Originally Posted by
asdf1234
I used SEN within the past week for an afternoon departure .hardly any pax in the security hall (I'm guessing 50) but took 18 minutes to get through due to over-sensitive security screening. I travel extensively on an almost weekly basis .Never before have I had to repack my liquids bag from my zip up see through 1 litre travel approved bag to a zip lock bag. When I asked why I was told all liquids must be in an airtight bag (why? - to stop the machine smelling the explosives???) . Then shoes off and back through the machine after I was told to keep them on .This the same pair of shoes that happily go through Gatwick and untold other airport scanners without a murmur .Then my bag got pulled for inspection. Why? Apparently a laptop charger and USB cables are cause for concern .Whilst waiving those items aside they did a precautionary check on my sealed liquids bag.
I tried the lounge again after noticing it had expanded into the old bar of yesteryear. My advice - don't! Still as awful as the last time I visited.
Last time I was at the security clearance area at SEN a passenger in front of me in the queue was talking to a couple in front of him and he said he actually works at Stansted on the security clearance and he said SEN is used as a training location for new security clearance personnel before they are despatched elsewhere. Of course I have nothing to support his comments other than I overheard him.saying this.
Does anyone on this chat forum have any insight into whether or this is a true comment?
I'm also a regular traveller and I share identical experiences. I use a Gate8 cabin approved bag which includes it's own regulation approved liquid clear sealed bag - only airport in the world where I'm asked to empty it and place in an airports own bag, repeatedly occurs only at SEN.
I wear regular smart laced shoes, again never been a problem at any airport body arch scanners, except at SEN, I'm constantly requested to remove and scan my shoes - no metal plates in them btw, just regular Clarks black shoes I wear in the office.
I do think this might all be part of their training environment if that's in fact part of the SEN security clearance role.