Security alignment

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Frederic07
Posts: 1
Joined: 28 Aug 2018, 14:21

Security alignment

Post by Frederic07 »

Having flown many miles across Europe as well as intercontinental, I can't help but thinking about certain aspects of aviation security.
Surely we all want to get to our destinate swift, safe and fast, but what strikes me is the lack of uniformity when travelling.

There probably isn't a correct answer, but what strikes me is:
-some airports for instance require you to take your shoes of, whereas others don't. Although the screening equipment appears the same, it's odd to see such differences.
-flying from AMS or BRU to the US. If you fly KLM or Brussels Airlines you pass through the regular security checks, board the plane and off you go. But if you fly Delta, there's always special procedures, additional checks etc. Do they not trust the local screening? Why would a Delta plane to JFK have a higher risk than any other? It's just so inconsitent, makes you wonder what's behind all of this. :roll:

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KriVa
Posts: 1417
Joined: 31 Mar 2010, 20:15

Re: Security alignment

Post by KriVa »

I would imagine most differences are due to local legislation/procedures, and not the airlines themselves. For example, since Delta operates on a US Air Operator Certificate, they will need to abide by FAA rules, which might include the need for extra screening. Rules other operators needn’t necessarily abide by.
The same thing is probably true for your first remark, local procedures dictate a lot of what has to be screened.
I would imagine, as with a lot of things in aviation, that companies, in the broad sense of the word, also have the option to be more strict than what legislation dictates: they can impose extra checks etc. if they choose to do so, but they’re not allowed to drop mandatory items.
Thomas

convair
Posts: 1945
Joined: 18 Nov 2011, 00:02

Re: Security alignment

Post by convair »

Just a small example: cigarette lighter.

In Belgium, forbidden to carry.

In Canada, allowed to carry if non-rechargeable.

In some countries, forbidden to carry and forbidden in checked luggage!

PS. Matches: allowed if you can smuggle them ;)

evyncke
Posts: 74
Joined: 27 Mar 2016, 19:28

Re: Security alignment

Post by evyncke »

Or even in some Middle-Eastern countries: go through X-ray when arriving... probably to detect weapons from European terrorists ;-)

AlexC
Posts: 26
Joined: 23 Oct 2018, 09:18

Re: Security alignment

Post by AlexC »

Hi Frederic07,

This is indeed a hard topic and creating much confusion pretty much to everyone.

Back in the day, most of the Airlines joined the so called ICAO ( International Civil Aviation Organization) in order to facilitate and establish Practices and Regulations to be shared by all member states. ICAO was actually created and divided in several chapters, such as Aircraft maintenance, Licencing and also Airport Security.
One of the things I still recall from my ATPL studies back in 2008-9 was that ICAO Advises practices!!! They cannot impose it over regional regulations and national law. For this reason, we have/ had FAA ( Federal Aviation Administration) and JAA ( Joint Aviation Authorities), now known as EASA ( operating mainly over Europe)

EASA works hand in hand with all National Civil Aviation authorities and try to comply with all EASA Regs. National Authorities however, can vary accordingly to each Country regulations.

Take Netherlands for instance and USA Carriers operating there. Normally you need authorization from the FAA and need to comply with their security rules, but the Netherlands government also imposes if those rules can be applied in their own airports so you can see where this is going. Politics at its best!

For instance, in Germany and If you are an European Airline and flying to the USA, you need to comply with FAA security regulations and these have to be applied to their STAFF here in Germany. Staff needs to be trained and briefed about their security protocols. Airlines like Lufthansa /Euro wings have their own Corporate security departments in Germany in order to stay compliant otherwise they would not be able to fly in the USA.

Now Airports 
Airports are indeed different and based on National security rules. These are normally regulated by their Own Civil aviation authority, but they all work towards the same goal. Some make you take their shoes off before you get into their Rapiscan X Rays, others don’t care and let you in their 3D or body Scanners.
Don’t forget security prevention is just that, it never works 100% but it prevents bad things from happening.

It would be impossible to implement the same exact kind of policies all over member states as well as we are all still fighting hard to get the EU at the same economic level.
We all try our best, but it takes years to reach conformity… The same applies to Aviation and security.

Hope this helps

BR
ALEX
Alex
Aviation Enthusiast
ATPL A
General Aviation Dispatcher / Operations / Ramp Coordination
American Security specialist and Trainer

AlexC
Posts: 26
Joined: 23 Oct 2018, 09:18

Re: Security alignment

Post by AlexC »

evyncke wrote: 02 Sep 2018, 23:14 Or even in some Middle-Eastern countries: go through X-ray when arriving... probably to detect weapons from European terrorists ;-)
this could be somehow considered like an overstatement ;) ... Terrorists don't come from a specific airport nor continent. Unfortunately for all of us, they are everywhere!
Dont forget where most of the Terrorists from 9/11 Planned their Attacks. They were in the Heart of Europe planing one of worst days in the history of Aviation.
Alex
Aviation Enthusiast
ATPL A
General Aviation Dispatcher / Operations / Ramp Coordination
American Security specialist and Trainer

b720
Posts: 891
Joined: 04 May 2006, 00:00

Re: Security alignment

Post by b720 »

evyncke wrote: 02 Sep 2018, 23:14 Or even in some Middle-Eastern countries: go through X-ray when arriving... probably to detect weapons from European terrorists ;-)
Customs. Mostly looking for drugs or un prescribed meds
Illegal items or goods that need to be declared and taxed.
Most European airports use them as well but randomly or when checking some people arriving from certain destinations.

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sn26567
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Joined: 13 Feb 2003, 00:00
Location: Rosières/Rozieren, Belgium
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Re: Security alignment

Post by sn26567 »

evyncke wrote: 02 Sep 2018, 23:14 Or even in some Middle-Eastern countries: go through X-ray when arriving... probably to detect weapons from European terrorists ;-)
I entered into Iran at Shiraz yesterday. Baggage scan to detect a terrible weapon: alcohol!
André
ex Sabena #26567

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