I hope it is correct that the new DfT regulation is accepted now by Security, but I had this from BALPA the other day when I queried why nothing seemed to have changed :
Currently the situation is that UK airports are still deciding whether
they will implement the new procedure or not! The BAA (LHR, LGW and STN) has not, and although it hasn't happened on 100% of occasions - MAN had done.
TRANSEC (The DfT department responsible for implementation) are being
very evasive on the issue of mandating the procedure and are quoting
their favourite line that "any airport has the authority to impose
higher standards of security than TRANSEC itself imposes" which is
ridiculous and frankly in this case - totally erroneous as it is not a
security issue but a logistical one.
We are in the process of producing a letter expressing our displeasure
in a way that we hope will force the issue our way to TRANSEC's
Director.
In the meantime, what we need from members are detailed reports
(preferably with an MOR as these are pre-flight stress inducing events
if you are to fly post incident), including dates, times, specific
terminals and channels used etc as a result of related incidents.