And now BKK
 

Transited at BKK last night, coming from domestic side to International with the famous sticker on my shirt. Shoes, Belt, Jackets, Laptops out, pockets empty. They have a machine that is similar to the new ones in the U.S. but I am not sure if that is the cancer machine, one needs to raise their arms though. We were caught of guard and Mrs. EX went thru that machine. In any case, we are not sure if opt out is an option in Thailand. I on the other hand was lucky and was directed to the WTMD. Next time I will try to find a direct flight into HKT in order to avoid the BKK security theatre. While walking we noticed the lines for travelers starting their trip in BKK were huge. I am convinced now that flying will never ever be fun again as it used to be. Thank heaven, I have good memories, though.

Must be pretty new; I don't recall seeing any there in December.

Yes, the CIQ transfer area has one (MMW ATD), but only in the left lane as I recall. The right lane is still WTMD so you can self opt out.

Can you opt for a pat-down instead of the scanners?

That is correct, however, they were directing people to which machine they should go. No self choice ( if that's a word ).

I've been flying through BKK for years, usually about twice a year. It was either July or October of 2011 that I got fed through the cancer machine for the first time, and the screening gate I was going through did NOT offer an opt-out.

This is really sad, but I'm now going to avoid BKK and SYD.

The deployment of these technologies is sadly theatrical - most likely a measured response to recent wave of reports of terrorism threats throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand - prompting a number of countries to update/post travel advisories, alerts, warnings, etc. to its citizens - and the Thai government responding ... :rolleyes:

Yeah, I don't have go to BKK or SYD for a while. Too many problem. I dislike the bodyscanners. Why they can't get rid of it?

I didn't see any of this last night whilst leaving BKK?

I seem to miss all the fun:D

You can buy premium airport departure service (which includes an escort from check-in to lounge or gate) for about $28USD per person. Arrival service (escort from gate to ground transportation or to the front of the line for transfer security) costs about $23USD; it costs $43USD if you want a golf cart from the gate.

http://www.bangkokflightservices.com/index.html

Their services are reasonably priced and flawlessly executed. ^

Just once in my life I'd like to ride one of those golf carts. I'd feel like a VIP.

BKK is a very long airport, with two wings (East and West) protruding into the airfield. At both of the intersections there are (at least) two transit security points. One of the points is big (3 lanes or so), and the other one is small (2 lanes). I recall that the 3-lane setups had big lineups while the 2-lane setup had almost no lineups since they were not as obvious to find.

The 3-lane setup ios split into 1 MD and 2 MMW. The 2-lane setups have 1 MD and 1 MWW, with the MD lane "reserved" for staff...

We were able to go through BKK without using the MMW. If you refuse, they will send you to the other security point, and you simply have to choose the correct lane.

So what exactly is the situation? Are opt outs allowed? Or will you be prevented from boarding, forcing you to do a SDOO on the other side?

Will this allow you to skip the MMWs?

I'll try it this weekend and let you know.

It seems like the sort of thing they would do in Asia . . .

Great. ^

Thank you all, this is very timely information as I am trying to decide whether security at BKK is a deal-breaker for a possible trip there. Do the MMW scanners have ATR, the gingerbread cutout privacy filter?

Does anyone know what the security arrangements are at NRT, since I have to change planes there?

If you arrive NRT at T1 and go through the transit area, carry on and jacket goes through x-ray, laptops out, you will walk through WTMD. Not sure how much longer though, as Japan has announced they will ( as always ) follow U.S. procedure and install cancer machines. You know, the big security threat, all the terrorists think Japan:mad:

As of 2 days ago, no cancer tubes anywhere in T2

Just came through as an international F passenger. Not a machine to be seen in the Fast Track area.

Let us know where? At BKK, ICN and NRT there are no Fast Track areas
when transiting, or am I missing something?

Sorry, was BKK. Checkin at the TG First Class desk and they take you to a security line that had signs saying "Fast Track". I think it's dedicated for F passengers only, but I could be wrong.

Essentially; UA used to give C and 1K pax fast passes as well, but now only GS and F as best I can tell. TG has a special setup at BKK with their own golf carts, I believe.

When you checkin in F in BKK you get walked through, not to, security. Through, not to, immigration. Then you go down the escalator and onto the cart to be driven through the Biz lounge and to the F lounge.

That said, the security point you get taken to does say "Fast Track" at it, but I have no idea who is allowed to used it beyond F passengers.

News like this blast incident in Bangkok :( coming over RSS feeds aren't going help one bit to de-escalate these apparently random, step-up efforts seen at various airports to/from and around the APA regions. :rolleyes:

http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news...acker-4-others

Passed thru BKK this afternoon. Despite 3 incompetent Iranians trying to make bombs and despite the US State Department's 'there's a boogeyman under every bed' bedwetting warning, business was as usual.

No NOS....no taking off shoes or belts....no barking, yelling, and rudeness...just your typical Thai courtesy and warm smiles....LOS, indeed ;)