What are my RIGHTS going through security?
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What are my RIGHTS going through security?
Please can anyone confirm what rights I have when going through the security check point.
For example I understand I can request a chair if I have to take my shoes off, and I can request a private area for a hand search of my person or my bags.
What other "rights" do I have? I might consider using them to their full extent in order to make the security process as painful as possible!
Cheers.
For example I understand I can request a chair if I have to take my shoes off, and I can request a private area for a hand search of my person or my bags.
What other "rights" do I have? I might consider using them to their full extent in order to make the security process as painful as possible!
Cheers.
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That is an awesome question. The trouble is most of them couldn't care less that you delay other people getting through security.
I wonder if someone was to print up t-shirt's with, security is a farce printed on the back, and you just gave them away for people to wear when they go through security and collect them on the other side.. Mind you they would probably make you get a short flight just to return the shirts to the other side of the entry. I honestly think there needs to be something highly visible to show a) how many people are annoyed at the stupid and senseless security, b) a online petition can easily be ignored, but if you have a bunch of people wearing highly visible t-shirts, then it isn't. It kind of embarasses them into making a decision.
What about A4 sized fluro paper with a slogan on it? And you just stick it on your back?
I wonder if someone was to print up t-shirt's with, security is a farce printed on the back, and you just gave them away for people to wear when they go through security and collect them on the other side.. Mind you they would probably make you get a short flight just to return the shirts to the other side of the entry. I honestly think there needs to be something highly visible to show a) how many people are annoyed at the stupid and senseless security, b) a online petition can easily be ignored, but if you have a bunch of people wearing highly visible t-shirts, then it isn't. It kind of embarasses them into making a decision.
What about A4 sized fluro paper with a slogan on it? And you just stick it on your back?
Thread Starter
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Its just to cause a nuisance really. I know that it won't achieve anything but might make me chuckle away and feel a bit better.
Was also thinking about putting some porn in the top of my flight bag!
Was also thinking about putting some porn in the top of my flight bag!
Lets just hope your actions Dave dont cause additional hold ups for the rest of us...or at least the person behind u....lol. Nevertheless security sucks...and I cannot believe the delays especially at UK airports -at least on European terms. Still cant help thinking get rid of the shops and increase security areas which are actually manned! Afterall we are passing thru' an airport to get to a destination - not do high street shopping. I really do think that airports - especially UK - know what makes them money despite passenger q's trying to get departure airside areas. Ho hum...
Nivsy
Nivsy
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3-hour check-in times
You have to turn up three hours before flight time now, to "allow for security delays".
Mostly I've found that security doesn't take an hour longer than it used to when it was 2 hours. Perhaps 20 minutes . . .
So that's 40 minutes more that BAA have you around the airside concessions!
(But I'm sure that's not relevant . . . .)
Mostly I've found that security doesn't take an hour longer than it used to when it was 2 hours. Perhaps 20 minutes . . .
So that's 40 minutes more that BAA have you around the airside concessions!
(But I'm sure that's not relevant . . . .)
Serioulsly annoying security staff and giving a hard time it is beneficial because one may dream that should enough fuss is created something may change.
Obviously the main issue is that the no pax or crew should suffer and one must not lost its flight without recompensation. I think asking to see the regulations, asking to be searched by a female if one is male, move very very slowly...
And yes refrain from bying anything in the airport...
Rwy in Sight
Obviously the main issue is that the no pax or crew should suffer and one must not lost its flight without recompensation. I think asking to see the regulations, asking to be searched by a female if one is male, move very very slowly...
And yes refrain from bying anything in the airport...
Rwy in Sight
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Getting back to the jist of the thread... What are your rights going through security? Well they certainly change depending on the country. I was travelling from Russia to SE Asia transiting through Frankfurt. I had inadvertently left my Leatherman in the bottom of my carry-on bag. (I'd normally have it in my check-in bag, but not on this occasion and I didn't notice it on a Russian domestic flight and a further international flight that day... nor apparently did any of the multiple security checks I went through.) I got through transit security in FRA and as far as the Business Lounge. I was looking through my bag when I found the misplaced Leatherman. My connection to BKK was in 3 hours. I debated about just binning the offending article, but it cost over a hundred bucks and I was loath just to throw it away. I considered mailing it home, but could find a post office airside. I knew it was illegal, but since I'd been though several security checks that day without being stopped, I thought I'd just play dumb and if it was found, bin it at that point - I'd seen plently plastic bins at security points with the offending articles - BIG mistake spiney....
I went to the gate a bit early and sure enough it was found on X-Ray. "Oh dear, didn't realise, silly me - no problem - just chuck it in the bin." Not in Germany you can't... The offending article was examined as if it were some futuristic light sabre and deemed a 'weapon' as a result of the blade being a few mm longer that it would to be classified merely as a tool. Not only was I not permitted to take the 'veppon' on the aircraft, I was not allowed to have it in my possession in the terminal and this 'crime' was a matter, not for the Airport Police, but for the Federal Police.... not good... Flight boarding in an hour... But since this was Germany they were not allowed simply to confiscate the item. I had to produce and sign paperwork indicating that I was prepared to surrender the 'veppon'... After about 30 minutes the Feds arrived replete with real weapons... all very intimidating I assure you... and I was asked if I wanted a Lawyer present and read my rights... getting worse..
I honestly thought I was going to be arrested and would not be allowed to continue my journey. As it transpired I had to make a formal statement summarising what had happened and confirming that I knew such an item was not allowed. I aslo had to sign a separate agreement to surrender the item to the Police. The case would be raised with a local magistrate in my absence and my agreement to surrender the item was understood. The paperwork would be forwarded to my home address and I would be allowed to continue my journey - to my mighty relief...
So it seems, in Germany at any rate, they don't actually have the right to confiscate the offending item - you have to give it to them. I could have got my Leatherman back, but it would have been outside the terminal and for sure I'd have missed my flight. If I'd for a second imagined the hassle this was going to cause I'd have binned it without a second thought. The Airport Security, Airport Police and Federal Police were professional, thorough and courteous but it's not something I'd wish to repeat.
I went to the gate a bit early and sure enough it was found on X-Ray. "Oh dear, didn't realise, silly me - no problem - just chuck it in the bin." Not in Germany you can't... The offending article was examined as if it were some futuristic light sabre and deemed a 'weapon' as a result of the blade being a few mm longer that it would to be classified merely as a tool. Not only was I not permitted to take the 'veppon' on the aircraft, I was not allowed to have it in my possession in the terminal and this 'crime' was a matter, not for the Airport Police, but for the Federal Police.... not good... Flight boarding in an hour... But since this was Germany they were not allowed simply to confiscate the item. I had to produce and sign paperwork indicating that I was prepared to surrender the 'veppon'... After about 30 minutes the Feds arrived replete with real weapons... all very intimidating I assure you... and I was asked if I wanted a Lawyer present and read my rights... getting worse..
I honestly thought I was going to be arrested and would not be allowed to continue my journey. As it transpired I had to make a formal statement summarising what had happened and confirming that I knew such an item was not allowed. I aslo had to sign a separate agreement to surrender the item to the Police. The case would be raised with a local magistrate in my absence and my agreement to surrender the item was understood. The paperwork would be forwarded to my home address and I would be allowed to continue my journey - to my mighty relief...
So it seems, in Germany at any rate, they don't actually have the right to confiscate the offending item - you have to give it to them. I could have got my Leatherman back, but it would have been outside the terminal and for sure I'd have missed my flight. If I'd for a second imagined the hassle this was going to cause I'd have binned it without a second thought. The Airport Security, Airport Police and Federal Police were professional, thorough and courteous but it's not something I'd wish to repeat.
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Getting back to the jist of the thread
Do we think it is a good idea to "work to rule" as pax, further irritating the security staff and creating extra delays?
I do not agree with some of the security provisions, but deliberately creating more turmoil does not seem clever to me.
Do we think it is a good idea to "work to rule" as pax, further irritating the security staff and creating extra delays?
I do not agree with some of the security provisions, but deliberately creating more turmoil does not seem clever to me.
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Have to agree with F3G. Last thing we need is people playing silly buggers to prove a point which we all know about already. Security are already very under-resourced and insufficiently trained and we don't need security people being taken off the job to bother with a prima-donna pilot who should be fired.
Thing that annoys me is that in other countries security is done so much better. In places like the States you can be through in a fraction of the time it takes in the UK, and the scrutiny is as good if not better. Whoever is running security in the UK airports should be dismissed for gross misconduct.
Thing that annoys me is that in other countries security is done so much better. In places like the States you can be through in a fraction of the time it takes in the UK, and the scrutiny is as good if not better. Whoever is running security in the UK airports should be dismissed for gross misconduct.
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I was randomly stopped at Doncaster. "Do you mind if I search you, sir?" Well, naturally I did mind and said so. The security guard then said that he couldn't search me if I didn't give permission! I didn't press it, because I am 100% certain that if I had not let him search me I would have got no further, so it seems you have rights but you are in no position to assert them. The guard said that being searched was for my safety; my feeling is that searching ME has nothing to do with MY safety - my search would be assured by searching everyone else!
Incidentally, as you arrive at security at Doncaster you have to pose at a desk for a photo to be taken. The very nice lady explained to me that the strip on the boarding card is linked to the photo - "it's extra security." Which is something of a nonsense, because the officials at the gates were nowhere near the computer screens that could have shown these photos when they took the cards! I don't remember ever giving my consent to having my photo taken when I booked - even the police have to charge someone first!
(I travel frequently between UK and France - holiday home - and have now experienced similar nonsense at the docks. On my last crossing my car was diverted into a shed, the doors were closed and and official wanted to know if I had any guns, any weapons, any knives etc etc. I answered no and he took a cursory glanse in the boot. It was ony the following day when unpacking that I remembered the garden shears! Anyone ever heard of a ferry being hijacked by a terrorist waving a pair of garden shears?)
Incidentally, as you arrive at security at Doncaster you have to pose at a desk for a photo to be taken. The very nice lady explained to me that the strip on the boarding card is linked to the photo - "it's extra security." Which is something of a nonsense, because the officials at the gates were nowhere near the computer screens that could have shown these photos when they took the cards! I don't remember ever giving my consent to having my photo taken when I booked - even the police have to charge someone first!
(I travel frequently between UK and France - holiday home - and have now experienced similar nonsense at the docks. On my last crossing my car was diverted into a shed, the doors were closed and and official wanted to know if I had any guns, any weapons, any knives etc etc. I answered no and he took a cursory glanse in the boot. It was ony the following day when unpacking that I remembered the garden shears! Anyone ever heard of a ferry being hijacked by a terrorist waving a pair of garden shears?)
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A friend of mine transited STN on the way to Rome last year, the security insisted he turn on his laptop and go through files on it...Do security even have a right to do this?
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Anyone know if British Airports have a regulator,e.g. OFWAT for water, Insurance Ombudsman etc??
Reason is that i have never been through security and seen more than 50% of x ray machines working, daughter missed a transit flight cos only one out five machines available was being used. If airports were fined twenty grand a day for every machine and/or security line not working i suspect security lines would soon become quicker than they have ever been..
Reason is that i have never been through security and seen more than 50% of x ray machines working, daughter missed a transit flight cos only one out five machines available was being used. If airports were fined twenty grand a day for every machine and/or security line not working i suspect security lines would soon become quicker than they have ever been..
Aisle seat, please.
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Take your jacket off before you get to the head of the line, have your laptop out of your bag and ready to put in a tray and get through security as fast as you can so that the rest of us lining up behind you don't have to wait for hours. Having spent far too much of my life standing in security lines I'm convinced that at least fifty percent of the hold ups are caused by pax who can't seem to understand a few simple rules to speed things up.
Then again, I've got to pass through CDG tomorrow morning and I'm feeling grumpy about it already, so I may not be entirely unbiased.
Then again, I've got to pass through CDG tomorrow morning and I'm feeling grumpy about it already, so I may not be entirely unbiased.
N4790P
At most airports and always at LHR, if they just opened the other 50% of unused scanners, that would alleviate far more of the problems than pax (in)actions.
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Agree with Gou... last security clearance through LHR was delayed even further by a passenger who was held up after being told he couldn't talk his 2 litre bottle of water onboard.
He then decided to drink it all before proceeding - refusing anyone else to pass by him. Nice.
A mini-riot ensued getting a number of people departing the scene highly aggravated.
What are my rights to not have to deal with moron passengers?
He then decided to drink it all before proceeding - refusing anyone else to pass by him. Nice.
A mini-riot ensued getting a number of people departing the scene highly aggravated.
What are my rights to not have to deal with moron passengers?
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whitehorse
The expression "if you pay peanuts you get monkeys" comes to mind.
Changing the subject a little I was stopped in STN as my computer keyboard tested positive for explosives. The only thing I can think of was that I had just cleaned my computer with computer wipes (I do not participate in sport shooting and I am not envolved with explosives in anyway). I was allowed to continue with my flight after helping the supervisor with a short form. He stated that it happens often and that the detecting equipent does give false indications.
Q. Does this mean that the equipment can miss possible explosive contamination?
Q. Do SB follow up on these reports?
Changing the subject a little I was stopped in STN as my computer keyboard tested positive for explosives. The only thing I can think of was that I had just cleaned my computer with computer wipes (I do not participate in sport shooting and I am not envolved with explosives in anyway). I was allowed to continue with my flight after helping the supervisor with a short form. He stated that it happens often and that the detecting equipent does give false indications.
Q. Does this mean that the equipment can miss possible explosive contamination?
Q. Do SB follow up on these reports?
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A friend of mine transited STN on the way to Rome last year, the security insisted he turn on his laptop and go through files on it...Do security even have a right to do this?
Its not a personal privacy issue, its a corporate data security issue. PC/Data security is a big issue for most companies these days, I had to do a course about the use of Wireless/Internet/Laptop data security when I jioned, and I dont consider I have access to particularly sensitive data in my job - but i get to use client companies data as part of my job, and that is the problem....
Regards, SD..
Traveling years ago to offshore rigs through Shetland, we were search by Shell security at the airport. It was there right to sexually assault us and go through ALL our offshore gear in an initiate manner, checking ever item in our kit bags. This tip by Shell security has now been passed onto airport staff at many UK airports. They also tried to act as HM Customs and Excise by trying to confiscate fags bought in from the rigs.
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in that case you would be leaving your lappy toppy behind...
BAA etc want to see if the lap top works because the circuitry can hide explosives inside fromt the xray. By seeing the computer will power up you are easing the load on the xray reader so more bags can more through more quickly.
File scanning however will show nothing apart from will it work. A better suggestion would be to check the DVD player works or all the ports. File scanning isn't going to prove anything BUT the security guards don't know and so they think they are being clever... as if looking around a filing system is the same as looking inside the physical case... I mean, really LOL....
Anyway, refusal of course will mean they'll not let you through which means you'll miss your flight. Which isn't really why folk go to airports. Worse, under UK legislation at least, refusal probably means that you are giving reasonable cause which means they may just take a screwdriver to the mother board in a back room where they keep the dogs.... Perhaps a worthwhile strategy for a new laptop on insurance then!
BAA etc want to see if the lap top works because the circuitry can hide explosives inside fromt the xray. By seeing the computer will power up you are easing the load on the xray reader so more bags can more through more quickly.
File scanning however will show nothing apart from will it work. A better suggestion would be to check the DVD player works or all the ports. File scanning isn't going to prove anything BUT the security guards don't know and so they think they are being clever... as if looking around a filing system is the same as looking inside the physical case... I mean, really LOL....
Anyway, refusal of course will mean they'll not let you through which means you'll miss your flight. Which isn't really why folk go to airports. Worse, under UK legislation at least, refusal probably means that you are giving reasonable cause which means they may just take a screwdriver to the mother board in a back room where they keep the dogs.... Perhaps a worthwhile strategy for a new laptop on insurance then!