Unprepared for security screening

[NM]

The correct response to "but he whinged “hey there’s a queue here y’know!”" would be "yes, and you are holding it up so we are starting a new one, feel free to join it when your are prepared to go through"

 

[Fantic125]

Some patience for the non regular travellers is required but I usually find, a polite I'm ready do you mind if I go through before you usually works.

I usually do the same; 9/10 there's usually no objections.

Of course, picking the right queue helps.....


Up in the Air (2009) racist / stereotype scene (mirrored horizontally) - YouTube

 

[Bodie]

I think there are several issues here, domestic vs international, different airport layouts and secuity areas, security consistence.
the other thread re security confiscations comes here as well esp with consistency. My wife can be on the same trip, wearing same clothes and not trip metal detactor at one airport, but trigger at another. Obviously the alarm tolerance can be different at different airports to trigger alarms. This can cause delays.
Domestically at Brisbane, after checking in, the security area is very close. If you had to produce id to get tickets, you may still have change from the cab in your pockets, car keys from parking. If your like me, I like to know that I have my wallet, keys, sunnies etc still on me, bit ocd. The security you have to put bag up, get laptop out, find another tray for keys,wallet,sunnies, change etc. i do this the quickest i can. I like to wait and see the items start to go through, to prevent theft, then walk through detector. Then get other end and have to get organised again, with pretty much nowhere to do this before the escalator. Trying to avoid the explosive test making sure wife and i have everything.
Internationally at brisbane, we can be more organised, i put all my belongings temp in cabin bag, except for passport, and there is room to do this, before going down stairs, as usually will have to take shoes and belt off before secuirty after filling in departure card.
So in essence, brisbane domestic departure dont have an seperate area to get organsed before security, after checking in and bag drop., ie a table or rack etc
International departure much easy to get organised upstairs, plenty of area with places to do this, before going down stairs.
As for jumping queue that can be problematic, as a couple I want to try to have one go through to start to collect things, the other then goes through maaking sure everything went through to assist, if someone puts gear in between a couples bags and trays can be issue, at the other end.

 

[medhead]

yes its a travel forum but does every minor incident like someone not letting someone move ahead in a queue deserve a 2 or 4 or even 10 page discussion?? id rather hear the op talk about how his flight was or hear a tip about a hotel he recommends in bangkok.

this forum can be really petty...

Sorry but this is not petty IMO. I think the OP has reviewed the situation and is unsure how to judge it on reflection. I think they've asked the question to gauge other people's opinion to help them determine how they might react in future.

I've raised similar questions in the past and had all sorts of accusations made. It really doesn't help to [-]attack people[/-] question the motivation of people who seem to be honestly self reflective of their behaviour and are trying to determine if correction is required.


Sent from the Throne

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I've not attacked anyone.

 

[medhead]

I've not attacked anyone.

Yes, sorry, I misspoke. I probably meant that saying the post/thread is petty doesn't help, IMO, for the reasons I outlined. Edit: I am not sure what are the proper words to express my thoughts on the matter. Sincere apologies for choosing the wrong word.

I'll edit.


Sent from the Throne

 

[flyingfan]

Should I have sucked it up and kept quiet whilst waiting in the queue or was I right to try and go ahead of him and then make a smart alec comment?

What have you done in a similar situation?

I have no qualms with stepping in front of people who decide that the front of the queue is the time they'll check and empty all 16 of their pockets, scrounging for that last coin in their jeans, adjust their jacket, take off the belt, etc.

When I'm near the benches with the trays I step back a bit so anyone who wants to can step ahead while I put the minimal contents of my pockets into my bag. Bag goes onto the conveyor belt. Walk through. Bag is grabbed from the belt. On to the lounge.

While I appreciate not everyone can/wants to be as organised, trying to force others to wait due to your own disorganisation is just not on.

 

[Mal Ware]

Yes, sorry, I misspoke. I probably meant that saying the post/thread is petty doesn't help, IMO, for the reasons I outlined. I'll edit.


Sent from the Throne

LOL What a back handed "sorry I'll edit" you still left the word attack in there.


As for the op, I would have said to the guy that I am also in the cue, the far que.

 

[medhead]

LOL What a back handed "sorry I'll edit" you still left the word attack in there.

Is it struck through? I left it there so later readers of the thread could understand my mistake. <redacted>

Sent from the Throne

 

[MEL_Traveller]

back to the original issue. This is not uncommon. If the pax is hogging the x-ray not much you can do, but if they leave a gap I usually look at the officer and motion whether or not I can go next. That sorts out any potential queue jumping accusations. If they don't I just wait it out.

 

[Kangol]

Of course, picking the right queue helps.....


Up in the Air (2009) racist / stereotype scene (mirrored horizontally) - YouTube

Beat me to it!
Almost all travel related questions are answered in UITA...

The answer to the OP's question is don't let it happen in the first place.
I always look at the people in front of me in the line, for obvious reasons.
It's good that in recent times, MEL T1 have had a staff member checking the Priority security line meaning that it is pretty empty compared to the others.
I also will put my watch/wallet/phone in my bag as I'm walking toward the checkpoint whilst taking the laptop out in order to save time. Doing that also allows me to swiftly overtake anyone if there is a need.
I've seen FAs do that before - walk to the front, dump their bag and walk through as if no line existed.

 

[Hvr]

Glad to have stimulated some interesting debate on a subject close to all of our hearts.

Yesterday at CBR I walked straight past a person getting ready on the belt. No issues at all, indeed I went straight through and he had to be rescreened because he set a beep off. The explosive guy just let me go preferring to wait for the next person. That is the first time that has ever happened to me.

 

[cmon0005]

I would generally overtake if:
a) it looks like they will be at least 20 seconds longer before they are able to go through screening and I am ready.
-especially if they're only just getting their laptop out, LAG's out, shoes off at the time they are just in front of the x-ray.
b) there is a long line behind me.

So no I don't think its rude to go infront, in those circumstances as you're helping speed up the line, and that would make the X amount of people behind you happy, and just 1 un-happy slow person/unprepared/kitchen sink carrier.

 

[williamsf1]

I am a regular flyer with a FIFO type job , so in a airport 2 times a week . I have recently started flying out of T2 in SYD ( can wait to get VA GOLD)….. I am often held up by “ inexperienced” travellers who forget to remove aerosols and lap tops from bags …. Or decide at the last moment they have these items in the bag ( despite the security guy yelling out Laptops / Aerosols etc ) .

Don’t get me started on the bogans who think it is a great idea to wear 200 bangles on each arm and wonder why they need to walk thru the check 3 times…..

 

[markis10]

Don’t get me started on the bogans who think it is a great idea to wear 200 bangles on each arm and wonder why they need to walk thru the check 3 times…..

Dont get me started on the FIFOs who think steel capped boots will be fine (got caught behind one three times last week).

 

[dajop]

I have got some dirty looks when I've walked past a queue of 20+ people, approached security and jumped the queue. A product of that odd occasion at SIN (which has gate based security) when you strike a shared gate, and your flight is closing in 3 mins and the flight everyone is queuing for is closing in an hour. Not so much DYKWIA as Do you know how soon my flight is leaving. I do try and speak loud enough and make it clear which flight I am on (and I have seen others do it too).

Back to OT, I am ok with skipping ahead if others are chooking around getting ready - however I only do that if the belt is open, but if there's already a back up on the X-ray conveyor I am happy to let the slow ones go first. I don't think I've had anyone give me as much as a dirty look doing that and even had a few people wave me ahead.

 

[Jmrocky]

Was I right or obnoxious?

Just my opinion, whilst I think his reaction was over the top, you probably could have prevented the situation by asking permission before passing. I've found people, no matter how selfish, find it very difficult to refuse a polite question, especially in a crowd. You may have just caught this guy unaware and then he remained stubborn because he thought you were cutting the line.