Security "If you don't remove liquids you may have to wait 40 minutes"
May 28, 2017, 3:43 am
#46
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,605
On our last BA flight in February from AMS-LHR-SAN we had a tighter connection than usual through LHR. So of course we were sent through secondary for --- my terribly dangerous electric toothbrush. Despite my trying to be pleasant and patient, the agent was extremely aggressive and rude and made me demonstrate the toothbrush. By the time we got to the kiosk it automatically rejected us for time and would not allow us through. I was about to start crying when an awesome BA agent swooped in, made some calls and then manually overrode the system to allow us through. We ran through the airport like crazy people and made it onto the plane with about a minute to spare. I have vowed in the future to never subject myself to tight connections at LHR again.
May 28, 2017, 4:15 am
#47
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,922
May 28, 2017, 4:30 am
#48
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Balham - Gateway to The South
Programs: BA Bronze
Posts: 2,020
TSA is a *US* screening agency, they would not operate anywhere outside the US. US immigration pre-screening which is entirely different for immigration does run in other countries. If you are referring to TSA PreCheck it's a US program only, foreign airlines can join for their passengers to utilize as approved by the TSA for flights departing the US only where Pre Check is available (e.g. Lufthansa does this, British Airways DOESN'T)
I nearly always get a secondary - every time it's for something different. Last one was empty water bottle overlaying some facial cleansing wipes. The security guy was pleasant and when I asked explained what the image looked like on the screen.
It seems I am on a never ending learning curve with security- at least I can eliminate each problem and maybe one day I will not get secondary
May 28, 2017, 4:37 am
#49
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
What warning is this? I'll confess to never taking my liquids out of my bag, or even having them in a clear plastic bag.
I did go through T5 First security on Thursday. I had my bag opened and the guy went through my entire wash bag and put all pastes, liquid an gels in a plastic bag. It was fast and the guy could not have been nicer. I was on my way after about 5 minutes.
I'll know for next time I go through LHR but the 'liquids out of your bag' thing is far from an international standard so I probably still won't bother anywhere else I go.
I did go through T5 First security on Thursday. I had my bag opened and the guy went through my entire wash bag and put all pastes, liquid an gels in a plastic bag. It was fast and the guy could not have been nicer. I was on my way after about 5 minutes.
I'll know for next time I go through LHR but the 'liquids out of your bag' thing is far from an international standard so I probably still won't bother anywhere else I go.
May 28, 2017, 4:54 am
#50
Join Date: Apr 2016
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 157
Class is such a big part of the whole relationship between airport/airline staff and passengers and why they're often so toxic. The former tend to be blue collar and may have mannerisms that more well-heeled customers may not be familiar with and find to be very rude or disrespectful.
The taxi driver is friendly, as is the check in staff, as is the person who makes me my coffee, as is the person who takes my bag at the hotel, etc etc etc. The class divide *can* be overcome when things are set up well so that I'm not in a position where I have to assert that I'm in a hurry (and come off as a privileged jerk), and they're not in a position where they end up feeling pushed around and resentful.
Honestly, I think the staff would be happier too if they could have a breezier and more courteous atmosphere. Even low paid jobs are more satisfying when you have done them well. The individual workers are not really empowered to change this, but the people in charge could.
May 28, 2017, 10:09 am
#51
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal to the rest of the world...
Programs: AA EXP with lots of BA. UA 2MM Lifetime Plat - No longer chase hotel loyalty
Posts: 6,698
Obviously no precheck at LHR - it didn't stop AA giving me a bp with it printed on ex LHR!
I nearly always get a secondary - every time it's for something different. Last one was empty water bottle overlaying some facial cleansing wipes. The security guy was pleasant and when I asked explained what the image looked like on the screen.
It seems I am on a never ending learning curve with security- at least I can eliminate each problem and maybe one day I will not get secondary
I nearly always get a secondary - every time it's for something different. Last one was empty water bottle overlaying some facial cleansing wipes. The security guy was pleasant and when I asked explained what the image looked like on the screen.
It seems I am on a never ending learning curve with security- at least I can eliminate each problem and maybe one day I will not get secondary
May 28, 2017, 11:52 am
#52
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: BAEC GGL
Posts: 261
Yes, this is our experience. Extremely frustrating. When we asked what more we can do to avoid the secondary inspection, (computers, tablets, liquids, cords all removed) the staff person said our case, a carry on sized Rimowa, was too thick to be seen through on screening, so basically, we should toss the bag!
I was wondering if it would fit through the screening machine opened flat?
I was wondering if it would fit through the screening machine opened flat?
My laptop bag gets picked out occasionally (usually quota searches or MAN security being their usual ridiculous selves - 'you have a battery in there!') but I've never had an issue with the Rimowa at all (and my laptop power adapter, cables etc stay in there).
I have wondered occasionally how transparent it is to x-rays but I assumed they just increased the power or something until they were satisfied...
May 28, 2017, 3:01 pm
#53
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Somewhere between SFO and LAX...FYI aka FAT
Programs: BAEC - back to lowly blue. Marriott - Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 466
My sense is the staff you spoke to were likely just making stuff up, I travel with a metal Rimowa carry-on and it's literally never been pulled for secondary screening since I've had it (130+ flights/year in EU + NA primarily).
My laptop bag gets picked out occasionally (usually quota searches or MAN security being their usual ridiculous selves - 'you have a battery in there!') but I've never had an issue with the Rimowa at all (and my laptop power adapter, cables etc stay in there).
I have wondered occasionally how transparent it is to x-rays but I assumed they just increased the power or something until they were satisfied...
My laptop bag gets picked out occasionally (usually quota searches or MAN security being their usual ridiculous selves - 'you have a battery in there!') but I've never had an issue with the Rimowa at all (and my laptop power adapter, cables etc stay in there).
I have wondered occasionally how transparent it is to x-rays but I assumed they just increased the power or something until they were satisfied...
We'll test it next week.
May 28, 2017, 3:14 pm
#54
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: SoCal to the rest of the world...
Programs: AA EXP with lots of BA. UA 2MM Lifetime Plat - No longer chase hotel loyalty
Posts: 6,698
I think it is the two layers. Mr. J carries cameras, batteries, lights, cords, etc. If they are taking up space in both halves then security can't see through all the "suspicious material" up top to the other questionable stuff in the bottom layer; however, we have a plan now to use packing cubes and put everything that might look suspicious in them so they can easily be taken out and put back inside.
We'll test it next week.
We'll test it next week.
May 28, 2017, 4:48 pm
#55
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Somewhere between SFO and LAX...FYI aka FAT
Programs: BAEC - back to lowly blue. Marriott - Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 466
I've used airline amenity kit bags for years to isolate the cable bunches, and other things I carry that may show up "dense". For LHR T5 I generally now pull those out and even lay those items in the tray i use for the amenity kit bag. This stopped the almost 75% getting a manual search. The cube may still get a search, if it's in it's own tray , suggest pull the items out anyway
May 28, 2017, 5:28 pm
#56
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
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Quite a common refrain at LHR T5 security by staff:
"Make sure to remove liquids, creams, laptops, tablets..."
...
"if you don't follow these instructions, your bag will be checked and you may wait up to 40 minutes and miss your flight!"
I always follow the instructions but on previous occasions, my bag has sometimes been taken aside anyway for a random check (I.e. A "quota check" when I asked why).
Surely they can't be routinely delaying random bags by 40 minutes? Or do they only do the random check when it's quiet, or....?
"Make sure to remove liquids, creams, laptops, tablets..."
...
"if you don't follow these instructions, your bag will be checked and you may wait up to 40 minutes and miss your flight!"
I always follow the instructions but on previous occasions, my bag has sometimes been taken aside anyway for a random check (I.e. A "quota check" when I asked why).
Surely they can't be routinely delaying random bags by 40 minutes? Or do they only do the random check when it's quiet, or....?
LHR T5 is quite literally the worst airport for me when it comes to the liquid/gel/aerosol or others searches at primary passenger security screening checkpoint(s).
May 28, 2017, 8:56 pm
#57
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,797
They do. And a large part of it seems to be to punish the passengers so as to send us all a message. Worse yet is when they flag down a bin for LGAs when there are no LGAs to be found outside of the 3-1-1 bags. That's collateral damage.
LHR T5 is quite literally the worst airport for me when it comes to the liquid/gel/aerosol or others searches at primary passenger security screening checkpoint(s).
LHR T5 is quite literally the worst airport for me when it comes to the liquid/gel/aerosol or others searches at primary passenger security screening checkpoint(s).
If they want liquids out on inspection then fair enough, but the veiled threats and attitude are unnecessary and give a bad impression on what is often someone's first interaction with the UK.
May 28, 2017, 10:25 pm
#58
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: OOL/DOH
Programs: QF LTS WP, Avis Pres Club, HH Diam.
Posts: 3,192
A couple of weeks ago leaving from T3 LHR the security staff were just rude to everyone. No, I was not pulled for additional screening but their attitude was one of contempt for every person going through.
Unhappy I couldn't lift my arms above my head for the scanner, there was barking 'why not, everyone else can, that's what you have to do' until there was realisation it just wasn't going to happen.
As I walked away there was the four face 'customer feedback' stand, I pressed the red angry face and immediately had a security staff in my face saying 'why did you press that one, what was wrong with security' and not in a pleasant way. My response was 'you sought feedback and I gave it to you' and walked on.
They start the security experience with a bad attitude - it can become infectious...
Unhappy I couldn't lift my arms above my head for the scanner, there was barking 'why not, everyone else can, that's what you have to do' until there was realisation it just wasn't going to happen.
As I walked away there was the four face 'customer feedback' stand, I pressed the red angry face and immediately had a security staff in my face saying 'why did you press that one, what was wrong with security' and not in a pleasant way. My response was 'you sought feedback and I gave it to you' and walked on.
They start the security experience with a bad attitude - it can become infectious...
May 28, 2017, 10:28 pm
#59
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,936
A couple of weeks ago leaving from T3 LHR the security staff were just rude to everyone. No, I was not pulled for additional screening but their attitude was one of contempt for every person going through.
Unhappy I couldn't lift my arms above my head for the scanner, there was barking 'why not, everyone else can, that's what you have to do' until there was realisation it just wasn't going to happen.
As I walked away there was the four face 'customer feedback' stand, I pressed the red angry face and immediately had a security staff in my face saying 'why did you press that one, what was wrong with security' and not in a pleasant way. My response was 'you sought feedback and I gave it to you' and walked on.
They start the security experience with a bad attitude - it can become infectious...
Unhappy I couldn't lift my arms above my head for the scanner, there was barking 'why not, everyone else can, that's what you have to do' until there was realisation it just wasn't going to happen.
As I walked away there was the four face 'customer feedback' stand, I pressed the red angry face and immediately had a security staff in my face saying 'why did you press that one, what was wrong with security' and not in a pleasant way. My response was 'you sought feedback and I gave it to you' and walked on.
They start the security experience with a bad attitude - it can become infectious...
May 28, 2017, 11:02 pm
#60
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Anywhere
Posts: 6,571
Of course the "go slow" mode is deliberate and senseless.
I had shared recently how an almost empty tube of moisturiser (obviously maximum capacity was less than 100 ml) has to go through the charade of being put into a transparent plastic bag and re-scanned. And recently I scanned through a slightly larger transparent plastic bag (given by another airport) containing my toiletries which was probably only 2 cm wider than those they had at LHR, and I was asked to transfer everything into their plastic bag before going through the same charade.
These people really have too much time on their hands and knows not the concept of efficiency.
I had shared recently how an almost empty tube of moisturiser (obviously maximum capacity was less than 100 ml) has to go through the charade of being put into a transparent plastic bag and re-scanned. And recently I scanned through a slightly larger transparent plastic bag (given by another airport) containing my toiletries which was probably only 2 cm wider than those they had at LHR, and I was asked to transfer everything into their plastic bag before going through the same charade.
These people really have too much time on their hands and knows not the concept of efficiency.