Airport Security

Davidth88

Interesting speech by the BA Chairman

I sort of agree with him TBH !

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-11632944

The chairman of British Airways has said some "completely redundant" airport security checks should be scrapped and the UK should stop "kowtowing" to US security demands.

Practices such as forcing passengers to take off their shoes should be abandoned, Martin Broughton said.

And he questioned why laptop computers needed to be screened separately.

He also criticised the US for imposing increased checks on US-bound flights but not on its own domestic services.

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US toughens air screening rules
Boosting flight security measures
The US stepped up security in January in the wake of an alleged bomb plot.

It introduced tougher screening rules, including body pat-down searches and carry-on baggage checks, for passengers arriving from 14 nations which the authorities deem to be a security risk.

Passengers from any foreign country may also be checked at random.

Speaking at the UK Airport Operators' Association annual conference, Mr Broughton said that no-one wanted weaker security.

But he was quoted by the Financial Times as telling the conference: "We all know there's quite a number of elements in the security programme which are completely redundant and they should be sorted out."

Mr Broughton, who is also chairman of Liverpool FC, added the UK should only agree to security checks that the US requires for passengers on domestic flights.

"America does not do internally a lot of the things they demand that we do," he said. "We shouldn't stand for that."

"We should say, 'we'll only do things which we consider to be essential and that you Americans also consider essential'."

Airport security worldwide has risen since the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The US's Transport Security Administration said it worked closely with its international partners to ensure the best possible security.

"We constantly review and evolve our security measures based on the latest intelligence," a spokesman said.

Captain Commie

My first thought was that I agree with it, but the more and more i think about it i totally disagree.

when getting on a plane i want to know that everyone has been checked to make sure to the best abilities that no one is carrying something that could take the plane down. As much as i love flying i get real nervous sometimes as i tend to study peoples manorisims when waiting about at the terminal and some poeple just act shady.

A Dub in Glasgo

I totally agree with him

irlrobins

What I find fustrating is the lack of consistency in security checks between airports. For example in Dublin you have to remove umbrellas from bags, but not in London. And for a while in London you didn't have to remove your laptop when in Dublin you did.

It would be much easier if regardless of what your departure or arrival point was, that the same process was followed. Avoids confusion.

Now fingers cross T2 has an Express Lane for experienced travellers...

lord lucan

irlrobins wrote: »

Now fingers cross T2 has an Express Lane for experienced travellers...

No plans for it i'm afraid,just the usual Domestic fastrack lane. The express lanes work well in the states in my experience but sadly i think they'd be abused here. I don't mean that as a sweeping generalisation of Irish passengers but you'll always get people trying to find a way through quicker and will see a "regular travellers express lane" as the way through which would end up holding up those who know the drill.

irlrobins

Simple solution to that: you have to register and pay an annual fee to use the express lane. That would defeat the opportunist.

scudzilla

irlrobins wrote: »

What I find fustrating is the lack of consistency in security checks between airports. For example in Dublin you have to remove umbrellas from bags, but not in London. And for a while in London you didn't have to remove your laptop when in Dublin you did.

It would be much easier if regardless of what your departure or arrival point was, that the same process was followed. Avoids confusion.

Now fingers cross T2 has an Express Lane for experienced travellers...

That's exactly the same inconsistency that is in place for the Ferry crossings to and from Holyhead.

At Holyhead Port after you've checked in there are police and customs officials, also all bags must be X-rayed before you pass any further.

In Dublin you check in, throw your suitcase on the belt, no police, no customs and no x-ray.

here.from.day.1

irlrobins wrote: »

Simple solution to that: you have to register and pay an annual fee to use the express lane. That would defeat the opportunist.

There would be a witch hunt then on the person that tries to introduce a fee for it, which would be typical!

Stovepipe

Hi there,
An awful lot of airport security is quite pointless.Those of us who work airside are frequently checked and meet our fair share of overbearing mini-Hitlers who haven't a clue.Most of the security measures seemed to be designed to annoy staff than prevent crime.Any serious terrorist who wanted to plant a bomb or destroy an aircraft isn't going to queue up to be searched.At the very least, he's going to attempt to penetrate the fence.Which isn't the hardest thing in the world, if you are determined enough.
I'd prefer if they kept the fence repaired, the cameras in working order, searched vehicles properly(especially catering vehicles)and stopped hassling staff!!
rant over:)
regards

Stovepipe

lord lucan

irlrobins wrote: »

Simple solution to that: you have to register and pay an annual fee to use the express lane. That would defeat the opportunist.

Or maybe a "pay as you go" system like i've seen in Newcastle and Luton airports(with an annual option for business travellers maybe).

http://www.london-luton.co.uk/en/content/5/1479/priority-lane.html

Plowman

This post has been deleted.

nag

innovated wrote: »

My first thought was that I agree with it, but the more and more i think about it i totally disagree.

when getting on a plane i want to know that everyone has been checked to make sure to the best abilities that no one is carrying something that could take the plane down. As much as i love flying i get real nervous sometimes as i tend to study peoples manorisims when waiting about at the terminal and some poeple just act shady.

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2008/11/the-things-he-carried/7057/1/

and

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2010/10/for-the-first-time-the-tsa-meets-resistance/65390

Still feeling secure?

View Profile

Even the liquid ban is a joke and makes no sense.

If I have a 500ml water bottle it gets taken off me. But if i pour that same water into five 100ml bottles then everythings dandy. How retarded is their logic!

And dont get me started on Dublin airport security and hassling staff.......

yaeger

My experience of airport security : If I am in my uniform I get hassled to a point that would not be acceptable as a joe soap in the passenger line. When I go through as a passenger in my civvies it makes for a lovely experience in comparison. Really as crew your hassled more then the pax, Go figure.
All over but especially Ireland and UK.

irlrobins

View Profile wrote: »

If I have a 500ml water bottle it gets taken off me. But if i pour that same water into five 100ml bottles then everythings dandy.

Yeah but would you be able to fit 5 100ml bottles into the plastic bag?

View Profile

Depends on the size of plastic bag. Otherwise id just get a second one.

irlrobins

Except that the bag can't be any larger that 20cm X 20cm and you're only allowed one such bag.

See it's people like you that don't understand the security rules that cause the delays at security!

View Profile

Touché!

I never carry liquids through when im commuting for work anyway.

But my point still stands. You'd fit at least four 100ml bottles into that 20cm x 20cm or one litre sized bag no problem.

Also do you work in airport security irlrobins?

If so what's the danger with umbrellas??

irlrobins

Nope, I'm a regular business traveller like yourself.

A Dub in Glasgo

View Profile wrote: »

If so what's the danger with umbrellas??

It is bad luck to open one up inside a plane

nag

View Profile wrote: »

If so what's the danger with umbrellas??

Are you kidding me? Have you never seen Batman?

blackrhyme

regarding inconsistency at the security checks it is dreadful at some airports when I had baby food in squeeze pouches (fruit purée) and some breast milk in the bottle in Dublin they will just ask You to show them, but in other airports i had to try all of this, or even happened once that I could not take it trough the fruit purée. I never had problems with security check in Dublin, staff is very helpful and kind.