Schiphol to introduce centralised security for non-Schengen from 2015
Jul 7, 2015, 7:40 am
#377
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Location: Netherlands
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I would have agreed, but in recent times I have seen more activity at the customs checkpoints when passing through.
Last Sunday evening, there even appeared to be "plain clothes" officers conducting a search as I returned via AMS. I have never before seen anyone at AMS that appeared to be a douanier that wasn't wearing a uniform. And there were several uniformed colleagues doing the usual "three hanging around by the exit" routine while the search was ongoing nearby.
Last Sunday evening, there even appeared to be "plain clothes" officers conducting a search as I returned via AMS. I have never before seen anyone at AMS that appeared to be a douanier that wasn't wearing a uniform. And there were several uniformed colleagues doing the usual "three hanging around by the exit" routine while the search was ongoing nearby.
Jul 7, 2015, 2:38 pm
#378
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Netherlands
Programs: FB Plat, Privium
Posts: 277
Often there are 'plain clothes' officers around. They are dressed like a tourist, sometimes even with the small backpack to complete the picture. They wait at the luggage belt and listen to the waiting travelers.
Jul 7, 2015, 3:42 pm
#379
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
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Don't they stand out when you see they are still there after ten minutes of queuing?
Jul 7, 2015, 4:26 pm
#380
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Location: Netherlands
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Most pax have to wait much longer than 10 minutes for their luggage! And when your luggage arrives, most people leave. Anyone else waiting will just assume they are still waiting for their bags, too!
Jul 8, 2015, 4:03 am
#381
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
And these waiting travelers while away the time bragging loudly to everyone within hearing about the vast quantities of drugs, ivory, live turtles and talking parrots craftily concealed in their bags?
If these under cover officers really earn their keep, then one must assume that there are plenty of dumb smugglers around.
Johan
If these under cover officers really earn their keep, then one must assume that there are plenty of dumb smugglers around.
Johan
Jul 17, 2015, 4:48 pm
#383
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Jul 18, 2015, 1:21 am
#385
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Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,352
I have a 100% guarantee of a pat-down, even yesterday in bermudas and a polo, with not a shred of metal in my clothing.
Johan
Jul 18, 2015, 3:59 am
#387
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 7,342
These don't check for metal though. Or at least not only.
Recently I had a paper BP in my pocket. That never bothered the old detectors but this time the guy just straight up told me that I still have something in my left pocket. So if they can detect a paper BP, I guess any piece of clothing that doesn't match their pre-defined patterns will set off the alarms..
On the other hand, one of the advantages is that metal doesn't need to be removed. So there is no need to remove your belt if you're wearing any - which I always find a pain.
Recently I had a paper BP in my pocket. That never bothered the old detectors but this time the guy just straight up told me that I still have something in my left pocket. So if they can detect a paper BP, I guess any piece of clothing that doesn't match their pre-defined patterns will set off the alarms..
On the other hand, one of the advantages is that metal doesn't need to be removed. So there is no need to remove your belt if you're wearing any - which I always find a pain.
Jul 18, 2015, 5:52 am
#389
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
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Posts: 2,381
"Ik wil graag een handmatige controle". That's what I always tell them. When you intend to ask for that, you can already take off your shoes and send them through the x-ray because they will ask you to anyway.
Jul 18, 2015, 10:46 am
#390
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS
Posts: 15,027
Yes, that is very strange. What's the point of having those scanners if you get patted-down anyway.