Originally Posted by
SchmeckFlyer
Security at LHR is a joke, as we all know. And I do not just mean the ridiculous queues that seem to become ever longer and more disorganised.
After just traveling from SEA, I am more convinced than ever that the security problems at LHR have nothing to do with infrastructure or overcapacity, and everything to do with poor management and lack of investment in both humans and equipment. I have never thought of the USA, especially relative backwaters like SEA, to be particularly efficient or clever when it comes to security, but I have been impressed of late. And LHR continues to slip while others adapt.
At one of the three (or is it two?) checkpoints at SEA that happens to serve the S gates, there were NINE scanners up and running and all fully staffed with at least three staff members each. I waited for only 10 minutes in the orderly queue, and this was longer than usual. While it is horribly annoying that I have to remove shoes and laptops etc., the process has seemingly become streamlined and efficient to the point where the wait is almost eliminated. I also had plenty of space to unpack my bag and there were ample bins to place all my things into. I was not hurried along. Security staff were waiting for me when I walked through the metal detector. And this despite the greater security requirements implemented since the failed liquid-bomb plot, and greater cabin baggage allowance.
Complete opposite of LHR. Long queues. Disorganised queues. Horrible and seemingly incompetent staff. Unmanned equipment at all times of the day. Lack of bins. Lack of space. No rhyme or reason at any time. A feeling of greater insecurity than security. LHR just rumbles on, ad hoc, tripping over its own untied shoe laces... there really is no excuse, and unless something changes fundamentally at LHR, T5 will solve absolutely nothing.
So, just like airport security pre-9/11 was a complete joke (and ultimately a disaster) thus leading to a nationalisation of airport security, might a similar solution not be an option for the UK? Since BAA seems utterly incapable of providing the most basic of basic services, maybe it is time to simply revoke their authority and do it right... knock down shops, hire proper staff to man better equipment at all times, streamline and make consistent the security process.
Like you, my sense is the TSA seems to be doing a better job than BAA at present. I too am stunned by the apparent management incompetence, witness the idle machines, lengthy delays while staff change roles and the total lack of space to get PC's out of bags, remove shoes etc etc.
My general feeling is security is one of those things that ought to be in the hands of a Government agency, just as I'd feel VERY uncomfortable about the Police being private.
Historically nationalized industries have had some pretty poor managers so I'm far from convinced that sweeping nationalisation will fix this particularly problem.
To my mind the real issue here is the present security staff have no incentive whatsoever to speed the passengers through the airport, in fact quite the opposite - the only why they can demonstrate their importance and value is by making the security process as slow and obtrusive as possible.
That, to my mind, is the core of the problem - how do we make the security people actually want to move us along?