Security Screening Fun in Perth

[N860CR]

Had a rather odd interaction at PER yesterday...

While walking to T1 security screening, I was pulled up before reaching the x-ray machine and "randomly selected" for an explosives trace test (usually get this after the x-ray).

I went off to the bench, put my stuff out as usual and waited for the wand, but nothing happened. I asked the lady what was going on, but got the hand. She sent three other people to the same bench, then ran the same wand over all of our bags and bodies before testing it. I asked why this wasn't being done individually, and she said "it's different over here". I assume she was refering to WA. I asked her how she would know who tested positive (in such an event) and she rolled her eyes and said "well obviously I wouldn't know which one of you it was".

Luckily, we all passed and went on our merry way. But this did sort of prove to me what a total waste of time (and money) this procedure is.

Has anyone had this in WA before? (or anywhere I guess). Seems like a real confirmation of "security theatre"

 

[drron]

Has happened to me in MEL.

 

[NZflygirl]

I had that earlier this year. Chances of it being positive are tiny. If it was they would obviously test individually. I think it’s efficient and I’m opening bags to get laptop out anyway. Then walk to screening while they’re running it through the machine so saves me waiting. Pretty sure I had this in MEL once.

I get annoyed at repacking laptop etc then just as you’ve closed your bags you have to reopen them for testing after X-ray.

 

[Strategic Aviation]

Also ADL.

 

[mannej]

Not just PER...

 

[Mogul]

Had the same thing happen in Adelaide a couple of weeks ago. Asked why and was told so they can test a larger number of people. Quota's anyone, paid by how many test's they do ????

 

[cory]

Same thing at Per T1 few weeks ago.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's common in China. They will check 20-30 pax at a time, holding them behind a rope until the swab is tested. If negative, all 20-30 go on.

It means they can check everyone instead of only randomly.

Australia's system doesn't sound quite the same as it seems there is still a random element if only three are tested but others keep walking on.

 

[Franky]

PER again - we flew QF to SIN a week or so ago, and I have two replacement knees. As a few will know with the introduction of the QF9/10 flights, only their passengers go thru T4 international. For us on an international flight, we had to do bag drop, check in and security thru domestic T3. Alarm went off as always, and I suffered the usual, and also got the explosive wand. Then up to the domestic J lounge until our flight was called. We then proceeded to T4 via a back door, passing thru security again, but the alarm did not trigger. I mentioned this to one of the security people, and he said 'oh the alarm is set on silent!' Why bother?

 

[JohnK]

Perception looks good on reports and keeps people happy.

Just out of interest has anyone ever tested positive to explosives in Australia and charged?

 

[Franky]

Perception looks good on reports and keeps people happy.

Just out of interest has anyone ever tested positive to explosives in Australia and charged?

John - off topic, but you have been on 13.41% to retirement for a fair while now, is that because you want to die on the job, or just haven't got enough super yet?

 

[JohnK]

John - off topic, but you have been on 13.41% to retirement for a fair while now, is that because you want to die on the job, or just haven't got enough super yet?

Not enough super and daughter's school fund. When I achieve one it's time to retire.

 

[Ralphie]

Same thing happened in Brisbane yesterday, and has happened in Adelaide earlier.

I appreciate that it’s very likely there’d not be a positive reading, but as it can happen, it’d be extremely frustrating to have to be swabbed twice (and wait for both swabbing processes, if you were person 3 etc).

 

[N860CR]

Interesting to see that it's become basically common place. It does seem to render the whole process a little stupid.

You are entitled to be screened in private. I'll ask for that next time.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Interesting to see that it's become basically common place. It does seem to render the whole process a little stupid.

What's the disadvantage if it significantly increases the number of people screened?

 

[Renato1]

Oddly enough, when I was working my staff was regularly walking around an explosives factory and an explosives filling factory, and I'd visit the factories occasionally too.

We often wondered what would happen to us if we got pulled over and tested at airports and we failed the test, for having trace amounts of RDX/TNT or gun propellant on our shoes. We never got tested, so we never found out.
Regards,
Renato

 

[Lemon_Party]

Perception looks good on reports and keeps people happy.

Just out of interest has anyone ever tested positive to explosives in Australia and charged?

My brother and his partner did test positive once leaving AU. Taken to a second room and re-tested, failed again. Grilled and questioned, bags taken off flight to be opened and thoroughly inspected. He was lucky to make the flight with the time taken to process and said it was a pretty unpleasant experience..
In the end suspected it was playing golf day before and possible exposure to fertilizer, but they really didn't know.

 

[JohnK]

My brother and his partner did test positive once leaving AU. Taken to a second room and re-tested, failed again. Grilled and questioned, bags taken off flight to be opened and thoroughly inspected. He was lucky to make the flight with the time taken to process and said it was a pretty unpleasant experience..

And it would have been their fault if they missed the flight?

 

[Lemon_Party]

And it would have been their fault if they missed the flight?

I don’t know what would happen in that instance. I would assume that if it’s a false positive the airport has an obligation to get you on next flight, but I guess it’s a big assumption. They were flying to Europe so potentially a day of holiday lost too.

 

[JohnK]

I don’t know what would happen in that instance. I would assume that if it’s a false positive the airport has an obligation to get you on next flight, but I guess it’s a big assumption. They were flying to Europe so potentially a day of holiday lost too.

I wouldn't be relying on someone like Macquarie to get me on next flight. It would have to be the airline but it's not their fault either.