At EG**, a well known centre for comedic security (See Balpa "LOG" magazine) I happened to find a 2.5 gallon tin marked "HIGHLY FLAMMABLE" at the bottom of the steps to Stand 10. Paint? M.E.K.? Dunno. 3 other tins and a very sharp builders' 12-inch trowel within 5 feet of the steps.
Security were kind enough to x-ray my shoelaces but unable to find the 500cc bottle of Dettox disinfectant spray in my small crew bag.
From my time as an instructor in this sort of stuff, the core idea of security is to make it obvious that "your" security is so robust that Mr Bad-guy will target someone else who is a softer touch. One of the reasons that I like to see heavily equipped Police standing in the airbride during boarding. Has a remarkable effect on pax!!!!! Very quiet.
