Inconsistencies in Airport Security

[Foreigner]

Recent international and domestic trips highlighted in my mind the numerous inconsistencies at security check, among them:

- iPad be removed/ not be removed
- belts
- shoes
- jackets

I hope when fear of terrorist attacks subsides, there will be some changes for the better. I'm convinced changes, if any, will be led by the US.

Until those changes happen, governments will spend hundreds of millions to supposedly keep all flyers safe.

Change will not come swiftly as so many jobs have been created. Somewhat like for defence spending.

 

[JohnM]

Recent international and domestic trips highlighted in my mind the numerous inconsistencies at security check, among them:

- iPad be removed/ not be removed
- belts
- shoes
- jackets

I hope when fear of terrorist attacks subsides, there will be some changes for the better. I'm convinced changes, if any, will be led by the US.

Until those changes happen, governments will spend hundreds of millions to supposedly keep all flyers safe.

Change will not come swiftly as so many jobs have been created. Somewhat like for defence spending.

You omitted aerosol containers. Australian security is neurotic about them; most other places don't seem to care.

I gather from asking one officer in MEL that they want to check that they are not pepper sprays.

It's certainly the inconsistency that's the most maddening aspect of security IMHO.

 

[Austman]

I gather from asking one officer in MEL that they want to check that they are not pepper sprays.

... I was told that they need to see that the lids are on properly and they are not flammable aerosols ... It's nothing to do with LAG regulations on domestic flights.

 

[tuapekastar]

... I was told that they need to see that the lids are on properly and they are not flammable aerosols ... It's nothing to do with LAG regulations on domestic flights.

AFAIK correct, and while I'll probably never be able to track down an online reference, I believe it was introduced in direct response to an aerosol container (lidless or otherwise) 'leaking' in an OH locker on a DJ flight going either to/from BNE about 6 or 7 years ago. The odour from the leakage caused some alarm to pax and crew.

Re the OP, umbrellas is another inconsistency that I've noticed.

 

[openseat]

I've found the most difficult Australian security to be CBR and T2 SYD. Their requirements seem to be not matched by other airports. Something that is very noticeable when you have a return flight the same day.

 

[bigjobs]

T2 SYD and BNE Int'l seems the worst in my opinion.

I swear many of these people would be ditch diggers for their local council if it wasn't for this job creation project.

 

[Berlin]

Inconsistency is the issue here, definitely. From what I can gather:

• Liquids: Strangely allowed on Domestic Flights in Australia but basically no where else beyond the up to 100ml portions in a clear zipped bag
• Belts: Sometimes beep in Australia sometimes don't but it's not seen as a grave offense. In US and most of Europe the security staff is rather paranoid about it, same goes for jackets
• Shoes: Seems to be an issue only in the US and some Asian countries making the security checks there an absolute nuissance
• Aerosols seem to be an Australian paranoia but then again, almost everywhere else containers over 100ml are taboo to begin with so many aerosols wouldn't make it though for this very reason
• Finally, my favourite one, Ipads: Universally allowed in the US, I even got snarled at by a very rude security officer over there [strong mid-Western US accent] "How in the world do you think anyone could hide a bomb in there? Leave it in the bag, you're just holding everyone up, only laptops need to go out". Then again, if you're in New Zealand, you'll be told with very stern looks that "Of course, an Ipad needs to be taken out!". Of course! :evil:

 

[dajop]

R
- belts
- shoes
- jackets

I had somehow come to the conclusion that belts, shoes and jackets coming off were more a product of secondary screening requirements than anything. In many places (including Australia) it seems that if you beep, and are wearing said items it will be a process of elimination, you are told to remove, but them on belt and pass through the scanner again, whilst some places do no allow this (returning to landside) to happen, and you automatically need to undergo secondary screening manually .

 

[richie9x]

Of course if shoes have metal in them like stiletto heels or steel capped boots then the usually need to be taken off even when there isn't a general shoe rule. You sometimes see Americans who are so use to taking off shoes at airports that they still do it when overseas.

I remember just after 9/11 in Australia they had some crazy rule that not only did the laptop have to come out of the bag, but the laptop battery had to be taken out of the laptop and scanned separately.

Even between individual screeners there are inconsistencies. At BNE domestic there is one tall screener with curly brown hair who seems to be overly strict and impolite. I'll generally avoid his queue.

For a domestic flight from Davao airport in Philippines there seemed to be a strict no umbrellas rule. Any umbrellas were confiscated and thrown into a giant umbrella bin. Yet other domestic airports in Phillippines seem to be fine with umbrellas.

My favourite airport screening was Komodo airport on Flores, Indonesia. They had a metal detector, but it was switched off and the screener was sleeping in his chair.

 

[simongr]

Of course if shoes have metal in them like stiletto heels or steel capped boots then the usually need to be taken off even when there isn't a general shoe rule. You sometimes see Americans who are so use to taking off shoes at airports that they still do it when overseas.

I find this hilarious and annoying. I don't take off my jacket, belt or shoes and have been pinged once only in Oz and that was for walking too slowly... I now get stuck behind people dressed in pretty much the same way as they disrobe for no reason...

I remember just after 9/11 in Australia they had some crazy rule that not only did the laptop have to come out of the bag, but the laptop battery had to be taken out of the laptop and scanned separately.

Lordy I had forgotten about that!

Areosols is the one that annoys me most - shaving foam cans get pinged as well. Also annoying that there is only one brand of small size men's antiperspirant/deodorant for sale in Oz and I am running out of my small cans purchased in the UK...

 

[Happy Trails]

At BKK lately it's been shoes on through the fast track screening point but shoes off for the commoners in the slow lane.

 

[Mardi]

I have a messenger bag with a laptop section that unzips and folds out, and is apparently TSA approved (it's US made) so you don't need to remove the laptop. I've used it at JFK and LAX and there have been no problems.

In Australia, I get snarled at to remove my laptop from the bag, even though it is folded out. So now I just remove it each time so as to avoid holding up the queue.

 

[serfty]

...

In Australia, I get snarled at to remove my laptop from the bag, even though it is folded out. So now I just remove it each time so as to avoid holding up the queue.

I have a bag with the same feature.

That happened to me the first time I tried it, so it's out with the netbook (although it stays in its sheath).

 

[GeraldG]

kul to sin, coins and mobile phone

 

[poppet]

Another one is related to carrying a baby through security. In Adelaide you are allowed to keep the Baby Bjorn on with baby in it and walk through. In Melbourne they make you take the Baby Bjorn off and put it through the scanner while you carry the baby through in your arms. Certainly not the easiest process when your husband has walked through security first leaving you to try and unhook baby etc on your own. At least we know for next time though.

 

[Berlin]

Certainly not the easiest process when your husband has walked through security first leaving you to try and unhook baby etc on your own.

Maybe it's time to consider getting a better husband? :shock:

 

[Happy Trails]

At BKK lately it's been shoes on through the fast track screening point but shoes off for the commoners in the slow lane.

Now it's shoes off for the gentry as well.
They do provide slippers though.

 

[albatross710]

Of course if shoes have metal in them like stiletto heels or steel capped boots then the usually need to be taken off even when there isn't a general shoe rule. You sometimes see Americans who are so use to taking off shoes at airports that they still do it when overseas.

If I step through the scanner with small steps then my shoes will set off the alert. If I pause, take a large 'goose step' with only one show in the scanner at a time, then usually now alert.

 

[defurax]

This thread reminded me of that week in August 2006 when the security went to code "Orange-red-purple-blue insane" for flights to the UK. All baggages had to be checked in including carry on with laptop computers (which goes against every travel insurance policy I know). The up side was that security was really fast since we were only allowed our passport and a toothbrush in a ziplock bag. It was really the worst week to travel...
I have to agree with most people here that inconsistencies are the biggest problem when it comes to security. I remember an angry TSA agent yelling at me because I had my watch on and it made the metal detector beep. I told him I was sorry and that I had kept it in because it did not activate the alarm in Hong Kong. He told me that this was impossible because metal is metal....