Security checks at MEL for US trips

[FlyboyAl]

On Friday, I flew out of MEL on QF93 (A380) and the queue at the second security was crazy.
Security were checking every passengers hand baggage, and patting them down.
We were due to leave at 11.10, and at 11.20 the queues still had over 100 people standing there.
The little group around me started taking "bets" on when we would leave, when a security guy came over and removed the barricades and everyone who was left just surged forward in a rush and ended up getting no security checks.
They were even making boarding calls for row 80 and up, for the flight while we were in the security queue.
We ended up leaving around 11.40am and were late into LAX.

Why do they not call passengers sooner for the flights, or better still, why not put more security staff on the tables, and put a rocket under them to move quicker.

In Feb this year, my wife and I flew to LAX from SYD and they did random full searches just before the gate - she got searched, I didn't. I just do not understand where the consistency is with the second searches.

By the way, there is lots on the TV news over here about "new security checks at airports", but I think its just about the full body scans - I'm already over the US news services and drug ads!

 

[JohnK]

Is this extra security at the departure gate?

 

[FlyboyAl]

Here is something I just found


S launches airport security regime focusing on 'threat-based characteristics'

Monday April 5, 2010

The US Dept. of Homeland Security Friday began implementing enhanced, "more flexible" security protocols for international flights to the US, including additional screening of passengers matching "current, intelligence-driven and threat-based characteristics."
The new measures, "tailored to reflect the most current information available to the US government," will supersede those put in place following the failed Christmas Day attempt to detonate a bomb onboard a flight bound for Detroit, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano announced (ATWOnline, Jan. 8). "These new measures utilize real-time, threat-based intelligence along with multiple, random layers of security, both seen and unseen, to more effectively mitigate evolving terrorist threats," she said.
The White House said individuals flying to the US from international airports may notice enhanced security and screening throughout check-in and boarding, including the use of explosives trace detection, advanced imaging technology, canine teams or pat-downs, among other security measures.
Following the attempted bombing in December, DHS imposed secondary screening on all passengers from or traveling through 14 nations considered to be security risks. The new measures will replace that policy, and the current federal watch list and "no fly" list will remain in place, The Wall Street Journal reported.
IATA DG and CEO Giovanni Bisignani met with Napolitano in January to discuss security measures (ATW's Airports Today, February 2010), and the enhancements announced last week are "exactly what [Bisignani] called for in his meeting with Napolitano," an IATA spokesperson told ATWOnline. Bisignani recently criticized "prescriptive, one-size-fits-all regulations with numerical targets," saying they "will not secure a complex global industry."
DHS said its new "threat-based" security system is aimed at being more effective and efficient. "This modification is an encouraging first step to increasing air security and reducing passenger hassle," the IATA spokesperson told ATWOnline. "For the first time in many years, DHS and industry worked cooperatively on positive improvements to our security system. We compliment Secretary Napolitano for her work to reach out to industry across the world. The mission is not complete as we need to work on a strategy for a new-generation security checkpoint, but focusing on intelligence is very important and key to future improvements."

 

[straitman]

Here is a little more information about the subject.

TSA Steps Up Security On Flights


Apr 5, 2010


By Frances Fiorino

The Transportation Security Administration is implementing enhanced security measures on international flights to the U.S. that override those put into place after the Dec. 25 attempted bombing of a Northwest Airlines flight.

“Multiple random layers of security, seen and unseen” will apply to all passengers on international flights to the U.S. worldwide, according to Homeland Security Department Secretary Janet Napolitano, who announced the new protocols Friday. Enhanced measures could include explosives trace detection, use of advanced imaging technology, canine teams and pat-downs.