WHBM,
Spot on! That is exactly the stress factor of security for a traveller certainly in the UK or USA and I don't think non-travellers really comprehend the issue.
There is no standardisation. I decided a while ago that the way to deal with it all is a deep breath and just remove coats, shoes, watch, belt, wallet, computer, keys, liquids, phones, electronic items..and walk calmly through.
If you screwed up, you were bawled out in front of everyone but unpleasant as this was, it was your fault. However, now some airports let you wear coats, some allow you to keep shoes on, some say "Don't take out your computer", some "Don't separate your liquids", some "Do separate your liquids"..etc...and if you get it wrong..."Didn't you see the messages?", "Didn't you look at the screen?"..it's embarassing and that's when anger flares as otherwise intelligent people are humiliated because of what they view as an inconsistant process.
I feel better now..
