I wish I had more access on my pass

To get around using a visa card and paying with a fully points giving Amex or Mastercard, buy your souveniers from John Lewis. At Stratford, if you pay at the till in the 2012 room (with fabulous views of the Aquatic Centre and Stadium) you need to use your visa, but step into the main shop and you can pay with what ever you like. Pretty sure there are signs up telling people that too as a lot of tourists wouldn't be carrying one around. Even better, buy online via the BA estore and get 2x the points!

I understand there are a lot of people who object to the merchandising, but the smiles on my godchildren faces who live outside London was worth it when I gave them items with the logos and characters on them. I very rarely buy souveniers when on holiday, but for an event like this in my home town, I think a few keepsakes are in order.

The liquid rule seems to me to be aimed more at getting people to buy from the overpriced concessions than any security concern.

This isn't the case. Everyone with accreditation cards (i.e. anything less than a head of state) will be scanned just like everyone else. I went through a security hall behind Seb Coe the other morning.

One (small) positive amid all the clipboard fascism...the army is operating the security scanners. Consequently the whole process is a lot more efficient, intuitive, pleasant and effective than it is under the rude, lazy and witless "security professionals" employed at the likes of EDI and LHR (despite the latter probably earning a higher salary...)

Ah I'm happier now that Seb Coe got searched.

It's a lot different to an airport, at least you get free drinks in the lounges! I didnt even see any free water fountains at the Park yesterday!

They do exist, somewhere, apparently...

These troops they've got on the mag & bag searches. It's terrible. They were cheerful and tried to make conversation with me at 0455 this morning. I'm not sure I can cope with that!

So the aerosol rule is quite strict. My travel size deodorant wasn't allowed through. Also the metal detector is quite sensitive, my watch caused it to beep, which has never happened to me at an airport. The army personal were quite friendly and efficient though.

I can't help but think that this whole G4S farce has been for the greater good, i.e. that it discourages the idea of outsourcing matters of importance e.g. policing to cheap security monkeys.

I look forward to seeing what it's like with the Army running it. Probably pretty good, as the most professional and polite airport security I've encountered is that in Switzerland, where it is run by the relevant cantonal police force.

Neil

<100ml i.e. airport OK? Should be OK there as well, this is the official list:-

http://www.london2012.com/mm/Documen...ls_Neutral.pdf

Neil

You're right of course, nothing published says no aerosols. But there was no arguing with them. This was staff security at Wimbledon, it might have been a mistake.

The rules may well be different for staff, I suppose.

Neil

At the Opening Ceremony today. The lines for beer and food were longer than the lines for security.
Much better than the four hours spent in line in Beijing.

Supporting Bud Florida's view - we were straight through security with a smile. I forgot to take my watch off and was frisked by a very cute squaddie. I made a point to say "thank you". Food and drink queues last night were very bad, but for the Opening Ceremony only a small part of the Olympic Park was open - I'm hoping these will ease when more of the park is open.

Sometimes my watch sets off the metal detector, and sometimes it doesn't - I think there may be some small differences in how they're calibrated.

Hope you both enjoyed the ceremony. I was working dead early this morning so didn't watch the whole thing live, but the finale fireworks woke me up about two miles away - followed some time later by people walking up the road singing the "na na" bit from Hey Jude...

Security at both the Beach Volleyball in Horseguards Parade and the rowing at Eton Dorney was very quick and very efficient - no queues at either.

In both cases, they required watches to be taken off. There is a no liquids rule but not nearly as strict as at airports as they allowed me through with a good sized bottle of suncream - and inside they were actively promoting the use of sunblock, but not selling it!