Security bias (or the perception of such)

[Revolio]

Since I have been gathering statistics on this I get pulled over a very very high percentage of the time (currently just under 98%) at the Virgin airport security points in the major Oz capital cities. In this politically correct environment in which we live, all you can do is broadcast your observations. I recently did 39 "pull over driver" stops in a row at security, had a break of 2 "straight throughs" and now we are up to 19 in a row (again). Observation: the vast majority of the security officers that have stopped me have seemingly been of middle Eastern appearance. Observation: I always wear a suit and tie to fly in. Observation: I am a middle-aged caucasian. In one really bizarre incident, just before the Melbourne express lane was introduced, one "officer" traversed all lanes, nearly knocking over two little old ladies, just to get to me. I have witnessed other incidents in Melbourne where fully-laden backpackers are ignored and I am "processed".
I appreciate this is an important role than requires judicious attention and rigour to match the power associated with the role, but my consistently high stoppage rate is personally concerning. I am tempted to use the word "prejudice" but the directional flow is against the traditional tide, so I am unable to mention this concept. It may well be part of the training to target the genre which I portray, but I am starting to lose the concept of subscribing to the sense of good old Aussie fair play which I was brought up with. They may well be a psychological explanation for my pull-over rate, or it just might be bad luck or a bad run, but it is beginning to seem really odd. Escalating my concerns to controlling bodies might well work against me. I try to take a light-hearted view and just ignore it all, but it is just beginning to wear a little thin. Maybe Little Britain are considering doing another Airport comedy series; my security experiences would translate into a regular sketch quite well. Have other middle-aged, suit-wearing Caucasian males noticed this, or is my timing all wrong, or am I discretely putting too much emphasis on getting the entry "right"? (Or just accept this is modern Australia and expect to be treated this way because of my appearance and the perception of what I represent?) Statistically this is starting to look very odd.

 

[Mark3000]

Wow that must be getting so annoying
I wonder why?
Have you been flagged for some reason?
Are you looking nervous and suspicious ( which anyone might be after so many times in a row)
Maybe try taking suit coat off and carrying it?
I hope it stops for you

 

[juddles]

...Since I have been gathering statistics on this......

The fact that you gather statistics on a security procedure is odd enough - my guess is that you stand out like a sore thumb because of your body language.

 

[juddles]

.... In one really bizarre incident, just before the Melbourne express lane was introduced, one "officer" traversed all lanes, nearly knocking over two little old ladies, just to get to me......

How on earth did you notice what one of the many security staff was doing prior to him speaking to you??

 

[Daver6]

If that was my job and I had to pull over either a well dressed business traveler or a backpacker with a couple of bags stuff full of "stuff", I'd select the businessman. Why? Less likely to get uphill, probably travels a bit and knows the drill. More likely to be quick and easy. Ie, perhaps they are just taking the lazy approach.

I'm a male caucasian. I don't travel in a suit, but am usually well dress. I have a pretty efficient method for getting my gear out for the x-ray machine, taking off all metal so I don't set the machine off and back on quickly after. I get stopped for the bomb testing more often than note. I know the drill. Bag opens, no need to read me the spiel. It's over and done with in less than a minute. Suspect they know I won't kick up a fuss and will be done with quickly.

 

[mooingchicken]

I find the pretend they are invisable thing generally gets me through, if they are free i take a little extra time to collect my things, then they generally pick the first person to them. If you look at them/make eye contact ive found they will generally pick you. As per running across lanes etc. who knows, ive never seen or been subject to that, but that does seem a very high stopage rate

 

[williamsf1]

If that was my job and I had to pull over either a well dressed business traveler or a backpacker with a couple of bags stuff full of "stuff", I'd select the businessman. Why? Less likely to get uphill, probably travels a bit and knows the drill. More likely to be quick and easy. Ie, perhaps they are just taking the lazy approach.

I'm a male caucasian. I don't travel in a suit, but am usually well dress. I have a pretty efficient method for getting my gear out for the x-ray machine, taking off all metal so I don't set the machine off and back on quickly after. I get stopped for the bomb testing more often than note. I know the drill. Bag opens, no need to read me the spiel. It's over and done with in less than a minute. Suspect they know I won't kick up a fuss and will be done with quickly.

I am the same... I would have about a 60% " success" rate of being pulled over for a explosives test..... I know they are waiting for me.... my bag is open and ready to be swiped.... by the time the bag is done up again .. I am on my way


Security at airports is a numbers game.... They need to meet a certain number each hour .. I am a easy target, as they don't need to explain the process to me ... do I see my self as a victim? NO ... I see it as just another procedure before travel.


now... don't get me started on inconsistencies at security ( ie small umbrellas out at one airport / OK to stay in bag at another.... Aerosols )

 

[kevrosmith]

I find it's about being aware of your surroundings and what others around you are doing. If the trace-explosives tester just finished with someone and a person ahead of me is about to move, I just take a bit longer to pack my things into my bag. Of course, the times I'm pulled up, I'm polite, let them get on and do their job, and am quickly on my way.

 

[bullerdude]

Male Aussie mid-20's and I get check about 70% of the time... following which they make a notch in whichever column of the tracking sheet I fit under.

I guess they have their KPI's to meet!

 

[Isochronous]

I'm probably at about 60-70% too. Mediterranean appearance - maybe they mistake me for ME. Always wear a sports jacket/blazer and business shirt with RM Williams boots when travelling. But I never make a fuss and always tell them not to bother reading the declaration/warning etc. Maybe it is bureaucratic laziness, maybe it is profiling. Who knows.

 

[blackcat20]

I find the pretend they are invisable thing generally gets me through, if they are free i take a little extra time to collect my things, then they generally pick the first person to them. If you look at them/make eye contact ive found they will generally pick you. As per running across lanes etc. who knows, ive never seen or been subject to that, but that does seem a very high stopage rate

I do the same, if they are free they are more likely to grab you.

 

[Pushka]

Hmmm. MrP is checked for explosives I'd say five out of six times ratio. Caucasian and suit and tie. He's very aware of his surroundings and has tried the fiddle with the laptop idea. Maybe that's what he's doing wrong. Drives him batty. He always gets picked if I travel with him. That makes the temper worse and somehow it's my fault.

 

[mannej]

My view on this - isn't it Murphy's Lore if one is that paranoid about being selected by security it will happen?

 

[serfty]

I used to worry about it - doing the fiddle with the bag repack etc.

These days I just go with the flow - if I get pulled over, I get pulled over - only takes 45 seconds and then i am on the way to the lounge.

 

[Revolio]

Well Mr Juddles, all I can say is sometimes you can disguise a casual glance without making it seem that you are anticipating something. But the incident which generated your response was impossible to miss - he was on a mission and didn't really care who he trampled to get to his target. I can live with it all though; my arms are out and I never say anything when summoned. Something else seems to be happening. Hard to ignore when you are doing 65/70 flights are year and just one of them is scan-free. The statistics gathering is merely a by-product of the 'encounter' process. Maybe Pushka, Mr P and I have similar profiles or casual/happy dispositions. I don't think the situation for Mr P or myself will change somehow. I just see it as a flying fact of life, and anyone getting the average of 1 out of 3 interceptions is just a lucky duck.

 

[Mark3000]

I used to worry about it - doing the fiddle with the bag repack etc.

These days I just go with the flow - if I get pulled over, I get pulled over - only takes 45 seconds and then i am on the way to the lounge.

Yes that's my philosophy too, I usually don't mind either.

The OP though is understandably concerned because he seems to be getting far more than his fair share. Maybe it is just lazy security picking quick and easy targets though

 

[PLANT]

I had a huge run then it stopped.... Only had one idiot security when I commented about his rude/aggressive and potentially damaging wand technique in poking my $4k laptop that was in neoprene cover and plastic zip lock bag.... "I do my job properly"......Adelaide airport.... Wear the same attire and now even if I look for scan I'm waved thru.... I'm sure they rotate a stereo type as policy " security 1o 1"

 

[Mattg]

It seems to me that, consciously or not, the security staff are racially profiling. Not that they would probably ever admit it.

 

[moa999]

Virgin Premium in SYD has a very high hit rate as very few ppl using it

 

[stux]

Always picks me for the scan when travelling with family. Once I enquired in the past how come I always got "randomly screened". Security guy sheepishly admitted he didn't want to inconvenience my wife who was kid wrangling.

Then other times i've been travelling with less experienced colleagues... who are nervous I guess... guess who gets screened.