Travel etiquette

[froggerADL]

This also applies to people who get to the supermarket checkout, the operator packs their bags and says "that's $123.45 please". The shopper then starts rumaging around in their handbag looking for their purse, as if they're surprised that they have to pay!

 

[Foreigner]

This also applies to people who get to the supermarket checkout, the operator packs their bags and says "that's $123.45 please". The shopper then starts rumaging around in their handbag looking for their purse, as if they're surprised that they have to pay!

That's true though you notice it doesn't happen at the bar. We want our drink fast so we pay up soonest.

 

[mrpooky]

Agree with this. If only more passengers would do the same and place "everything" into their carry-on well before arriving at security, instead of fussing about once they get to the x-ray machine. Belt, i-phone, keys, wallet, wrist watch, etc, etc, - all into their carry-on in advance. Speeds things up no end.

Ah, but not always!

I used to put everything from my pockets in my carry on, only taking out my laptop and tablet for separate trays. But then at NTL, time and time again, they'd need to re-xray my backpack after shaking it about because all of the metallic 'things' in it, some of which came from my pockets, collected together.

So I've found it's actually sometimes quicker to NOT put extra stuff in your bag, and instead chuck it in a tray.

mrpooky.

 

[drron]

This also applies to people who get to the supermarket checkout, the operator packs their bags and says "that's $123.45 please". The shopper then starts rumaging around in their handbag looking for their purse, as if they're surprised that they have to pay!

Old fashioned I know but if a small supermarket shop and don't want to get the plastic out(yes just a pretend AFFer I know) I usually have the correct change out.amazing how often the person on the checkout is mystified as to how I knew the exact amount.

 

[Kieran2274]

If there is someone in front of me who seems to be taking a long time to get everything out and into the trays, I will just pick up my stuff and walk around them to be processed. Assuming there is a fair space between them and the person in front of them, of course.

This should be perfectly fine, especially since you aren't holding up those pawing their pockets etc at the screening point - but lines just seem to make some people crazy. Some people doing the last minute juggle deliberately block anyone who is ready to go from using that empty metal detector, as if they are doing them a evil. This sort of craziness just means the line log-jams and I'm sure it caused more than a few people to either cut it very fine, or actually miss their flight.

When it comes to queues, logic often appears endangered lol

 

[Kieran2274]

I tried 2) in PER the other day, and at least 3 people walked past me and were not pulled over (the scanner was standing there doing nothing) and they pulled me over. I actually had a go at them a little bit saying they were meant to get the next 'cab off the rank' so to speak and they responded with "oh it's totally random sir". I can't recall where I saw it, but I was under the belief it was meant to be the next person walking past after they'd finished the previous scan?

For some reason the PER security mob tend to be a little OTT, compared to other domestic airports.

 

[Kieran2274]

Argh, these all annoy me too which fortunately doesn’t happen too often. I’m ready before I join the queue – I chuck all my pocket contents into my carryon before queuing up, so I can just pop the bag onto the belt, walk through and pick the bag up. What I don’t do is spend 15 minutes in front of the metal detector emptying my pockets one by one, adjusting my bag, etc.

It's good advice flyingfan, and advice that I follow myself. Makes it so much easier, and you can do it before you enter the terminal - you only need your passport or drivers licence or frequent flyer card before screening anyway. No mess, no fuss.

 

[RooFlyer]

Argh, these all annoy me too which fortunately doesn’t happen too often. I’m ready before I join the queue – I chuck all my pocket contents into my carryon before queuing up, so I can just pop the bag onto the belt, walk through and pick the bag up. What I don’t do is spend 15 minutes in front of the metal detector emptying my pockets one by one, adjusting my bag, etc.

<snip>.

As do I. With the consequence that after a couple of domestic flights I end up with a huge amount of change in the designated pocket in the laptop bag carry-on. A bonus when I finally realize there's half a mortgage payment in there

 

[TomVexille]

If there is someone in front of me who seems to be taking a long time to get everything out and into the trays, I will just pick up my stuff and walk around them to be processed. Assuming there is a fair space between them and the person in front of them, of course.

Absolutely. If someone wants to dawdle and create a gap, I'm happy to walk right past them.

 

[drron]

As do I. With the consequence that after a couple of domestic flights I end up with a huge amount of change in the designated pocket in the laptop bag carry-on. A bonus when I finally realize there's half a mortgage payment in there

On this last trip we did not go straight home but spent the time in Sydney and the Southern highlands with family.The coffee shop in Bowral were mean-wouldn't accept the Thai baht I had picked out of my computer bag from the pocket I was sure contained my aussie coins.

I use my time in the line for checking in to deposit everything into my carry on even my watch and belt.Only have to retrieve computer and slkip off my shoes at security.

 

[turnip666]

Absolutely. If someone wants to dawdle and create a gap, I'm happy to walk right past them.

Do this myself and had it done to me on one embarrassing occasion.

Have had some grief from the dawdler though. One family with baby were taking an age and no one was going passed them so I had walked around them and placed all my belongings on the belt...... and they arced up! Told me I was rude and should wait my turn. Gave them a smile, collected my things and was on my way. Was even stopped for the explosives check and .......they were still getting organised and others had taken my lead. The husband looked like he was going to explode!

I understand it takes a while with babies....but that is no reason that the rest of the world needs to stop!

PS I have helped out others in the past (usually the elderly or frail) but there did not appear to be a reason (or an opportunity) to help here, apart from their decision to wait to get to the belt to get organised.

 

[Robbi]

I have flown 4 times in the last 3 years and every time I am "randomly selected" for the explosive scan. I guess I belong to the wrong ethnic background.

Almost every flight from ADL in the last 3 years I have been tested, same in Melbourne International and Heathrow - better than 80% hit rate all up. I am glad I look that fearsome, or dubious!

 

[Rebekkap]

Absolutely. If someone wants to dawdle and create a gap, I'm happy to walk right past them.

I've done this a lot, and been told off once (in Perth, domestic, and was actually rushing to get to a flight). Some guy decided it was rude and arked up with "what are you in such a hurry for?" (Growled in a very unpleasant tone of voice).

flew out of Toulouse yesterday and have never seen such a crowd of slow pokes at security screening (where they were quite happy to let giant full bottles of Evian through, as long as you got them out and put them in a separate tray!) all acting surprised that they had to remove things from their pockets etc.

separate rant about BA coming up shortly.

 

[Magpie10]

iPad in handbag check, no steel components in shoes check, no aerosols in hand luggage check, no jewellery that alerts x ray machine check, it's not that hard, is it!? But for some it obviously is!

 

[JohnK]

Isnt travel fun?

 

[Foreigner]

Isnt travel fun?

Can be fun but doesn't always end that way.

Another etiquette which can be of help to other travellers is if we refrain from hogging seats in departure areas. Too often we see single seats with hand luggage or nothing which stops others from taking a seat. Moving one seat can let a couple sit together. Bit of empathy helps.

 

[serfty]

In my rating order order from the article: 3, 4, 1, 2 & 5

However, in magnitude of importance out of 100 for each (if 3 is 100): 100, 97, 95, 90 & 70.

Also, prepare for WTMD: 96.

Obviously the author does travel a lot - and thinks about it.

All are strait forward to do and are simple common sense (although others may disagree with 3).

 

[Milboo]

It astounds me that people get to security screening and are so disorganised. It is not like it is a pop up surprise screening point!

By the time I get to the bench I have my liquids bag out. Hand luggage goes up, step out of shoes and into tray with liquids. Don't carry things in my pockets. No need to take iPad out.

Get through screening, pull my things right to the end, unzip, chuck in and step into shoes. I worry about rearranging later.

I shake my head at the people to stand there right by the Perspex and unload their bins, put shoes on etc. I will politely suggest that they move down so the rest of us can get out stuff.

 

[DrA]

It astounds me that people get to security screening and are so disorganised. It is not like it is a pop up surprise screening point!

I think as frequent flyers sometimes it's easy for us to forget there are still a lot of first time flyers out there. For them, the security screening is not going to be something they're familiar with. Additionally, in my experience, what you have to take out of your bag and what you can/can't take through security varies depending on whether it's a domestic or international terminal and also depends on airport in general. So some people may be familiar with domestic screening processes and not international.

I tend to be a little more sympathetic about this, but at the same time, I do what many others in this thread have indicated and just dump my own stuff into a tray for screening and go around the slow pokes.

 

[Kieran2274]

I think as frequent flyers sometimes it's easy for us to forget there are still a lot of first time flyers out there. For them, the security screening is not going to be something they're familiar with. Additionally, in my experience, what you have to take out of your bag and what you can/can't take through security varies depending on whether it's a domestic or international terminal and also depends on airport in general. So some people may be familiar with domestic screening processes and not international.

I tend to be a little more sympathetic about this, but at the same time, I do what many others in this thread have indicated and just dump my own stuff into a tray for screening and go around the slow pokes.

This would be the ideal solution DrA, simply sign that at security check-points that those ready to go can and should move ahead while those sorting things out should be allowed to do what they need to do without being bumped, etc. I think everyone can be accommodated readily, in a win-win situation.

Alternatively, at major airports, have a 'I'm prepared' lane which the masters of the security screening point are invited to use (you can always police it by having anyone not doing a drop and scan - or not getting greenlighted - to re-queue or flow to another processing queue). Small changes enabling better flow-through for all stakeholders.