Security at CPH
 

Maybe I'd gotten too used to the Fast Track treatment, until SAS decided to add to the attractive package they're offering *A Gold customers (25% mileage credit, pay for water, etc etc) by forcing them to enter the airside part of the terminal a mile away from the lounge. But every time I'm passing through now I'm becoming increasingly disturbed by the attitude of the security staff, who seem to me to embody the worst and most unpleasant aspects of Danish bolshiness. Not only do they refuse to allow you to keep an eye on your possessions whilst wanding you, but on the last two occasions I have had screeners of both sexes put their hands inside my trousers at waist level in a way that I consider demeaning, offensive, and completely inappropriate. Am I the only one who is bothered by them treating airline passengers the same way that they treat their livestock?

Thanks for the info, I didn't know that security staff at CPH also work on farms..

Interesting. Was this SK Fast Track or the standard security?
I've passed through CPH security probably over a 100 times since 2005 and my latest visit was Friday morning. I've never had a poor experience. Very rarely over 10 minute wait, never been shouted at or felt uncomfortable. I guess the worst was when I once forgot to take my liquids out from my carry-on because of being so excited about going on a honey-moon :D

The last time I transited in CPH from the USA continuing to ARN, there were twelve male screeners and no female screeners. I won't transit there again if I can possibly avoid and it's part of the reason I fly SK much less than in the past.

(It's also a pretty pathetic advertisement about Danish society and the role of women in the workforce...certainly I'd never consider applying for a job there.)

I agree this is very bad personnel planning by the company operating the security check points in CPH, but this must be an exception and not the rule.

Going OT: With regards to women in Denmark and their role in the workforce, the employment rate is the second highest in Europe (2007: 73.2%, USA: 65.9%), just to get a fact based view :rolleyes:. Source: http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/tgm...pcode=tsiem010

I only wish female security controllers would do me a body search like you describe. Maybe I don´t have the looks? ;)

I've pulled this joke at HEL a number of times (my winter boots always set off the metal detector and have far too many laces for me to bother taking them off - so I get patted all the time in the winter), but the reaction has ranged from the funny to the semi-hostile. Apparently it's company policy in Finland to only perform body searches by officers who are the same sex as you. A few times this has blocked the queue for a while when the male officers were busy with other searchees..

At ARN they don't seem to care. I've been searched by some cute girls there. And some not so cute.

I agree that the security personnel at CPH can be extremely rude. Especially to people who tend to be in a hurry. At least that is my experience which I have quite a lof of in recent years.

I don´t find this as specific to CPH, but a general problem with airport security , when your personal belongings rides along in the trays unattended by you while you are standing aside for extra screening.

More OT facts :rolleyes: from wikigender.org, citing DK nat'l statistics.
Why does the Danish government permit airport security jobs, which they must regulate very carefully and which require relatively little physical strength or specialized training, to be largely closed to women?

My observation in US and Sweden, which is where my main travel are, is that it's about half females in the US (where they have ridiculous number of security) and a little less than half female in Sweden. Once at slow time, there were only two males at FT at ARN, but I guess they have more workers at the other side.

Totally agree with OP. Have passed security from international to Schengen countless times.
Of course the CPH staff cannot beat their American colleagues, but they are for sure among the worst in Europe. They have a lot to learn from the security in for example BRU.

I cannot speak too much about CPH, as I have entered the airport around 5 times all in my life, but BRU can be a real pain. This week they implemented ALL SHOES OFF policy. On Tuesday it was manageable, but today it was appr 45 minute wait and a total mess. Their attitude has usually been arrogant.

I was through BRU last week, getting the full security package. Phew... Security logistics at CPH are just lightyears ahead.

BRU? My experiences there are not very good. Long lines, usually very disorganized (esp. on the non-Schengen pier) scrum - although the lines move surprisingly quickly. Officers are very strict, I've been given the full body pat many many times and pretty much always had to take off my shoes, which kinda sucks. For the Schengen-pier security they do this in the private cabin, and sometimes you have to queue for that.

Hmm. Come to think of it - many tiny airports have the best security experiences. Not too many pax so no big queues, relaxed officers who even have time to joke etc. Although I kinda like ARN T5 (the entrance by the B-pier, the Norra security point is just horrible), RIX (every time it looks like there's a huge queue but actually you're through in 3 minutes) and HEL as well (but the last one probably because I am just too familiar with it and the people there).

When were you in the US the last time? IMO TSA has become much better in the last few years. I don't find them rude.

Speaking of Europe; have you been to LHR? :D By far the worst security personnel in the EU! BAA (British Airport Operator) hire any goons to work in security. It is quite horrific.

I was through BRU the other week and found the chap by the x-ray machine rather pleasant.