Jump queue at X-ray? [others not ready, you are]

[Flying Fox]

My approach precisely. Not using a tray also keeps the line moving quickly (and allows me to bypass others who do not take that approach).

OK let me ask others here about the correct etiquette in this situation (and I would like to say I don't like people who jump queues etc so I don't want to be one of these people as I feel that I need to lead by example). So when everyone is in the line and the three people in front of me are messing around with trays etc etc and I'm ready to get x-rayed etc.

Am I allowed to leap-frog the three people before me who in my opinion aren't ready and put my bag in the x-ray machine and walk through the metal detector (without getting dirty looks) ?

 

[Gold60]

IMHO, yes, i believe it is OK to jump the queue in this instance. Especially if it speeds up the overall processing of the waiting passengers.

OK let me ask others here about the correct etiquette in this situation (and I would like to say I don't like people who jump queues etc so I don't want to be one of these people as I feel that I need to lead by example). So when everyone is in the line and the three people in front of me are messing around with trays etc etc and I'm ready to get x-rayed etc.

Am I allowed to leap-frog the three people before me who in my opinion aren't ready and put my bag in the x-ray machine and walk through the metal detector (without getting dirty looks) ?

 

[Pushka]

OK let me ask others here about the correct etiquette in this situation (and I would like to say I don't like people who jump queues etc so I don't want to be one of these people as I feel that I need to lead by example). So when everyone is in the line and the three people in front of me are messing around with trays etc etc and I'm ready to get x-rayed etc.

Am I allowed to leap-frog the three people before me who in my opinion aren't ready and put my bag in the x-ray machine and walk through the metal detector (without getting dirty looks) ?

IMHO, yes, i believe it is OK to jump the queue in this instance. Especially if it speeds up the overall processing of the waiting passengers.

I agree with Gold60. And I’ve seen security people wave those ahead who look up to be scanned but others are still pulling stuff out of pockets etc but who are closer to the machine. I’ll generalise again and say women (without kids) are usually ready faster than men due to handbags. So if the overall concept is to make the process a speedy and efficient one it is exactly what should be done.

 

[Lord_Lenny]

OK let me ask others here about the correct etiquette in this situation (and I would like to say I don't like people who jump queues etc so I don't want to be one of these people as I feel that I need to lead by example). So when everyone is in the line and the three people in front of me are messing around with trays etc etc and I'm ready to get x-rayed etc.

Am I allowed to leap-frog the three people before me who in my opinion aren't ready and put my bag in the x-ray machine and walk through the metal detector (without getting dirty looks) ?

I do it, I'm not a fan of queue jumping, but in these situations I'll usually have all my loose objects/belt in my hand luggage already. I'm not going to jump from half way down the line obviously, but if the people directly in front of me are fussing around trying to put things in bags/wrestling with trays etc. I'll often just slip ahead of them.

 

[kermatu]

Yes, I think it's fine. I don't barge past people straight to the belt, but fairly discretely check if it is clear the one or two people in front of me are not ready and then walk past to the front.

Walking a bit tentatively / caching the security people's eye definitely helps and I agree will often see you waved through.

The new security screening in Auckland international effectively mandates this. Once you get through the general line, you are told to go to a specific open spot for one of the security conveyor belts. The spot you get assigned to could be right next to the body scanner or 6 spots away. Doesn't matter, as you take the time you need and once ready put your tray / bag straight onto the belt in front of you and then walk to the body scanner / metal detector. Done it a few times now and it seems to work well. If you have everything ready you can literally drop and go. If you have lots to sort out you can take your time without feeling you are holding people up.

Not a fan of their other changes, but that's OT.

 

[Quickstatus]

Yes I have done it numerous times but only if the person ahead is visibly holding up the line.

However I keep out an eye for bomb swabber at the other end when retrieving my stuff. If s/he is swabbing, I go like if missed my flight. If swabber is randomnly picking out a target, I go super slow until Swabber has picked a victim, then I go like the clappers

 

[Matt_01]

I am with others, I think it is fine. I just want to get through security as quickly as possible and in places like MEL will jump to general line if the line is shorter. I always struggle with those FFs proudly displaying their WP tags/ coasters on their back packs, bags and seem to fluff about at security, pulling stuff out of their pockets, leaving aerosols in bag, phones in pockets etc.

IMO if you are going to jump ahead you just need to be confident that you will not set off the alarms or your bag will not be sent back back for a second screen check. If you fail either one of these you should have just stayed in line.

 

[harvyk]

It's perfectly fine to jump ahead.
If I was ever in the position of holding up the line I'd tell others to jump ahead.

 

[Hvr]

It's perfectly fine to jump ahead.
If I was ever in the position of holding up the line I'd tell others to jump ahead.

I do it if required. But, you must be able to walk straight through without setting off the alarm.

If you set off the alarm you've failed and should be sent to the very end of the queue.

 

[Lord_Lenny]

swabber is randomnly picking out a target, I go super slow until Swabber has picked a victim, then I go like the clappers

I have been known to take slightly longer to put on a belt to avoid this, but I've been swabbed so frequently the procedure was almost muscle memory for a period of time late 2016/early 2017. I did notice I usually got swabbed at the Virgin premium entrances at Sydney or Brisbane much more often than when I was going through the normal entrance, or in Melbourne. But that makes sense as there's more potential targets at a regular security check.

 

[TomVexille]

I did this Friday at MEL, and don't hesitate to if I'm ready to go. There was a man at the start of the bench (where the bins are, before the conveyor starts) with his bag fully open pulling things out so I grabbed a bin and dropped my wallet/phone in in one motion and was straight ot the front... until the idiot before me got pinged at the metal detector because of his massive watch

 

[blackcat20]

I did this Friday at MEL, and don't hesitate to if I'm ready to go. There was a man at the start of the bench (where the bins are, before the conveyor starts) with his bag fully open pulling things out so I grabbed a bin and dropped my wallet/phone in in one motion and was straight ot the front... until the idiot before me got pinged at the metal detector because of his massive watch

And I got stuck behind the two slow pokes....

 

[JohnK]

It should be fine. But make sure that you are able to get through in one go without being sent back.

 

[Ausbt]

Always when dealing with dawdlers, yes. In terms of b**b swabbers though, my understanding is that they do not always 'choose' you, but rather a light comes on on the walk-through machine which tells them to wave their majic wands. Regardless, I'm always courteous to them as what a job.

 

[Flying Fox]

Personally I do it too but I have on occasion received dirty looks etc from others.

IIRC, I even once received a dirty look from a security guy.

 

[turnip666]

I went around a couple messing about with getting their baby gear sorted. Huge lines at Melb int.

They started having a go at me,telling me to wait my turn. Apparently the whole queue had to wait for them.

Only time that has happened.

 

[mortumus]

It’s fine. I’ve done it if I’m ready to go.
I try to catch their eye just to make sure that they done mind.
On occasion I’ve been a bit slow myself and haved waved people through.

 

[Deleted member]

I frequently find people fumbling around, taking off coats, removing metal etc and generally holding proceedings up. I am usually all ready to go as I walk up to the machine. So I have no issue with jumping ahead. Anyone complains I point out they need to plan things a lot better.

 

[Pushka]

With this thread in mind I was curious to see what happened at my flight last week. At a busy Adelaide terminal last Friday (just one queue for all flights inc international) the security guys were actively calling (loudly) people to move to the scanner machine when people were ready to go but standing and waiting for others to finish their sorting. Needless to say I didn’t need to be prompted.

 

[coriander]

While I'm standing in the queue, I'll take off watch, wallet, phone and pop them in the top zip pocket of my backpack. Then it's laptop out, belt off and if I can get a tray, I'll drop my gear on it and move straight through to the scanner - I don't care how many folk are in front of me. On the other side, I just have to pick up belt and backpack (and shoes if I'm in LOTFAP) and walk away briskly from the security area, giving the wanders little chance to stop me and knowing nothing has been left behind. OTOH, it's a standing joke in our family that Mrs C is wanded every time in just about every airport in the world.