Strangest question at Airport baggage drop

[Funkstar]

Airport security makes me so angry, because they are all such a bunch of morons.

This is one of the reasons I prefer to take the train to london rather than fly these days.

[Fraz]

This is one of the reasons I prefer to take the train to London rather than fly these days.

Probably quicker at certain distances... once you factor in check-in times and baggage reclaim, etc.

Honestly, I reckon the morons at the airport security desks are so concerned/distracted by the whole (ultimately futile + pointless) liquid/gels allowances crap, you could probably just walk right through security with a couple of sticks of dynamite stuck down your pants these days. Just be sure to leave a bottle of water in your hand luggage for them to find, so they can feel like they've busted you up good, then you'll be straight through no problems*.

Laughably the other week my boss had his laptop stolen whilst going through the airport scanners, which proves my point. The security staff are so busy upholding the ridiculous liquids policy, they don't even notice crims robbing all the nice laptops as they come off the conveyer. And even more surprisingly there was no CCTV camera pointing at this particular security desk, and the two coppers standing at the back didn't notice anything suspicious either.


*Note to MI5 - I just hate pointless airport security measures, I don't condone behaviour such as this.

[Will404]

Probably quicker at certain distances... once you factor in check-in times and baggage reclaim, etc.

Honestly, I reckon the morons at the airport security desks are so concerned/distracted by the whole (ultimately futile + pointless) liquid/gels allowances crap, you could probably just walk right through security with a couple of sticks of dynamite stuck down your pants these days. Just be sure to leave a bottle of water in your hand luggage for them to find, so they can feel like they've busted you up good, then you'll be straight through no problems*.

Laughably the other week my boss had his laptop stolen whilst going through the airport scanners, which proves my point. The security staff are so busy upholding the ridiculous liquids policy, they don't even notice crims robbing all the nice laptops as they come off the conveyer. And even more surprisingly there was no CCTV camera pointing at this particular security desk, and the two coppers standing at the back didn't notice anything suspicious either.


*Note to MI5 - I just hate pointless airport security measures, I don't condone behaviour such as this.

they are not all that tight, I have several times been let off for having a 500ml bottle of water on the outside pocket of my bag, and they just let you walk straight thru

[Funkstar]

Probably quicker at certain distances... once you factor in check-in times and baggage reclaim, etc.

Aberdeen to London. Not quicker, but better, and cheaper too. Although I do leave earlier on the train (6am vs 9am) I get in a hour later (2pm vs 1pm), but I've made more usae of the time. free internet access with power. I also get a half hour stop in Edinburgh to get a nice coffee and some breakfast

All in all, much more pleasant. Realising now that I only like flying when there is no practical alternative (overseas etc) or am doing ti for work where I am at least getting paid to be in an airport lounge

[Fraz]

they are not all that tight, I have several times been let off for having a 500ml bottle of water on the outside pocket of my bag, and they just let you walk straight thru

Guess it depends which airport you're at. *shrug*

Bristol airport personnel = stupid + anal-retentive.

[JPreston]

I was also asked this by Air NZ check-in staff (or maybe it was airport security staff at the scanners) at Heathrow I think. I presumed they didn't mean 'modified' in the hardware geek sense but rather in the sense of packing it with explosives. After all they do see some value in flat-out asking "Does your check-in luggage contain explosives" (or something) so I wasn't particularly surprised by this new honesty-based weapon in the anti-terrorist arsenal.

[Blitzen]

So i write this bored in departures, but it seriously seamed strange to me.

After sidestepping the queue for the economy check in (something about having no dangly bits on your baggage really pleases the check in staff) i was asked the strangest question.

Have you modified your laptop?

Of course, i took it appart once to see how it works, and changed something for the geek cudos. But seriously, is that a normal question?

I've never had it before when flying, but this is my first time with air new zealand so i guess it might be normal for them!

I have been asked this quite a few times.
At least twice in Frankfurt, last time i went through terminal 5, and nearly every time i go through O'Hare.

[Fraz]

After all they do see some value in flat-out asking "Does your check-in luggage contain explosives" (or something) so I wasn't particularly surprised by this new honesty-based weapon in the anti-terrorist arsenal.

Much like the green Visa Waiver card when you go into the US:

Do any of the following apply to you (tick yes or no):

1) Do you have a communicable disease, physical or mental disorder, or are you a drug abuser or addict?

2) Have you ever been or are you now involved in espionage, or sabotage, or in terrorist activities or genocide?

etc etc.

I particularly love how having an infectious disease or physical/mental disorder is bundled together with being a drug user.

[scottyman]

I've had the modified laptop question before - which means "if it looks weird on the xray machine do we simply blow it up, or do we take it apart?"
i.e. do you expect us to see anything weird or unusual

[Dareos]

You obviously look like a crim.

Today when I went through security at an airport, I put my laptop in one of the plastic crates for the x-ray machine, and then a single lip-balm on top of it that I'd forgotton to put in my hold luggage. The woman at the x-ray desk had a go at me because I hadn't put my "liquids/gels/pastes" in a little transparent plastic bag for her, and then made me go back after putting my single lip balm in a bag.

Jesus, I hate small-minded people like this, who have some tiny power and just love to make use of it to boss others around. Honestly, what is the point of a transparent bag for a single item. Airport security makes me so angry, because they are all such a bunch of morons. Especially the people that come up with these retarded rules in the first place.

Its ok mate, just think how sweet your revenge will be once you create all those miniature black holes that you can carry around and throw at airport personnel.

That is what you do, isn't it?

[Unique]

This is one of the reasons I prefer to take the train to london rather than fly these days.

i prefer the train for those reasons too. it takes time and hassle getting out of town to the airport, when the train station is in the centre of town and when i get on the train to london i'm sitting down for 4.5 hours, and i have wifi on the train, and watching porn online means you get the 4 seats and the table to yourself as no-one wants to sit next to you

usually when i go down i take a case full of cdr's with me to dj with. i take backups instead of the originals so i won't kill myself if i lose them, and i can put a bunch of different cd singles compiled onto one disc. i sometimes make edited versions etc. i also have music on my laptop to listen to on the way down. if i tried to get the plane and they were picky about that stuff, i could miss my flight and miss my gig

the other benefit of the train is i usually get an open ended ticket, so i get ready in the morning and get the first train when i feel like it, no rush to be at the airport an hour or so before a ridiculously early flight to get a cheap price, and if i change my mind and want to go down a day early or stay an extra day or two i can do without changing tickets

ironically it can be cheaper to fly down if you book in advance, but add travel to and from the airport at both ends, the time adds up and so does the cost

[Fraz]

That is what you do, isn't it?

What, murder people with black holes?

[sanju121]

here are increased security measures in place at all international airports, with strict rules on what you can and can't carry in your hand baggage. It is important to pack with this in mind to avoid unnecessary delays at airport security.

[JPreston]

Much like the green Visa Waiver card when you go into the US:

Do any of the following apply to you (tick yes or no):

1) Do you have a communicable disease, physical or mental disorder, or are you a drug abuser or addict?

2) Have you ever been or are you now involved in espionage, or sabotage, or in terrorist activities or genocide?

etc etc.

I particularly love how having an infectious disease or physical/mental disorder is bundled together with being a drug user.

Oh yeah, I did commit a bit of genocide once, better tick the box then I suppose...

[ahoyhoyhoy]

Perhaps they thought you were going to take over the aircraft in a bit of Microsoft Flight Sim franzy and crash.

Never been asked that ever. But, I've not taken a laptop on holiday either ...

erm... Why would they ask you whether you have modified your laptop if you don't have a laptop with you? What is this... a geek date?

[peterb]

here are increased security measures in place at all international airports, with strict rules on what you can and can't carry in your hand baggage. It is important to pack with this in mind to avoid unnecessary delays at airport security.

Well, there is a statement of the blindingly obvious - in a resurrected thread!

Not trying to smuggle exploding spam cans under a product from your home page are we? Oh, we are!

Ah well, guess you get the airport liquids treatment then!