Security at Heathrow

[Roland Perry]

In message <rq5674lgk95eipa6sb55k1k65gmok1ihpp@********>, at 17:47:49 on
Tue, 8 Jul 2008, Cheeky <me@************> remarked:

>Profiling is, apparently, the way to go

But how can you do that, when the identity of the people travelling
isn't established when they get to the airport. Or do you profile for
"plots", and then take the people out long before that?
--
Roland Perry

[Roland Perry]

In message <bht77417b18dh1a507uukjtkrn9ah1q8ie@********>, at 00:21:12 on
Wed, 9 Jul 2008, Cheeky <me@************> remarked:
>>>Profiling is, apparently, the way to go
>>
>>But how can you do that, when the identity of the people travelling
>>isn't established when they get to the airport. Or do you profile for
>>"plots", and then take the people out long before that?
>
>Presumably it's done before people arrive at the airport based on a
>number of predetermined indicators.

So they go an arrest people before they've even set out for the airport?

I still don't see how that stops someone buying a ticket using a "safe"
stolen identity, then a different person travels because no-one is
checking the ticket and traveller have the same name.

Yes, I know the traveller could have a fake ID in the stolen identity,
too. But that's quite a bit more difficult than just buying a ticket.
--
Roland Perry

[Roland Perry]

In message <g565a4$lss$1@registered.motzarella.org>, at 00:17:25 on Fri,
11 Jul 2008, William Black <william.black@***********.uk> remarked:
>> There have been people posting here this week saying that no ID (photo or
>> otherwise) was required.
>
>If you believe that then I have a bridge for sale...
>
>Why not try it, you won't even get your case on the conveyor...

I think they were doing self-, or online-, checkin with no bags.
--
Roland Perry

[Roland Perry]

In message <6dppvuF3qvdaU1@mid.***************>, at 20:18:18 on Fri, 11
Jul 2008, Mike O'Sullivan <mike@nowhere.com> remarked:
>Last week I was surprised not to be asked to remove my shoes, even
>though people in front of me were.

When people complain they usually justify it by saying that it's a
random check, and "bad luck, we randomly selected you". Which is fine,
except at some places they appear to be randomly selecting everyone.

In the UK we don't seem to have the same gadgets that they have in USA
which detect shoes that are going to set off the metal detectors - which
means that it's a good idea to take them off.
--
Roland Perry

[Mike O'Sullivan]

> On Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:45:27 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk>
> wrote:
>
>> In the UK we don't seem to have the same gadgets that they have in USA
>> which detect shoes that are going to set off the metal detectors - which
>> means that it's a good idea to take them off.
>
> Explosives wouldn't necessarily set off the metal detector, so the UK
> approach would seem more sensible.

Also, I was disconcerted yesterday to realise that I inadvertently
included some sunscreen in my carry-on, and the scan didn't pick it up.
Worrying.

[John Reid]

Mike O'Sullivan wrote in message <6drh3eF41oorU1@mid.***************> :
>Neil Williams wrote:
>> On Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:45:27 +0100, Roland Perry <roland@perry.co.uk>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> In the UK we don't seem to have the same gadgets that they have in
>>>USA which detect shoes that are going to set off the metal detectors
>>>- which means that it's a good idea to take them off.
>> Explosives wouldn't necessarily set off the metal detector, so the
>>UK
>> approach would seem more sensible.
>
>Also, I was disconcerted yesterday to realise that I inadvertently
>included some sunscreen in my carry-on, and the scan didn't pick it up.
>Worrying.

About once in every 5 or 6 trips (I travel a couple of times a week), I
forget to put my insulin in the plastic bag. It has never been picked
up. I've probably forgotten about it 10 times this year already. I think
it must be extremely difficult to pick up small amounts of liquid like
this (3ml and 10ml containers).

[John Reid]

William Black wrote in message <g5aea5$9l$1@registered.motzarella.org> :
>Insulin doesn't need to go in the plastic bag.
>
>I carry mine in cool-gel folder in my coat pocket.
>
>As long as you carry a letter from a doctor they don't mind about
>liquids, or even 'sharps' come to that...

I don't carry a letter. I stopped doing so 12 months ago and have never
been asked since. My issue was that my doctor had started charging for
letters and it had to be an "up to date" letter, so it was costing a few
pounds every 8 weeks or so. I decided I would simply abandon the kit if
I was challenged on it, and the matter has not arisen in over 150
flights.

I suppose I am lucky in having medical help available at all the
destinations I use, here at home and overseas. I simply put the insulin
with the liquids and have never been asked about it.

[Roland Perry]

In message <g5aofe$4ce$1@registered.motzarella.org>, at 18:09:04 on Sat,
12 Jul 2008, William Black <william.black@***********.uk> remarked:
>> I suppose I am lucky in having medical help available at all the
>> destinations I use, here at home and overseas. I simply put the insulin
>> with the liquids and have never been asked about it.
>
>No-ones ever asked to see my letter, which is now about a year old, and my
>doctor doesn't charge anyway.
>
>I believe if you have a prescription that works as well.

An unfilled prescription?
--
Roland Perry

[Roland Perry]

In message <g5asjr$1g1$1@registered.motzarella.org>, at 19:15:41 on Sat,
12 Jul 2008, William Black <william.black@***********.uk> remarked:
>> An unfilled prescription?
>
>Why not?
>
>It shows you have a legal right to posess the drugs listed on it.

There are a couple of points here. If the prescription is unfilled, then
you may not have received the medicine you are carrying via that channel
(rather than the black market). And whether having a medicine it's legal
to possess (under prescription) in your own country means you are also
allowed to possess it anywhere in the World is another question. There
have been cases where a translation of the prescription was required,
too.
--
Roland Perry

[Roland Perry]

In message <g5b18a$cl$1@registered.motzarella.org>, at 20:38:51 on Sat,
12 Jul 2008, William Black <william.black@***********.uk> remarked:
>>There have been cases where a translation of the prescription was
>>required, too.
>
>And you do, of course, have records of cases where these problems have
>arisen...

In the Tracy Wilkinson case it was reported that the court was waiting,
amongst other things, to receive a translation of a prescription.
--
Roland Perry