To wonder just how random airport security checks are?

[DifficultSituation19]

Because I seem to get pulled out to be thoroughly searched EVERY BLOODY TIME! You know, get all my belongings out so they can go through things thoroughly and swab them etc. I’ve flown around 10 times in the last 18 months and it literally always happens, whether I’m in England or abroad, whether I’m alone, with my DP, or the DC. Makes no difference. Always get searched while everyone else breezes through.

This has given me a bit of a complex. I don’t THINK I look like a DF (dodgy fucker). I mean, I’m not obviously oozing money or class but I’m generally quite presentable - white (shouldn’t matter but I’ve heard there is ‘racial profiling’), polite, middle class, pushing 40 mother of 2. WHY ME? My boyfriend thinks it’s hilarious. Surely every time can’t be ‘random’?

I don't think that is Islamophobia Bitchy. Anyone flying from a country like Syria is going to be subject to extra security checks.

But my point was, I was flying from the Maldives, not Syria. I just happened to be wearing a full length sarong. because of the bastard mozzie bites They then asked me if I had been to Syria. I think because of my outfit. I have flown many many times in western clothes and have never been pulled aside. Sorry hope that made sense!!

@cheeserton

When I came back from Honeymoon I was wearing the sarong I had pretty much lived in for the past week or so. Was pulled in for questioning. When we explained we had been to the Maldives they let us go through.

Who is 'they'? That's clearly not airport security, which is the subject of the discussion.

I did ask who they were, and they said they were the police. So I guess not airport security at all. Not sure what your point is? For me, for all intents and purposes they were airport security??

I always sail through security and immigration, but pretty much as soon as I through to the other side I'm always approached by a very pleasant female official who makes a bit of small talk before wishing me a pleasant trip. It used to ruffle me; now I just kind of look for them as I finish stowing stuff back in my bag.

Heathrow is a joke especially. The aggression people experience from hostile staff when it's plain they just forgot to put a lipstick in a plastic bag. I regularly go through the business/first security tgere with water in my bag, last time I didn't even put lip gloss etc in a stupid bag, nothing. It's about controlling tge masses, a sort of mass hysteria calm. Nothing to do with terrorism.

I get randomly searched. Hit and miss. I do wonder if it’s the metalwork in my leg that sets alarms off ( I was told no that it shouldn’t) but I’m dubious about it 🤔
Dh gets searched lots, but that could be that he doesn’t remove enough things like his belt and watch. Nothing like travelling with an amateur 🙄

How many times am I going to read on this thread the likes of

“..I’m middle aged, respectable looking, well spoken, white woman.. why do I always get stopped?”

As if being of your sex and class category means you should automatically be exempt from searchers, but us ethnics... well... it makes a bit more sense right?

The security people sadly haven’t managed to sync up their databases to see your Waitrose loyalty card or your school fees statement to know how “respectable” you are; neither do they have voice recognition software for “well spoken”.

It just makes me cringe that’s all. Security should be about protecting the plane from all threats however unlikely. Just solely profiling ethnic types like me, isn’t doing an effective job. Yes I’m sure some people are picked as the deliberate anthisesis of the type, in which case be glad you’re not actually anyone suspicious, take the search and get back to your life.

I do wonder if it’s the metalwork in my leg that sets alarms off ( I was told no that it shouldn’t) but I’m dubious about it

Mine sets it off every single time (apart from one time) so I'm prepared for it. I always have my shoes off and am often told keep them on, those are okay but tell them I'm about to trigger the alarm due to metalwork. If I did keep them on I'd have to remove them and have them scanned anyway one the alarm went.

I had a chat with a CAA security advisor once. I asked him why the metal in my leg sometimes set off the scanners and other times didn’t. He said the more sophisticated scanners can identify surgical metal and don’t trigger. The older scanners just trigger on any metal. Does explain why I don’t get searched at the biggest newer airports but always at the older smaller airports.

I always try and wear shorts though so they can see there is nothing there if they use the hand scanner

I thought airlines like hold luggage more as the charges are higher. People often take cabin luggage on for free.

Exactly my point. People are taking cabin luggage only so they don't have to pay to check a larger case into the hold.

Heathrow is a joke especially. The aggression people experience from hostile staff when it's plain they just forgot to put a lipstick in a plastic bag

Exactly, I realise it is an important job and must be frustrating and require a good deal of patience. At the same time there is no need for aggression. Someone really shouted at me after I asked them to repeat their instruction (to look at the camera) as it was noisy, and it was unfamiliar to me to have to go through another level of security to get into the gate area. I wasn't being rude, obstructive, drunk or stupid , I just hadn't heard or understood what I had to do.

onioncrumble can I suggest that you read and digest the very helpful and informative post that backinthebox posted.

You know perfectly well how security at airports works these days. It's your own fault that you aren't better prepared.

Not sure what your point is? For me, for all intents and purposes they were airport security??

Well no, airport security (physical security checks before boarding planes to prevent weapons and other dangerous objects on board) are not remotely the same thing as immigration controls, customs controls, police counter terrorism checks or anything else that people regularly conflate with airport security checks which in fact have nothing to do with them. The point is, as I said, that is was the physical airport security checks OP was discussing.

Heathrow is a joke especially. The aggression people experience from hostile staff when it's plain they just forgot to put a lipstick in a plastic bag. I regularly go through the business/first security tgere with water in my bag, last time I didn't even put lip gloss etc in a stupid bag, nothing. It's about controlling tge masses, a sort of mass hysteria calm. Nothing to do with terrorism.

Doubt this. Fast track security is the same people and procedures as the normal lane. Heathrow hasn’t cared about loose lipstick, mascara or lip gloss for years (they also don’t care about single use contact lenses) but they do care quite a bit about water bottles, if that’s what you mean.

jcurve I flew through Heathrow first yesterday. Happy to show you my ticket. I had a water bottle, half a bottle of coke and loads of make up and stuff. They smile and say have a nice day madam. But I doubt that you have experienced this channel.

Oh bless you. No, I’m very familiar with First check at T5. That’s how I know your story is rubbish.

BA. Yay.

That’s how I know your story is rubbish.

Correct. The checks and rules are the same. The DfT prescribe what happens. You simply get shorter queues and priority treatment, that's all.

The point of me saying that I'm a posh white woman and always get stopped @GinDaddy was NOT to complain (which is why I said 'I don't mind it at all') but to illustrate that ALL ethnicities get stopped.

Honestly if you choose to wilfully misread every word and situation to expose prejudice against you, you must lead a very unhappy life indeed!

I would ban hand luggage for a start, it would make the queues and numbers of people much easier to deal with. But people want to travel with all their stuff so for now we will have to put up with the queues and hassle that security entails.

Yes, how dare they want to carry medication they need to stay well, food they can tolerate if they have allergies or things they need to occupy their disabled child to keep them calm on the plane .

If you see security being unnecessarily rude to someone at Heathrow, politely say something. It’s a busy job, but ultimately keeping the situation calm and building a rapport with people is key to making good assessments. You catch more flies with honey etc. I’ve spoken up before when I witnessed a member of staff being rude to a gentleman behind me over Christmas, and they did stop shouting. It’s hard, awkward and often scary (as you fear a more stringent check) to stand up for yourself, so a stranger speaking up and calling attention to it is helpful.

At the same time, I was in a wheelchair for a long time, and I found the staff at Heathrow T5 particularly helpful, pleasant and polite. If you’re able to cut people slack, it’s best to do so.

A couple of years ago I went through same airport twice in a week. I happened to be wearing same clothes etc... One time the metal detector single me out for a pat down , the other time it didn't....

I always get searched. Every single time! Since I was about 16 and looked about 12.

And from now on I've got a bloody metal arm too 😂

I did get told on the way back from a holiday that someone currently wanted by Interpol has the same name as me, so that would explain passport control delays - even got taken into a room a couple of times which is weird because you feel like you've done something wrong when you haven't so you look all shifty.

But doesn't explain the security scanner bit where they don't look at your passport.

Maybe after so many times it's confirmation bias and I look like I'm expecting it to happen / trying to look under the radar so then I get searched.

Or I just look like a criminal...!

The security staff at Manchester are also miserable and arrogant. Just went through the other weekend and they were giving some oldish bloke a really telling off for not removing his inhaler from his hand luggage, when the guy protested that the signs said nothing about inhalers, the security guy went into a rant about how they're the same as e-cigs and since e-cigs were shown on the signs, he should have known inhalers were the same! Doh!

Same as happened with my son a few years back. His bag got searched as he had a pork pie in his lunch box. The Manchester security guy went ballistic and told him that the jelly around the meat was liquid and threatened to confiscate it!

Just no need to be so rude, aggressive and arrogant.

Searched in Manchester on the way out. After they always seem particularly grumpy.
Searched and had my hands and shoes tested on the way out from Alicante. Less grumpy though here...
Husband and daughter always find it hilarious

@Kazzyhoward

Same as happened with my son a few years back. His bag got searched as he had a pork pie in his lunch box. The Manchester security guy went ballistic and told him that the jelly around the meat was liquid and threatened to confiscate it!

This is the most British thing I've ever heard and I bloody LOVE it!

He got absolutely pied.