Questions about going through airport security

[Wenchelda]

I am flying UK-Australia in a few weeks on my own with my 2 DCs. I haven’t flown for 9yrs so I’ve just got a few questions about passing through airport security. I understand the liquid rules so am ok on that front.

1. Do we have to take our shoes off and put them through the X-ray?
2. I know the liquids bag has to go through the X-ray separately but do we have to remove anything else from hand luggage for screening? (Electronics?)
3. Can I wear my jewellery/watch going through the scanner thing or am I better keeping them in my bag and putting them on after?
4. The children have little torch/book light things - can these stay in their bags or do they need to go through the X-ray separately? (I’m thinking the batteries inside might be an issue?)

I think that’s all. Many thanks in advance (Nervous flyer trying to get everything sorted in my head before we go!)

I'm very envious of you! apart from travelling with small children

Sydney is one of my favourite places and I can't wait to go back again!

My Pandora bracelet sets off the security beeper every time so if in doubt maybe put bracelets in your bag to put on later. I lost a treasured bead when I didn't close the clasp properly putting it back on as I was in a hurry 😐 Ditto the buckles on my favourite travel shoes - every time I go to take them off I am told I don't need to but I just explain and put them in the tray.

Sydney airport security staff tend to be friendly and helpful so as long as you don't have random food left in your bags (and kids' backpacks) which you already know you'll be fine. Do be aware though if you land early morning it's really busy at International arrivals so don't expect to get through quickly. They might take pity on you travelling alone if your kids are little and fast track you but don't reply on it. If you don't have anyone meeting you at the airport it might be worth booking transport rather than joining the taxi queue.

Thanks - I might put my jewellery in my bag until after security just to be on the safe side.

We land around 8:30pm so I'm hoping it won't be too busy then. We also have someone meeting us so the onward transport is sorted.

Just had a thought - when we are in transit in Hong Kong, will we have to go through security again? If I remember rightly, I think you don't usually have to as you're not leaving airside / exiting the airport however I know on one trip over there when we transited in Bangkok, we definitely did have go through security checks again

You don't usually have to go through security again in transit, but hopefully someone who has gone through Hong Kong recently will come along and advise. I have definitely had duty free taken off me when boarding a connecting flight UK-SYD having been assured I could take it all the way though but I can't remember where.

That arrival time is good but remember if you are coming in five weeks time it will still be Winter in Sydney so make sure you have jackets to hand. When we emigrated we arrived on the coldest night of the year and were standing in shorts at the airport (having travelled a bit en route) waiting for pre paid transport that took two hours to show up. Not my best planning! Hope you have a great holiday.

Just thought of one more question...I was planning to take reusable insulated water bottles with us to fill up once we've gone through security. However my relative in Australia has just told me we likely won't be able to take bottles through security at that end and will be made to throw them away Is that right? (Apparently they were made to throw away water bottles that they'd bought in the airport before their flight) I know you have to throw all food away for quarantine reasons but surely we'd be able to take water bottles through? We can empty them before passing security if need be. I don't want to risk being made to throw away our lovely reusable bottles!

I’ve never come across that! I’ve always taken bottles for my dc to drink out of to prevent spillages,

The guidelines on what you can and can’t bring are pretty clear. My dd once declared a wooden ruler she had in her hand luggage.

Every person on the flight who is English has a box of Yorkshire Tea.

She must mean because they were full. My mum always waters the same plant in Melbourne airport before going through. Then fills it up again on the other side,

Oh that's reassuring, thanks! I was almost certain we could take reusable bottles as long as they were empty when we passed though all security points but then my relative told me about them having to throw theirs away but I expect you're right and it was likely because they still had water in them.

When we are transiting on Hong Kong, will we have to empty the water bottles before we leave the first plane and then refill them before we board the second one?

Gosh this is all so confusing

I’m pretty sure when you are transiting you are still ‘airside’ and don’t go through security. Anyway just ask and/or empty in a loo or plant if need be.
Really good luck op. Remember no one knows everything beforehand and we all just have to ask or watch or do what we’re told ! You are so well prepared. Hoping your kids will find it fun and manage to just follow orders when needed

Hi

Manchester airport want all electronics bigger than 15 cm out to scan separately. Ive been caught on hair straighteners and kids night light before.

They ask you to remove jumerp and cardigans including those tied around the waist

Once you exit security, there is a water fountain so you can fill up empty bottles

How old are your kids? I have a toddler and have been put in the fast lane last couple of years by the first secuirty person we encounter.

Manchester are pretty good compared to some airports . Good luck and enjoy!

Standardlampski that's interesting you say Manchester airport is good compared to others ... I've been "following" them on Facebook for a while in anticipation of our flight and there seems to be nothing but complaints on their posts with many people suggesting it is the worst airport! So interesting to hear the opposite view.

My kids are 9 & 7 so old enough to be good travellers, however they have never flown before so I am throwing them in at the deep end with 21hrs of flying for their first plane experience I used to be a good traveller & enjoyed flying but am very very anxious about it since having children. I want to feel as prepared as possible to distract myself from the fear!

Imo it's worth paying the extra (depends on airport but typically 3 or 4 pounds per person) for the "fast track" at security. Especially with kids I'd recommend this. I do it every time as it's a big help to my own stress levels to not have to queue for an unknown length of time.

we Got caught out recently by not removing our iPads from their padded cases. Another thing to think about sorry but they were quite rude to our 9yo ds because he hadn’t taken his out.

Also, remember kindles are classed as tablets / iPads. Stupidly I didn’t realise that and caused lots of bother!

@Wenchelda
I live in mainland China and transit through HK many times per year. You will need to follow the signs to transit (assuming you have your boarding card for your next flight) and then your hand luggage will be screened again - no liquids are allowed, but perfectly possible to empty your bottle and refill once have cleared the screening area. Most Chinese passengers have their own bottle with them so completely normal in HK for these to be emptied and refilled.

Thank you shanghaidiva that's helpful. I did contact Cathay Pacific (who we are flying with) and they confirmed we will have to go through security again even though we will only be there in transit for a couple of hours. Good to know lots of people take their own bottles so it's not out of the ordinary and I think as long as I make sure they are empty whenever we go through a check, then we should be ok.

Also thank you to the pp who mentioned about kindles having to be removed from bags too. The dcs will each have their own tablet so I knew they'd have to get those out but I wouldn't necessarily have thought about my kindle.

It's getting scarily close now (3 weeks until we fly) - even though I know I'm very prepared, I can't help feeling the opposite!

@Wenchelda - am sure you will be fine. Cathay is a vg airline and the entertainment system is excellent which makes the whole experience less stressful. Hope you have a great holiday!