Basics
Flying is basically a very safe form of travel. Due to the specific circumstances, however, the rare plane crashes almost always end catastrophically. Lots of human lives are at stake. Aviation security is the issue to avoid such disasters. Shedding light on this issue is very complicated because legislation is always in motion. It is not only about EU legislation, but also about the legislation of other countries. One speaks of the state implementations that are supposed to guarantee aviation security.
division
There are two components in aviation security. It's hard to translate it into German. Therefore, here is the English version, which should make everything clearer:
- Security
- Safety
Both words would be translated in German as “security”, but they mean something different. The transitions are fluid, however.
Security
Security is all about preventing attacks on aircraft. The term is based on the threat of terrorism on airplanes and was already a topic before the 9/11/2001 attacks in America, which was there before. The attacks only caused the EU to adopt security legislation in Europe.
In the EU, security is in the hands of the states in which the airport is located.
Safety
The term safety encompasses everything that can threaten an aircraft if it is carrying substances that can be dangerous for the flight. Here are the international organizations IATA and ICAO crucial. The list of prohibited items and substances is constantly updated and is always on the move. The airports and airlines are responsible for compliance with these regulations in the EU. The behavior of flight crew and passengers also contributes to safety, e.g. B. Buckle up, know the nearest emergency exit, etc.
procedure
General
This article only refers to the controls in the EU and in the countries that also apply the EU directives (e.g. Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Etc.).
Luggage
First you have to check in your luggage. Then the luggage is x-rayed. At some airports you notice this (example is the Thessaloniki Airport
(IATA: SKG)). After checking in, you have to go to the control with your suitcase. Only then is it loaded. It works differently at larger airports, for example in airport Frankfurt
(IATA: FRA). The luggage is checked in and later screened without being seen.
There is a difference. If there is something in your suitcase that is not allowed in there, you have the advantage in Thessaloniki that you can take it out immediately. In Frankfurt it is removed by the airport staff without anyone noticing. You will then find a slip of paper in your suitcase from which everything can be seen.
Boarding pass control
After checking in you have to go to the boarding pass control. Here it is checked whether you have authorization to go to the waiting room. At some airports and airlines you also have to have your passport or ID ready with your boarding pass.
Aviation security control
The aviation security check is divided into two areas. The hand luggage control and the identity check. The hand luggage is screened using X-ray technology. If something suspicious is discovered during screening, the baggage is searched manually. The identity check is first carried out by going through the archway probe. A magnetic field searches for metal on the person's body. Before doing this, you should put any metal objects that you wear on your body (watches, jewelry, keys, wallet, phone, belt) in a plastic tub that is then also pushed through the X-ray machine. In addition, you are usually asked to take off your jacket and any headgear (except religious ones). If the archway probe indicates an alarm, the person who passed through is searched by hand. This is done by gender segregated staff. In the EU, both hand luggage and people who have not given an alarm are randomly searched in order to prevent weapons that are not made of metal from entering the aircraft.
Last gate check
Some airlines do a last gate check when boarding. When boarding, you have to show your passport or ID again in addition to your boarding pass.
Liquid regulation
The so-called (and controversial) Liquid Ordinance came into being after the foiled attacks on airplanes in Great Britain due to pressure from the government in London. The attacks should use explosives that can be composed of different liquids. The Liquids Ordinance issued in 2006 only applies to hand baggage, not checked baggage. The Liquid Ordinance only applies within the EU and at airports that are based on EU regulations.
With modern control technology for the detection of liquid explosives, the regulations for taking liquids in hand luggage within the EU were somewhat relaxed as of January 31, 2014:
- Medicines and special food (baby food) as well as liquids from duty-free purchases (alcohol) whose quantity exceeds 100 milliliters can again be taken as hand luggage from February 2014, but they must be checked for explosives using the new technology. These items must be kept in a special sealed security bag with a red border together with the receipt for purchased duty-free goods until the destination airport.
- For smaller quantities of liquids, a container that cannot hold more than 100 ml is still permitted and without further requirements. For the liquids, only the size of the container is of interest, not its content. A bottle that can hold 500 ml but only contains 100 ml of liquid is not permitted.
- If you have several containers that are not larger than 100 ml, then you have to put them in a resealable plastic bag and give them separately for X-raying. This bag must not contain more than a maximum of 1 liter.
- Liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 100 milliliters and which are not duty-free goods, special food or medicine must also be checked in with normal luggage after February 2014.
Body scanner
The body scanners (popularly known as the naked scanner) are currently being tested for practical use (e.g. on Hamburg Airport(IATA: HAM)). At the moment they still have a very high error rate, which is almost 100 percent. Their use is currently still voluntary. Since many people shy away from using these devices, the queues there are usually shorter and you usually don't have to put anything down.
