Ash UK/US

Just wondering how bad the security is now? We are flying in a few weeks to the UK via Amsterdam, are the line/search times really long now?

Ash UK/US

oops, wont let me edit the title, was supposed to be 'couple'.

SuperRams

I recently flew back home via Amsterdam both going home and coming back. Both times they inspected your carry on bags and and went through security scanners prior to boarding. THis was in addition to the security you normaly o throuh when you first get to the airport.

I would recommend that you get to the departure gate a little earlier than normal, especially coming back as the lines just to board the plan were quite long.

Hope that helps.

Gingerert

We flew to the UK before Christmas with the baby, which meant that while we did get pushed to the front of the security lines, we also had every single little item we were carrying inspected and tested (his formula, medications, etc.) It really wasn't too bad though, and they got done fairly quickly.

Coming back from the UK however, after the Underwear Bomber's shenanigans, was such a palaver. Double, triple security checks, bags inspected, pat-downs, liquids being tested... all sorts. Completely ridiculous and time-consuming, but then no-one on my plane was planning to blow it up.

Jerseygirl

We had rellies who flew back to the UK at the weekend. For international flights passengers were asked to arrive at the airport 3/4 hours before the flight. As for passing through security...nothing much seems to have changed and the lines were only a little longer than normal.

AdobePinon

And the one thing they don't specifically check for is........ explosives in the underwear! Ding, ding, ding!

My flight out of Heathrow missed its date with the deicer, since a bunch of people were still getting pat downs. Sat on the tarmac for 1.5 hours waiting for the deicer to come back.

Giantaxe

I didn't notice any increased security except when leaving the UK to return to the US. Then, there were secondary bag inspections at the gate and pat downs of passengers. What made me laugh is that when the queue got long because of these procedures, they let people through, including myself, with no secondary check or pat down. So I guess the moral of the story is that if you have plastic explosives in your underpants, join the line at the gate when it's got long.

Deedee13

there are checks now at the gate, so even if u have gone thru the security and plan to go on a shopping spree in the airport, forget it!! The gate lines are so long it takes ages, take patience and a good book.

chartreuse

Do they have any more daft baggage restrictions, or are you still allowed a rollaboard and a lappy?

Deedee13

1 plus 1 - but they are going thru everything. The moral is take a little as possible.

Englishtart

Sis said that on her way back home to the UK, they were asking more people to check in their carry on (smaller) luggage, they are not allowing everyone to stow the smaller cases in the overheads as much as they used too?

chartreuse

I just checked on the AA site.

Seems it's one item only, unless you're flying up front or have status in their frequent flier programme. So that's OK (for me, anyway).

dave2702

I've never quite understood why at Schippol everyone stands in a huge queue to get through secondary screening. My suitcase is on the plane (hopefully), I'm checked in and have got my seat so I don't quite understand why a huge queue forms to go through security. Better to go and have a coffee and then wander on once the queue is almost all gone

Maybe that's why there are so many tanoy announcements that they're still looking for people to join their flight otherwise they'll proceed to unload their baggage

beeps29

I flew back from Heathrow to Houston on 3rd Jan, arrive at heathrow got through initial security pretty quickly, but then they were body searching everybody at the gate before they got on, the flight left 90 minutes late, they formed a line of men and a line of women.

BA flight by the way

Richard

SuperRams

Funny you should say that, as i said the same thing. I have never been in an airport where there were so many announcements regarding people delaying their plans. I thought it was just done to the liberal laws over there