non iron
Im afraid I cant agree with your comments about Nashers as I can draw the analogy from previous experience. In a previous life I was a licensee and thus worked very closely with door-staff. From there I moved into professional aviation via security management.
In the pubs it was easy to get a high quality door person as there is a certain alure of having a free night out and socialising whilst being paid. The intellect of these individuals was higher than the static officers we recruited when I was a security manager. The reason being that no one really wants to work in a drab job with very few development possibilities. I believe this is the same problem now faced by you guys in the UK.
On the face of it you have some rather draconian rules made as a knee jerk reaction, being implemented by a percentage of operatives who have no ability to conduct themselves interpersonally. Said individuals are underpaid, under-developed and as thus are at the very bottom of the job market food chain. I dont think I would be sweetness and light if I were in their shoes either.
What I truly believe is needed is nationwide accountability and audit of airport security. There should be a level playing field with sensible measures for both public and flight crew (with flight crew not being prevented from going to work in the manner that they would be able to were they not an airside worker (i.e. with a packed lunch or overnight toiletries)).
RIX