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-   -   PVG security was nuts (https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/china/1806106-pvg-security-nuts.html)

Loren Pechtel Dec 4, 2016 10:44 pm


Originally Posted by Daner (Post 27565196)
I assume that you are referring to the Style PS (http://www.leatherman.com/style-ps-2...iendly&start=2)

I always have my Style PS with me on a ring with a Gerber Shard and a house key, so I have learned that China and South Africa have rules prohibiting tools (pliers) in carry-on luggage. The Shard has never raised an eyebrow anywhere, and the Style PS has made it through PVG and JNB (but not PEK or CPT).

I don't recall the name but that looks right.

PVG called it a "small knife" (my wife did the talking, this isn't a language problem), not a "tool".

Fortunately, it's now sitting at a relative's house over there.

sinoflyer Dec 4, 2016 11:52 pm

Since I always travel with a DSLR camera, several lenses, plus my laptop and all the batteries and rechargers, I've come to accept it as routine to empty my entire carryon case (only slight exaggeration) when going through security. I ran into a special problem last May, when flying back from PVG. I had bought these nifty nail clipping kits in Yangzhou to give to my U.S. friends. To my chagrin they were spotted by the xray machine and declared to be dangerous. This happened after immigration, so I had technically left China, so they took away my passport and escorted me out to landside to have the kits sent as checked luggage. (The other option was to throw them away.) I got my passport back when I returned, but I still needed to empty out my carryon for a second time as I went through security again.


Originally Posted by moondog (Post 27564007)
My hunch is that --these days-- the liquids ban is implemented partially at the behest of involved airlines (who need to allot for the secondary security).

In my experience, "partially" is the operative word. On the PEK/PVG-U.S. flights that I took this year, the secondary screeners seemed to have checked only one carryon per pax. I've brought back yogurt, procured from the CA lounge, because it was placed in the other bag that the screener did not choose to look into. It's definitely a YMMV situation.

tauphi Dec 5, 2016 2:03 am


Originally Posted by moondog (Post 27563471)
The US is the country I had in mind. I don't know of any others that routinely get secondary screening treatment.

Australia certainly did but it's been a while since I've flown there from China/Asia.

tauphi Dec 5, 2016 2:06 am


Originally Posted by jiejie (Post 27563928)
China is also ultra-sensitive and paranoid that any explosive might slip through on a US carrier or US-bound flight, maybe more so than with most other countries.

But it's not just China though. You get the same treatment when flying to the US/Australia from HKG, and also if you fly to the US from Australia. Funnily enough, I don't think you need to do a secondary if you go from the US to Australia.

Loren Pechtel Dec 5, 2016 10:52 pm


Originally Posted by sinoflyer (Post 27566730)
In my experience, "partially" is the operative word. On the PEK/PVG-U.S. flights that I took this year, the secondary screeners seemed to have checked only one carryon per pax. I've brought back yogurt, procured from the CA lounge, because it was placed in the other bag that the screener did not choose to look into. It's definitely a YMMV situation.

Yeah, they weren't doing a complete job by any means.

CJKatl Dec 6, 2016 4:50 pm

I always carry four battery rechargers and was unaware China limited passengers to two. A woman behind me in the PVG VIP security line (very slow and backed up - the line, not the woman) offered to take the two violating batteries and was being lectured to when I left. She was in the lounge later, so obviously they didn't detain her, but security is pretty strict.

cxfan1960 Dec 6, 2016 7:58 pm


Originally Posted by CJKatl (Post 27574862)
I always carry four battery rechargers and was unaware China limited passengers to two. A woman behind me in the PVG VIP security line (very slow and backed up - the line, not the woman) offered to take the two violating batteries and was being lectured to when I left. She was in the lounge later, so obviously they didn't detain her, but security is pretty strict.

I don't even know that she could do that for you if you are not traveling together.

travelinmanS Dec 6, 2016 9:33 pm

Security at airports in China is a pain in the butt. I've said before that the further north you go the worse it gets but I got chastised on here for offending the northerners. All I will say is PVG is still miles better than any other airport on the mainland. It is the only airport where I don't "beep" when going through the metal detector. PEK is the pits.

CJKatl Dec 6, 2016 10:46 pm


Originally Posted by cxfan1960 (Post 27575526)
I don't even know that she could do that for you if you are not traveling together.

No. That was the point. The Chinese security agents were letting her know that she could not do that in no uncertain terms. Nor could I send them to anyone outside of China, so I had to just leave them there. :(

Ausriver Dec 23, 2016 8:07 pm


Originally Posted by dmarge18 (Post 27562538)
The flight was to America, and America allows liquids that are purchased or filled after you've gone through security. So that wouldn't be the case here.

Nope, all international to USA and Australia will not allow any water over 100ml. Some airports doesn't even allow duty frees.

All power banks has to be proper labeled, and limited to 2. I actually believe all airports should do that. Judging from the size of a powerbank is not enough to tell how dangerous it could be once onboard.and if a powerbank manufacture couldn't even label their products, I doubt they would be of good qualities.

BuildingMyBento Dec 26, 2016 1:52 pm


Originally Posted by travelinmanS (Post 27575883)
Security at airports in China is a pain in the butt. I've said before that the further north you go the worse it gets but I got chastised on here for offending the northerners. All I will say is PVG is still miles better than any other airport on the mainland. It is the only airport where I don't "beep" when going through the metal detector. PEK is the pits.

Even URC?

Over there, shoes came off, and NO liquids were allowed. So, do as the locals do (everywhere) and bring a thermos...

Ausriver Dec 26, 2016 2:23 pm

Chinese security is there for a reason. Would you guys rather have tight security or have someone's pocket on fire in the air?

This is no joke, there were two cargo aircraft in China caught fire because of dangerous cargo not declared and packed properly this year.

And the only two thing more strict in China: lighter, absolutely no lighter, but most domestic airport has a lighter box at arrival, you get to pick one lighter for free on arrival.

Powerbanks, has to be labelled, meet capacity requairement and limited to two.

I actually don't see any of those two a huge problem, it is for our own safety.

Also, can anyone understand why they would need everyone to take off your shoes at security?

cxfan1960 Dec 26, 2016 3:23 pm


Originally Posted by Ausriver (Post 27664532)
...
Powerbanks, has to be labelled, meet capacity requairement and limited to two.

I actually don't see any of those two a huge problem, it is for our own safety.

Also, can anyone understand why they would need everyone to take off your shoes at security?

There is generally no problem with only two power banks, but many countries allow many more and travelers may not be aware of tighter Chinese rules.

For shoes, they may just be following US rules after someone hid explosives in their shoes years ago. However, I don't think they always ask people to take off their shoes.

Loren Pechtel Dec 26, 2016 9:25 pm


Originally Posted by Ausriver (Post 27664532)
Chinese security is there for a reason. Would you guys rather have tight security or have someone's pocket on fire in the air?

I'm not objecting to enforcing the rules. I'm objecting to the much greater digging they did this time than ever before, and declaring a flight-legal Letherman tool as a "small knife". Fortunately, we have relatives over there to mail it back to so I only lost it until our next trip. TSA has examined the very thing and declared it acceptable.

lcpteck Dec 27, 2016 12:02 am

Every airport/country have their own rules and I believe we should abide by them. Ultimately safety can't be compromised.


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