Increased aviation security at Australian airports

[dk4]

My concern would be if they go too far down the technology path... There's still a lot of merit in old fashioned ID that you carry in your pocket and show to a human being.

The reality is that computers tend to be more reliable at facial recognition than humans (excluding the specialist team of faces experts located in Canberra). Most would be surprised at the "hushed locations" where facial recognition technology may have already been rolled out, right down to their local Coles! Humans are probably better deployed doing other things, things we can still do better than computers (and I don't mean inane chats and sustained eye contact)... PLUS don't create queues - choke points are serious nefarious opportunities (unless you are protecting something more important than the people in them).

 

[Berlin]

This discussion reminds me of when I totally innocently carried a super heavy pressure cooker all the way from Germany to Australia in my hand luggage. It's only about ten years or so ago and I didn't think anything of it at the time but after Boston and similar attacks, these days they'd think it might be a nail bomb :shock:

 

[Pleb Status]

Slightly longer than normal wait at PER VA T1 security yesterday. Only noticeable difference was two explosive testers on duty when I normally only see one.

 

[marki]

This discussion reminds me of when I totally innocently carried a super heavy pressure cooker all the way from Germany to Australia in my hand luggage. It's only about ten years or so ago and I didn't think anything of it at the time but after Boston and similar attacks, these days they'd think it might be a nail bomb :shock:

Had a large jar of cream right in the middle of my suite case. Glad they did not put their fingers in it! Would chucked it out!

 

[ozflier]

Big delays this am at BNE International for economy pax departing.
Queue stretched out of pre immigration security line into the downstairs foyer and up the stairs.
Looked like at least 30-45 minutes delay.
Thank goodness for our express pass.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Big delays this am at BNE International for economy pax departing.
Queue stretched out of pre immigration security line into the downstairs foyer and up the stairs.
Looked like at least 30-45 minutes delay.
Thank goodness for our express pass.

Unfortunately not unusual on busy days at BNE. That's another reason it's called whY.

But why they can't open more check points is a question.

 

[nutwood]

The reality is that computers tend to be more reliable at facial recognition than humans (excluding the specialist team of faces experts located in Canberra). Most would be surprised at the "hushed locations" where facial recognition technology may have already been rolled out, right down to their local Coles! Humans are probably better deployed doing other things, things we can still do better than computers (and I don't mean inane chats and sustained eye contact)... PLUS don't create queues - choke points are serious nefarious opportunities (unless you are protecting something more important than the people in them).

Totally agree. My concern is that when computer face recognition becomes the norm, the computer becomes the vulnerable link. A secure system has a minimum of two different checks. The human component is vulnerable to brown paper bags full of cash and the computer is vulnerable to hacking. Coinciding these two vulnerabilities is extremely difficult.
My feeling is that the best approach is some very serious dog training. Man's best friend can sniff out stuff that swabs can only dream about. Properly trained, I suspect they could also sniff out "evil on his mind", possibly not infallibly, as I'm sure there would be some of our politicians who'd get an extra sniff.

 

[PLANT]

The computer of vulnerable to Tom Cruise...... Mission impossible

 

[Denali]

Sunday, Melbourne 8am at virgin. Check in and bag drop is full to the last rope barrier thingy but premium check in was about 3 deep.

End of security line can be seen from the bottom of escalator as you approach security. No VA lounge security access on weekends.

9am security, very fast and took approx 2mins, including swab.

 

[drron]

Sorry OT but we have nothing to complain about-Don Mueang yesterday-

He said it took his wife four hours and 20 minutes from the time she joined the queue at midnight to clear passport control.

Please credit and share this article with others using this link:It's all queue much | Bangkok Post: news.

 

[TomVexille]

Express path at SYD T1 was normal today

 

[Melburnian1]

An interesting debate in the 'Border Mail' about whether Rex (code ZL) with its lower weight planes ought to have its passengers subject to screening (QF and VA passengers already are):

Rex rejects screening heat | The Border Mail

Note that the (State) Liberal Member for Albury, NSW agrees with Rex, but the (State) Liberal Member for Benambra (who represents Wodonga, Vic.) disagrees and is leading a push for Rex passengers to be subject to screening. The paper has not asked for the views of the Federal MPs (Liberal on the NSW side and a so-called Independent, through really a leftie, on the Victorian side.)

It's easy to see both sides. So far, no one has caused any trouble that I'm aware of on a Rex flight - at least not something that screening would prevent - yet on the other hand it seems odd to have different rules ar country airports, and a rule that effectively causes QF and VA to pay while ZL does not have to.

Complicating the issue is how screening cannot apparently detect plastic explosives or some other items.

I find it hard to agree that 'the annual cost of screening' (at each of the 45 locations) would be $750,000.' Two security staff per shift (and two shifts per day) that are shared between airlines even with on costs does not equal $750,000pa. At some of the 45 airports, Rex would be the only operator but it might only operate one flight a day, so presumably all an airport would need would be one staff member to operate the machine(s) and screen passengers. There is also the question as to who would pay the capital and operating costs of the equipment.

Rex's extension of the discussion to other modes of transport is legitimate. However, Islamic terrorists have a special fascination with aircraft as we saw on 11 September a number of years ago. One assumes a successful 'action' affecting an aircraft is regarded as 'the big prize.'

It would be great to hear the views of country residents who may or may not be Rex passengers. One of our aviators is in that category.

On balance, I'd stick with the status quo on the 'if it ain't broke...' view.

 

[large]

Any word on what is happening in ADL? i.e. any delays. Brother flies QF 660 on Wednesday mornings and I do a QQ flight to YLLE. We get to ADL airport around 05:15. ADL is very busy at the best of times with MEL BNE SYD flights etc, now with these so called extra measures...... and what are they actually?

 

[large]

Also should add, am flying ADL- DXB in 5 weeks time. Any reports of extra delays for international ex ADL?

 

[Melburnian1]

Also should add, am flying ADL- DXB in 5 weeks time. Any reports of extra delays for international ex ADL?

Domestic airlines have advised the resumption of previous rules re check in times.

The major ongoing change - at this stage - appears to be increased explosives swabbing of passengers.

 

[Pushka]

ADL seems normal currently.

Also for those who don't know ADL - ALL flights international and domestic for all carriers pass through the one security gate in one long sometimes snaking queue. So any changes to domestic security will always impact similarly on international departures.

 

[drron]

Unless you come in on Rex or QF regional-get your own special security line downstairs at ADL

 

[Pushka]

Unless you come in on Rex or QF regional-get your own special security line downstairs at ADL

Don't they line up opposite Qantas upstairs?

 

[nutwood]

Don't they line up opposite Qantas upstairs?

No, they sneak you in through the side door and there's a totally separate screening point. I suspect they must have brought it over from Port Lincoln because I'm pretty sure PLO used to screen but now doesn't.

 

[kevrosmith]

It's easy to see both sides. So far, no one has caused any trouble that I'm aware of on a Rex flight - at least not something that screening would prevent - yet on the other hand it seems odd to have different rules ar country airports, and a rule that effectively causes QF and VA to pay while ZL does not have to.

QF and VA don't pay... they pass the fee onto the passenger and it's hidden in the cost of your ticket: "taxes". Rex are possibly just more concerned that it make their fares look more expensive as they pass the cost on to the passenger.

Passengers from flights which arrive from non-screened airports are funneled directly into the non-secure arrivals areas of airports, and if they are transiting to other flights, first have to enter the departures area via security screening at the major airport. In Cairns, for example, passengers from regional ports, such as Weipa and Horn Island, which don't have security screen (AFAIK), are fed into the northern end of the terminal directly into the Baggage Hall, unlike pax from Domestic flights which enter via the Departures Hall before exiting to the Baggage Hall.

Personally, I'm a bit perplexed at all the increased attention on Domestic terminal security. Even this recent incident was allegedly targeting an international flight, so unless there's some other intelligence which they are not disclosing regarding an increased threat or intention to target Domestic flights, I don't understand the need to introduce International-style security restrictions to our Domestic terminals, such as preventing non-travelling public to enter secure areas and introducing International-style LAGS restrictions.

I'm not sure if anyone else has noticed, but it is interesting to reflect the timing of these news efforts to increase domestic security restrictions in Australia against the USA-mandated "increased security checks" which were recently introduced to relieve the heightened carry-on restriction on certain ME airlines from certain ME ports to USA. I wonder if the Australian Govt is being pressured by the USA to conform to these "increased security" regulations.