If you think the passenger has it bad - look at what some of the pilots are subjected to! See http://www.chirp.co.uk/main/Downloads/html/ATFB82.htm.

Security Checks - Continuing Concerns

Since publication of the editorial in the last issue of FEEDBACK, I have received more than 20 further reports detailing incidents in which individuals on duty have been either frustrated by inconsistencies or subjected to alleged harassment whilst undergoing airport security checks. I have also received numerous telephone calls and e-mails supporting my contention in my previous editorial that, far from bedding-in, the varying standards of security applied by individual security agents are continuing to cause significant problems to individuals who are required to undergo airport security checks on a routine basis as part of their duty, and that attempting to resolve these varying standards at a local level, as proposed by the Head of Transec in a written response to a previous representation of the reported concerns, is not a practical solution.

The frustration caused by what are perceived as aggressive and intimidatory searches continue to be reported by both pilots and engineers. Similar concerns have been reported by air traffic control officers at locations where they are required to pass through airport security prior to and following their watch duty.

The CHIRP Air Transport Advisory Board, which reviewed the reports published in this issue of FEEDBACK and other similar reports, reflected on further anecdotal evidence that pilots, engineers and some air traffic control officers are continuing to suffer from the inconsistent application of the DfT guidelines, inappropriate behaviour of security agents and the questionable competence of some Transec inspectors. The Board concluded that the ongoing difficulties represent one of the most significant current human factors flight safety issues, and endorsed a further representation to the Department for Transport.

Peter Tait

The following are a small selection of the most recent reports received on this topic:

(1)

Report Text: Early morning report at 0530 but fully rested. I know as well as everyone else in the company that the security staff at ### (UK regional airport) are particularly over zealous with their searching of crew, even though we go through every day and they know us all, most of us by name. It is not as if it is the busiest airport on our network.

This morning the First Officer was subjected to a totally over-the-top flight-bag search that lasted for about 15 minutes; they found nothing. The search was done in a surly manner with no conversation. This got to both of us, putting us in the wrong frame of mind for the long day ahead, a 12- hour plus duty.

Our state of mind became apparent only when London Control asked us which turning point we were heading for. We realised we had loaded the wrong route into the FMS. We had loaded our usual route instead of the different one we had been planned for today. I can only assume that with our conversation and mood during the loading of the FMS being dominated by the security treatment earlier that our usual cross-checking had been missed.

(2)

Report Text: Day 1: Stopped and frisked even though the alarms did not sound; not something I enjoy but normally undertake in good humour; even if the security guard doesn't!

Day 2: Stopped again by security even though again I didn't set off any alarms! On this occasion I was frisked by a very zealous individual who touched my genitals no less than three times. This I consider to be nothing short of indecent assault; of course it is an entirely different thing to prove that in a court of law! They then found it necessary to rip my Nav-bag apart, justifying their actions by saying they were interested in a pair of plastic dividers with a point approximately 5mm long. I have never had this interest shown in the dividers before; indeed, the previous day the same security check point had paid no attention to them.

It has left me feeling singled out for whatever reason. I have complied with every directive in good humour, although now that I have been assaulted, that humour is no more.

Due to the above I arrived at the aircraft literally shaking with rage at the way I had been treated. It took me a good 15-20 minutes to calm myself down before I could concentrate on doing my job effectively.

Is it really going to take a catastrophe before TRANSEC wake up to the damage they are causing flight safety?

(3)

Report Text: On arrival at a major UK airport to operate a charter flight to Southern Europe, my crew and I were refused access through the crew security channel. We were delayed by 15 minutes at a quiet time of day, adding pressure to a tight schedule for departure preparations.

Following a discussion with the Security duty manager, we were informed that our security ID cards had been "Parked" and would not allow a right of access through the crew security channel. The reason given was that we had not used our ID cards at this airport in the recent past. In my own case I had not travelled through this airport as operating crew in several years.

I explained that my crew and I had all operated the previous day through another major UK airport and several other international airports without a problem, and we all had valid ID cards which should allow right of access through this airport or any international airport for that matter. In my case my ID had been re-validated at my base only a couple of weeks previously.


With respect to the current security climate, we as crew, undergo detailed security background and professional checks, yet still seem to come up against a security regime which tries to obstruct us from carrying out our professional duties. Our situation on the morning was resolved when I requested that the security team offer an alternative method of us getting to our aircraft to operate our flight, whereupon the duty manager instructed his minions to allow us to pass through - even though our ID cards were still "Parked"!

I hope that writing this report will help the security authorities to iron out some of the inconsistencies in their operation.

(4)

Report Text: Here is one of my recent security experiences. We arrived at security check for our bags and us to be screened before being driven out to our aircraft at a major UK regional airport. We are a freighter crew, and carry our own baggage, which is stored on the main deck of the aircraft. The female security agent asks if there are any liquids in our bags (note ANY; not more than 100ml in a container). We answer "Yes" and are now told that we cannot take these items through security. We politely explain that we are a freighter crew and are leaving the UK for at least 7 days and cannot do without some of the liquids involved (contact lens solution in my case). Immediately, another woman appears from behind the x-ray machine and rudely insists that unless we comply with her instructions, our ICAO ID passes will be confiscated. We are speechless!

The Captain defuses the situation by asking if our driver/handler could bring the bags to the aircraft. Reluctantly this is agreed by the security agents, as long as they "don't travel with us and are placed in the hold". We are short of time and agree. Our bags are x-rayed and then placed at the end of the x-ray machine. Our handler drops us at the aircraft. Both pilots are stressed about the attitude of the security agents but get on with the pre-flight checks, complaining about the different attitudes of security staff at different airports or indeed different gates and no method of redress for flight crew who often have to get security screened several times in a day. The handler then returns with our bags and carries them into the cabin.

Later, we realise that we have been exposed to a far more serious threat. Our bags were left, without our supervision, for some 20-25mins. During this time, anyone could have tampered with our luggage.

(5)

Report Text: Near the end of a normal 8-hour shift I was asked to go from my base to a nearby UK regional airport to help our third-party engineers with a technical problem; as I felt reasonably fresh, I agreed.

After driving 50 miles I arrived. My company maintenance control had forwarded my details to Security and they were expecting me. My escort was waiting. That was as far as we got because I didn't have my passport. A side room was provided and I had to talk through the technical problem in there.

I asked the security staff how come aircrew can get through with just a licence and a pass from another base but engineers can't. A suited 'gentleman' told me, "An engineer is more likely to do something to an aircraft then go away, a pilot has to fly it" I was also told in a roundabout way to be careful what I said if I wanted further access.

This attitude from a manager is sadly typical, and one that causes the biggest grievance with engineers. I now have to carry my whole life/identity around when I go to work. God forbid me loosing my bag or someone borrowing from it. PLEASE can we have ONE ID that fits all sites?

(6)

Report Text: It is very frustrating getting airside. Two people on the same shift tried to bring a tin of baked beans, one was allowed; one was not! I had a tube of toothpaste taken off me because it was not in a plastic bag. Came back ten minutes later with a plastic bag; I got the toothpaste! You just don't need this before a cold 12-hour night shift.

(7)

Report Text: I am a Certifying Engineer working for ### at a major UK airport. Engineers in my Company are required to pass through passenger security to access their workplace on the line. As well as top-coat removal, shoe removal and briefcase searches, in line with passenger searches, security guards seem to pay particular attention to packed lunches, confiscating many of the items randomly.

On a 12-hour night shift there are very few canteen facilities available and many Engineers rely on pack lunches brought from home. Our Managers are subject to the same problems, one having to prove that a pile of Business Cards was not a banned substance.

No, we are not starving but this is hassle we don't need; it doesn't do much for your frame of mind at the start of a gruelling night shift. It should be noted that all these "Banned" items are freely available on day shifts providing we buy them "Airside" at airport inflated prices!