This is a fairly common process. I've ducked out of the procedure a handful of time (not because I have anything to hide, but bc I don't want to waste my time there if I don't have to) by either typing on my phone and/or not even turning my head when they call for you to come over. If there are 3-5 agents at the table and all but 1 are with someone, I've found it relatively easy to scoot past. The next kettle behind me will gladly walk over when called

My understanding was that ALL flights to US were required to have secondary / gate screening. I didn't think it was related to the standards of the specific airport....

While I do not go through a wide variety of international airports, I can't recall any US bound flights from any airport where "extra" security was not apparent.

Is there any US bound flight that is not subjected to the extra "security" check?

PEK frisks bags but not people in my experience. Mainly a liquids check, which is particularly odd given they do check for liquids at security.

guam is a U.S. destination
this secondary check has been going on since the bojinka plot of 1995 where terrorists plotted to blow 12 airliners from asia to the us overwater

I guess you never transfered in Europe. They treat you as if you just showed up at the airport and not that you just flew in, I believe from 1 EU Country to another you wont hit taht n, no different then landing at the UA term in LAX and you are connecting to SFO

I understand it since not every Country is careful with their screenings, so how do you tell someone arriving say from Lagos you need to be rescreened , you coming in from NY just walk by

And I have seen at NRT people try just what you say and sometimes they get physically grabbed (gently) by the arm and escorted over to the extra screening.

That happened to us at PEK too. They had a table set up in the jetway and went through all our carry on bags confiscating liquids acquired in the airport. it would have been nice if we had been warned ahead of time.

A few years ago, I was stopped on the jetway in SFO to have my newly purchased bottle of water (20 sec prior from a few feet away from the gate) opened and checked. Now I put my water in my bag before attempting to board

I'm sorry, my first post rather poorly worded. I certainly do agree Guam is a US destination. My thought process was more like "That's odd...why are they doing another screening now? Oh...it must just be extra security only for US flights [of which GUM is one]".

Thanks for the info.

I'm NRT outbound next Saturday and I usually buy water post-security to take along. I did a domestic Japan flight HND-OKA while I'm here and I was surprised they allowed me to bring three bottles of water on board the plane. They even had a little machine that specifially scans bottles of liquid. It was weird.

Also, completely OT, but HND security is amazingly well-manned and extremely efficient. Not to mention the ANA boarding process.

If you arrive in Germany from the US, you won't have to go through security before your connecting flight. (There are some exceptions, however, in FRA if you arrive at B or C gates.)

Yes, that might be the case as requested by US authorities. I fly out of NRT regularly to Europe on *A carriers and have never come across security procedures like those described in this thread.

AFAIK there's no restriction on liquid in hand luggage on Japanese domestic flights.

I was told by a former NW pilot who flew to/from NRT: The historic answer would trace back to Air India flight 182 circa 1985, which broke apart in midair due to a bomb. The bomber had another device which was to take down another flight but it exploded in transit at Tokyo Narita. The re-clearing security for all passengers was implemented since that incident.

As for the gate-check security part, it does not pay to be the 1st in that line. Definitely also need to dress inconspicuously, that is my 2 cents.

Yes, I believe this is true. I've seen secondary security search points at the gate for most of the international flights I've been on. I believe the US Department of Homeland Security has requested this at international airports abroad.

The most invasive security screening I've ever undergone was in Frankfurt, Germany. Went through the metal detector, wanded by the security officers, got a pat-down, had my bags cracked open for a hand search, then they swabbed my camera for explosives.

I was escorted to a little room where the sample was tested for any traces of explosive residue. After clearing that, they selected me at the gate for their randon security inspection. They went through the pat down again and cracked open my luggage for another thorough check.

That probably took a good 15-minutes, and I was among the last ones to hop on a bus out to the remote stand to a completely full 777 that was waiting on us. Talk about security theater!

Same thing happened to me at HKG recently. Now we know ..

I'm not going to list airports on here. But I know some that don't do it. Last year the only airport that I saw secondary screening at the gate when boarding was HKG to USA. All the rest of my flights to the USA didn't. Some you can keep your shoes on going through security and these are flights to USA. I won't forget HKG because they kept stealing everyone water, but on my second flight I brought 5 bottles on as I have a secret compartment in my bag. I drink tons of water on that flight.

I have the say the worst thing I ever seen was in Newark where they had ICE agent in the jetway with dogs and all on a flight to HKG. The were questioning lots of people many ICE agents all up and down the jetbridge. I was asked if I was taking more than 10K out of the country in cash. I LOL.. I guess I must look like I smuggle money or something.

This happened to use on ORD-PVG (AA). Ten agents on the jet-bridge, checking passports ten feet from the AA passport check

As a US citizen, I breezed through. Lot's of foreigners were harassed, though.