Trousers Off Please

[hotmetal]

From the blog of David Allen Green

Sunday, 13 February 2011
My Trousers and Airport Security

Late one recent Saturday evening, I am standing at a departure gate at Heathrow Airport. It is the furthest gate from the main terminal, and I am flying on the last plane out.

By now, it is just the passengers and the airline's own staff. The passengers are having the final passport and boarding pass check before getting onboard: a formality after a great deal of security and bag searching.

Everyone is a little tired; the rest of the airport looks dark and closed down for the night.


"Excuse me, sir. We would like to do a search?"

"Pardon?"

"We would like you to give us your handbag and step this way."

"OK. It is a manbag, or hand luggage. But not really a handbag."

"Yes, sir. This way."


My hand luggage is taken off to be searched again. I am now the last passenger at the gate. The flight is due to leave in about ten minutes.

"Sir, could you go behind the screen."

There is a screen in the corner of a kiosk, in the opposite corner to where my bag is now being searched and unpacked. The young security official follows me.


"Sir, can you take your jacket off."

"OK." I take off my jacket.

"And your shoes." I take off my shoes.

My shoes are looked at very carefully. I think of the shoe bomber, who also lived near Bromley. I begin to wonder if they are profiling people from urban north Kent.

"Sir, your trousers."

"Pardon?"

"Sir, please take your trousers off."

A pause.


"No."

"No?" The security official clearly was not expecting that response. He begins to look like he doesn't know what to do, bless him.

"You have no power to require me to do that. You also haven't also given any good reason. I am sure any genuine security concerns you have can be addressed in other ways. You do not need to invade my privacy in this manner."


A pause.

"I think you probably need to get your manager, don't you?". I try and be helpful.

He nods, hesitantly, and goes to get his manager, a middle-aged chap in a brown baggy suit.


"Hello sir."

"Hello." I smile.

"You won't take your trousers off?"

"No. It will be embarrassing and humiliating. You can't require me to do so, and you have no good reason to ask."


A pause. I smile again and nod encouragingly.

"Oh."

Another pause.


"Sir, there is actually no need for you to take your trousers off."

"Thank you. I thought not."


I put on my jacket and shoes.

"But sir, there is a problem with your handbag."

I pause.


This is the Edith Evans moment I have waited all my life for.


"My manbag?"


"Yes sir. It will have to travel separately."

"Why?

"We have concerns."

I think of those who have teased me about my manbag, but I guess their doubts about me are not the same concerns as this security manager.

"You think my manbag could be dangerous?"

"It will need to go separately."

He gives me a plastic bag with what had been the contents of my manbag.

"In the hold?"

"No, too late. It will have to travel business class."

"My manbag is going business class?"

"Yes, sir. You can be reunited at the destination."

Later I think I should have offered to swap, but I was too stunned to be so opportunistic.


"This way for the plane."

I walk with the manager, me with my new carrier bag, him with my empty mangbag. We go down the slope to the aircraft.

"I bet this makes you feel safer?"

"Actually, it doesn't. Either security required me to take my trousers off, or it does not. Either my bag is too unsafe to travel, or it is not. I think this just shows bad decision-making. Bad decision-making by security does not make me feel safe."

A pause. I am hoping he is thinking about my sensible, heart-felt words.


We get to the aircraft. The chief steward takes my manbag for its trip by business class. I go into economy class: I am stared at as the one who may have delayed the plane.

I find my seat. The chap next to me asks what happened.

"Oh, just security stuff."

"No worries. It makes you feel safer, doesn't it."



http://jackofkent.********.com/2011/02/my-trousers-and-airport-security.html

[Businesstraveller]

Next time they'll probably chain you up in a white tiled room and bring out the endoscope - just incase your colon is giving them concern...

[PAXboy]

This doesn't ring true. April 1st??? :hmm:

[Skipness One Echo]

Actually this is patently made up. Security in the UK don't pitch up at the gate and try and take your trousers off.

[Piltdown Man]

Not yet they don't. But I bet the scumbag lowlives would like to. Personally, I think we should arm these cretins, if just to make the point. I recon these mush for brains would shoot people every week for "security reasons." Then we'll see the quality of their thinking. The pile of bodies will be so high that they'll pale Al-Queda into insignificance. But that will be all right, it will be for our own good...

PM

[davidjohnson6]

Piltdown - if you had a good education and had a choice of working in an office for good money with a fair chance of career growth..... or working for little more than the minimum wage with little or no chance of career growth, what would you choose ?

Security bods are nothing more than people who need to earn a living.
If we want as society to pay security naff all.... then can't expect them to give a particularly good service to punters in return

[Dan Winterland]

Hmmmm. I once offered to remove my trousers, but it was declined. At Gatwick once, a particularly ''keen'' security chap asked me to remove my belt. Now I was wearing a pair of outdoor trousers, the type with the zip off legs which I think are cool, but the kids take the p!ss when I wear them. They have a webbing belt which is sewn in and has one of the pastic clip type buckles. Therefore taking off the belt was an impossibility.

The security chap didn't believe I couldn't remove the belt and I couldn't believe he had never seen this type of trouser before as it is a fairly common brand. I started to undo the trousers and he shouted '"What are you doing?''. I explained there was only one way my belt was going through the x-ray machine, and that I was trying to help. He decided he didn't want to see my underwear, so we arranged a compromise where the plastic buckle ends were removed and they went through the x-ray machine.



:rolleyes:

[radeng]

UK security do pick people out when boarding. He was more embarassed than me when he asked me to undo my belt, and there in front of everyone, I stood with my trousers round my ankles! Talk about grovel......

[hotmetal]

Actually this is patently made up. Security in the UK don't pitch up at the gate and try and take your trousers off.
Maybe. Its in the blog of David Allen Green who is legal correspondent for the New Statesman.

[henrybluebottle]

He was more embarassed than me when he asked me to undo my belt, and there in front of everyone, I stood with my trousers round my ankles! Supposing you had been going commando ...:uhoh:

[Llademos]

I am fairly certain that there are no extra security screeners after main security at any LHR terminal. Also, if there is something in a bag that concerns the security staff they would either remove the offending object or ask the passenger to check it in to the hold (for liquids etc, which, of course, would be picked up at main security).

As for putting the bag in Biz while he travels in economy, the airline wouldn't allow it.

I agree with PAXboy; this appears to be made up.

Ll

[hotmetal]

Don't US flights have any secondary screening sometimes? How about El Al?

[radeng]

It happened to me at T5 when boarding a flight to Chicago - last May. The security guy was a Sikh. More obscene than going commando when my trousers fell down is the sight of the varicose veins in my legs and the very large disgusting scar on my right leg!

[fincastle84]

The last time we flew LGW-TPA there was 2ndry screening. Does this still apply to UK-US flights?

[Skipness One Echo]

Hi radeng, you are saying that a Sikh man asked you to take your trousers down at the boarding gate? I know that G4S have something of an airline security check on some flights, but this tale sounds embellished.

What was the reason given please?

Also the OP omits to mention what the stated issue with his bag was that they insisted he collect it at destination. Funny tale but it's spun out as a comedy narrative to make a point.

[herman the crab]

There certainly was T3 gateroom screening by security staff when I flew to LAX on 31/12/10.

HTC

[radeng]

He didn't ask me to remove my trousers: an unintended consequence of asking me to undo my belt was that they dropped down round my ankles. This is why he was very embarassed, especially as it was in full sight of the other PAX boarding.

[Skipness One Echo]

So G4S are doing physical hands on searches at the gates now? Or do they just have a belt fetish?

Why do they have secondary screening at all I wonder. This surely implies that primary screening just isn't up to the job surely. Security theatre is awful, it's too important to be this ridiculous.

El Al do secondary screening but I believe the calibre of the staff and their effectiveness is somewhat higher.

[UniFoxOs]

effetiveness is somewhat higher

Then I definitely won't be taking off my trousers!!

Cheers
UFO

[etrang]

working for little more than the minimum wage with little or no chance of career growth,

I would think that in a fast growing area like "security" there would be plenty of opportunity for growth.

Security officer>Security manager>Senior security manager>Security director>

I am fairly certain that there are no extra security screeners after main security at any LHR terminal.

There is additional screening on some flights to the US.

[Rush2112]

All this just bears out what our mums used to say - make sure you have clean underwear when you go out.

[hotmetal]

Some flights to the middle east have secondary screening.

[radeng]

If one was really well endowed, the chance of being trouser less in front of other pax might make the idea of going commando interesting in seeing what possibilities it could produce!

[10bob]

I'm a regular reader of this blog. I would be astonished if he made this up.

[bealine]

I do believe it, for the story is, indeed, perfectly possible. If there was something which alerted security (eg an unreconciled activation of the security arch) or metal inserts fitted to the "man-bag" to keep its shape, then they would be loath to let the passenger and his bag on to the aircraft.

All airlines have the right to refuse travel to a passenger who refuses to comply with a security search. In this case, it would appear the operatives of the secondary search (which El Al, some Middle East airlines and all US bound flights have) were not satisfied with something.

For all the scoffing about these low-paid individuals, they are well trained in the job they do and part of the requirements drawn up by the DfT, CAA, FAA, Homeland Security etc are that any activation or alert must be fully investigated and the reason established before allowing the passenger to board.

It may seem humorous, but just supposing he had Semtex hidden away in a cigar tube in his butt? (known as a "charger")

[hellsbrink]

Security in the UK don't pitch up at the gate and try and take your trousers off.

Really? The last time I flew AA from LHR there was a security check when you entered the departure area for your flight. That would be the "gate", imo.

They never asked me to drop me breeks though......

[Shack37]

It may seem humorous, but just supposing he had Semtex hidden away in a cigar tube in his butt? (known as a "charger")



Definitely a case of the sh1t hitting the fan!:E

[Skipness One Echo]

Really? The last time I flew AA from LHR there was a security check when you entered the departure area for your flight. That would be the "gate", imo.

Yes I am aware of that, I think perhaps the important part is that they don't ask you to take your trousers off. All gates at LHR T3 and the new pier on T1 (soon to be part of T2) have gate rooms and a boarding card check on entry, as do some of the gates at LGW North and most at LGW South.

[hellsbrink]

It was more than checking a boarding pass, everyone's jackets and hand luggage were checked, pockets had to be emptied, etc.

So it is possible that IF there is a raised alert they would take things further...

[Rwy in Sight]

I am looking forward for "please remove your bra" kind of security - particularly at some airports like (northtern) UK ones.

[bealine]

............too late, already happened! Within a few days of Terminal 5 opening, one of our staff members was stripped down to her titties. She called for one of the BAA managers, and for one of our own managers before submitting, but it was made crystal clear that if she didn't submit to an intimate search she wouldn't be allowed to access the airside part of the terminal

No airside access = no work
No work = no pay!

As passengers, you are not alone! The staff have to comply too..

[LH2]

From the blog of David Allen Green
[....]
"You won't take your trousers off?"

"No. It will be embarrassing and humiliating. You can't require me to do so, and you have no good reason to ask."

Ah, and all the rest somehow wasn't embarrassing, humiliating, and lacking good reason? :rolleyes:

I despair seeing how people can fall for that stupidity. :rolleyes:

[Skipness One Echo]

but it was made crystal clear that if she didn't submit to an intimate search she wouldn't be allowed to access the airside part of the terminal


I am curious, what did they ask her to do and who asked?
Is this BAA Security?
Was it random or was there cause for suspicion?
Was she permitted to be searched by a woman and in private?
Why was she stripped to her bra?

When a woman is asked to strip to her bra,I assume there must be good reason. I know we all love a good story and a moan, but I would be curious to know the detail(!)

[Rwy in Sight]

I know I may sound as a weird guy but some bras (mainly larger cups) tend to have a metal part that can upset the metal detectors. Maybe the lady in questions is well endowed hence detectors going off and lady strip searched.

Rwy in Sight

[hotmetal]

Within a few days of Terminal 5 opening, one of our staff members was stripped down to her titties. She called for one of the BAA managers, and for one of our own managers before submitting, but it was made crystal clear that if she didn't submit to an intimate search she wouldn't be allowed to access the airside part of the terminal

No airside access = no work
No work = no pay!

As passengers, you are not alone! The staff have to comply too..

The staff do not have to comply with strip searches and nor does anybody else. Would it be reasonable for the police to strip search somebody in these circumstances? They could not do so. Police and Criminal Evidence Act Code of Practice C Annexe A and B details what needs to be done for a strip search or intimate search. You would have to have been arrested. If these things are so tightly regulated for the police why would airport security staff be allowed to make it up as they go along. Don't assume because somebody has a fluorescent tabard and makes it 'crystal clear' that they aren't just talking total nonsense. Get some backbone and stand up for your rights and liberties. I can't believe how compliant and passive some people are to this sort of jobsworth idiocy.

[radeng]

In such a situation, there would appear to be a very good case for a formal complaint to the police regarding sexual assault. Because it's case of 'you can't go to work if you don't', it is a form of blackmail. Additionally, probably a good case for suing the BAA.....

if nothing else, the BAA staff will have a lovely time being interviewed.....if the police won't take it further, doubtless the Daily Mail or the Sun will. With any luck, the security people could get to be put on the Sex Offenders register.

[hotmetal]

It's a bit like me opening my house to the public but deciding I will be very strict about security. I will randomly subject members of the public to intimate searches and strip searches and if I take a dislike to somebody I give them a slap. Then saying it's OK because it's the rules and here are the rules. All not permissable. It is not lawful even if I have a fluorescent tabard on. The whole country has to abide by the law.

[speke2me]

Supposing you had been going commando ..

Well the penis is a 25mil liquid container that would need sealing in an airtight....

Second thoughts, don't go there :)

[radeng]

If pushed, the bladder will hold well over 500mL......

[bealine]

I am curious, what did they ask her to do and who asked?
Is this BAA Security?
Was it random or was there cause for suspicion?
Was she permitted to be searched by a woman and in private?
Why was she stripped to her bra?

At the time, the Security Alert state was "Severe" - indicating a terrorist threat against Britain was likely. As part of the "severe" state, BAA Security staff are under strict instructions from the Department for Transport that any "activation" of the security archway must be reconciled.

As regular travellers know, if you "set off" the arch, apart from a random check (which if you're quick you will see the word "QUOTA" appear above the archway), the staff will wave a wand over you until they find the metallic stuff (usually a watch or jewellery) that's triggering the alarm. The wiring in a brassiere can set the alarm off, but staff can usually tell from the way the wand behaves if that's the case or not.

In the case of the staff member, the wanding did not produce a definitive answer for security so she was asked to strip in the presence of as female BAA manager and a BA manager.

Unfortunately, while no one can force one to be strip-searched, entering the "Restricted Zone" is considered voluntary and, by entering into the search area, one has "voluntarily" give one's consent to co-operate with any searches required under powers given by COBRA, Transec or DfT.

BBC NEWS | UK | England | West Midlands | Clown strip-searched at airport (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_midlands/7795571.stm)

At the end of the day, one can make a complaint to the BAA management or higher if needs be., However, I have never had a problem with the security staff at all (apart from one over-familiar encounter in Terminal One about four years ago. The nasty little character later lost his job after a number of complaints.)

[radeng]

Wasn't it on Pprune some years back that there was a report of an attractive Russian young lady required at a middle east airport to remove her belt, and then who had her trousers come down - and she was commando? As I remember, it caused some upset.......