Xray machine queue etiquette

Old Nov 5, 2007, 6:12 am
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Xray machine queue etiquette

If there is a long line of people waiting to put bags and belongings in the boxes to push throught the xray machine at security, and hence people not walking through the detector that often, then is it rude to wander past the queue directly upto and through the detector if you have no hand baggage? Or should we do the good old british thing and wait patiently in line?
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Old Nov 5, 2007, 6:14 am
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Originally Posted by kryten22uk
If there is a long line of people waiting to put bags and belongings in the boxes to push throught the xray machine at security, and hence people not walking through the detector that often, then is it rude to wander past the queue directly upto and through the detector if you have no hand baggage? Or should we do the good old british thing and wait patiently in line?
I'm not a Brit, but if I'm unloading the electronics into 3 tubs, and see you behind me with nothing, I will tell you to go ahead of me.
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Old Nov 5, 2007, 6:16 am
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Originally Posted by DanTravels
I'm not a Brit, but if I'm unloading the electronics into 3 tubs, and see you behind me with nothing, I will tell you to go ahead of me.
Ahh, but you see the line will usually be full of brits and we dont talk to each other or make eye contact unless directly asked a question.
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Old Nov 5, 2007, 6:16 am
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Being a Brit, I would say wait in line. That said, the logical thing to do would be to walk past, but I don't think that would go down well even with the security personnel.
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Old Nov 5, 2007, 6:18 am
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Maybe they should have a "nothing to declare" style queue?
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Old Nov 5, 2007, 6:46 am
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My first reaction was that, if the metal detector thingy was standing completely idle while people faffed around with their hand luggage, I would walk through without hesitation.

But on second thoughts, does anybody travel on a plane in November with no outside jacket and no personal items (e.g. mobile phone, belt, possibly shoes) that need to be x-rayed? I certainly wouldn't jump forward and then try to squeeze in a tray (even one of the little ones) at the x-ray machine.
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Old Nov 5, 2007, 6:51 am
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Originally Posted by Steady-EDI
My first reaction was that, if the metal detector thingy was standing completely idle while people faffed around with their hand luggage, I would walk through without hesitation.
Surely better to ask if you can nip in as you don't have anything needing scanning, at least that way the security people won't think there's something suspicious going on!

Sahajesh.
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Old Nov 5, 2007, 7:16 am
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Don't forget the shoe brigade farce which will therefore require you to take your shoes off and put them through the x-ray.
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Old Nov 5, 2007, 7:31 am
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I thought the whole point of Special Services was to escort you through these queues
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Old Nov 5, 2007, 7:50 am
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Originally Posted by VC10 Boy
I thought the whole point of Special Services was to escort you through these queues
To the front of them yes - however I think that opens up a whole new avenue of discussion - as per other threads recently.
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Old Nov 5, 2007, 8:10 am
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Originally Posted by kryten22uk
Maybe they should have a "nothing to declare" style queue?
That might be a brilliant idea actually! Similar to supermarkets having queues for those with only 10 items or less (or the like) so those customers do not end up behind people with carts filled to the brim. When I have traveled without laptop and all manner of electronics, I sometimes get slightly irritated waiting behind those needing 5 different trays while I can just dump my coat and bag on the conveyer in a heartbeat... I once traveled with two laptops out of the US. I had to use 5 trays and imagine the people behind me were not amused...

It might even speed along the queue, and the "slow" queue for laptop users etc. could have tables set up within the queue to start unpacking, maybe even a much longer conveyer belt.
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Old Nov 5, 2007, 8:57 am
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How often do you travel with no keys, wallet, coins or mobile phone though?

Mostly the belt moves quite slowly anyway so it doesn't matter that much that people mess about getting all their stuff out.

Hey, I've got an idea! What if BAA manned more security scanners - wouldn't that speed things up!
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Old Nov 5, 2007, 11:24 am
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What does annoy me is when people wait all the way up until their turn before they start to take off coat and fiddle around for keys/mobile etc!
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Old Nov 5, 2007, 12:20 pm
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Originally Posted by Ex Amex Card
How often do you travel with no keys, wallet, coins or mobile phone though?

Mostly the belt moves quite slowly anyway so it doesn't matter that much that people mess about getting all their stuff out.

Hey, I've got an idea! What if BAA manned more security scanners - wouldn't that speed things up!
For Ex Amex Card: Trouble in transit? Cut through a road block!
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Old Nov 5, 2007, 3:12 pm
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If people are faffing around, I will dump my bag and coat on the belt ahead of them. There is an excellent chance I will be have picked my gear up and be moving off before they even walk through the arch. I did have one person make a comment about my 'rudeness'. The silence that greeted my reply on the rudeness of keeping 40 people waiting while they sorted their life out was most satisfying.
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