Travel stress, aggressive airport security staff.

All liquids that are in the cabin must not exceed 100ml and be in a see through sealed bag.
I put everything like that in the largest handbag I can get away with. Everything electrical and liquid comes out and into a tray.
I have learnt through experience never to put binoculars in hand luggage. The e ray machine doesn’t like them!

Oslo airport security was wonderful. Calm and polite staff!

toscalily

This is timely, I used to be a frequent flyer but it is now five years and later this week I'm flying out of Manchester with Ryan Air. Reading all this is making me more anxious by the minute, even more than I was before. This morning I went to Boots and got some Rescue Remedy ( I know probably won't help, but maybe the placebo effect will kick in). Carry on, Priority Cabin baggage only, can someone please tell me if the toiletries you put in your suitcase/bag can be in a normal toilet/cosmetic bag or do they also have to be in a see through plastic bag like the liquids/medicines you have in your handbag and would I be asked to remove them from the suitcase and put them also in the trays?

All liquids have to be in a see through plastic bag, which must be done up.

This is timely, I used to be a frequent flyer but it is now five years and later this week I'm flying out of Manchester with Ryan Air. Reading all this is making me more anxious by the minute, even more than I was before. This morning I went to Boots and got some Rescue Remedy ( I know probably won't help, but maybe the placebo effect will kick in). Carry on, Priority Cabin baggage only, can someone please tell me if the toiletries you put in your suitcase/bag can be in a normal toilet/cosmetic bag or do they also have to be in a see through plastic bag like the liquids/medicines you have in your handbag and would I be asked to remove them from the suitcase and put them also in the trays?

grandson aged 6 was forced to go into the x-ray type booth on his own. Visibly distressed. The security chap was very rude indeed to the child's father and the child. Complaint was made to Gatwick - they viewed the cctv footage and agreed it was appallingly mishandled. Various goody vouchers offered and a fulsome apology. But ... it did not alter the fact that their holiday got off to a very bad start.

The woman checking people through the X-ray machine in Cyprus last week was actually screaming at people and despite me standing right in front of her she screamed at me too. I told her not to be so rude.

What is it with airports? Trains, buses, ships are so much nicer. Some airport staff seem to think they are gods or something. Having said that, there are some lovely ones,too. The worst we have come across in this country are what are commonly known as the Darwin Nazis. Yes, I know, it sounds horrible but when I had experienced their attitude I knew exactly what they meant.

I was very fortunate to travel by plane 3 times in the summer each time with hold luggage. We used Heathrow in July, Gatwick in mid August and Stansted in early September. I have great sympathy for those posters who have undergone such stressful experiences but would like to inject a positive aspect. All of the 3 airports gave us a very easy time. Short queues and helpful staff. On each trip we had checked in and got through security in less than 15 minutes. The return journeys were also very smooth.

We booked for assistance when my daughter, mum and I, plus a toddler went on a flight.

They obviously had messed up that part totally.

It ended up with lots of badly disabled people hauling eachother up into a carrier thing, then they had to climb out of it and help eachother walk to the plane!

All except my mum, who they wheeled onto the plane secured to what looked like a sack barrow".
My daughter said nan looked like Hannibal Lecter!

I haven't been through Stansted in a while but recently flew from Luton. Security was very busy but staff kept it all moving. I set the alarms off and was 'patted down' but it was done with professionalism and respect.
I was amazed to see one lady try to take bottles of coca-cola through with her!
Coming back from Amsterdam our hand luggage went straight through the scanners - no need to take anything out, not even the liquids bag. We were astonished.

We had such a bad experience in Stanstead when it was like a stamped to get through the gate and I was knocked over by a group of Spanish school girls, we vowed never to go abroad again by plane and we have kept to this.

My 2 replacement knees always trigger security, and I always get frisked. No point in complaining!

First time I went through with those metal knees, at Madrid, I told the security woman I had replacement knees and handed our the two cards with the code and date on, with surgeob signature and hospital stamp. I tried to joke, and she stared back and said 'it is perfectly possible to have prostheses and be a terrorist' Ah well, had a fab holiday. No point getting ariated.

I arrived at East Midlands Airport yesterday and everything went very smoothly. No problems to report thank goodness .

Scary absent! ?

My late husband invariably set off the alarm at the metal detectors in airports. We had no idea why as he removed all metallic objects, such as coins and watch, and put them in the tray and, unlike me, does not have any metal inside his body. At LAX, some years ago, he ended up stripped to his underpants with guns pointed at him. Now that is aggressive.

My daughter and I were open mouthed at the security staff at JFK - shouting, gesturing and almost knocking off one man's hat. At least it distracted me from my cracked tooth!

It can be a stressful environment but I hate motorways so much I actually find airports fun! And that’s Manchester International with 3 terminals.
?

I always travel with just hand luggage but one time I was caught out. Turned out I had a bluddy Burts Bees lip balm in a zipped pocket.
?

Some years ago (2014?) we flew out from Gatwick and my resurfaced hip set off the alarms. The staff were abrupt in their speech and I felt uncomfortable with the way the more careful scrutiny was undertaken. Because I complained, I was referred to a supervisor who was not interested.

As we queued beforehand, I noticed a poster proclaiming that no passenger waited more than five minutes in security. Such a speedy record came at the cost of courtesy!

Talking of liquids in bags, my NZ cousin embarrassed me at City Airport 3 years ago, when we flew to France, because they detected a liquid in her bag. She does a lot of tramping back home for days on end and in NZ you sleep in little shacks. Anyway, deep in her bag was a tiny bottle of poo neutralising odour to be used in the bush! The guy at LCY was most interested. ?
The funny thing was she had flown from the other side of the world a fortnight earlier and it hadn't been detected at Auckland on departure. ?

Agree biglouis- and yet- we get really cross with big queues, so it takes everyone of us to do our best to minimise them by preparing, reading instructions given, look at the clear illustrations and signs given, and get ready. A few minutes multiplied by 100s add to time wasted, irritation and stress for all.

I bet you didn't have acetone in your handbag either! Just because we are a bit older than most, does not exempt us from making every effort to ease queues and lessen frustration... and danger.

I last flew not long before the pandemic. Everything had changed re security since my last flight. However I booked assistance and was in a wheelchair and I think the staff may have to be more careful how they treat you. It was very busy and the staff were generally helpful. I was especially grateful when I got to Frankfurt which is a huge and busy airport and could never have managed alone. The flight was met by a lovely and cheerful young man who whisked me off in a buggy and then picked up other passengers on the way. It was all very efficiently orgaized like a military operation via Swissair. All the mechanical bits re machines were done by the staff - I just had to hand them my passport.

If anyone had yelled at me in the manner you described I certainly would have threatened them with a formal complaint and photographed them on my phone. There are times when I love a "good scrap" and I dont hesitate to lash back hard.

I know its a difficult job. The security staff at Frankfurt were probably equally busy but they were calm and professional.

Forgot, also large picture of what is expected re placing laptops, cameras, binoculars, watches, belts in a box, and taking jacket off and handbag/rucksack and place in second box. My Croatian is limited to good-day, please, thank you, and take it easy - but the illustrations were cristal clear, and it was also clear you were expected to take boxes away to back of room to get organised afterwards, to clear space.

Each and single delay adds up and makes the queue much longer for all. But yes, courtesy should be shown to anyone with mobility issue of very advanced age.

Also when you get home I would either email the airport customer service or one of the travel writers in the news papers. and tell them stating the time and day, they must have security cameras there. Ask them to raise the matter during one of the training sessions. Say you feel bullied and upset by the behaviour.

MerylStreep

If people are first time flyers they might not be au fey with liquids.
If you don’t speak English it doesn’t matter how many times security say something, it’s not going to be understood

Most of us are not first time travellers. Language is an issue, which is why all airlines and travel companies send clear instructions in advance, and why there are large signs with large illustrations of what is NOT allowed.

TBH - who anyone can NOT know that highly flammable liquids like acetone should not be carried on board (or in the case for that matter)- then what can I say which is not rude!

Why do we put up with it ! there is no need for anyone to be screamed / shouted at . I think I would have to say, "I am sorry but please allow me some time I am not as fast as you would like me to be", they are should not be Nazi guards.