Yes please, could somebody tell us why police and customs are not searched. And what about security staff?
It's pointless searching someone who is carrying a firearm already. They still have to have their IDs swiped to establish their bona-fides, though.
You will find that all Control Authority staff are now searched.
Security staff moving from Landside to Airside are also searched, even if they are relieving their colleagues on the post where they are searched.
I, like everyone else who works airside, gets searched as part & parcel of our employment. The rules don't always make sense to us, but remember they're not set by the airport, but by the Department for Transport.
Interesting point about lack of food airside for us 'out of hours' workers. We used to have a 'greasy spoon' airside in a portakabin but the rent knocked it on the head. Most people now bring stuff in - a 12 hour night shift's a long time without proper food. We're lobbying for a replacement airside facility but not holding our breath. I often use Boots landside for a 'midnight snack', sealed drinks etc and haven't had a problem carrying it through. What is required is clarity of rule interpretation with properly made out notices for all to see, with changes anounced in advance. We've had notices up about unsealed drinks being not allowed for ages.
The Odd One