Security Theatre
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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On Tuesday I flew from Gatwick as a pax on a USAir flight to Philadelphia. I passed through the first security check, without removing my shoes, and was patted down; the security guard also ran his hands over my shoes, which were soft. Good, I thought, removal of shoes was being dispensed with. But no, there was a second X-ray check further on, for shoes only. Arriving at the gate, I was politely asked by a security guard if he could inspect my hand baggage. He gave it a very perfunctory once-over. Then he asked me to remove my shoes! When I told him they had already been removed and X-rayed, he said that this second check was "for the airline". I asked him what had the earlier check been for, if not for the airline. He had no answer.
Rockhound
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Join Date: Oct 2006
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I could not help but notice a huge pile of crew bags stacked up in the foyer of an hotel adjacent to LHR yesterday evening. All totally unattended. The associated crew were in the bar (though not drinking), presumably waiting for their transport.
I assume this baggage would have been rigorously searched at LHR before the crew were allowed to board on the basis that it 'could have been interfered with'.
No?
I assume this baggage would have been rigorously searched at LHR before the crew were allowed to board on the basis that it 'could have been interfered with'.
No?
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Horsham, England, UK. ---o--O--o---
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On Tuesday I flew from Gatwick as a pax on a USAir flight to Philadelphia. I passed through the first security check, without removing my shoes, and was patted down; the security guard also ran his hands over my shoes, which were soft. Good, I thought, removal of shoes was being dispensed with. But no, there was a second X-ray check further on, for shoes only. Arriving at the gate, I was politely asked by a security guard if he could inspect my hand baggage. He gave it a very perfunctory once-over. Then he asked me to remove my shoes! When I told him they had already been removed and X-rayed, he said that this second check was "for the airline". I asked him what had the earlier check been for, if not for the airline. He had no answer.
Rockhound
Rockhound
On reaching the Gate - You were subject to Security employed by US Airways to FAA - US Government Regulations. A Separate company called ICTS. So therefore a double whammy.
Join Date: Aug 2002
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The implication being that they don't trust BAA to do this properly? I flew NWA via Amsterdam recently and whilst being questioned by G4S and unable to produce a ticket as I had used the code to check in online, I was NOT asked to remove my shoes. Left hand right hand let's see if we can work together and spell consistency.........
Have also seen Virgin pax at Heathrow having secondary questioning before boarding whereas BA have none and I don't believe for a minute BA have lax security....
Have also seen Virgin pax at Heathrow having secondary questioning before boarding whereas BA have none and I don't believe for a minute BA have lax security....
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
You really shouldn't try to analyze what these people are doing any more than you can wish for the moon. As a couple of others have alluded to, airport security staff have one purpose ony - that is to provide the Government of (*insert your country here) with tangible evidence to the voting public that they are doing "something" about terrorism.
The Government doesn't care that it isn't effective or remotely useful, they only have to show that they are doing "something". Look at it from the Government's viewpoint;
1. Secures votes for demonstrating they are fighting terrorism.
2. Gives thousands of jobs to unskilled workers.
3. Keeps the educationally subnormal off the streets.
4. Brings the aircrew down to earth by treating them just like Joe Public.
5. Allows them to introduce random and arbitrary changes to the screening system to maintain the illusion of responding to terrorism based intelligence.
6. Generates additional revenue from usury based pricing in airport shops for all those things you can no longer bring with you.
7. Provides a perfect scapegoat if something does go wrong and something gets on board a plane.
8. Has single handedly revitalized the sock industry.
9. Provides a pre-screeing selection program for fascist bully boys for when the Government decides to use them to maintain civil order when democracy breaks down.
Who knew?
The Government doesn't care that it isn't effective or remotely useful, they only have to show that they are doing "something". Look at it from the Government's viewpoint;
1. Secures votes for demonstrating they are fighting terrorism.
2. Gives thousands of jobs to unskilled workers.
3. Keeps the educationally subnormal off the streets.
4. Brings the aircrew down to earth by treating them just like Joe Public.
5. Allows them to introduce random and arbitrary changes to the screening system to maintain the illusion of responding to terrorism based intelligence.
6. Generates additional revenue from usury based pricing in airport shops for all those things you can no longer bring with you.
7. Provides a perfect scapegoat if something does go wrong and something gets on board a plane.
8. Has single handedly revitalized the sock industry.
9. Provides a pre-screeing selection program for fascist bully boys for when the Government decides to use them to maintain civil order when democracy breaks down.
Who knew?
OLD RED DAMASK
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Lancashire born. In Cebu now
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Here's one on security/safety for you all. How is it in Europe we have to cope with plastic knives,forks and spoons but as soon as we get South of the Med and change planes, we can then be trusted to use metal once again????
Isn't this the area of the world where the terrorists come from???
Isn't this the area of the world where the terrorists come from???
he said that this second check was "for the airline".
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: right here
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If Joe public would stay out of an airports for a while, using other means of transport, this nonsense would be stopped soon!
The commercial pressure would change there minds!
Just imagine the picture when from tomorrow the airports are empty and all the so called "security staff" hanging around and twisting there thumbs?
No car drives into the NCP, no business is done in the shopping mall "Airport".
What you think, how long would that be accepted before things will change?
BAA needs your money too, and as we know, money rules the world!
The commercial pressure would change there minds!
Just imagine the picture when from tomorrow the airports are empty and all the so called "security staff" hanging around and twisting there thumbs?
No car drives into the NCP, no business is done in the shopping mall "Airport".
What you think, how long would that be accepted before things will change?
BAA needs your money too, and as we know, money rules the world!
Below the Glidepath - not correcting
that prevented Nizar Hindawi from blowing up an El Al flight from LHR to TLV in 1986
Join Date: Aug 2003
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Here's one on security/safety for you all. How is it in Europe we have to cope with plastic knives,forks and spoons but as soon as we get South of the Med and change planes, we can then be trusted to use metal once again????
Isn't this the area of the world where the terrorists come from???
Isn't this the area of the world where the terrorists come from???
Oooooh buddy, terrorists come from ALL corners of the earth...please do not generalize.
Thank you.I do understand what you're trying to say and most of us here ( south of the med...) are on the lookout at ALL the times....what can we do, some airlines here put inflight services ahead of safety and they conveniently "overlooked" on this matter!
Join Date: Jan 2007
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On the subject of metal cutlery, Virgin Premium Economy has metal. Mind you, the knives seem to be blunt...
It's a while since I've been there, but I do remember seeing razor blades for sale in the Gatwick departure lounge.
It's a while since I've been there, but I do remember seeing razor blades for sale in the Gatwick departure lounge.
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Certainly took your advice Ibis......packed in being a "sardine special" at long last. Went to my destinations by ship. No more two hour journeys to the airport,three hour check-ins......then the security and flight.....and sat in seats that are......need I say more. Holiday was bliss this year.
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Brisbane, Australia
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Anybody tried snapping the plastic knives Qantas gives you? The result is a darn sight more dangerous than a blunt, metal butter-knife!
Everybody knows it, nobody wants to admit it or do anything about it.
And please - no crap about how we shouldn't be telling the big, bad "terrorists" how to do things..... they've figured it all out by now.... if they really exist, that is!
Seven years on - can you really believe this circus is still playing and hasn't been run out of town yet??
Everybody knows it, nobody wants to admit it or do anything about it.
And please - no crap about how we shouldn't be telling the big, bad "terrorists" how to do things..... they've figured it all out by now.... if they really exist, that is!
Seven years on - can you really believe this circus is still playing and hasn't been run out of town yet??
Join Date: Jan 2003
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The Security Circus sends a clear message to terrorists the world over. "You've got nothing to worry about as the authorities have no imagination!"
They may be keeping an eye on the ball but it is the wrong ball.
They may be keeping an eye on the ball but it is the wrong ball.
Join Date: May 2002
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I find it all a farce, recently flew back from Phoenix to LHR, the TSA asked me to make sure my bag was unlocked and put it in the pile of bags waiting for screening.
The operator didn't seem too pleased when I waited around, and tried to move me on. I asked her who was guarding the large pile of unlocked luggage while she was screening to which she pointed out that she was, and that it was more secure!
Ahem, more secure how? Its an open area that anyone can walk in off the street and put anything into any bag!
Another classic for me was in JFK when I had locked my bag, and was told to wait while it was screened. I stood there like a lemon while they used bolt cutters on my lock because I "wasn't allowed to interfere with the screening process". Why make me wait to watch my lock getting destroyed, what an absolute idiot!
Its the same with UK arrivals now, the government deem that it needs to be more visible that it is protecting our borders, great, so now they just slow it all down and create massive queues!!! I normally use the IRIS at least when they are working!!
Rant over!
The operator didn't seem too pleased when I waited around, and tried to move me on. I asked her who was guarding the large pile of unlocked luggage while she was screening to which she pointed out that she was, and that it was more secure!
Ahem, more secure how? Its an open area that anyone can walk in off the street and put anything into any bag!
Another classic for me was in JFK when I had locked my bag, and was told to wait while it was screened. I stood there like a lemon while they used bolt cutters on my lock because I "wasn't allowed to interfere with the screening process". Why make me wait to watch my lock getting destroyed, what an absolute idiot!
Its the same with UK arrivals now, the government deem that it needs to be more visible that it is protecting our borders, great, so now they just slow it all down and create massive queues!!! I normally use the IRIS at least when they are working!!
Rant over!
OLD RED DAMASK
Join Date: Apr 2004
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On the subject of TSA locks. I work for an American company as an engineer,area as far as India.
TSA locks are there for security to gain access to my toolcase for inspection and then place the lock back. Now on my 15th lock in 18months. Are they making a collection of them???
Sorry but didn't mean that kind of generalisation.
TSA locks are there for security to gain access to my toolcase for inspection and then place the lock back. Now on my 15th lock in 18months. Are they making a collection of them???
Oooooh buddy, terrorists come from ALL corners of the earth...please do not generalize. Thank you.
There is simply no comparison between El Al security measures and the daily Circus that takes place at airports today.