Flame,
I couldn't agree more. Much of the space in BAA airports has disappeared over the past few years, to allow more and more shops to be built. Years ago, many terminals were relatively spacious, but are now just hell holes full of shops and virtually no space left for the passengers. The upshot is that in situations like this, there is quite literally no space for the passengers. On the 11th you had the ridiculous scenario at LHR T1 domestic security, of pax queuing in a snake like patterm around BA check in desks and WHSmith.
For years, security at all BAA airports has been seriously understaffed (in order to maximise profits), and now in this current situation, the system cannot cope. This is despite the fact that everyone pays for the security checks. I personally would like to see BAA management taken out and shot, and half the shops removed from their airports.
Now we have the absurd scenario of goods being confiscated at security, but pax can then buy the same goods from BAA shops once past security. It's not about security, just BAA making a fast buck. Time the government did something about this mis-management.
Maybe BAA should start running shopping malls, and leave aviation to people who know how to run airports.