Obviously it varies, but I am not so confident about the security on pier 7.
I was approached by two members of BAA security a few weeks ago on the pier, asking to see my ID and sign. I responded by asking to see their passes and get them to sign a piece of paper that I had, in return, to prove that they were permitted to be there.
They then backed down and said they weren't going to check, and I could continue to the tower.