Cutting in on security lines

[kermatu]

I almost always have everything that needs to be removed from my person in my laptop bag or briefcase as I enter the terminal or leave check-in (partly for speed and to avoid fumbling with items in a queue) -- so I too regularly walk direct to the belt if there are others still removing items etc and there's an obvious gap of a couple of metres. Common sense as Pushka says.

Have never had people push in front of me without a polite request - no problem. But regularly see people grab one of the security trays, walk right up to the belt and then start removing multiple personal items. That annoys the heck out of me.

 

[Milefest]

You've got to also remember that letting someone in front of you not only delays you, but the rest of the queue.

 

[VPS]

"Excuse me, I am about to miss my flight, do you mind if I go ahead of you to try to make it?" My response: "Sure, good luck!"

"Can I just cut in here?" My response: "No, go line up with everyone else".

Both real world examples.

Yep - agree

 

[Pushka]

You've got to also remember that letting someone in front of you not only delays you, but the rest of the queue.

Depends where they came from.

 

[dajop]

Sure - but given the relative rarity of someone cutting straight to the front of the line this is one battle where I just let the assumption rule that they probably have a good reason! It's not for me to demand an explanation, or to punish them for not proffering one. If they're genuinely running late - perhaps through no direct fault of their own - pleasantries might be fairly low on their list of priorities.

Actually totally disagree with this. If you take this approach, what's the point of queues, why not just have a scrum around the security point and the person who is the most forceful gets to the front first?

Usually those in a hurry have good reason and will communicate it to all and sundry, politely or impolitely. Fair enough let them through. Hey, I've done that myself at SIN with its gate based security which usually works well for arriving at the gate just before it closes except when you have multiple gates at the same point and one flight is departing in 15 mins and the other on 90mins - with a queue of 50+ pax - I will skip the queue and politely approach security with my BP (which I've also noticed a couple of times has liberated a couple of others from the queue as it has reminded staff to ask for people to come forward for the imminent departure).

But I've also experienced people cutting in (in a place where everyone politely queues) simply because they come from a place where queuing is not the norm and pushing and shoving is and they think they can get away with what they do at home . Invariably someone will rightly put them in their place (and I'm not talking about the lower echelons of society who may not know better I'm talking about the DYKWIA types who definitely know better).

 

[straitman]

Elderly, disabled or special needs pax don't need to give a reason. They should be invited to proceed rather than be seen as an imposition.

The problem is that it is so subjective. Where do you draw the lines with these?

 

[trippin_the_rift]

If someone is eligible to use priority lines (elderly, infants, young children, disabilities etc) I'll always offer them a spot in front and be cool with their 'cutting in'. These people are not the type who ask, either. These people generally have poor travel experiences when flying and security lines are IMO the absolute worst part of any journey.

 

[drron]

I believe the expression she used was "that was c***y behaviour on your part". She grew up on a farm and we use language fairly liberally at our house

I agree, a short explanation goes a long way.

If I say something like that mrsdrron usually just says "meeow".

 

[Pushka]

If I say something like that mrsdrron usually just says "meeow".

I have 'the look'.

 

[drron]

I have 'the look'.

Oh she has that as well but it is our son who usually gets that.At one stage he called her Mrs Schicklgruber.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Actually totally disagree with this. If you take this approach, what's the point of queues, why not just have a scrum around the security point and the person who is the most forceful gets to the front first?

I guess 'cause queuing works well for the majority? Why let a person who cuts in ruin your day? yes there are some cultures where queuing might not be the norm. But it's not my job to teach anyone a lesson. Two systems, one compromise usually found somewhere in the middle

The problem is that it is so subjective. Where do you draw the lines with these?

Agree - not so hard when there are visible outward signs of age (to the extent it presents an issue), disability or special needs. For other cases I guess that's where we draw on our experience.

 

[Franky]

I think you are perfectly reasonable to have acted the way you did.
Having my metal knee I know I am going to hold up the line as they try to find someone to wand me so if only 1 or 2 people behind me I will ask if they want to go through-my computer is always out,my belt,shoes and watch off before I arrive at the conveyor belt.However,if before I have asked,a fellow such as you describe tried that on me I would then go through in front of him.I really don't like queue jumpers anywhere.
So you can explain to your SWMBO that compared to me you have the patience of Job.

As a double knee replacement person, I share your pain. Very rarely get thru any security line quickly.

 

[JohnK]

I have a jacket and a laptop bag.

If I am getting those ready and no one in front of me then I ask people behind me to go through.

If there are other items on the belt then I just go about my business.

If you are running late for a flight I'll let you through if you ask nicely. If you think the world revolves around you and you want to push in then I'll make a big deal out of it.

 

[medhead]

I don't agree with your wife entirely.

Is reaching into my bag to place the laptop on the pre-prepared tray considered me messing around with "stuff"? The person in front's gear was still on the land side of the scanner so there was no blockage...

Yes, with the qualification below. I am ready to go when I get to the x-ray machine - computer out, bags shut. Bags straight on the belt, grab tray computer in, gone. If there is room in front of you reaching into your bag, I'm going around. it's that simple. If you're quick well no problem.

No. It's the person who has been stuffing around for 35 seconds and has left a 2 meter gap between themselves and the scanner (with nothing in-between) that I'm happy to cut in front of.

 

[Lemon_Party]

Related to this topic, the new Perth Virgin terminal has a terrible priority lane system. Every time I've flown only one security screening lane is open. Both the priority lane and the great unwashed queue enter the screening room some distance from the screening conveyors so that everyone piles in the room and forms a new lengthy queue that snakes around the other conveyors. 50% of priority pax seem to sheepishly join the back of this queue, 50% awkwardly cut in close to the front.

 

[Blackswan]

Related to this topic, the new Perth Virgin terminal has a terrible priority lane system. Every time I've flown only one security screening lane is open. Both the priority lane and the great unwashed queue enter the screening room some distance from the screening conveyors so that everyone piles in the room and forms a new lengthy queue that snakes around the other conveyors. 50% of priority pax seem to sheepishly join the back of this queue, 50% awkwardly cut in close to the front.

Agree. I've heard a number of Priority Pax complain to both the screeners and Lounge Staff. Myself, I now use the normal queue, to avoid conflict.

 

[Milefest]

It's even better when you have security staff that use the priority queue as an overflow lane, it's like they don't understand what the priority queue is for.

 

[Buzzard]

A picture paints a thousand words or so the saying goes.

To me there is a difference between pushing in and going past somebody who is clearly still trying to get their act together.

 

[Slime]

A picture paints a thousand words or so the saying goes.

To me there is a difference between pushing in and going past somebody who is clearly still trying to get their act together.

Yep and especially if the person going past seeks permission first. Should not be a concern and certainly no excuse to give the person going past a blunt response to their request to pass.

 

[njba]

A picture paints a thousand words or so the saying goes.

To me there is a difference between pushing in and going past somebody who is clearly still trying to get their act together.

Absolutely. 90% of times I will jump ahead of someone if they appear to be sorting themselves out AND there's conveyor belt space AND my doing so will not cause them (or anyone else) any delay or time cost.

In this situation I do not think it is necessary to ask for permission.

I'm all about helping the airports reach maximal efficiency.