security scan staff wand power?

[PLANT]

security scan staff drug/explosive wand power trip?

Well I dress casual and have lappie and tablet... Frequently asked for wand scan.... Today the Adelaide guy must have thought I was a drug courier or major terrorist threat.... Or was he being a p****?
Asked me before bag packed.
I presented arms out.
Checked every pocket in bag before saying.... Put your arms down I do my job properly.
Then wands body 8 places and went so far as to want to scan back of phone from pocket??????
Then when I said your more through than America staff comes back with being watched by 4 cameras doing his job...... Comments?

 

[docjames]

Sorry, you're complaining that he took his job seriously, or that everyone else is slack?

 

[mannej]

I originally thought you'd be asking about the power output of the wand and any potential links to cancer.

However it's been mentioned many a time on here sometimes it's just best to put up and shut up through security isn't it.

 

[RB]

Well I dress casual and have lappie and tablet... Frequently asked for wand scan.... Today the Adelaide guy must have thought I was a drug courier or major terrorist threat.... Or was he being a p****?
Asked me before bag packed.
I presented arms out.
Checked every pocket in bag before saying.... Put your arms down I do my job properly.
Then wands body 8 places and went so far as to want to scan back of phone from pocket??????
Then when I said your more through than America staff comes back with being watched by 4 cameras doing his job...... Comments?

So what exactly was the problem?

 

[dk4]

I presented arms out.
Checked every pocket in bag before saying.... Put your arms down I do my job properly.

This is one of the (many) differences in procedure between international and domestic itemiser swabs

• International arms out (palms up)
• Domestic arms down

I think that it is that way around, because I generally can't remember on the spot either, and tend to do the wrong one in anticipation as well.

IIRC the order is also different; bags first then body last for domestic BUT body first then bags last for international.

 

[PLANT]

Just goes to show the manager of governance and policy procedure.....cannot align here.....what hope we got of any of hem doing their job right......
Also scan me to point of rubber gloves but let the next guy/girl courier...their assessment skills are poor

 

[mannej]

Also scan me to point of rubber gloves but let the next guy/girl courier...their assessment skills are poor

No one likes to be randomly chosen - however it doesn't mean their assessment skills are poor...

 

[dk4]

Just goes to show the manager of governance and policy procedure.....cannot align here.....what hope we got of any of hem doing their job right......

While the processes for domestic and international are different (presumably constructed by separate agencies), IME they are adhered to in the same manner across every airport. Domestic is also a little bit slicker, because it does not come with a mandatory pat down (where as international does IME *)

Asked me before bag packed.

Also scan me to point of rubber gloves but let the next guy/girl courier...their assessment skills are poor

They don't seem to use assessment, it is always next available. But, if they spot someone repacking their bags slowly, perhaps trying not to get selected, then - I have seen them target that person (and let others go through). I suspect this is what happened to you.

 

[williamsf1]

Well I dress casual and have lappie and tablet... Frequently asked for wand scan.... Today the Adelaide guy must have thought I was a drug courier or major terrorist threat.... Or was he being a p****?
Asked me before bag packed.
I presented arms out.
Checked every pocket in bag before saying.... Put your arms down I do my job properly.
Then wands body 8 places and went so far as to want to scan back of phone from pocket??????
Then when I said your more through than America staff comes back with being watched by 4 cameras doing his job...... Comments?

Do you set off the alarm as you walk thru the normal scanner ? or do you not walk thru the "normal" scanner due to medical reasons ( ie metal plates in body etc)

I have only ever seen the wand being used for Domestic for people who set off the walk thru scanner after a 2nd attempt or people who do not use the walk thru scanner

 

[williamsf1]

Do you set off the alarm as you walk thru the normal scanner ? or do you not walk thru the "normal" scanner due to medical reasons ( ie metal plates in body etc)

I have only ever seen the wand being used for Domestic for people who set off the walk thru scanner after a 2nd attempt or people who do not use the walk thru scanner

Or when you talking about the "wand scan " are you refering to the explosives test ?

 

[dk4]

I have only ever seen the wand being used for Domestic for people who set off the walk thru scanner after a 2nd attempt or people who do not use the walk thru scanner

I do not think that the OP is talking about a metal detector wand, rather itemiser detector touches. (Although the post is ambiguous. However, using a metal detector wand to the back of a mobile phone would seem to be a waste of time? Whereas itemiser swabbing the back of a phone, would seem to be a relevant test.)

 

[UP4014]

Sorry, you're complaining that he took his job seriously, or that everyone else is slack?

I think that is valid, but only if all staff take their job seriously in the right way, not just a power trip which seems to be a problem with private security guards at Aust airports.

Matt

 

[bass_ke]

Private security guards at Australian airports aren't doing trace detection for drugs, just explosives

 

[medhead]

Bald guy? I hope he asked your permission to scan first.