Can I take sandwiches onto aeroplane?

Murphy_The_Cat

liviboy wrote: »

Just a note as well, if you come through security (certainly at Edinburgh, not sure about other airports) and you have a bag 'full' of liquids that are oversize, we will always recommend you go downstairs and check the bag in. Let's say it will cost £40 to check the bag in, and you have nearly £60 worth of alcohol/sun lotions/sprays/etc, you are saving £20 by checking it in rather than re-buying all your stuff.

I've previously wondered about that. On my last flight passenger had a 64oz bottle of maple syrup (& other stuff) taken from her and I was trying to work out why a) she hadn't checked it in, in the first place & b) how much it was going to cost her to check it in now !

Murphy_The_Cat

Pollycat wrote: »

I wouldn't class myself as a frequent flyer but we do go through (mostly) Gatwick airport 5 or 6 times a year and although I've seen lots of stuff being binned (which to me indicates that not everybody is aware of the rules even 'after all this time' - I do not believe that they are all trying it on), I've never seen anyone be abusive.

I'd call you a frequent flyer :beer::D.

liviboy

Pollycat wrote: »

I do appreciate that, liviboy.

My point was to Nobjocki who seemed to think that everyone should be aware of the liquid rule 'after all this time'.

I appreciate at check-in you are asked if you have any liquids in your hand luggage (and that's the time to open your hold luggage and stuff your suncream etc in) but even so, maybe somebody who's flying for the first time and is possibly nervous may not fully grasp the concept of liquids and arrive at Security complete with 200ml bottles of suncream, perfume etc.
Yes, the rule may not be 'new' but it is to someone flying for the first time.

However, there is no excuse for getting angry or abusive when staff are (I would hope politely) just doing their job.

I wouldn't class myself as a frequent flyer but we do go through (mostly) Gatwick airport 5 or 6 times a year and although I've seen lots of stuff being binned (which to me indicates that not everybody is aware of the rules even 'after all this time' - I do not believe that they are all trying it on), I've never seen anyone be abusive.

Pollycat - thankfully abusive passengers are very very rare. Most people either get a bit 'upset' or annoyed but it's usually at "the rules" instead of the officer.

You're right we bin a heck of a lot of stuff, but a lot of passengers bring things through they intend to bin (such as drinks bottles, etc) as they plan on drinking them in the queue and then binning it at the search point. Most of what I bin is binned because it won't fit into 1 single clear bag and the passenger has decided she'd rather have her £30 perfume than her £2 roll-on in the bag. Sometimes it's cheaper to bin than check-in and many "cheap" items are bulky (roll-ons, anti-persperants , etc) whilst expensive cosmetics tend to be in smaller quantities/bottles.

You're also right that passengers might not fully comprehend what is being asked of them due to nerves or excitement, etc. which is why I always have to speak calmly and clearly so they understand the rules for their return flight as well.

Pollycat

The answer to the 1 litre liquid/gel rule is either pack in your hold luggage (which I do with suncream as I only like a specific brand which may or may not be available air-side but definitely isn't abroad) or decant.

I know how much Avon Skin-So-Soft dry oil body spray (to deter mozzies), how much facial moisturiser etc etc I will use in 2 or 3 weeks and once decanted it will fit in my clear bag.

For perfume, this is great:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/TRAVEL-Perfume-Atomizer-travalo-atomiser/dp/B004UAE2CI/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1309249161&sr=8-11

Airlines tend to sell them in-flight at £10.00.
Argos had the pink one on offer at £5.99 recently.

It just takes a bit of planning and time to be organised.

jammin_2

The thing is Liveboy, you come across as a mature, intelligent person who likely does his job with a level of professionalism and respect for passengers and for the rules. If every security officer in EDI is like you then it sounds like a great airport to travel through. Unfortunately, I've never been there.

I have been through various other airports in the UK and Ireland and I must say I've experienced some utter rudeness from airport security staff in my time. No point in ranting about it now though. I would be nice if every airport security officer were like you.

Nobjocki

I have no sympathy for people forced to leave expensive perfume at security.

It's like flying Ryanair - for every hundred people who follow the instructions clearly laid out on the website about baggage weight and size there's always one cretin who thinks it doesn't apply to them.

Anyone who thinks UK security staff are rude should experience the full-on high-handed ignorance of their American counterparts.

But personally I don't give a toss about people complaining about removing their shoes and belts if it stops one nutter trying to blow up the plane I'm on.

liviboy

jammin wrote: »

The thing is Liveboy, you come across as a mature, intelligent person who likely does his job with a level of professionalism and respect for passengers and for the rules. If every security officer in EDI is like you then it sounds like a great airport to travel through. Unfortunately, I've never been there.

I have been through various other airports in the UK and Ireland and I must say I've experienced some utter rudeness from airport security staff in my time. No point in ranting about it now though. I would be nice if every airport security officer were like you.

I appreciate your post jammin. I too have been on the receiving end of some utter tosh from security at UK airports who seriously need a course or 10 in customer service.

Everybody has "off" days, and even some officers at EDI might be a bit cranky at 4am but I don't think anybody is that rude. We tend to joke more with passengers to get our point across instead of shouting and being abusive to our passengers. It seems to work as most passengers leave smiling even if they have abandoned a few items.

liviboy

Nobjocki wrote: »

I have no sympathy for people forced to leave expensive perfume at security.

It's like flying Ryanair - for every hundred people who follow the instructions clearly laid out on the website about baggage weight and size there's always one cretin who thinks it doesn't apply to them.

Anyone who thinks UK security staff are rude should experience the full-on high-handed ignorance of their American counterparts.

But personally I don't give a toss about people complaining about removing their shoes and belts if it stops one nutter trying to blow up the plane I'm on.

Brilliant post.

Passengers forget that we security officers also have to go through security (I also can't bring my juice to work, etc) and we too have to remove belts and shoes when asked by colleagues (which does happen as it's a mater of compliance with rules).

Talking of Ryanair though - it's fun to see the regular Ryanair travellers as their bags are packed so precisely to fit everything in...it's a true art form! (wish I was able to do it, my bags are always a mess).

Murphy_The_Cat

Nobjocki wrote: »

Anyone who thinks UK security staff are rude should experience the full-on high-handed ignorance of their American counterparts.

I must be fortunate, I've never experienced any of that. Straight down the line, these are the rules etc, etc, but never 'high handed ignorance'.
& even when we transgressed, we were treated properly & coerteously, whilst we were being advised of the fines, penaltis and punishments that we could be facing :eek::eek::eek::eek:

prowla

I've driven in the USA and had my car searched for fruit when crossing from one state to the next.