Manchester Airport Security Flaws Exposed on TV
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The last I heard about these muppets, was that they are far to busy to search you...unless you have a spoon.
Because they were to busy Stabbing each other in the back........
Talk about sticking together.
So says the slug.........
Because they were to busy Stabbing each other in the back........
Talk about sticking together.
So says the slug.........
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In the 'Sun' today,
'BAG CHECK SHAMBLES'
The BBC is set to broadcast a shock expose on lax airport security to coincide with the 3rd anniversary of 9/11.
An undercover women reporter got a job at Manchester airport in may checking luggagae for knives. She was given top level security clearance after using bogus work and character references.
The reporter armed with hidden cameras and microphones smuggled into the terminal building, taped failures to carry out baggage checks.
'BAG CHECK SHAMBLES'
The BBC is set to broadcast a shock expose on lax airport security to coincide with the 3rd anniversary of 9/11.
An undercover women reporter got a job at Manchester airport in may checking luggagae for knives. She was given top level security clearance after using bogus work and character references.
The reporter armed with hidden cameras and microphones smuggled into the terminal building, taped failures to carry out baggage checks.
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I doubt she'd be given a top level security clearance, although she would have had some background check. This embarrassing exposure might explain a recent newsletter from the Pass Office quote: The Pass Office will now check all the personal details of the applicant also of the references provided against a number of national databases. unquote.
Does this mean they didn't. Renewing passes is always a highlight for Manchester staff. Unenviable job I would think.
Does this mean they didn't. Renewing passes is always a highlight for Manchester staff. Unenviable job I would think.
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The program will be broadcasted on:
BBC1 2100hrs Tuesday 7th September 2004 'Whistleblower'
Michelle Cox is the undercover reporter for
the BBC
Worked for MAN on T3 from May this year until very
recently.
Hopefully this should show the world what a
joke MAN security really is and how MAN puts profit
and getting the Queue down before Security.
"Get them through as fast as you can so they
can spend spend spend"!!!!!.
Heads should roll for this at senior level.
we will see.
MAN is probably the only airport in the world that
sacked halve its workforce and slashed the remainders wages
by over 40% including inferior terms and conditions with Sh*** rosters only MONTHS AFTER 9/11
BBC1 2100hrs Tuesday 7th September 2004 'Whistleblower'
Michelle Cox is the undercover reporter for
the BBC
Worked for MAN on T3 from May this year until very
recently.
Hopefully this should show the world what a
joke MAN security really is and how MAN puts profit
and getting the Queue down before Security.
"Get them through as fast as you can so they
can spend spend spend"!!!!!.
Heads should roll for this at senior level.
we will see.
MAN is probably the only airport in the world that
sacked halve its workforce and slashed the remainders wages
by over 40% including inferior terms and conditions with Sh*** rosters only MONTHS AFTER 9/11
Last edited by sacktheboard; 29th Aug 2004 at 17:15.
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MAN is no better or worse than any other UK airport. What is the point of making a big deal about how you can 'smuggle' razor blades onto an aircraft? The idea behind an airside pass is that you have, within the guidelines issued by the government, been checked out and deemed trustworthy and that you have no hostile intent. If this doesn't happen there will be no aircraft maintenance because tools won't be allowed airside, and we may as well all give up.
Also anyone who thinks MAN is such a bad airport should really get out more. Try working at LHR's central area for a while, MAN is absolute heaven by comparison.
This forum has people complaining that security is too lax, and others moaning because they got searched! At least the security staff at MAN are usually polite!
Also anyone who thinks MAN is such a bad airport should really get out more. Try working at LHR's central area for a while, MAN is absolute heaven by comparison.
This forum has people complaining that security is too lax, and others moaning because they got searched! At least the security staff at MAN are usually polite!
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Since 9/11 airport security procedures other than the CRC have hardly changed as anyone in the industry knows. What has dramatically changed is the number of idiots who try to undermine the system. I am shocked and appalled at some of the comments in this thread! I cannot believe so many people have the same mentality as these journalists who barely have a brain cell to rub together who go around telling the world how to breach airport security. YES I am sure professional terrorists will already be aware of these security lapses however come on lets not encourage all the psychopaths in the world to further frighten the public. I believe that ars****es like the sun reporter at BHX last week and if true the undercover reporter at MAN should be prosecuted and thrown in jail, how do we know they are not terrorists posing as journalists posing as airport workers LOCK THESE PEOPLE UP!!!
The DOT regularly sends undercover operatives in to probe airport security we do not need it on the front page.
As for the security manager at MAN he would be subject to the higher level of CRC and if convicted of fraud would not qualify and hence could not hold an airside pass or presumably the post of security officer let alone manager.
We all are aware of problems with the system and it will never be perfect terrorists will always find a way in, all we can do is make it as difficult as possible. This means not leaving details on this web site which is monitored by the press I am sure, don’t give them a free story and if any members of the press are reading this please try and be responsible don’t “Sex up” the facts like you did with last weeks story in Birmingham and remember B S stories that are becoming the norm not only endanger everyone’s safety but put thousands of people out of jobs when tragedies occur!
Danny – please ensure both yourself and your forum is used responsibly in such matters!
Before anyone says it no I do not work in security or ever have done I am speaking merely from many years of working in the industry.
RW
The DOT regularly sends undercover operatives in to probe airport security we do not need it on the front page.
As for the security manager at MAN he would be subject to the higher level of CRC and if convicted of fraud would not qualify and hence could not hold an airside pass or presumably the post of security officer let alone manager.
We all are aware of problems with the system and it will never be perfect terrorists will always find a way in, all we can do is make it as difficult as possible. This means not leaving details on this web site which is monitored by the press I am sure, don’t give them a free story and if any members of the press are reading this please try and be responsible don’t “Sex up” the facts like you did with last weeks story in Birmingham and remember B S stories that are becoming the norm not only endanger everyone’s safety but put thousands of people out of jobs when tragedies occur!
Danny – please ensure both yourself and your forum is used responsibly in such matters!
Before anyone says it no I do not work in security or ever have done I am speaking merely from many years of working in the industry.
RW
Why doesn't MAN Apt take the reporter to court for making false statements to gain an airside ID?
Lets face it items were smuggled in to Colditz which had a reasonable level of security I believe, so some smart alec is always going to be able to smuggle something into an airport.
The reporter has broken the rules and regs deliberately to make money for their company and possibly to cause fear amongst the public. If they or their company really cared about security they would take their findings to the DfT and work with them, without publicity, to rectify the wrongs.
They have no interest in security whatsoever.
Lets face it items were smuggled in to Colditz which had a reasonable level of security I believe, so some smart alec is always going to be able to smuggle something into an airport.
The reporter has broken the rules and regs deliberately to make money for their company and possibly to cause fear amongst the public. If they or their company really cared about security they would take their findings to the DfT and work with them, without publicity, to rectify the wrongs.
They have no interest in security whatsoever.
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Doing that is terrorist like behaviour falsifying docs to gain airside access surely the Terrorism act thing says something about doing it otherwise terrorists themselves can only take advantage. How do we know that they aren't already trying it on wasn't it on the news that someone had plans to blow Heathrow, then again the charts and pictures shown are readily available on the internet. I feel the BBC is digging itself a small grave after doing this attempting to expose our airports to the worried public which can only be bad news for operators, especially for Manchester my most favourite. 
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Throw them in jail?...Thats not going to happen.
The offence of giving false details to get an airside pass is under the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990. It is only triable at Magistrates Court and only punishable by a fine. However, one of the factors to be taken into account before someon's taken to court in the UK is the Public Interest. Now, uncovering loopholes in security is to be honest going to be seen as in the public interest. The DOT do send thier inspectors round to test things but obviously don't find everything. So the chances of the Crown Prosecution Service supporting a prosecution are zero.
The offence of giving false details to get an airside pass is under the Aviation and Maritime Security Act 1990. It is only triable at Magistrates Court and only punishable by a fine. However, one of the factors to be taken into account before someon's taken to court in the UK is the Public Interest. Now, uncovering loopholes in security is to be honest going to be seen as in the public interest. The DOT do send thier inspectors round to test things but obviously don't find everything. So the chances of the Crown Prosecution Service supporting a prosecution are zero.
It is not in the public interest to shout from the front page of a newspaper, or a prime time TV programme, that it is easy to commit acts of terror at an airport or on an aircraft.
The public interest would be served by working with the DfT Inspectors on a long term and workable plan to close the loopholes. Once this has been achieved by all means put it in the papers and on the TV how you helped close the loophole, but to do it beforehand is creating a period of vulnerability whilst a response is cobbled together!
I thought giving information to the enemy was treason?
The public interest would be served by working with the DfT Inspectors on a long term and workable plan to close the loopholes. Once this has been achieved by all means put it in the papers and on the TV how you helped close the loophole, but to do it beforehand is creating a period of vulnerability whilst a response is cobbled together!
I thought giving information to the enemy was treason?
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Thats one way of looking at it yes, however, the fact is they have pointed out loopholes. The same as the sun did. Given the events in Russia, where the press don't have the same freedom, then the public interest would be seen to have been served in this case. Please remember that you have your point of view which is probably not shared by the majority of the public. As to working with the DFT, do you know they didn't?
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It'll be interesting to see what is done after the programme has aired. Tradition has it that in slamming the stable doors our Politicians, Regulators and Managers under pressure to "do something!" look to the legitimate users of the system for a result. After the tragedy of Dunblane we saw handguns removed from the ownership of registered users. This of course resulted in an immediate and lasting reduction in gun crime.
The awful events of 11 Sep see us jumping through DoT hoops in a flurry of paperwork with the pointless confiscation of corkscrews and nailclippers, all in the name of security. But hey, it allows the unholy trio above to point and say "something has been done!"
But it hasn't improved security.....not one jot.
For that they would have to genuinely check out applicant's backgrounds.
The awful events of 11 Sep see us jumping through DoT hoops in a flurry of paperwork with the pointless confiscation of corkscrews and nailclippers, all in the name of security. But hey, it allows the unholy trio above to point and say "something has been done!"
But it hasn't improved security.....not one jot.
For that they would have to genuinely check out applicant's backgrounds.
bjcc, I think that it would have been noticed if the programme makers had been working with the DfT. Procedures at all Apts would have been tightened prior to the exposee on the programme, and the programme makers would no doubt have mentioned that thanks to their public spirited work the loopholes had been closed.
That none of the above happened is a strong indication IMHO that they didn't work with the DfT.
That none of the above happened is a strong indication IMHO that they didn't work with the DfT.
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Surley not
I am sure the loopholes have now been closed, and the BBC Program has not been shown yet. End result is the same excpet that this way its difficult for the Civil Servents to drag thier feet. The potential for rolling of ministers heads being wonderful for focusing civil servent minds (about the only thing that does unless thier allocation of rich tea biccies is wrong)
Pre 9/11 the DOT inspectors turned up at LHR and funnily enough the airport always seemed to know about it...shock that! So unless they have changed vastly then at the moment they arn't much of a test.
I have no love of the press, but then again I have no real desire to be on an aircraft that someone has done something sneeky to either, so as long as the result is that I am safe I couldn't give a toss how that result is achieved.
I am sure the loopholes have now been closed, and the BBC Program has not been shown yet. End result is the same excpet that this way its difficult for the Civil Servents to drag thier feet. The potential for rolling of ministers heads being wonderful for focusing civil servent minds (about the only thing that does unless thier allocation of rich tea biccies is wrong)
Pre 9/11 the DOT inspectors turned up at LHR and funnily enough the airport always seemed to know about it...shock that! So unless they have changed vastly then at the moment they arn't much of a test.
I have no love of the press, but then again I have no real desire to be on an aircraft that someone has done something sneeky to either, so as long as the result is that I am safe I couldn't give a toss how that result is achieved.
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Airport security 'exposed' on TV
CLAIMS of poor security at Manchester Airport will be made in a BBC documentary next week.
Undercover reporter Michelle Cox spent three months working as a security officer at the airport.
Her findings, which include hidden camera footage, will be broadcast in an hour-long programme called Whistleblower to be screened on BBC1 on Tuesday at 9pm.
It is timed to coincide with the third anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington, when hijackers bypassed security.
It will include allegations that security staff waved passengers through without carrying out body searches - in order to tackle huge queues of passengers building up at peak periods.
It is understood one female security worker is recorded saying "We cheat" when asked about the rate of body searches.
Soon after the September 11 attacks, bosses at Manchester Airport were criticised for security cost-cutting. Wages were cut and jobs were axed at a time when America was ploughing more money into security at airports.
The cost-cutting was designed to reduce landing fees to attract more airlines, especially budget carriers, to Manchester.
Struggled
It resulted in a series of damaging strikes.
At the time, the airport was hit by three separate allegations of security breaches, once when a government inspector managed to get bomb equipment through a scanner undetected as part of a test; and twice when journalists smuggled blades on board aircraft.
It is known that airport bosses have struggled to recruit and keep staff because of the wages on offer and the unsocial shifts required.
Last month, the M.E.N. uncovered a security loophole when a reporter was able to gain access to restricted areas of Terminal 2 by punching a widely-available code into a door lock.
A Manchester Airport spokesman said: "The safety of the travelling public and our employees is our highest priority.
"Manchester Airport's procedures, systems and equipment are part of a robust effective defence system, comprising several different levels, which changes and evolves as necessary.
"Together with regular reviews and inspections, this provides an intricate system of checks and cross-checks which, taken together, provide a robust security net.
"The integrity of this security system works as a whole and is not dependent upon any one single element. "
"We take any allegations of shortcomings extremely seriously and any breaches in procedure are rectified immediately."
Do you feel safe at Manchester Airport?
John Scheerhout Manchester Evening News 4 September 2004
CLAIMS of poor security at Manchester Airport will be made in a BBC documentary next week.
Undercover reporter Michelle Cox spent three months working as a security officer at the airport.
Her findings, which include hidden camera footage, will be broadcast in an hour-long programme called Whistleblower to be screened on BBC1 on Tuesday at 9pm.
It is timed to coincide with the third anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks on New York and Washington, when hijackers bypassed security.
It will include allegations that security staff waved passengers through without carrying out body searches - in order to tackle huge queues of passengers building up at peak periods.
It is understood one female security worker is recorded saying "We cheat" when asked about the rate of body searches.
Soon after the September 11 attacks, bosses at Manchester Airport were criticised for security cost-cutting. Wages were cut and jobs were axed at a time when America was ploughing more money into security at airports.
The cost-cutting was designed to reduce landing fees to attract more airlines, especially budget carriers, to Manchester.
Struggled
It resulted in a series of damaging strikes.
At the time, the airport was hit by three separate allegations of security breaches, once when a government inspector managed to get bomb equipment through a scanner undetected as part of a test; and twice when journalists smuggled blades on board aircraft.
It is known that airport bosses have struggled to recruit and keep staff because of the wages on offer and the unsocial shifts required.
Last month, the M.E.N. uncovered a security loophole when a reporter was able to gain access to restricted areas of Terminal 2 by punching a widely-available code into a door lock.
A Manchester Airport spokesman said: "The safety of the travelling public and our employees is our highest priority.
"Manchester Airport's procedures, systems and equipment are part of a robust effective defence system, comprising several different levels, which changes and evolves as necessary.
"Together with regular reviews and inspections, this provides an intricate system of checks and cross-checks which, taken together, provide a robust security net.
"The integrity of this security system works as a whole and is not dependent upon any one single element. "
"We take any allegations of shortcomings extremely seriously and any breaches in procedure are rectified immediately."
Do you feel safe at Manchester Airport?
John Scheerhout Manchester Evening News 4 September 2004
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MAN BBC Whistleblower
Not in the Public intrest. I read in some of the posts, Me thinks it,s very much in the public intrest, as they are the one,s paying our wages,and least we forget it. We have a duty of care to all our passengers and crew to ensure that they get from A-B safely.I have worked for several years in aviation security both mainline and now Corporate.When you employ staff who really are not intrested in what they are doing and just turn up for wages ,then you have the wrong people working for you. In the UK we are fully compliant to every rule imaginable, from DFT and JAR and anything else Brussels wants to throw at us. If we can,t get the Basics right then their is no point in wasting time and effort at throwing people in uniforms who are not motivated trained or intrested in doing quite a important job properly. A reality check is required by MAN management and some other airports. Stop Paying Lip service to security.
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From the BBC News website:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3629336.stm
BBC finds airport security lapses
A BBC investigation has revealed "shocking" security lapses at Manchester Airport, programme makers claim.
A reporter working as an aviation security officer was encouraged to flout Department for Transport rules on bag searches, the BBC says.
It said she also found planes left open and unattended overnight and that staff knowingly used faulty metal detectors.
The airport said travellers' safety was its "highest priority" and any breaches in procedure were fixed "immediately".
A spokesman said: "Manchester Airport's procedures, systems and equipment are part of a robust effective defence system comprising several different levels, which changes and evolves as necessary.
"Together with regular reviews and inspections this provides an intricate system of checks and cross-checks which taken together provide a robust security net.
"We take any allegations of shortcomings extremely serious and any breaches in procedure are rectified immediately."
'We cheat'
Journalist Michelle Cox spent ten weeks working at the airport.
Programme makers said on one occasion around a thousand passengers passed through the airport from Pakistan but only three random bag searches took place.
"Michelle was told by colleagues to exaggerate the figures, with one workmate openly declaring, `We cheat'," a statement said.
"Michelle also discovered planes left open and unattended on the tarmac overnight with easy access provided by the steps, which had been left attached, contrary to security rules."
The reporter was also able to gain access to one of the planes and film undisturbed, the programme said.
The BBC also claims the film will show a metal detector failing to sound when a knife and gun were passed through it as part of a test.
It said: "The detector failed to go off on a number of occasions and was shut down.
"The second detector in the area was tested with a large pair of scissors and also failed to go off on a number of occasions.
"This one was not shut down and staff continued to allow approaching passengers through security using the unreliable machine."
Security team leaders are also alleged to have tipped off colleagues about covert DfT inspectors, phoning their physical descriptions through to colleagues.
The BBC show screens on Tuesday at 2100 BST on BBC One as part of the Whistleblower series.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3629336.stm
BBC finds airport security lapses
A BBC investigation has revealed "shocking" security lapses at Manchester Airport, programme makers claim.
A reporter working as an aviation security officer was encouraged to flout Department for Transport rules on bag searches, the BBC says.
It said she also found planes left open and unattended overnight and that staff knowingly used faulty metal detectors.
The airport said travellers' safety was its "highest priority" and any breaches in procedure were fixed "immediately".
A spokesman said: "Manchester Airport's procedures, systems and equipment are part of a robust effective defence system comprising several different levels, which changes and evolves as necessary.
"Together with regular reviews and inspections this provides an intricate system of checks and cross-checks which taken together provide a robust security net.
"We take any allegations of shortcomings extremely serious and any breaches in procedure are rectified immediately."
'We cheat'
Journalist Michelle Cox spent ten weeks working at the airport.
Programme makers said on one occasion around a thousand passengers passed through the airport from Pakistan but only three random bag searches took place.
"Michelle was told by colleagues to exaggerate the figures, with one workmate openly declaring, `We cheat'," a statement said.
"Michelle also discovered planes left open and unattended on the tarmac overnight with easy access provided by the steps, which had been left attached, contrary to security rules."
The reporter was also able to gain access to one of the planes and film undisturbed, the programme said.
The BBC also claims the film will show a metal detector failing to sound when a knife and gun were passed through it as part of a test.
It said: "The detector failed to go off on a number of occasions and was shut down.
"The second detector in the area was tested with a large pair of scissors and also failed to go off on a number of occasions.
"This one was not shut down and staff continued to allow approaching passengers through security using the unreliable machine."
Security team leaders are also alleged to have tipped off colleagues about covert DfT inspectors, phoning their physical descriptions through to colleagues.
The BBC show screens on Tuesday at 2100 BST on BBC One as part of the Whistleblower series.
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BBC in on the scare game
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/3629336.stm
wow, airplanes open overnight!!
Well lets sneak a nice little surprise into their Birmingham offices overnight then and let the competition loose.
wow, airplanes open overnight!!
Well lets sneak a nice little surprise into their Birmingham offices overnight then and let the competition loose.
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Programme makers said on one occasion around 1,000 passengers passed through the airport from Pakistan but only three random bag searches took place.