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Trousers Off Please

Old 19th Feb 2011, 15:10
  #21 (permalink)  
 
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All this just bears out what our mums used to say - make sure you have clean underwear when you go out.
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Old 20th Feb 2011, 06:16
  #22 (permalink)  
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Some flights to the middle east have secondary screening.
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Old 20th Feb 2011, 16:18
  #23 (permalink)  
 
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If one was really well endowed, the chance of being trouser less in front of other pax might make the idea of going commando interesting in seeing what possibilities it could produce!
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Old 25th Feb 2011, 11:28
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I'm a regular reader of this blog. I would be astonished if he made this up.
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Old 25th Feb 2011, 15:33
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I do believe it, for the story is, indeed, perfectly possible. If there was something which alerted security (eg an unreconciled activation of the security arch) or metal inserts fitted to the "man-bag" to keep its shape, then they would be loath to let the passenger and his bag on to the aircraft.

All airlines have the right to refuse travel to a passenger who refuses to comply with a security search. In this case, it would appear the operatives of the secondary search (which El Al, some Middle East airlines and all US bound flights have) were not satisfied with something.

For all the scoffing about these low-paid individuals, they are well trained in the job they do and part of the requirements drawn up by the DfT, CAA, FAA, Homeland Security etc are that any activation or alert must be fully investigated and the reason established before allowing the passenger to board.

It may seem humorous, but just supposing he had Semtex hidden away in a cigar tube in his butt? (known as a "charger")
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Old 25th Feb 2011, 15:54
  #26 (permalink)  
 
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Security in the UK don't pitch up at the gate and try and take your trousers off.
Really? The last time I flew AA from LHR there was a security check when you entered the departure area for your flight. That would be the "gate", imo.

They never asked me to drop me breeks though......
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Old 25th Feb 2011, 15:58
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It may seem humorous, but just supposing he had Semtex hidden away in a cigar tube in his butt? (known as a "charger")

Definitely a case of the sh1t hitting the fan!
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Old 25th Feb 2011, 16:08
  #28 (permalink)  
 
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Really? The last time I flew AA from LHR there was a security check when you entered the departure area for your flight. That would be the "gate", imo.
Yes I am aware of that, I think perhaps the important part is that they don't ask you to take your trousers off. All gates at LHR T3 and the new pier on T1 (soon to be part of T2) have gate rooms and a boarding card check on entry, as do some of the gates at LGW North and most at LGW South.
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Old 25th Feb 2011, 16:33
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It was more than checking a boarding pass, everyone's jackets and hand luggage were checked, pockets had to be emptied, etc.

So it is possible that IF there is a raised alert they would take things further...
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Old 25th Feb 2011, 17:06
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I am looking forward for "please remove your bra" kind of security - particularly at some airports like (northtern) UK ones.
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Old 25th Feb 2011, 17:53
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............too late, already happened! Within a few days of Terminal 5 opening, one of our staff members was stripped down to her titties. She called for one of the BAA managers, and for one of our own managers before submitting, but it was made crystal clear that if she didn't submit to an intimate search she wouldn't be allowed to access the airside part of the terminal

No airside access = no work
No work = no pay!

As passengers, you are not alone! The staff have to comply too..
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Old 25th Feb 2011, 18:26
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Originally Posted by hotmetal
From the blog of David Allen Green
[....]
"You won't take your trousers off?"

"No. It will be embarrassing and humiliating. You can't require me to do so, and you have no good reason to ask."
Ah, and all the rest somehow wasn't embarrassing, humiliating, and lacking good reason?

I despair seeing how people can fall for that stupidity.
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Old 25th Feb 2011, 21:49
  #33 (permalink)  
 
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but it was made crystal clear that if she didn't submit to an intimate search she wouldn't be allowed to access the airside part of the terminal
I am curious, what did they ask her to do and who asked?
Is this BAA Security?
Was it random or was there cause for suspicion?
Was she permitted to be searched by a woman and in private?
Why was she stripped to her bra?

When a woman is asked to strip to her bra,I assume there must be good reason. I know we all love a good story and a moan, but I would be curious to know the detail(!)
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Old 25th Feb 2011, 22:14
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I know I may sound as a weird guy but some bras (mainly larger cups) tend to have a metal part that can upset the metal detectors. Maybe the lady in questions is well endowed hence detectors going off and lady strip searched.

Rwy in Sight
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Old 26th Feb 2011, 09:07
  #35 (permalink)  
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Within a few days of Terminal 5 opening, one of our staff members was stripped down to her titties. She called for one of the BAA managers, and for one of our own managers before submitting, but it was made crystal clear that if she didn't submit to an intimate search she wouldn't be allowed to access the airside part of the terminal

No airside access = no work
No work = no pay!

As passengers, you are not alone! The staff have to comply too..
The staff do not have to comply with strip searches and nor does anybody else. Would it be reasonable for the police to strip search somebody in these circumstances? They could not do so. Police and Criminal Evidence Act Code of Practice C Annexe A and B details what needs to be done for a strip search or intimate search. You would have to have been arrested. If these things are so tightly regulated for the police why would airport security staff be allowed to make it up as they go along. Don't assume because somebody has a fluorescent tabard and makes it 'crystal clear' that they aren't just talking total nonsense. Get some backbone and stand up for your rights and liberties. I can't believe how compliant and passive some people are to this sort of jobsworth idiocy.
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Old 26th Feb 2011, 11:06
  #36 (permalink)  
 
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In such a situation, there would appear to be a very good case for a formal complaint to the police regarding sexual assault. Because it's case of 'you can't go to work if you don't', it is a form of blackmail. Additionally, probably a good case for suing the BAA.....

if nothing else, the BAA staff will have a lovely time being interviewed.....if the police won't take it further, doubtless the Daily Mail or the Sun will. With any luck, the security people could get to be put on the Sex Offenders register.
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Old 26th Feb 2011, 12:52
  #37 (permalink)  
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It's a bit like me opening my house to the public but deciding I will be very strict about security. I will randomly subject members of the public to intimate searches and strip searches and if I take a dislike to somebody I give them a slap. Then saying it's OK because it's the rules and here are the rules. All not permissable. It is not lawful even if I have a fluorescent tabard on. The whole country has to abide by the law.
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Old 27th Feb 2011, 15:13
  #38 (permalink)  
 
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Supposing you had been going commando ..
Well the penis is a 25mil liquid container that would need sealing in an airtight....

Second thoughts, don't go there
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Old 28th Feb 2011, 11:57
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If pushed, the bladder will hold well over 500mL......
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Old 2nd Mar 2011, 19:18
  #40 (permalink)  
 
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I am curious, what did they ask her to do and who asked?
Is this BAA Security?
Was it random or was there cause for suspicion?
Was she permitted to be searched by a woman and in private?
Why was she stripped to her bra?
At the time, the Security Alert state was "Severe" - indicating a terrorist threat against Britain was likely. As part of the "severe" state, BAA Security staff are under strict instructions from the Department for Transport that any "activation" of the security archway must be reconciled.

As regular travellers know, if you "set off" the arch, apart from a random check (which if you're quick you will see the word "QUOTA" appear above the archway), the staff will wave a wand over you until they find the metallic stuff (usually a watch or jewellery) that's triggering the alarm. The wiring in a brassiere can set the alarm off, but staff can usually tell from the way the wand behaves if that's the case or not.

In the case of the staff member, the wanding did not produce a definitive answer for security so she was asked to strip in the presence of as female BAA manager and a BA manager.

Unfortunately, while no one can force one to be strip-searched, entering the "Restricted Zone" is considered voluntary and, by entering into the search area, one has "voluntarily" give one's consent to co-operate with any searches required under powers given by COBRA, Transec or DfT.

BBC NEWS | UK | England | West Midlands | Clown strip-searched at airport

At the end of the day, one can make a complaint to the BAA management or higher if needs be., However, I have never had a problem with the security staff at all (apart from one over-familiar encounter in Terminal One about four years ago. The nasty little character later lost his job after a number of complaints.)
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