How interesting. If this is UK security that Xeque is complaining about, then I'd like to know which airport!
LHR T2/T1 does NOT require you to take off your shoes. You do NOT need to remove your laptop. You only need to divest yourself of your coat, with your keys, phone, wallet and phone preferably in your hand luggage.
You are specifically asked BEFORE entering the security queue to check for liquids over 100ml (and if you get to security and you've forgotten, you can still drink it there and then if it's drinkable, or mail it back to yourself). I don't recommend drinking multiple cans of energy drink samplers (forgotten in hand luggage after a visit to an energy drink manufacturer) and water before security though - It's... well... unpleasant.
I entered the security channel at BHX a while ago with a pair of scissors that I'd totally forgotten about. The security bloke was very nice and suggested I mail it back to myself by going to the little shop across the corridor for some stamps and an envelope. I did. Easy as pie.
If you are with a roller bag, expect to be stopped and asked to place it in the appropriate box at the entrance to the channel to prove that it fits in the maximum dimensions. They tend to be lenient if your item is slightly thicker than it is wide, but I have seen people pulled off and asked to either remove something from the bag to make it fit, or check the bag in.
If you want to talk about humiliating security, try the US TSA. Shoes removed, belts removed, laptops and other electronics removed, any glass items removed (camera lenses with lead glass are a special favourite), a swipe of your bag with the anthrax tester, a pat-down, and then another secondary check of your shoes, your bag and your person at the gate. Randomly selected? My ass. NOT. You have the wrong kind of passport, you will be 'randomly' selected every time.
The inconvenience in UK security is nothing compared to the security at IAD and other airports in the US.
S.