airport security

Security at airports is forever changing. It always seems to become stricter, never more lenient. Here are some security aspects you should expect when going through an airport.

Liquids, gels and aerosols

All liquids, gels and aerosols must be in containers of 100ml or less. Then these items must be packed into a clear, resealable bag. Each bag needs to be 20cm by 20cm and contain no more than one litre of liquid (these bags provided at the airport).

Liquids, gels and aerosols in containers larger than 100ml will not be allowed. Unfortunately, this includes duty-free goods that are not sealed in special packaging when purchased. So ensure any duty free goods are specially sealed.

If you have prescription medicine, make sure your name is on the packaging. You may also want to have a doctor's letter detailing that you are required to take the medicine.

Frisking

This is something that is expected from all travellers. Heathrow and the large American airports (Los Angeles, New York etc) seem to regularly frisk visitors. Other airports tend to occassionaly do the "pat downs." It seems totally random whether you will be subjected to frisking.

Fingerprinting and photographing

Large US airports require passengers to be fingerprinted. Heathrow is trialling it.

Removing your shoes

Some airport staff will randomly ask travellers' to take off their shoes as part of their airport security program. I don't know exactly why they do it, but it’s quite annoying.

Technological advancements

All kinds of new systems are in place for airport security. Heathrow has Iris Recognition Immigration System (IRIS) that takes photos of travellers' eyes and compares them against a database. Dubai has facial scanners where computers match faces to those in databases. Airports are also testing 3D screening where radio waves scan travellers' bodies. This identifies concealed objects.

These advancements are all designed to speed up the airport security process. Even though it may be an invasion of privacy, hopefully it will cut down on the waiting time required at an airport.

Read about:

• departing the airport
• airport - transit
• arriving at airports

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