Security bias (or the perception of such)

[Moopere]

If that was my job and I had to pull over either a well dressed business traveler or a backpacker with a couple of bags stuff full of "stuff", I'd select the businessman. Why? Less likely to get uphill, probably travels a bit and knows the drill. More likely to be quick and easy. Ie, perhaps they are just taking the lazy approach.

I'm a male caucasian. I don't travel in a suit, but am usually well dress. I have a pretty efficient method for getting my gear out for the x-ray machine, taking off all metal so I don't set the machine off and back on quickly after. I get stopped for the bomb testing more often than note. I know the drill. Bag opens, no need to read me the spiel. It's over and done with in less than a minute. Suspect they know I won't kick up a fuss and will be done with quickly.

I reckon you're on the money here. Its likely to be a picking of the low hanging fruit type exercise. I usually don't wear a suit but am well dressed, caucasian, male, and have been through enough airports to probably appear, to the casual glance, that I know what I'm doing and do my business relatively efficiently. I never have much carry on and probably appear as a low agro quick and easy tick-in-the-box. I get done probably 90% of the time.

I used to think it was a factor of expecting it (and the body language that follows) and making eye contact - I still think that making eye contact doesn't help if you don't want to get pinged, but I'm pretty casual about the whole thing now, I don't believe I put out any particular body language and don't go out of my way to make or break eye contact and still get done extremely often. My wife actually jokes about this as she _never_ ever gets done.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I don't usually wear a suit. Most time jeans, collared shirt and runners but I still get "swept" a lot. I also get wanded in excess of 30 times every month and it's no big deal (not always at airports). As for "targeted" random inspections.......of course! Why not. It makes sense to target the known demographics, doesn't it? Have you never heard of targeted marketing? (we're part of that here on AFF)

Storm in a teacup springs to mind

 

[stux]

Oh joy!

Well done me...I finally have won something

I was the CEO in my version of this story

Lili on the Loose - What is this SSSS on my boarding pass? - Lili on the Loose


FAQ about No-Fly List and Selectee List
https://aclu-wa.org/news/frequently-asked-questions-about-no-fly-list

Thread from FT
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trusted-travelers/1597480-once-ssss-always-ssss.html

 

[drron]

Have to laugh at the SSSS point.About 10 years ago we had at least 5 sectors with the dreaded SSSS.On the last sector flying out of LGA we got the full patdown to get to security,full patdown at security and then pulled aside at the gate for another.Mrsdrron had finally had enough and asked the TSA agent if there was a security memo out suggesting that 60 year old,white grandparents were likely to be the next terrorists.Fortunately just elicited a laugh.

 

[bubblyguy]

Even the pilots and cabin crew get tested with their ASICs on, ASIO background checks and access to a full range of equipment on the aircraft that can do more harm then anything allowed to go through the screening point.

At the end of the day security screeners need to be picking the next person they see providing a continuous ETD screening.

What I find funny is that each airport has their own specific targets such as umbrellas needing to be out of bags and hand searched in Perth or needing to place your bags up in Brisbane due to OHS. Even ring binders in Melbourne had their day and thankfully that isn't around anymore.

 

[Slime]

I think it comes back to if you are well organised, polite and well mannered u cop the treatment.
Every time lately when going overseas at Sydney I seem to get thrown/directed into the X-ray machine so they can see what I have really got and every time I think 'what have I done to deserve this' but no point worrying about it.

 

[drron]

In Sydney I ask to go through the body scanner.Much easier when you have a piece of metal in your body.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I will toy with the wand thwirlers this Sat ADL and in BNE Sun.
Will look at them in the face and even offer myself for the "it", will be flying QF though, but (the initial line at ADLd) handles screening for both VA, QF and the rest.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Next we should do a "why I keep getting asked aside at Australian Customs on my return to Australia" thread, even if I have an Australian Passport, have my Smartgate chit, and my IPC marked all "no" as to the questions.
Not to mention that I am flying QF and that there are no QFi flights into or out of ADL, so have to do an incoming int - dom connection, in BNE/MEL/SYD/...

 

[Scarlett]

Thanks OP, you must be picking up all of the random scans I would otherwise be getting!
I'd estimate my rate of selection as 1 in 4 maybe even less than that. Not sure why: 40 yr old male, white, dress casual and usually travelling alone or in small groups. Maybe I have trustworthy body language. Maybe the short hair, backpack and G shock watch is too much of a give away as well.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Lucky I didn't get it today.
Now in the QP.
Maybe there is a vide code we don't know they use to decide who gets the it, even if the it is a miniscule in the larger scheme of things.

 

[Simo]

In my experience if it is a early morning flight they seem a little bit more proactive. I was only one in the security screening area apart from QF staff and I was walking along with them and the security overseen asked for me and I said why did you stop me and not the QF staff and he said it is random and just laughed as he had to make QF staff stop so he could get me for a check.

 

[VA777]

I have found in Aust Dom I have about an 80% hit rate. Early 50's usually wearing suit and tie tall and know how to present myself.

I assumed it was mainly due to VA Lounge entry and the need to keep up numbers but was practically always selected in other cities.

Had to fly QF regionally recently was selected mentioned to the person and his comment was he knows his regulars and I wasn't one of those.

Family trip in Jan casual clothes etc. and was selected in Syd (not Lounge entry) and Cairns.

Just got back from trip to Malaysia and only picked out in SIN on return trip.

 

[Steady]

If I notice that the screener is finished and I am still packing my bag I take it open to them and finish packing whilst they wave the wand.

Hardly adds any time at all.

If there isn't anyone around in places such as SYD premium entry then I move my things over to where they are and let them do the test while I am putting things away.

This is my routine also. Departing from a small regional airport I get pulled over pretty well 100% as I am often the only one going through at the time. On my return from capital city airports I get pulled over about 75% of the time. Middle aged Caucasian, usually a polo shirt and jeans

 

[VA777]

I did forget, on the way out of Syd Int last week body scan machine.

 

[TomVexille]

On Friday I pulled a JT and plonked my bag on the bench for the explosives swab before the man had singled me out. The look of surprise on his face was worth the 5 second wait

And an article about Australian security in the paper today:

Is Australian airport security sensibly cautious or overly neurotic?

 

[JessicaTam]

On Friday I pulled a JT and plonked my bag on the bench for the explosives swab before the man had singled me out. The look of surprise on his face was worth the 5 second wait

And an article about Australian security in the paper today:

Is Australian airport security sensibly cautious or overly neurotic?

Is there such a thing?!?

 

[TomVexille]

Is there such a thing?!?

There is now

If I notice that the screener is finished and I am still packing my bag I take it open to them and finish packing whilst they wave the wand.

Hardly adds any time at all.

 

[VA777]

Three flights so far this week, hit rate 3 out of 3.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Few years fly ago, flying DJ (VB at that time), half the plane was Aust Army soldiers in battle fatigues, imagine those guys and gals would have exposure to you know what.
I was already on the plane, so didn't see if they get tested when the fly en masse with a commercial airline.
These days, I haven't seen any of that area of the defence force flying, probably they go civvies now.