Jul 18, 2013, 9:11 am
Last edit by: stifle
As and from 22 November 2013, passengers who are selected for a body scan may decline and receive a "private search alternative".
Body scanners are in place or on their way to the majority of major international airports in the UK. As of the end of 2013, they are deployed in LHR, LGW, BHX, MAN, EDI, GLA, STN, LCY, and BFS and were deployed in late 2014/early 2015 to ABZ, BHD, BRS, CWL, EMA, LBA, LPL, LTN, NCL and PIK. Until 21 November 2013, passengers declining a scan once selected were denied passage through the checkpoint and offloaded from their flight. As of 22 November 2013, passengers selected may decline a scan and will be hand-searched in a private room. This search may require the loosening or removal of some items of clothing and the passenger may have a witness present. The passenger's carry-on items will also be thoroughly searched and may be subject to explosive threat detection swabbing. Details of some FlyerTalkers' opt-out experiences can be read in post #606 and #661.
All body scanners in the UK are of the millimetre wave type. Backscatter machines were previously used but withdrawn in 2012. There are 4 models in use: the L3 ProVision, the L3 ProVision 2, the Smiths eqo (which has a passing resemblance to the single-pose Rapiscan backscatter), and the Rohde & Schwarz Quick Personnel Scanner. All use Automatic Threat Recognition software so the result of the scan is immediately visible in the form of a so-called "Gumby" figure on the screen. The passenger and the security clerk will see the figure and any anomalies are outlined with boxes; these areas are then patted down.
Scanners are not used as primary and all passengers pass through walk-through metal detectors in the first instance. In most locations, the scanner is associated with one WTMD and if you trigger this WTMD you will be directed to the scanner. Note that WTMDs in the UK are set to randomly beep with a certain probability (perhaps 15%) even if you have no metal. In some locations, however, the scanner is set back from the checkpoint and security clerks select people based on undisclosed criteria, sometimes after they have already packed up their stuff and put it back in their bags/pockets/etc.
A passenger may, if so inclined, request to be screened by the scanner rather than passing through the WTMD, which one supposes may be preferable to certain passengers possessed of metal implants which they cannot divest.
Historically the chance of being selected for scanning on any given trip was quite low, as there are generally multiple lanes at any given checkpoint but only one or two scanners. This is now changing at non-London airports where the lanes with scanners are used most and non-scanner lanes only opened to handle peak demand, and at London airports where more scanners are being installed. It was also usually the case through 2014 that fast track lanes for premium and status passengers were WTMD only; this is sadly history now.
Unless otherwise stated, the scanners below are located behind WTMDs and passengers beeping the WTMDs are scanned.
Scanner locations per airport:
LHR T1: Closed
LHR T2: Scanners on all lanes behind WTMD, except the very furthest lane from the entrance.
LHR T3: Recent information required.
LHR T4: Recent information required.
LHR T5: Scanners on most lanes behind WTMD. Due to limited space the lanes at either end of north checkpoint and at either end of south checkpoint (but not fast track) are scanner-free.
LGW TN: WTMD + scanner in every lane.
LGW TS: WTMD + scanner in every lane. Sometimes scanners switched to primary.
MAN: Scanners: one per checkpoint, used as secondary screening in lieu of pat-down if WTMD triggered.
EDI: Update needed from new checkpoint
STN: Scanners behind the WTMDs for lanes 7/8 and 15/16.
LCY: Scanners in both checkpoints, used as secondary. Two safe lanes in the old checkpoint (the one with automatic boarding pass scan gates) so use that and try to SDOO.
GLA: Between lanes 3 and 4. Note, fast track normally uses lanes 1 and 2 but you can get unlucky. (Updated 25 January 2014)
BFS: Scanner used as secondary if you trip the WTMD.
ABZ: Information needed
SOU: Scanner behind the only WTMD
BHD, LPL, BRS, EMA, NCL, LBA, LTN, CWL: Information also needed
See also: https://www.gov.uk/government/speech...ty-scanners--2
UK body scanners - opt outs permitted 22 November 2013
Sep 22, 2015, 6:18 am
#781
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 46
Does anyone know how easy AMS is about opt-outs? Are they quick and clear about it like German airports, or do they make you feel like a criminal, like UK airports?
Sep 22, 2015, 6:39 am
#782
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Barcelona, Catalunya
Posts: 2,108
I have departed a few times from AMS in the last few weeks and have "opted out" every time. Except for being called "childish" once (for refusing without having a good reason), the were always very professional about it. No "retaliation" whatsoever.
Sep 22, 2015, 12:08 pm
#783
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
Programs: FB Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,381
For those reporting the UK being in breach: Can I ask one of you to find out who the watchdog is inside the UK for maintaining compliance with EU legislation as far as aviation is concerned?
Per EU process, we need to first seek redress in the member country before being able to lodge an official complaint via http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-...mplaint_en.htm
Per EU process, we need to first seek redress in the member country before being able to lodge an official complaint via http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-...mplaint_en.htm
Sep 22, 2015, 12:15 pm
#784
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
https://www.gov.uk/government/public...urity-scanners
For those reporting the UK being in breach: Can I ask one of you to find out who the watchdog is inside the UK for maintaining compliance with EU legislation as far as aviation is concerned?
Per EU process, we need to first seek redress in the member country before being able to lodge an official complaint via http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-...mplaint_en.htm
Per EU process, we need to first seek redress in the member country before being able to lodge an official complaint via http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-...mplaint_en.htm
You can probably also complain to the DfT, but they will have a complaints person who will have no influence over policy.
Sep 22, 2015, 1:13 pm
#785
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: mostly not far from AMS, otherwise NUE
Programs: FB Silver, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,381
Something tells me a UK taxpayer writing in would have a slightly higher chance of being heard than a German expat living in the Netherlands, so any local help will be appreciated. 
Sep 23, 2015, 3:53 am
#786
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 46
Still, it's worth a try. I could also write to the MP responsible for the constituency surrounding LGW. He/she might have more connections.
Sep 23, 2015, 5:47 am
#787
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
www.writetothem.org. The MP for Gatwick will have too much on his plate to take on the work of other MPs. It may also be a breach of some protocol to do so.
Sep 23, 2015, 5:54 am
#788
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,217
For those reporting the UK being in breach: Can I ask one of you to find out who the watchdog is inside the UK for maintaining compliance with EU legislation as far as aviation is concerned?
Per EU process, we need to first seek redress in the member country before being able to lodge an official complaint via http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-...mplaint_en.htm
Per EU process, we need to first seek redress in the member country before being able to lodge an official complaint via http://ec.europa.eu/atwork/applying-...mplaint_en.htm
Sep 23, 2015, 3:39 pm
#789
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Cambridge, UK
Posts: 261
Update on STN: one single scanner still, in same place as usual. However, note that if departing in the evening, the right hand entry point (which guarantees avoiding the scanner) is closed, so you have less chance of avoidance.
Update on EDI: there appeared to be three or four scanners spread across the security hall. Instead of one WTMD per x-ray belt, there was one between two x-ray belts. Most (the only open lanes today) were supplemented with a NoS. WTMD used as primary screening. Passengers setting this off told to go through NoS. No experience of opting out.
Update on EDI: there appeared to be three or four scanners spread across the security hall. Instead of one WTMD per x-ray belt, there was one between two x-ray belts. Most (the only open lanes today) were supplemented with a NoS. WTMD used as primary screening. Passengers setting this off told to go through NoS. No experience of opting out.
Sep 30, 2015, 4:50 am
#790
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: VS Flying Club
Posts: 10
This is OT for this thread of course, so if anyone wants to move these posts somewhere else...
I have departed a few times from AMS in the last few weeks and have "opted out" every time. Except for being called "childish" once (for refusing without having a good reason), the were always very professional about it. No "retaliation" whatsoever.
I have departed a few times from AMS in the last few weeks and have "opted out" every time. Except for being called "childish" once (for refusing without having a good reason), the were always very professional about it. No "retaliation" whatsoever.
The way that airport security is managed in the UK disgusts me. As I understand, it's controlled by the airports who subcontract it private security firms and the only legal requirement on them is that they comply with UK government regulations. I don't like the American TSA any more than the next person but at least they are actual US government employees.
UK airports seem to be staffed by private security guards who for whatever reason weren't quite good enough to become actual officers of the law but crave whatever little power they can get over the general population.
Sep 30, 2015, 6:24 am
#791
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: From ORK, live LCY
Programs: BA Silver, EI Silver, HH Gold, BW Gold, ABP, Seigneur des Horaires des Mucci
Posts: 14,217
It varies. At LHR you have primarily power-hungry types in security guard uniforms jumping at the opportunity to catch people out. At LGW they're now in awful polo shirts and there's a mix between the power trippers and people who are more customer service inclined. Meanwhile at LCY there is no uniform, the security folks wear suits, and in my experience are very respectful.
Sep 30, 2015, 7:13 am
#792
Join Date: Jun 2009
Programs: VS Flying Club
Posts: 10
It varies. At LHR you have primarily power-hungry types in security guard uniforms jumping at the opportunity to catch people out. At LGW they're now in awful polo shirts and there's a mix between the power trippers and people who are more customer service inclined. Meanwhile at LCY there is no uniform, the security folks wear suits, and in my experience are very respectful.
People often knock Japanese democracy but the Japanese did a bang up job where these scanners were concerned. They tried a brief volunteer pilot program at NRT and it was found that the Japanese volunteers hated it so the idea was canned and it went no further than that.
If a country that sits 500 miles away from Pyongyang doesn't need them then the UK doesn't need them either.
Sep 30, 2015, 12:56 pm
#794
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
The way that airport security is managed in the UK disgusts me. As I understand, it's controlled by the airports who subcontract it private security firms and the only legal requirement on them is that they comply with UK government regulations. I don't like the American TSA any more than the next person but at least they are actual US government employees.
I think that's an unfair characterization. I doubt any of them said "I want to be a police officer" and when Hendon kicked them out, airport security was the next best thing. More likely they were unemployed and saw there was a job available at the airport.
Oct 5, 2015, 5:41 am
#795
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 46
No need for racism. Most of the staff who you call "foreigners" are probably British citizens, you are just judging by their skin colour, which happens to be against the law, if they were to do it to you. I've had just as much trouble at security checkpoints with people of all races. It seems to be the country and its policy that matters, more than the actual race of the staff. Yes, I also find most LHR staff are rather unpleasant, and the checkpoint itself is a total mess! I last went out of LHR a few months ago, and from what I can remember, there were tensabarriers everywhere, closed lanes yet large queues, rude staff, and I was once actually sent backwards from a lane, because "the lane is closing". Yes, me and some other pax were actually moved backwards to another queue, because the staff in that one wanted their break "NOW!". It is a mess, and I think management is to blame.