Changes to security departing BKK

[grs90 49]

I returned from my latest trip on a flight out of BKK at 1.00am Monday morning, 7th September. On departure from BKK the arrangements were as normal with the hand baggage being scanned immediately prior to entering the bit where there are dozen or so departure gates.

 

When I was at the airport I was chatting to one of the ladies in the TG lounge and she told me things were due to change later that morning. The scanners at each of the departure gate areas were being removed and replaced with ones immediately after the immigration check. Assume this would be on the slope down to the terminal shopping area. Same sort of arrangement as at Heathrow and Gatwick. Overall there will be less scanning machines in operation.

 

In addition, departure and arrivals were going to be totally segregated. No access from one area to the other simply by going up and down between the levels like we can do now. Arriving transit passengers were set to have their own security scan on the arrivals level. Check in at the transfer desk, then through security and on up to departures. No further security check prior to boarding.

 

The lounge attendant telling me this seemed to think the changes would cause chaos. So has anyone departed or transited BKK since Monday 6th? Were any changes implemented and if they were what was the impact?

[joekicker 53]

Yes there is a change to security procedures. It was announced a couple of days ago. I'm sure it will be chaos for a short while, changes usually are. But it makes some sense and it'll work out, probably. Supposedly it will save some money and allow for better use of a rather skimpy security staff. We'll see about that part.

 

.

[GlynRhedyn 32]

So there's now no liquids after immigration. Damn, no more whiskey and coke then in my own bottle, have to pay Swampy prices.

GR.

[RWB 0]

I departed, very sadly, 8 Sept. Scanning was immediately after immigration exit area. There wasn't a big crowd and it went pretty quick. No scan before entering the gate area as before. A big crowd would cause a big delay, but, and I'm sure someone will be more than glad to correct me if wrong, I believe there is more than one immigration exit area.

 

10 weeks and I'm not counting, absolutely not counting, not counting, counting, counting

[jacko 8,813]

So there's now no liquids after immigration. Damn, no more whiskey and coke then in my own bottle, have to pay Swampy prices.

GR.

 

Ahhhha.... the real reason for the change!

[Gus 97]

It seems like a good idea to me, in line with most international airports.

At least you will be able to have a drink of water or whatever whilst waiting to board the aircraft, even take it on board with you while you are waiting to be sprayed by insect repellent.

[jacko 8,813]

For Fast Track, the security check is just prior to immigration.

A little awkward to get to the desk and find the passport while trying to put your belt back on.

Yes it does seem a good idea to avoid doing a security check on the duty free sales!

[laffnliv 78]

Did the new security check procedure last Wednesday, Sept. 16. No trouble at all, but...it was about 3 AM. Not many flights going out at the time. Had no one in front of me at the immigration station. The security check was quite thorough. How thorough it might be during a busy time is another question. The security check area will definitely have to be enlarged significantly if a thorough job is to be done when there are crowds.

 

Little Roy

[shyface 19]

Did the new security check procedure last Wednesday, Sept. 16. No trouble at all, but...it was about 3 AM. Not many flights going out at the time. Had no one in front of me at the immigration station. The security check was quite thorough. How thorough it might be during a busy time is another question. The security check area will definitely have to be enlarged significantly if a thorough job is to be done when there are crowds.

 

Little Roy

went through the normal channels and when you go down for a smoke from level 4 to level 2 after passing through all the check points after you reach level 2 and have your smoke to come back up to get your flight on level 4 you have to go through check points on level 2 before they let you take the escalator back up to get your flight

[ttk 236]

I left on 4 Oct early (3 AM) and there was no line at the airport security desks. Amsterdam used to also do security checks after immigration but the huge lines and backups made them change to the gates. Anyone been there during a crowded time? I can see huge backups during peek times.

Also, the airline checks at the gate are still there. They still do the hand pat downs and bag checks before you go down to the gate.

[Emil 0]

I fly on United Airlines and they have been doing a thorough check of ones hand carry and also doing a hand wan over your body before you enter the waiting area of the gate. They have been doing this for a couple of years.

[Eneukman 1]

I fly on United Airlines and they have been doing a thorough check of ones hand carry and also doing a hand wan over your body before you enter the waiting area of the gate. They have been doing this for a couple of years.

 

This must be an American thing as when I flew to Macau in the middle of last month I just had the standard security check immediately after Immigration.

 

Alan

[LeoTex 29]

I left BKK early on September 30th to reurn back home to the US. When at the ticket counter the airport security people were handing out the info page and one of the items was, 'don't buy liquid items' at duty free as you sill can't take them on the plane. I thought this was a holdover from before the new checkpoint was put in place.

 

After going through immigrations, you now have the security check before going out to where the duty free and shops are located. When going to the gate (Northwest) they stil have the security check in place. They have you take your shoes off, wan you and hand check your carry-on's. So now we have 2 check points.

 

One guy on the flight had made a few duty free purchases and pitched a big fit at the gate check as they told him that he couldn't bring the stuff on the plane. They showed him the letter they gave out at the ticket counter and he still wouldn't accept what they told him. They gave him the choice to dispose of the items or try and take them back and get a refund.

 

On the plane he was still at it, saying he was going to sue the airlines and going on and on. He said that letter was only ment for items going through the first check point after immagrations. Since he was sitting across the aisle from me, I told him that is wasn't any of my business, but I got the same letter and it said you wouldn't be able to board the plane with liquids. I also asked him if he was making a connection in Tokyo and he said yes. I then told him that he also wouldn't be able to take liquids past the security check there either. I also told him that Northwest had nothing to do with the checks, it was the AOT (airport) security that was doing the checking not the airlines and they were just following the rules.

 

LeoTex

[joekicker 53]

After going through immigrations, you now have the security check before going out to where the duty free and shops are located. When going to the gate (Northwest) they stil have the security check in place. They have you take your shoes off, wan you and hand check your carry-on's. So now we have 2 check points.

 

The second security check at the gate, if there is one, is totally under the airline's control. Several of the big airlines do this. It's actually a vote of no-confidence in the AoT and Suvarnabhumi, which in my opinion is deserved. There are not many airports where you see this, but Bangkok has always had a horrible security reputation. Probably the biggest problem is that there are several agencies "in charge" at the airport, and they all give their own access passes and they all don't tell anyone else what they're doing.

 

There have been shocking and fatal security breaches at BKK, including a bomb put on an airplane (blew it up) by airport police, and a hijacking made possible by weapons-stashing in the plane by the cleaning staff.

 

.

[Emil 0]

I'm actually glad that United has the 2nd check at the gate area, the more checks the better I feel. The last time that I flew thru Singapore's airport they had the security check at each gate. This practice allows those that accompany you to the airport the ability to stay with you until you enter the gate area.

[jacko 8,813]

I'm actually glad that United has the 2nd check at the gate area, the more checks the better I feel. The last time that I flew thru Singapore's airport they had the security check at each gate. This practice allows those that accompany you to the airport the ability to stay with you until you enter the gate area.

Yes, that is just what security needs, extra non-passengers going through the exhaustive checks.

Why not let them on the plane then they can kiss their friends goodbye in the seats!

[Emil 0]

Yes, that is just what security needs, extra non-passengers going through the exhaustive checks.

Why not let them on the plane then they can kiss their friends goodbye in the seats!

 

Where did I mention that these non paxs went thru any security checks? The checks happen at each individual gate area prior to entering the secured gate area.

[jacko 8,813]

Where did I mention that these non paxs went thru any security checks? The checks happen at each individual gate area prior to entering the secured gate area.

The last time that I flew thru Singapore's airport they had the security check at each gate. This practice allows those that accompany you to the airport the ability to stay with you until you enter the gate area.

Without a boarding card and passport at Singapore I doubt you can get to the gate.... or perhaps you were on a domestic flight there....

Get real, allowing passengers to the gates is crazy. Those are secondary security checks made by the airline, non passengers should not be going through the primary airport security, letting your aunty and uncle come to the gate is just stretching the security and also putting it at risk. You should see the number of 'friends' seeing off a passenger or two when PIA leave Manchester, UK.

Edited October 12, 2009 by jacko

[Emil 0]

Without a boarding card and passport at Singapore I doubt you can get to the gate.... or perhaps you were on a domestic flight there....

Get real, allowing passengers to the gates is crazy. Those are secondary security checks made by the airline, non passengers should not be going through the primary airport security, letting your aunty and uncle come to the gate is just stretching the security and also putting it at risk. You should see the number of 'friends' seeing off a passenger or two when PIA leave Manchester, UK.

 

 

Domestic ??? I don't think they have another airport unless its a military one. Again I didn't pass through any security except at my gate. At each gate is where you put your carryons on a tray to be screened and you walk thru a screening device and show your boarding pass. So when you stand in line for security, the only people in front of you are those that are on the same flight as you. There is no greater risk at Singapore than any other airport unless your concerned about a bomb going off at a restaurant but that could happen at other airports, just not those that are past the security check.

[2 slices short 10]

We went out on Oct 8th and there is one scanning area after passport control and only a quick manual hand luggage check before entering the gate area. There was no second scanning area. (Flight was to Oz with Thai)

 

Contrary to what the "know it alls" say I observed no additional delay and the system is FAR better than the old schmozzle that nearly caused me to miss a flight on one occasion due to over zealous security.

 

All in all, a good change.

 

Cheers 2SS

[Stinky 12]

Just went though this yesterday afternoon. Deffo a vast improvement over the long lines at the gates.

[joekicker 53]

We went out on Oct 8th and there is one scanning area after passport control and only a quick manual hand luggage check before entering the gate area. There was no second scanning area. (Flight was to Oz with Thai)

 

THAI definitely *has* to trust the security staff - it would be a devastating blow if the national airline didn't trust the national security operation. That said, for all its Thailand flights, THAI has not often been targetted.

 

.

[jacko 8,813]

Domestic ??? I don't think they have another airport unless its a military one. Again I didn't pass through any security except at my gate. At each gate is where you put your carryons on a tray to be screened and you walk thru a screening device and show your boarding pass. So when you stand in line for security, the only people in front of you are those that are on the same flight as you. There is no greater risk at Singapore than any other airport unless your concerned about a bomb going off at a restaurant but that could happen at other airports, just not those that are past the security check.

Dear me Emil... things do fly over your head somewhat!

So they didn't check your passport and boarding card before the gate then and allowed you into the international area?

Is this the Budget carrier terminal?

[Emil 0]

Dear me Emil... things do fly over your head somewhat!

So they didn't check your passport and boarding card before the gate then and allowed you into the international area?

Is this the Budget carrier terminal?

 

You need a refresher on geography. The country of Singapore is so small that they don't have a domestic area of the airport as it would be quicker to drive to the other side of the country. What difference does it matter where you place the security checks at the airport? Closer to the aircraft provides the best security as you don't have to do checks on the various retailers, restaurants and their suppliers. Now this method does require the purchase of more x-ray machines as they are needed at each gate area, but thats a different issuse.

[jacko 8,813]

You need a refresher on geography. The country of Singapore is so small that they don't have a domestic area of the airport as it would be quicker to drive to the other side of the country. What difference does it matter where you place the security checks at the airport? Closer to the aircraft provides the best security as you don't have to do checks on the various retailers, restaurants and their suppliers. Now this method does require the purchase of more x-ray machines as they are needed at each gate area, but thats a different issuse.

Really...I must be confusing Singapore with Siberia! (PS It might be faster to use the railway network than drive)

Let me try the other question....

What is more efficient, a single central security for all the airport or 25+ little independent ones at each gate.....?

Toughie this one...........

 

 

Are you winding me up?

Edited October 15, 2009 by jacko