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Cheap Flights Bookings>Information>Security Measures at UK airports Security Measures at UK airportsThe increased level of security at all of the UK's airports has meant a safer environment for travellers but at a price which requires your full cooperation.The UK government authorities entrusted with the management of the biggest airports is the BAA (the British Airports Authority) and millions of pounds have been invested into the airports to improve and ensure customer safety. £30 million alone was invested into Gatwick to improve security measures, such as increased surveillance, improved equipment, extra security staff, which has been the case at all leading airports. This has led to it taking longer to process passengers than it used to and your cooperation is required so as to prevent further delays and passenger disruption. We all want safe travelling and, in this era of increased flight travel and heightened security, it's natural that tensions are increased and stress levels rise as queues can get longer and traveller patience is tested. Above all it's important to understand the reasons why these measures are in place and that they are to protect your wellbeing and that of your family. If you want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem then try at least to be understanding and not argumentative and accept that, whilst some measures may appear to be over the top to you, they are keeping our airports a safer place to be. It's essential you arrive in plenty of time to permit the authorities to perform their duties as quickly as possible. For international flights make sure you arrive 3 hours before flight time, for short haul European flights you should arrive 2 hours before flight time, and for local domestic flights 90 minutes before flight time. One of the more common mistakes travellers are making is that they are still carrying items within their hand luggage which are not permitted. From Gatwick 15,000 banned items are being confiscated from passengers EVERY DAY, which slows down the process of passenger check-in times and will lead to longer queues and your frustration. Did you know that, during peak holiday times at Gatwick, over 2,000 pairs of scissors are being confiscated every day from passengers who are still carrying them in their hand luggage. Despite repeated warnings and some public awareness and large well displayed signs at the airport, people are still trying to carry on items such as, nail scissors, cork screws, sharp buckle belts, hypodermic needles, pen knives, kitchen knives and hand cuffs!!!! What are you thinking about when you pack your hand luggage and why do people still think they are immune to the system or that the rules do not apply to them? When these items are detected by scanning devices it means your bags have to be opened and the items removed and the bags have to be searched. This all takes time and delays the whole process. Apparently, according to Airport security jargon, 1 in 17 passengers have in their possession an item which is considered to be 'a potentially dangerous' object which is subsequently confiscated. What appears to you to be normal household or cosmetic equipment is now deemed by the airport authorities to be potentially dangerous. If you're still not sure then DO NOT pack that item in your hand luggage but instead place it securely in your main luggage which is going in the hold. DO NOT PACK any of the following items in your hand luggage:
Medical SyringesSyringes that are needed for diabetics and other medical reasons will only be allowed in hand luggage if you can prove the medical necessity. You should contact the airline in advance to find out what evidence they will require and this will save you a great deal of time.Items you can carry in your hand luggage:You are permitted to take on electronic equipment such as mobile phones, portable music players, MP3's & MP4's, Palm's, PDA's, laptops, nail clippers, non-metallic nail files, disposable safety razors and razor blade cartridges (not loose razor blades), umbrellas and syringes or needles for personal medical use with needle guard in place, when accompanied by the medication in its original labelled container and with the medical evidence to prove you need it.Definite items not to pack at allThere are some items which you are not permitted to pack in any case or bring to an airport.
Written on: 20th July 2007 |
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