What is ADL security up to now?

[Matt_01]

Is ADL security at it again. The post may be a bit of a rant, I am a traveler with very fixed routines so anything different I notice also this is not intended to be an ADL bashing, I live there and fly out on a weekly basis and have done so for more years than I care to remember.

Yesterday going through security there was the standard security chant remove all laptops, aerosols, umbrellas, phones etc., what I picked up on was iPads were to be removed. WTF I thought I cannot remember when the last time I had to take out my iPad at security in AU so I just ignored this and put may bag through. Sure enough it was set a side and had to be rescanned with the iPad removed. I asked the security person was the need to remove iPads and other tablet devices a new rule.

I was informed that the machine could not see through the iPads I thought was lot a load of rubbish, it is the same:

• iPad that I have been using for months,
• iPad that past through ADL security last week and the weeks/months before that without been removed from my HL
• iPad that gets past through in MEL and SYD every other week whilst in HL.
• X-ray machine as last week

I get that Airport security may not be the most exciting job in the world well some may get a kick out of it but why just randomly change rules. Time to get off my soap box and come to the realisation that for the next 4-6 weeks - remember to take out iPad until things go back to normal. Rant over

 

[Matt_01]

The security at ADL is just so hit and miss.

Lately - flight on Monday (22/4), came back on Wednesday and out again on Thursday (25/4), on Monday the iPad had to come out, Thursday both my iPad and Surface Go left in the bag and just went through with no issues. Also does any one know what that new machine at ADL, VA side/end, left side of security, it seems to be x-raying people?

 

[FlyboyAl]

They haven't installed a body scanner have they?
I fly out Wed morn so will have a look.

 

[Matt_01]

They haven't installed a body scanner have they?
I fly out Wed morn so will have a look.

I have no idea If it is a body scanner, I just noticed something new on the VA side, I went through at the QF side at the end of the priority lane.

So flying out of ADL on INT you now may have to go through x2 body scanners, no QF/*OW air side lounge and stuck in the fish bowl. Nothing enticing to make me want to fly INT out of ADL so I will continue to fly xMEL or xSYD.

 

[Happy Trails]

They must be doing something right.
I mean, when was the last time a flight from Adelaide was hijacked or blown up?

 

[Pushka]

They must be doing something right.
I mean, when was the last time a flight from Adelaide was hijacked or blown up?

Hmm. Probably on par with the rest of the Australian airports I’d guess? Which would be their criteria for success.

 

[DC3]

They must be doing something right.
I mean, when was the last time a flight from Adelaide was hijacked or blown up?

Not sure why any hijacker would want to go to ADL (It's okay, I used to live in Adelaide)

 

[Pushka]

Not sure why any hijacker would want to go to ADL (It's okay, I used to live in Adelaide)

Guess I thought the same about why Christchurch?

 

[Fatcat_jr]

I only recently started noticing this happening too hopefully only a temporary thing

 

[Pushka]

I only recently started noticing this happening too hopefully only a temporary thing

Let’s see what goodies May brings.

 

[Fatcat_jr]

Let’s see what goodies May brings.

May it bring new CC sign up bonuses and a Qantas double status promotion?

 

[Aeolus]

Instead of trying to be special, ADL airport should invest their time to be more efficient. Mayhem out of ADL 5:30am on Mon this week, priority queue snaking almost to the JQ check in counters and pax kept running up to the crew lane to cut the queue as their flights were boarding etc which made the priority queue a joke.
I’ve asked security once why ADL is so unique that the umbrella had to come out of the bag. I was sternly told that it’s a national requirement and if the other airports wanted to relax their standards it’s their call, blah blah, I quickly ran off before I could be lectured on their other special practices!

 

[FlyboyAl]

Didn't see anything new or unusual going through adl this morn. Didn't need to remove ipads.

 

[Austman]

I’ve asked security once why ADL is so unique that the umbrella had to come out of the bag.

I researched this.

The “National Requirement” states that individual airport security can decide to do it or not.

 

[Deleted member]

I don’t mind one way or the other what procedures are in place at Australian airports for security screening.
What does annoy me is the lack of consistency. How difficult is it for these people to get into a room together and compare notes ?

 

[Anna]

Just came through security at ADL, no probs and the staff were even pleasant.

Karma got the unpleasant fellow pax who was pushing past everyone and expecting them to get out of his way. He was selected for explosives check. His temper, probably.

 

[Anna]

I’ve asked security once why ADL is so unique that the umbrella had to come out of the bag.

I had umbrella out of bag at CBR, BNE and CNS before I was ever asked to do it at ADL.

Then there was the time I stored a bag for a few hours at St Pancras station in London a few years ago. It was a long umbrella. I was called into a special room to explain to them what the long thing that looked like a rifle was. For a few seconds even I couldn't explain it

 

[Pushka]

Instead of trying to be special, ADL airport should invest their time to be more efficient. Mayhem out of ADL 5:30am on Mon this week, priority queue snaking almost to the JQ check in counters and pax kept running up to the crew lane to cut the queue as their flights were boarding etc which made the priority queue a joke.
I’ve asked security once why ADL is so unique that the umbrella had to come out of the bag. I was sternly told that it’s a national requirement and if the other airports wanted to relax their standards it’s their call, blah blah, I quickly ran off before I could be lectured on their other special practices!

Oh bad move. I did the same and got the full check out. They do not like being questioned about umbrellas. It’s their “thang”. And now it’s ipads.

Didn't see anything new or unusual going through adl this morn. Didn't need to remove ipads.

Ah, it’s first of May. They’ve moved on from iPads.

 

[eastwest101]

Instead of trying to be special, ADL airport should invest their time to be more efficient. Mayhem out of ADL 5:30am on Mon this week, priority queue snaking almost to the JQ check in counters and pax kept running up to the crew lane to cut the queue as their flights were boarding etc which made the priority queue a joke.
I’ve asked security once why ADL is so unique that the umbrella had to come out of the bag. I was sternly told that it’s a national requirement and if the other airports wanted to relax their standards it’s their call, blah blah, I quickly ran off before I could be lectured on their other special practices!

Agree - domestic security at ADL is easily the least efficient and slowest of all capital and major airports in Australia (and that includes the Sydney T2 terminal), I rarely see all security lanes open, so its just a lack of allocating resources, the staff themselves are fairly polite, its just a lack of resources and space.

Any word on if the ADL expansion that is currently happening will expand the number of domestic security lanes? If not that's a massive fail right there.

 

[Aeolus]

Heard that the expansion is for international gates so hopefully they’ll have their own security as well. A simple fix they could do right away would be to move the crew line away from priority lane.

 

[Archphoto]

I've come to the conclusion that security, regardless of where I travel, is dependant upon the whim of the staff on call. Took my tripod through ADL no problem, attempted to do same on my return through MEL and got hauled aside and told it was a "dangerous weapon".

The officer in charge refused to help me in any way and pointed out the exit door to have it checked, his parting shot as he left me standing like a stuffed animal: "Protecting Australia's borders!!!" No escort, nada, zilch - so much for his "protection".

Agree Monday mornings are an absolute joke - why they hell they can't have all lanes open at that hour I really can't understand - they have the same number of flights every Monday, so it's not like they have a surprise by the number of people.

I'm heading out Sunday night, so I'll see what the night-shift is pulling out of their hats for a Sunday.

The sooner ADL wakes up from their 18thC stupor, the better - no wonder the younger generation are leaving in droves . . . and yes, I'm ADL born and bred, but I did leave for quite a while myself.