Knitting?
Del Prado
I quite believe it. I was going airside at Aberdeen, my yoghurt caused a bit of consternation and resulted in a stern warning that next time they would confiscate it. It was a particularity dangerous 110ml strawberry one if I recall correctly.
I apologized for placing airside security in jeopardy, then picked up the leather scabbard containing my surgical scalpel, put it back in my pocket along with the 6 inch long screwdriver and went on my merry way in a van containing about 50 liters of various fluids and multiple stabby type items…
It should also be noted that this was in 2010 and thanks to Eyjafjallajökull the only things flying in or out of the airport were birds.
I quite believe it. I was going airside at Aberdeen, my yoghurt caused a bit of consternation and resulted in a stern warning that next time they would confiscate it. It was a particularity dangerous 110ml strawberry one if I recall correctly.
I apologized for placing airside security in jeopardy, then picked up the leather scabbard containing my surgical scalpel, put it back in my pocket along with the 6 inch long screwdriver and went on my merry way in a van containing about 50 liters of various fluids and multiple stabby type items…
It should also be noted that this was in 2010 and thanks to Eyjafjallajökull the only things flying in or out of the airport were birds.
I'm not exposing a security loophole, because it's obvious to anyone to anyone with half a brain, but what's the point of imposing a 100ml maximum limit on liquids per person in cabin baggage when ten bad guys can obey the restrictions but still make a plan to accumulate a litre between them once they're on board. 
And what about taking cutlery from the airside restaurants...
I'm so glad that I'm not actively involved in aviation any more, when the programmed drones question why engineers are taking tools and essential servicing liquids airside. I've met some really spiteful security staff in the past including one who rushed over to a cabin attendant I was talking to and loudly berated her for not having the Velcro on her hi-vis fastened. They're not all like that but it does reflect on the attitude of some employees whose new-found position allows them to vent their inadequacies in the same way as some traffic wardens enjoy their job.
I remember reading of a passenger who was pulled up for having a small-scale model soldier holding a rifle.
And what about taking cutlery from the airside restaurants...
I'm so glad that I'm not actively involved in aviation any more, when the programmed drones question why engineers are taking tools and essential servicing liquids airside. I've met some really spiteful security staff in the past including one who rushed over to a cabin attendant I was talking to and loudly berated her for not having the Velcro on her hi-vis fastened. They're not all like that but it does reflect on the attitude of some employees whose new-found position allows them to vent their inadequacies in the same way as some traffic wardens enjoy their job.
I remember reading of a passenger who was pulled up for having a small-scale model soldier holding a rifle.
Paxing All Over The World
I agree with an earlier poster who said that a bottle of alcohol bought on board would make a fine weapon. Also, a full sized laptop can weigh up to 2Kg. I have not tried it but I reckon that hitting someone on the head with the flat side - or using the thin edge swung with force into their neck would give the receiver pause for thought.
I have had an item with a very small dimension removed because, I think, they were too busy to inspect in detail and just binned it. As well as allowing through something that could certainly puncture a jugular vein. I also had a time to return to the main terminal. Many moons ago at LTN, the X-ray of my shoulder bag turned up a pair of small wire cutters that had got lost inside a padded liner and could not be felt. The actual blades were less than 2cm but the item was decreed unacceptable. I went back downstairs and bought a padded envelope and stamps, and posted it to myself as it was very good pair!
The staff did not appreciate my thanking them for finding them for me.
I have had an item with a very small dimension removed because, I think, they were too busy to inspect in detail and just binned it. As well as allowing through something that could certainly puncture a jugular vein. I also had a time to return to the main terminal. Many moons ago at LTN, the X-ray of my shoulder bag turned up a pair of small wire cutters that had got lost inside a padded liner and could not be felt. The actual blades were less than 2cm but the item was decreed unacceptable. I went back downstairs and bought a padded envelope and stamps, and posted it to myself as it was very good pair!
The staff did not appreciate my thanking them for finding them for me.
Isn’t it about tools that may allow access to the flight deck rather than weapons per se? Anyone can go on the rampage with a crochet hook in Economy, as long as they can’t get through the front door.
I had a roll of tape confiscated on the basis that it could be used to restrain someone.
As stated earlier, this sort of work is boring and poorly paid, the job you take if you really can't find anything else. There is always the possibility of disciplinary action if you fail to notice something whilst being checked by an examiner posing as a passenger. Screeners are then given a high degree of authority, which they would not have in the type of low level jobs that they would normally be employed in. In some cases it goes to their heads when they find they can get away with talking to people in ways they couldn't get away with in their previous employment.
As stated earlier, this sort of work is boring and poorly paid, the job you take if you really can't find anything else. There is always the possibility of disciplinary action if you fail to notice something whilst being checked by an examiner posing as a passenger. Screeners are then given a high degree of authority, which they would not have in the type of low level jobs that they would normally be employed in. In some cases it goes to their heads when they find they can get away with talking to people in ways they couldn't get away with in their previous employment.
I was pulled up at Perth WA airport a few years ago with a suspect item in my briefcase.
After progressively removing items and re-exraying three times we found a 6 inch hunting knife stuck right down the bottom. Security gave me a zip bag to use to go back and put the knife in as hold luggage. No dramas whatsoever and I collected it off the carousel at my destination.
It was only later that I recalled when I’d put the knife in the bag. I’d been through security at six other terminals with it before being pulled up.
After progressively removing items and re-exraying three times we found a 6 inch hunting knife stuck right down the bottom. Security gave me a zip bag to use to go back and put the knife in as hold luggage. No dramas whatsoever and I collected it off the carousel at my destination.
It was only later that I recalled when I’d put the knife in the bag. I’d been through security at six other terminals with it before being pulled up.
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: moraira,spain-Norfolk, UK
Age: 82
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I was pulled up at Sydney. Carry-on searched & x-rayed repeatedly.
The guys (by then several) would not say what they were looking for.
Turned out to be the flat blade of the plug on my electric razer, maybe
1.5cm max.
The guys (by then several) would not say what they were looking for.
Turned out to be the flat blade of the plug on my electric razer, maybe
1.5cm max.
