Heathrow security at the control posts are the most arrogant and ignorant assh0les ever to crawl the planet. I've seen bus drivers mechanics and refuellers lightly frisked and then allowed drive a vehicle through airside with no inspection of it's contents. Meanwhile crews are subjected to the most degrading treatment, including having their personal effects opened despite no X-Ray indication of a security threat. This is done under the name of 'random inspection'. I have even witnessed a security officer at post 2 acutally open a tub of cleansing cream belonging to one of our cabin crew.
When will you idiots ever get it into your little heads that in all such terrorist cases the crews are the ones that end up the victim. Perpitrators of such crimes usually remain on the ground. In many countries, police vetting of cockpit and cabin crew occurs as part of the recruitment procedure, and they are unlikely to commit such crimes. Even if they want to, they can take control of the aircraft without use of weapons, of if needed, use the nice steel cutlery provided on board by the airline itself.
On the other hand we have an untold number of 'officials' including police officers and BAA security staff that have access to aircraft and it's baggage. Forged ID's and fake uniforms are relatively easy to create or obtain, so there should be great importance placed on ensuring such personnel are properly checked. Equally, any object other than official issue they carry airside should be treated in the same fashion as a passenger - no knives etc, and the same penalty for breaching the regulations.
What about aircraft mechanics - should they be allowed to bring Leatherman tools near an aircraft? Now things start getting stupid. As I sit there in the cockpit fully laden all ready to go waiting for the aircraft to be serviceable, the mechanic uses a combination tool to rectify the snag. If I tried to bring that tool through security, I would be stopped and have it taken from me.
Are you suggsting that I am a threat to security whilst the mechanic is not?
The biggest threat to our safety comes from those that have access to aircraft and don't travel on it.
Wake up you BAA Assh0les.
[ 16 September 2001: Message edited by: tonyryan ]