If the truth is to be told, I did look out for a helpful face that day. I was making my way back to EDI after a rather inauspicious start to the journey - I needed to exchange my Heath Robinson onward BP issued at MAD for a regular, BAA security friendly one.

Whilst I wasn't able to seek you down, I did have a lovely exchange with the BA staff at the empty F check-in desk.

Hopefully, I can make my amends later this month when I am next passing though

You are right though, although these fellas appear to perform a pointless role, there is no call to be rude to them. They are just doing their job.