James (2 posts above) comments on the location of security at Schiphol. This is done to reduce the chance of a lapse of security (or corruption) in another country and subsequent carrying aboard of weapons on a connecting Amsterdam flight. US airports have this screening for flights arriving from overseas.

I found carry-on allowances were smaller and enforced on many UK carriers. If you argue, will they grab your breast? In many European countries, it's best not to argue with security or the police because they are inflexible