"To be effective, security has to be credible, but current UK security requirements are no longer credible," warns Martin Broughton, Chairman of BA.Broughton was referring specifically to the one-carry-on-bag rule, which is crashing Heathrow's baggage handling system and causing a series of problems for passengers, but there are numerous other security inconsistencies that experienced travellers will have noticed. For example, it is not possible to take sharp objects, such as scissors, through security, but premium priced shaving razors (at about £10 for three) can be bought airside at Birmingham!
Also, measures to prevent a repetition of the Glasgow incident are not being uniformly applied. Vehicles can still gain access to terminal interiors by crashing unprotected public doors at Heathrow. In one recent incident, witnessed by the author, it was five minutes before a traffic warden responded to three vehicles (including a 4x4) which had parked next to the unprotected Terminal 3 arrivals door. There were obviously no barriers to prevent access to the area, detection “systems” reacted too slowly and the police response was non-existent – ARC delegates will know that delay, detection and response are the three cornerstones of any effective security system.
And many airports are now literally cashing in on travellers’ misery and adding to the time taken to pass through security screening by withdrawing issue of mandatory plastic bags for liquids. Instead the bags have to be bought from newsagents and vending machines, a fact of which many travellers are unaware.
