-compass-20180612-p4zl29.html

 

[Strategic Aviation]

But I suspect the real reason is something far more prevalent in the modern world - the need for "stats". As in how many sheer numbers of pax are screened. Not for any real benefit, but just so bosses can satisfy their bosses...

There is a very real reason - meeting contract KPIs.

would have to try to breathalyze a few drivers. Quite often to achieve this required working unpaid overtime.

Well, there was a quicker way ... Number of fake police breathalyser results ‘could be closer to a million’ - news.com.au.

 

[juddles]

There is a very real reason - meeting contract KPIs.



Well, there was a quicker way ... Number of fake police breathalyser results ‘could be closer to a million’ - news.com.au.

It was always a joke (not sure now how it goes now), that we were so resourceful that we (as in Qld police) could achieve a million more RBT's each year than the the number of straws (the tube thing that you use on a breathalyzer) that the Service was buying. I was a tad different in that I preferred to do "bulsh_t" RBT's anywhere with anyone than actually do dodgy stats.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Vicpol must have taken it as a challenge

 

[Happy Trails]

Meanwhile at PER...

Perth Airport lapse lets bullets on plane | The West Australian

 

[jb747]

I know of one round that got through 3 separate security systems.

 

[N860CR]

When I used to work in the police, doing RBT's (random breath testing) was part of every general duties policeman's functions. And again, excellent idea - drink driving is truly a killer. But every region, every district, got set "targets" of how many RBT's to perform. So the bosses worked out (as they had to) how many RBT's each road crew needed to perform to meet these over-riding targets. This went down to shift-supervisors, who would get in trouble if these numbers were not met. The shift-supervisors, obviously, then enforced these on each crew. So, as a member of the road crews, I would spend almost the entire shift doing things like sorting domestic disputes, attending road crashes, house break-ins. But in the last few minutes of the shift I knew that everything I had done did not "count" on the current assessment of stats, so would have to try to breathalyze a few drivers. Quite often to achieve this required working unpaid overtime. Just to get the numbers.

Just blow into the machine yourself to meet the quo.... oh wait, that's been tried


Recently flew a big trip (SYD-HKG-YVR-SEA-SFO-SLC-LAS-LAX-SEA-LHR-HEL-IVL-HEL-ARN-DOH-EBB-DOH-BKK-SYD). Carried an "off ebay" portable charger. Survived all those flights... then taken off me at BKK as it "too powerful". The Thai security staff member was very upset when I took the USB charging cable out of it and peeled the stickers off it before handing over!

 

[JohnM]

I know of one round that got through 3 separate security systems.

You’re a shooter, are you not, JB?

 

[RooFlyer]

<snip>
I travel to a few places, and yes, the security procedures can be quite different. Laptop out, or in. Cig lighters OK, or not, etc etc. But is it a drama? No.

Taking shoes off? Leave them on, and if they want them off they will tell you. How hard is that????

Except @juddles , in very many airports they DONT tell you. That's the problem!

As to drama, it comes about whenever the queue is over 70 long (at LHR, of course; I counted as I walked back having passed it) and the processing time is much longer than necessary because people are constantly not preparing themselves properly because the requirements that day were 'unique' and unsignposted. OK?

Drama is 70 mins in a security queue which is completely unnecessary because the airport pillocks can't be bothered putting up a few signs!

 

[RooFlyer]

“Hello all,

My name is ABC. I work as a security person in the departure screening at airport XYZ.

I spend my days trying to get passengers to comply with the security procedures that my bosses ask me to enforce.

It is a hard job. I never aspired to this caper as a child, but I needed work (have three kids and my wife is ill), so I was truly grateful to get the job, even though I quickly understood it was only available as not many people can endure it.

It is tedious and repetitive. An endless line of passengers approaching. Many know their stuff – they are the great ones. But they are in the minority. Despite us putting out signs to try to ease the process, every couple of minutes someone gets to the scanner still with their pockets bulging with all sorts of no-no items. I try to be patient, but I suffer the dual pressure of my bosses, who want throughput, and with the passengers in the queue, who also seem to expect a miraculous three-second experience. But if I do not enforce the latest guidelines my employers put on me, I lose my job.

Probably the worst part of every day (and it happens EVERY SINGLE SHIFT) is when a passenger complains about the process. My every day is filled with people saying “In my country we do it this way”. “Why do I have to take my laptop out – I didn’t on the last flight in FFF country” “Do I have to take my shoes off? Really??” As if it is such a horrendous thing to endure.

So I spend my day between passengers who are completely lost in the process, and with those who all “know” better than me how it should be done.

And the most hilarious part? The passengers who “know better”, get snarly and short and sarcastic with me. But then afterwards complain that I used my authority. That I did not smile as they gleefully gave me a serve of their wisdom.

I just do my job. I know it is not perfect. I started out loving the concept that despite the menial duties, I was doing my part to keeping everyone safe. But I get kicked every day.

Sorry for not smiling.

Mr. ABC”

Dear Mr ABC: Sounds like you should get another job. Those with people-facing jobs shouldn't hate their work - its obvious to the public they front and it rubs off. Bad experience begets bad experience. I don't expect you to be bubbly and enthusiastic, but please don't take out your frustrations on me. Oh, and can you have a chat with Ms DEF, standing behind you. She told me something completely different up-queue from what you barked at me just then. And it was different again when I came through here a week ago. I can do it anyway you like, but please just make up your minds.

Oh, and you may wonder that the guy there looked confused when you barked at him. I don't think he understands English, so repeating yourself, louder like you did, won't work either.

I was also wondering why the person watching the x-ray screen was chatting to someone else rather than watching the screen when our bags went through? Can you help me there?

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Some security-related reading:-

Home Affairs unfairly sacked 'disrespectful' airport official, Fair Work says - Sydney Morning Herald

Federal Appeals Court Rules You Can't Sue TSA Screeners Even If They Assault and Abuse You - View from the Wing

Not specifically about aviation security but still applicable:-

Addressing the same forum, Trade Minister Steve Ciobo said he had come to the realisation about eight years ago that voters wanted security above all, even if it sometimes came at the expense of their own liberty.

"Now whether that's physical security or whether it's economic security or security that's derived from a certain amount of conservatism, it was my realisation there's been a shift from liberty towards security," Mr Ciobo said.

He said it was understandable voters would be experiencing "high levels of anxiety" given they were fed a constant media diet of conflict and insecurity and face a world of technological disruption.

Mr Ciobo said politicians looking to respond to this anxiety had a choice of implementing policies that were right for the community or "appeasing the masses, even if that policy wasn’t the rational choice".

 

[JohnM]

I struck a bit of a new one at DFW yesterday.

Had to take my iPad out of my bag (which, of itself is the cause of occasional inconsistency), but my bag gets pulled aside for rummage checking.

The nice TSA (yes, usually an oxymoron I know) lady rummages around and finds the culprit - my Kindle!

The new rule emerging in LOTFAP, according to her, is that any electronic device larger than a mobile phone has to come out of a bag.

When I said I don’t mind complying but it’s the inconsistency that drives people nuts, she freely agreed.

 

[Lemon_Party]

A month or so back departing BNE the scanner guy encouraged me to hold on to my wallet and said it could stay with me no problem. I was surprised, but got through the body scanner fine and was quite impressed.
Return journey from ADL, left wallet in pocket, set off body scanner and looked like a prize plonker who’s never flown before in front of busy security line...
I only take off watch and belt if I’m asked and it’s rare they set off a scanner in AU, but more often overseas.

 

[Himeno]

When I said I don’t mind complying but it’s the inconsistency that drives people nuts, she freely agreed.

I went through checkpoints at CBR, MEL, LAX and SYD a few weeks ago. At each checkpoint, laptop out, tablet in. No one complained.

Had an encounter at JFK a couple of years ago. TSA barker is going iPads out. I don't have an iPad, so kept the Samsung Tab in. No issue, it wasn't an iPad.

 

[drron]

More inconsistency coming if you fly AA on selected routes.But a good change for me.
The TSA Teams Up With American Airlines To Introduce CT Scanners At JFK/BOS/PHX – Leave Your Liquids In The Bag!

 

[JohnM]

Like in DFW a few weeks back, I struck the new ‘any electronics larger than a cellphone out of your bag’ TSA rule at DEN today.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The new fully automated screening stations popping up in Europe are particularly annoying!!! These are the ones where you approach a conveyor and have to take a bin from underneath, place all your items in separate bins, and then send them on their way. Bags that pass security travel down one side for collection. Those that don't get shunted to the side where the screener scans the bin tag and then looks for the offending item.

Great in theory, except there seem to be a great number of bags sent for additional screening. This can be anything from a swab to a full bag search. And even if they find everything compliant, they still place liquids into some sort of scanner for further tests.

At LCY last week there was a backlog of about 20 bags, each taking two to three minutes to be cleared. Anything found? One passenger has a lighter (small disposable that wasn't put into an LAG bag). Another has a lipstick, also not in an LAG bag.

Maybe screening staff are also sick of the system as some of them are getting quite surly. Signs would help (lighters routinely pass other security checkpoints around the world), but try asking one of them what they are looking for and you get the usual range of responses such as 'this is our job' to 'we don't have to tell you'. At AMS they were insistent they don't have to tell you, and when countered with 'but you telling me will help us to pack correctly next time' were met with indignation. Of course they found nothing, which is even more annoying for passengers forced to wait for long periods, and it means the criteria to flag bags in the first place are out of whack.

It is getting a bit out of control