Originally Posted by
Aviatrix
While I can see that there are downsides to central security (such as the one you mentioned), the main problem with the setup at Schiphol is that huge amounts of time and resources are currently being wasted on additional security checks for people who don't need them.
Anyone who has cleared security on the same day, at an airport in the EU and/or the Schengen area, should NOT have to go through security again. At the moment transfer passengers, except on Schengen to Schengen transfers, are having to waste time on additional security checks that would not be needed if Schiphol didn't mix arriving and departing passengers. All this time-wasting could be avoided if the departure area were turned back into a secure area, with transfer passengers from outside the EU/Schengen being sent through security checks on arrival.
I agree with you in principe, but I don't see it as that big of a waste of time. There's always a line to get on board a plane, adding security simply makes it a slightly slower line. And as said: once you're at the gate and in line for security, you're as good as on the plane. Unlike central security which may take long enough that you miss it, if you have a tight connection. (And there are plenty of situations in which such people are checked. To name one, an international to anywhere transfer in the US.)
Basically, there are up- and downsides to both. I don't think anyone here will deny that. I do think, however, that the upsides of security at the gate outweigh the downsides and the upsides of central security.