security, restore the balance of power

[PURPLE PITOT]

Going through the crew channel in manchester a few years back, the numpties were up to their usual antics, and there was a lot of tension, things were about to kick off. In walk a couple of armed coppers going airside. One senses the tension, unloads his mp5, and puts it in a tray and through the scanner.

Dissolved the tension in a heartbeat

[Flightmech]

While I detest the attitude of some security staff you only have yourself to blame if you knowingly don't remove any metal before going through the arch, your watch for example!!

[biddedout]

Not usre why pilots need such big watches anyway these days. Most aircraft have several very accurate clock display.
As someone said, just remove the things that regularly cause a problem and normally you will get away without needing a patdown.

Never had much of a problem with MAN security they are generally polite and friendly. I only have problems BHD where my bag gets pulled aside everytime because it contains a headset and a torch. They seem to delight in having you stand around for 20 minutes in the waiting for a search queue.

[beamer]

At BHX we tend to see the same people most days and as such have a bit of a laugh about it all - a smile and a bit of banter goes a long way. However, when on one's travels, the inconsistency is staggering and some of the 'frisking' is a little too 'friendly' for my liking - maybe its my deodorant

[Moi/]

Passing airside is part of your job, so you should know what sets the detector off, and what does not.

The longest part of getting airside, is waiting in the queue for the plastic tray.

If the staff are having a bad day, and you should know better about the above. Then maybe the staff will make an example out of you.

"Be the Grey Man" as they say.

[Capot]

Don't worry, fellas, the good news is the CAA is taking over responsibility for airport security in the UK.

So it's all going to work much better, and common-sense will be the governing rule.

Won't it?

[A and C]

I always walk into the security check area with the attitude that I will treat the staff with respect, the only place that I don't get this respect returned is in the UK.............

I can't understand why this should be when security staff in the rest of Europe treat the crews with respect.

I can only offer the theory that the minority of UK security staff that act in this way are simply under achiving, lazy people who have no future, and no ability to control the course of their lives, their reaction is to take out their shortcomings on anything that represents authority by using to the full the little power they have. Hence the Captain is a prime target for abuse.

To me the situation reflects the very low quality of the security management in the UK, the peope who I have the most respect for are the majority of UK security staff who do the job properly despite the pressure they must get to abuse their power from the under achievers and the lack of appropriate supervision and direction from the poor management.

[500 above]

The world's gone silly. Flying a Bizjet through Oslo, the security guards asked the crew to remove shoes, not the pax.

[Hotel Tango]

I make sure that I take everything off that may set the alarm off, including my watch. My only problem is that I seem to be Mr Random at an unusually high 50% plus of the time I travel. I always wish I could be that lucky with the lottery! I have no sympathy with the OP. He/she, who goes through umpteen checks a week showed a lack of common sense going through with a metal watch. Although I sympathise with the frustration of aircrew and security checks, I believe they need to tolerate it as we all do. Many of us (pax), including me, have an equally solid and valid reason to be exempt from security. As far as I'm concerned security HAS to be for all.

[rapidshot]

Nice article

TSA harassment

[glad rag]

"Be the Grey Man" as they say.

I think you have missed the entire point by a couple of country miles....

[pilotmike]

there was a lot of tension, things were about to kick off. In walk a couple of armed coppers going airside. One senses the tension, unloads his mp5, and puts it in a tray and through the scanner.

Dissolved the tension in a heartbeat

Wow! Did he put on some really calm, soothing music on his MP5 player to dissolve all the tension then?!

[rmac]

@ PilotMike ......

Seriously though, when things get tense, it's a fine line between whether it breaks on the side of humour or anger ....humour being the best option most times

[PENKO]

'How many terrorists are caught by security' is a question that is asked time and time again. Am I the only one that thinks this is a strange question which only shows frustration on our part? Do you ask your guard dog how many thieves it has mauled the past week? I don't know, maybe some of you guys do

Anyway, it's not only terrorists that are considered a threat. Think about the psychologically unstable people out there who can do just as much harm, think about deported aliens who might have a good reason to thwart their deportation, think about criminals, or chavs with knives on a long flight...

[Mikehotel152]

Exactly. Few complain about the existence of security checkpoints; most anger is directed at the manner in which the UK security officers do their jobs.

The key point is that the energy is applied to the wrong part of the security net. Zealous officers who treat staff with utter disrespect at staff security? Does that enhance security?

There are often 6 officers to man VP2 at STN where 2 could do the job. Half of them are watching TV while eating iced buns and drinking tea.

[smith]

Listen, airline crew and staff should not be immune from security searches. Look at the staff guy who unloaded six shots and brought down a PSA flight in California and the FedEx guy that attacked the flight crew of a DC-10 with a hammer and speargun in Memphis. Just because you are not a terrorist doesn't mean you are not a threat. What happens when you find out that your wife has been screwing your best mate when you're on duty, you're feeling suicidal and you want to get noticed?

Try asking those guys off the FedEx with holes in their heads and who have never flown since if they wished there was staff screening at airports and undoubtably they will say yes.

If all this security hassle stops one person getting on board with a weapon and bringing down an aircraft with many souls on board it will have been woth it.

[Mikehotel152]

As I say, nobody suggests pilots shouldn't go through security.

[Gulfstreamaviator]

Problem is there are weapons and there are weapons

One mans weapon is another mans safety equipment.

One does not need to bring a hammer on to the flight deck.

A plastic knife from the catering tray is in my opinion more dangerous than a metal one.

A finger in the right place can cause death almost as quick as a "weapon".

Dury free liquids are as dangerous as any fire starter under the right circumstances.

Breast milk, is not as dangerous as they think....

[jackharr]

I frequently travel on sea crossings by ferry. What a pleasant experience that is compared to the security paranoia surrounding flying.

(Retired airline captain - and now I almost wish instead I could say retired sea captain).

[tomahawk_pa38]

I was flying back from Linz airport back last February with 3 friends (we're not aircrew). My friend had a small (150mm) plastic tripod for his camera confiscated at the security desk. In spite of his protestations they wouldn't relent and when my friend complained they called the police. My friend argued his case even pointing to the vast array of duty free bottles (and big leather belts with enormous steel buckles) he could buy should he want to hit the pilot over the head ! They wouldn't relent and eventually gave my friend details of who he could complain to.

Here's the strange bit that I bet you wouldn't get in the UK. As we were going through passport control, said policeman called my friend out of the line and gave him his tripod back WITH an apology for the agravation.