Airport Security & Bottled Water

vtailor

Hi, I have just returned from a 2 week trip around Europe. Our trip included taking 4 flights and each time we were frustrated by having to dump our water at security.:(

A couple of years ago I attempted to take a empty water bottle through security and was told off, since then my wife and I have been under the impression that EMPTY water bottles were banned. I think the security messages can also imply that no bottles are allowed beyond security even if empty.

Having had a quick scan through the forums I have now realised that empty water bottles are in fact legally OK to go through security? However, there seem to be some mixed messages from budget airlines on this (https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3262144) and I am hoping we can get clarity once and for all on this issue.

So the first part of my question is what exactly are the rules?

My second point, related to the issue above is the cost of bottled water at airport gates, after security. I have noticed that prices increase after security(in some european airports), water fountains are non existent or out of order, and bathroom taps often only output scorching hot water. :mad:

It seems to me that airports are trying to profit from the strict security on fluids, can this be ethical? I'm wondering if there's an EU rule forbidding this sort of extortion, or at least some guidance/cap on the pricing of water - does anyone know where consumers stand with this issue?

Thanks in advance for your input and advice!

phatbear

vtailor wrote: »

Hi, I have just returned from a 2 week trip around Europe. Our trip included taking 4 flights and each time we were frustrated by having to dump our water at security.:(

A couple of years ago I attempted to take a empty water bottle through security and was told off, since then my wife and I have been under the impression that EMPTY water bottles were banned. I think the security messages can also imply that no bottles are allowed beyond security even if empty.

Having had a quick scan through the forums I have now realised that empty water bottles are in fact legally OK to go through security? However, there seem to be some mixed messages from budget airlines on this (https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3262144) and I am hoping we can get clarity once and for all on this issue.

So the first part of my question is what exactly are the rules?

The budget airlines dont make the rules the counties airport authority do, in our case the dft.

Having worked at two airports over the past few years and being subject to the same security vetting daily by the local staff I can assure you that you can take empty water bottles etc airside. In I currently take a bobble bottle airside to work with me each day as the water in our office so awful. Of course you will always get some jumped up numpty of a security guard who doesnt know their own rules if your not happy ask to see their supervisor who should be able to clear the situation up. I have lost count of the amount of times ive had a security officer try and take my handcuffs/knives etc off of me however they are soon put right.

However this is only relevant in the UK I can however say having travelled throughout europe quite alot I have never had an issue talking an empty water bottle airside.

vtailor wrote: »

My second point, related to the issue above is the cost of bottled water at airport gates, after security. I have noticed that prices increase after security(in some european airports), water fountains are non existent or out of order, and bathroom taps often only output scorching hot water. :mad:

It seems to me that airports are trying to profit from the strict security on fluids, can this be ethical? I'm wondering if there's an EU rule forbidding this sort of extortion, or at least some guidance/cap on the pricing of water - does anyone know where consumers stand with this issue?

Thanks in advance for your input and advice!

I dont really get your point here however "where the consumer stands" is simply a choice of having a drink or not no airport is obliged to sell you a drink at a reasonable price.

Ethic's or your perception of ethics are irelevant when it comes to making money for the shop and the airport owners.

Oddly you mention rules in the EU im sure some will pop along eventually and mention the Turkish airport that charges £5+ for a bottle of coke, and turkey of course are not part of the EU

denideth

Hi. I'm a security officer at a UK airport - empty water bottles are allowed airside. Not sure why you were 'told off'?

Bob_the_Saver

what exactly are the rules?

Depends where you are in the world, In some places 'Rules are rules' in some places they are 'guidelines' in some places 'they don't give a S***'
It would be helpful if one rule was enforced the world over but that won't happen.

In the last few day I 'told off' a man doing (secondary) pat down body search for a BA flight when he failed to spot something (75mm x 30mm containing metal) hung around my neck. (Not in UK)

Dragonista

It totally depends on the airport.

Example: From Suvarnabhumi (Bangkok, Thailand) to Changi (Singapore, Singapore) it is fine to take nail scissors and tweezers. But on the return flight (Changi to Suvarnabhumi) they were removed.

A lot airports that I've been to outside of the UK have no problem how you display your liquids either. I rarely get them out of my hand luggage, and only bother with my laptop (which sometimes stays inside it's case)

trailingspouse

In our experience (OH took 65 international flights involving 18 destinations last year, and I'm no slouch when it comes to travelling either) - it's different every time. Sometimes you have to take your laptop out and turn it on, sometimes you have to take your watch off, sometimes you have to take your shoes off. Sometimes you don't. Different. Every time.

katejo

vtailor wrote: »

Hi, I have just returned from a 2 week trip around Europe. Our trip included taking 4 flights and each time we were frustrated by having to dump our water at security.:(

A couple of years ago I attempted to take a empty water bottle through security and was told off, since then my wife and I have been under the impression that EMPTY water bottles were banned. I think the security messages can also imply that no bottles are allowed beyond security even if empty.

Having had a quick scan through the forums I have now realised that empty water bottles are in fact legally OK to go through security? However, there seem to be some mixed messages from budget airlines on this (https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3262144) and I am hoping we can get clarity once and for all on this issue.

So the first part of my question is what exactly are the rules?

My second point, related to the issue above is the cost of bottled water at airport gates, after security. I have noticed that prices increase after security(in some european airports), water fountains are non existent or out of order, and bathroom taps often only output scorching hot water. :mad:

It seems to me that airports are trying to profit from the strict security on fluids, can this be ethical? I'm wondering if there's an EU rule forbidding this sort of extortion, or at least some guidance/cap on the pricing of water - does anyone know where consumers stand with this issue?

Thanks in advance for your input and advice!

The worst rip off which i have seen was at Frankfurt Airport a couple of years ago. Usually you go through passport & security together and then have a selection of shops selling water & other drinks. At Frankfurt, you go through passport control and then have to wait until the gate number is available before you go through security. Therefore you can't buy liquids at that time. You then get your gate number and go through. On the other side there was a tiny shop which charged 4-5 Euros for a smallish bottle of water.
I have not seen this anywhere else.

vtailor

Thanks for all of your input so far, it does seem that every airport differs slightly! At least now I know for sure that I can take an empty bottle through, whether I find a working water fountain is another story!

I think it would be useful if mse had some sort of quick guide to advise all travelers on the rules and how to best prepare for their journey. Maybe the guide could even flag up different airports so that we don't get ripped off like in the Frankfurt scenario described above.