i'mlovin'it

Me too. I always get checked.

Rejuvenated

Same here. I sometimes carry two bags and never had problems as well.

wilp888

I flew UA 862 last Sunday and everybody's carry-on was checked at the ramp, just like before.

PTravel

Strange. I was on 862 on Tuesday and it was as I described.

Quokka

The SOP on the jetway for UA flights out of HKG is everyone who has a carry on bag gets "searched". Oftentimes the search is nothing more than partially unzipping one zipper, pretending to look inside, and then rezipping. My bag usually gets "checked" in under 15 seconds from being set down on the table to being waived on (and most of that time is due to a sticky zipper). And my second carryon (a laptop bag) rarely gets looked at.

They do occasionally spend more time and dig deeper depending on profiles, pax reactions, pax volunteering up liquids, random spot checks and/or their level of boredom. But overall it's just theater.

You'd have to be pretty incomptent if you really wanted to get something past these jetway checks and couldn't.

anacapamalibu

I Think they might be looking mainly for LAGs (liquids, aerosols and gels)

97. Can passengers bring LAG items purchased at HKIA onto their departing flight? Yes, passengers can bring LAG items purchased at shops located beyond the security screening check points at HKIA on board their departing flight, each container however must be no more than 100ml.

A coke can is 330ml. So maybe they wouldn't check something like a slim laptop bag? Just speculation though.

http://www.cad.gov.hk/english/faq.html#LAG

Pickles

Yes, but it is only on US-bound flights. Adds to the whole theater aspect of it.

Quokka

Yes, they are "looking" mainly for LAGs on the departures to the US. But laughably so.

The theater usually goes like this:

1) The screener asks me to step over

[ 1.5 The screener discreetly looks me over and evaluates "the threat" as I walk over]

2) I place my carryon on the table in front of the screener

3) The screener usually then apologizes for the inconvenience and starts to unzip the bag

4) The bag gets partially unzipped.

5) *If* the screener even bothers to lift the flap, they quickly stop looking as soon as they see the clear ziploc bag containing some toothpaste and deodarant at the top lying on top of a travel pillow.

6) The bag is quickly rezipped and I'm sent onto the plane.

What's usually under the travel pillow is a whole lot of electronic devices. And a couple of cans or bottles of beverage picked up inside HKIA.

The screeners don't even ask me whether I have any liquids with me these days. If they did ask, I'd give them up. But they don't ask or find, so I don't.

Apparently I don't fit their profile of interest or concern. They seem to be far more interested in hassling casual travellers, family groups, or anyone who rocks up carrying a backpack with a Nalgene bottle in an outside pocket.

It's all very silly.

cxfan1960

US-bound flights, Australia-bound flights, US airlines.

cxfan1960

Not if they recognise one of them as a personal item. I once carried three items total - one very small carry-on, one small laptop, and a very small extra item. I got an exception tag from CX. The guard immediately asked for the tag before I could take the third item in.

If I feel I may be stopped, I may as well ask for the tag at check-in.

Rejuvenated

I wasn't referring to 2 bags + an additional personal item. I always keep my laptop inside the carryon when passing through security and only take them out when instructed to. Never have I been questioned about the quantity I am bringing with me.

ORDnHKG

Interesting to note that when UA was flying HKG-NRT, even if you terminate at NRT, you still have to go through the same process as to US. That's why for now if I go to US, I would choose to connect in NRT through NH, as flying NH does not need to be checked my carryons.

Pickles

There are probably 10 other reasons why flying with NH is better than with UA.

HKtraveller

The rule is one carry on bag (If you hold a first class ticket then 2 carry ons.) of the appropriate size (needs to fit into their box, bot they only check if it is too obvious), plus one laptop bag plus one camera (bag).

It is not at the security check where they stop you (once you get there yuo'll be fine), but before you enter immigration where they check the tickets (and handluggage).
If they stop you in terminal one, you have a second chance by trying the other one of the 2 available entrances (It helps being last minute).

Not sure about Terminal 2.

Hong Kong is the strictest place I know, having handluggage checked by the airport authorities.