Travelling used to be a pleasure. I remember the times when
quite regularly in the ‘1990s I would ask for, and frequently get, an upgrade
to business class. I remember arriving at Copenhagen Airport once with minutes
to spare before my flight home and still being processed through quickly and
efficiently by the airport staff. I
remember waiting in standby queues. I remember stepping down from a flight
because it had been overbooked in return for $100 and a night in a good quality
hotel with meals and drinks thrown in. Some of these things still occasionally
happen, but the whole travel process has become a tedious and frustrating
experience for the regular business traveler.
After Lockerbie and 9/11, it was essential that something
was done to improve airport security. However, with all the smart technology
now available to the security services, one can’t help feeling that some of the
processes are somewhat over the top, or nobody is prepared to put their head
above the parapet to change the irritations that we have had to become
accustomed to. The shoe bomber caused airport security to insist on the removal
of shoes, but thankfully they thought again about the extent of clothing removal
after the underpant bomber! It has all gone a bit silly.
Consistency can be a wonderful thing. Travelers expect the
same kind of security activity at every airport, ferry port, or border
crossing. Conversely, it remains important for security to retain an air of
unpredictability, but there is a balance to be struck. For example, I was
waiting to board a flight from Brussels to Boston, when a delay was announced
to its departure. At first no reason was given, but then I watched as an
engineer climbed onto the wing to inspect one of the engines, and the food
trolleys that had just been loaded were unloaded again, a process that took
some time to complete. It is always a bit unnerving to see the aircraft on
which you are about to fly being given the once over like that, but it is also
good for passengers to be able to see the level of care and detail in ensuring
flight safety.
In total the wait was just over four hours, and most
passengers had already gone through security into the boarding area. Apart from
two fur clad Latino women, who kept checking in and out of through security so
that one of them was in and one was out at all times until the flight was
almost ready to go. Yes I know, it’s amazing the sort of entertainment one can
find when stuck in a boarding area! There was clearly something not quite right
about these two, but it was impossible to work out exactly what. Everything
became crystal clear on touchdown in Boston. As we arrived at the gate and the
aircraft doors opened there were booming shouts of “Armed Police!” and
“Everybody get back in your seats, NOW!” And in stormed six heavily armed meat
heads whose physical presence blocked all light for the few moments they were
on the plane. They knew who they were targeting and they whisked the two women
away in a matter of seconds. Probably a drugs bust, but who knows for sure?
That whole experience was oddly reassuring, but the removal
of belts and shoes, change out of your pockets, mobile phones, jewellery etc.
would all be rendered unnecessary of the security services invested in body
scanners such as those that were trialled at Manchester Airport. And for those
who worry about images of body parts that they would otherwise wish to remain
under wraps, it’s an X-Ray for goodness sake! It is also quicker, and prevents
those embarrassing moments after successfully going through security where
people have to readjust clothing and make themselves decent again before the
person behind starts to get agitated at how long it takes for men to put belts
and shoes back on! There really has to be a better way.
There was another occasion when we were returning from a combined
business/family weekend in Prague via a transfer at Frankfurt Airport. The
queues at Frankfurt security for our Manchester flight were so long, and
security so slow, that there was a very real danger of missing the flight. As
we approached security, we did the usual belt and shoes thing, and they then
took both my son and my wife to one side for a more thorough check, letting
through this balding and occasionally menacing looking 50+ year old male
without so much as a second glance. Clearly they thought my wife and son were
possible mules! And what was even more bizarre, is that one of my customers had
given me a gun shaped bottle of plum brandy which had gone through the scanner
without question.
So yes, let’s have the right level of security and for the
passengers’ part, let’s not carry gun shaped bottles of anything just in case!
Everyone has a part to play in making travel an enjoyable and safe experience.
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