Tobias-UK

That is not exclusive to the UK, it happens in many countries and I've observed it occur at most airports I travel from the world over.

Globaliser

Probably 2 or 3 times this year - I don't keep track of how often I've been a bit sloppy because it doesn't seem to matter. It is different on the (fortunately rare) occasions when I really slip up - like a 300 ml bottle of sunscreen that was in my bag because of a misunderstanding during packing.

I will proffer a third alternative, though: maybe I live in a parallel universe.

stimpy

The 100% no exceptions is exclusive to the UK. Other places, VIE is one example, they do this on occasion. But when they pull a bag at VIE, it is rare enough that it doesn't cause a backup, unlike busy UK airports. I know this because I leave my liquids in my bag on every trip I make, unless I'm flying out of the UK. Over 100 flights per year. And even then I sometimes forget to take my liquids out in the UK because it is so unusual given that the majority of my flights are not ex-UK. I travel with my liquids in my bag out of every other EU country, some more than others. Every last country in Asia, even Bhutan. All over Africa and of course America. Nobody cares in those countries. I know this as fact because the scanner operator can clearly see the bottles in my bag, as can I if I choose to peek at the screen. And in those countries they do not punish the traveler because they can easily see that these items are all under 100ml. It's only the UK that engages in this foolish practice.

But perhaps the meat of this argument is for another thread. The important part is that there can always be seen bags for secondary screening at LHR. Even in the early morning during light periods. So if there are only two screening checkpoints for the First Wing, there could often be backups. We'll see how they run things.

LondonElite

I just noticed today (in my hotel in Berlin) that a bottle of skin cream has been in my suitcase (outside of my plastic baggie) for at least six weeks (I've been looking for it). Since then it has been though at least eight different European airports (big: FRA, small: MHQ) and many times through LHR, without any comments. The whole security theatrics thing is a bit of a farce.

hugolover

My fountain pen ink well is something like 80ml and I don't even bother to put it in a liquid bag, I always have it & I travel pretty much always HBO. Plus eye drops (50ml), which I never put in a bag and has not once been noticed in my bag.

Wozza2404

Different airports focus on different things. I got pulled in IST because they saw a couple of welders spacing wedges in my bag (picture a 6" long tapered steel chisel) which I had no idea were in there. Fair enough, they took them.

But then I thought about it and realised I'd gone through T5 at least 5 times since I'd put them in that compartment of my bag, not to mention a few other EU airports and no-one had batted an eyelid.

IAN-UK

Absolutely. And maybe threshold triggers move up and down: that's something they suggested at Manchester when my liquid-filled contact lens case caused a secondary screening episode.