I've seen the same thing at CBR. Many times while taking my laptop out, I've seen someone a few places back in line reaching down to take their shoes off.

You guys are absolutely correct about the shoe situation and the mostly U.S. trained flyers following their herd instict. It is therefor that I was so surprised this time that at BKK and at ICN the security staff specifically told us to take shoes, belt and jackets off. I did not expect that at all. Well, off to Spain, let's see what expects me there.

At LHR, there was additional random screening of folks entering the gate area for the AA flight to DFW. I was allowed to pass unmolested - I'd guess about 25% of the folks were singled out.

One of the benefits of US airline elite status: when flying from Europe to the US, there are reduced chances of getting an additional gate screening of person and/or hand baggage.


At LHR gates for the US-bound flights on AA, it's quite ordinary for those with AA elite status to be allowed to pass unmolested due to the AA elite status.

Trip to FCO in Nov, on the way back connected in MUC and went through additional screening just before the gate-- had to put everything through an x-ray.

Also went through the same experience DEL-EWR. It was a frisk to remember.

At least it was all face to face and the screener didn't bother with long-winded explanations, nor did he encounter Mr. Resistance. In fact, I smiled at him the entire time and he smiled back.

There's something about the TSA protocol that has the searcher standing behind you and instructing you to spread your legs farther apart that I find rather distasteful and maybe just a leetle too symbolic.

IAH-NRT-TPE - cleared NRT security during the transfer. No NOS, WTMD only, laptops out and the nicest, friendliest, most helpful security staff in the world...there was just no possible way to get mad at them. No additional screening at the ANA gates to TPE - apparently terrorists *only* attack America

TPE-NRT-IAH - did the NRT transit check again, same process, although I got held up because I didn't have my connecting boarding passes and I needed to get them from the airline desk, conveniently located PAST security The staff were tripping over themselves apologizing and asking me to search through my phone to find a confirmation or receipt or anything they could use to let me through...which I was eventually able to locate. They found the glass bottle in my carryon (full of chocolates), which IAH security conveniently missed later on

There was fairly extensive gate-groping at the departure to IAH, but most people were able to skip it, especially by juggling your position in line as they grabbed other people in front.

Although this hyper-active security nonsense is over-the-top, there is a huge difference in experience and attitude between screeners in Japan or Hong Kong vs your typical TSA screener which makes the experience, although often silly, more tolerable.

Painless experience at BCN today for BCN->JFK. Much, much nicer than TSA. Much.

No peep-show machines, no yelling, no gate check for me.

Rhetorical question: why can't the US be like that?

Same here. The next time, I just said Japan (as I was connecting through NRT) and avoided the shoe thing The guy did actually PUT the slippers on my feet, though, which I felt was above and beyond, but what do I know.

At MUC, I also had to go through additional screening (all US-bound pax, actually). WTMD, x-rayed bags, and even shoes wanded. At least shoes stayed on!

That is definitely NOT always the case at MUC for US-bound, US-operated carriers. The screening equipment in the last many months has been shut off in the gate area or even partially dismantled it appears sometimes. One is either directed to walk through the turned off WTMD before the gate area, or directed around it.

And the flights don't even all leave from that gate area anymore; often they leave from the middle gate area where there are no secondary screening machines.

A few years ago (in 2005 I think I was) when I was flying from Gatwick to DTW, I remember 3 different types of security stuff. At the check in counter, the usual questions: did you pack own bag, etc. Then the normal security check pre-liquid restrictions etc with no need to take off shoes. Finally, at the gate, there were 2 male & 2 female set up at tables. Males in one line, females in another. Carry-on bags, personal items (purses, coats, etc), shoes removed & checked, and a quick pat down was done before boarding of the plane done quickly & efficiently. I've not had to deal with the last level of security flying internationally the last few times.

Second dumb rhetorical question. Can someone please tell me why the Asian airports simply cannot figure out the bottled water thing? How hard is it to understand if it comes in from after security to leave it alone. If you are prone to dehydration and are in Y for an TPAC flight, god help you to get enough water from the flight attendants.

It's not just Asia. I ran into the very same issue at ATH, including duty-free shops that wouldn't sell you liquids if you were headed to the US.