Security at Airports

[Linnet]

Hi, it has been years since we've flown abroad and I was wondering about the security nowadays.

Do you still have to take off your shoes when going through security in the airports? The last time we flew as a family we did. But my dd flew to Europe this year and said that she didn't have to take off her shoes to be x-rayed.

We are flying from Scotland to Gatwick then out of Gatwick to USA, will we be required to take off our shoes?

I don't have a problem doing this, just wondered if it was still a thing since my dd didn't have to do it.

thanks

Yes, had to recently- not sure if related to perceived threat levels or to keep us on out toes- always make sure no holes in socks for flying

Depends on your shoes, if flat you’re unlikely to have to. Wedges, flatforms etc it’ll be a yes.

I believe it depends on the type of shoe.
Last time DS had to take his boots off but I didn't have to remove sandals

Flew out of Luton this month. My H didn’t have to take off his trainers. The metal buckles on my sandals set off the detector when I went through the arch and I was sent back to take them off and put them in a tray.

There is very little consistency about shoes. Sometimes I’m asked to remove them , others I’m not, irrespective of what shoes I’m wearing. I always wear shoes which are easy to slip off & on again.

Depends if they look like they have metal in them (buckles, zips, or reinforcement in the heels or sole). Or toss a coin - heads yes, tails no.

I flew last week and I went to take my converse off and the security official said I didn't need to. I then walked through the metal detector arch and was pulled aside and asked to sit on a chair while they scanned my shoes with a metal detector . Some airports also have a 'stand on' metal detector to scan footwear.

I also flew with a waterproof camera case in my hand luggage, that sailed straight through the X-ray machine on the way out, but when I returned, they didn't like it at all and made me completely unpack my trolley case, complete with a week's worth of dirty washing, so they could scan individual items and they really didn't like the camera case (it has metal weights attached to it so it doesn't float upwards in water).

There seems to be no consistency with what they are interested in or what they do in terms of scanning, but that's probably deliberate to reduce the risk of terrorists learning how to beat the system.

Have only ever had to take off shoes at US airports.

I had to remove my sandals in Manchester earlier this year, my DP didn't need to take off his trainers.

I wore wedges to travel in this year so I took them off. You have to remove belts and jackets as well.

We didn't have to remove our shoes at Heathrow, we were flying to the USA. However at LA on the way back we did have to remove our shoes.

I wear too much bling that does not come off so invariably have to get patted down

However shoes, I have had to take off flip flops (ffs) I have left on ankle boots, been told to leave converses on, but had them scanned with a detector, that was very elegant perched on a chair with my leg cocked up in the air...the scanning of converses was at Vienna airport, Edinburgh only care about flipflops and dh's walking boots apparently

make sure to take phones/tablets out of bag and just lay them in the tray with your handbag, same for cameras I guess, they don't want to have to go rummaging for them

I have also had to explain myself post bag scan for loose change, I just hurl it in the bottom of my bag and clear it out periodically, and car keys....dh had brought a big bunch and forgotten to put them in his case, so they were in my bag

My top tip is if they ask you if you are wearing leggings or footless tights, say footless tights, if you say leggings they WILL have your inadequately covered arse on display as they pat you down!

oh and they don't like big scarves either...I often wear one to keep cosy on the plane...that needs to go in the tray for scanning, and they don't like glasses on the top of your head either....but tucked in your cleavage is fine.

Thank you all for your messages they’ve been a great help.

It depends on the type of shoes you are wearing. My wife was sent off to take her shoes because it has a metal design.

i dont think these is an exact answer
i didnt need to remove trainers in edinburgh, but did in heathrow
coming back from the US i had on skechers go walks, again had to remove in new york but not in heathrow

Depends on the equipment at the airport. I have been to five different airports over the past week - sometimes I had to remove my shoes, sometimes I didn't - same shoes each time!