Experience 057. Staff Accessing the Airport. Security at Checkpoints.
02/13/22 • 49 min
In this experience we look at airline and airport staff security. What do they go through to keep you safe?
When you walk around an airport, you see all sorts of different coloured passes. What do they mean?
Generally, getting an airport security pass is not a small thing. There are high levels of security checks that are done before as pass is issued. There are different levels of security pass that are also issued, and biometric data is recorded when issuing these passes.
A passenger could experience similar levels of clearance if they are applying for a frequent traveller program. Geoff and Vinod share eye scanning stories.
At most checkpoints there is some sort of screening component. At some airports, there isn't the volume of traffic or infrastructure, so rudimentary security checks are done instead – including crossmatching to lists. Sometimes security clearance has to be completed upon landing and transfer. Some country's crews had to clear security a second time.
If you're flying at a home base for an airline, you may not even see the crew at the gate – they'll clear at their crew centre and then are transported to the plane.
Suppliers have to go through the same check, as do their vehicles.
In remote locations (such as the Canadian Arctic) sometimes security check ins aren't needed for certain destinations. A similar situation could apply for private planes with a fixed-base operator (FBO).
However things can go very wrong with security. Drug smuggling, money and diamond heists – some of the situations even end up as famous movie scripts.
There are some airports that have interesting approaches to security – like alligators in Orlando, Florida.
In the days of ID cards, there were many places attempting to fake the ID. Vinod shares his experience of a famous location in Bangkok...they even had a catalogue!
Depending on the country, some airports will permit crews to use the crew line, even if they're not in uniform.
Vinod shares a story of crew liquids exemptions in Dublin and having to unpack his bags at security.
Just remember, all the staff you see will have been through a check – maybe even an hour ago.
News Items:
- simpleflying.com article "A Boeing 707 For $2,500? Kenya To Auction 73 Abandoned Planes."
- skift.com article "These 4 Airlines Made More From Upsells Than Ticket Sales in 2020."
If you have a story about crew security, or other experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you wish to support the show financially, we are on Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/
In this experience we look at airline and airport staff security. What do they go through to keep you safe?
When you walk around an airport, you see all sorts of different coloured passes. What do they mean?
Generally, getting an airport security pass is not a small thing. There are high levels of security checks that are done before as pass is issued. There are different levels of security pass that are also issued, and biometric data is recorded when issuing these passes.
A passenger could experience similar levels of clearance if they are applying for a frequent traveller program. Geoff and Vinod share eye scanning stories.
At most checkpoints there is some sort of screening component. At some airports, there isn't the volume of traffic or infrastructure, so rudimentary security checks are done instead – including crossmatching to lists. Sometimes security clearance has to be completed upon landing and transfer. Some country's crews had to clear security a second time.
If you're flying at a home base for an airline, you may not even see the crew at the gate – they'll clear at their crew centre and then are transported to the plane.
Suppliers have to go through the same check, as do their vehicles.
In remote locations (such as the Canadian Arctic) sometimes security check ins aren't needed for certain destinations. A similar situation could apply for private planes with a fixed-base operator (FBO).
However things can go very wrong with security. Drug smuggling, money and diamond heists – some of the situations even end up as famous movie scripts.
There are some airports that have interesting approaches to security – like alligators in Orlando, Florida.
In the days of ID cards, there were many places attempting to fake the ID. Vinod shares his experience of a famous location in Bangkok...they even had a catalogue!
Depending on the country, some airports will permit crews to use the crew line, even if they're not in uniform.
Vinod shares a story of crew liquids exemptions in Dublin and having to unpack his bags at security.
Just remember, all the staff you see will have been through a check – maybe even an hour ago.
News Items:
- simpleflying.com article "A Boeing 707 For $2,500? Kenya To Auction 73 Abandoned Planes."
- skift.com article "These 4 Airlines Made More From Upsells Than Ticket Sales in 2020."
If you have a story about crew security, or other experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you wish to support the show financially, we are on Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/
Previous Episode
Experience 056. In-flight entertainment. Sit Back and Pass the Time.
In this experience we look at in-flight entertainment (IFE). What is its history, how has it evolved, and we share our experiences.
People board a flight with the intent of being entertained while in flight.
Vinod remembers back to his youth and seeing the projector as he boarded the plane – he knew there probably was a movie on a long flight. Geoff remembers watching in-flight edited movies as a kid. As they grew older, they would both look in the in-flight magazine to see what was playing.
Airlines put a lot of investment into their IFE as a key factor to retain passengers.
We go back to 1921(!) to learn about the first ever in-flight movie. Vinod and Geoff remember the stethoscope looking headsets. Vinod shares a memory of flying into Tampa where the flight ended before the movie (which was not a happy situation for one passenger in particular).
The evolution of the IFE continued – monitors attached to the panel above and then LCD monitors that came down from the panel above. Vinod remembers the logistics of running the LCD system and keeping passengers from using certain overhead bins where everything was running.
There was a shift into TV-on-demand with certain airlines. In certain cases it required that you put your credit card into the seat back to pay for extra movies or special channels. Vinod shares his memories of working at WestJet when they were switching from inflight TV to Wi-Fi and were renting tablets. Today many systems are Wi-Fi based.
A common situation that Vinod encountered as flight crew was people coming on-board unprepared and completely dependent on the IFE. Pro-tip – make sure that you travel with some sort of offline tech. Vinod shares the "fun" he had when certain seats had IFE that didn't work.
Remember when flying ultra low-cost carriers, there is a very good chance that you won't be getting any IFE, and sometimes you may be a captive audience to a performing in-flight crew.
The amount of power and wiring for an IFE system famously led to a tragedy with Swissair 111 off the coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. The 787 also saw runaway batteries when it first launched.
Content is regionalized, with cultural sensitivities. Th quality of both video and audio entertainment has come a long way. There are also many different camera views that are now available on many aircraft. Video games are also an option in the IFE – with some airlines offering the controllers.
Remember: Always bring something with you - because you never know when the system is not going to work.
News Items:
- simpleflying.com article "British Airways To Finish Its 777 Club Suite Roll Out Next Year [2022]."
- businesstraveller.com article "Ryanair launches 'Day of Travel Assistant' and new refunds commitment."
If you have a story about in-flight entertainment, or other experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you wish to support the show financially, we are on Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/.
Next Episode
Experience 058. Arm doors and cross check. Inflight safety checks.
In this experience we look into what happens during inflight checks. We hear those announcements "the crew are doing their checks." What does this mean? And what about "arm doors and cross check"?
Before passengers are even allowed to board the flight a crew has to do preflight checks - the previous crew has left the plane and has not checked items when they left. The minimum equipment list has to be met. One thing the staff is checking is safety equipment - like batteries, fire extinguishers and flashlights. Things have to be replaced that passengers may have taken. Coordination occurs with mechanic teams and groomers. The emergency slide has to be checked. If there are life vests, each seat has to be checked. The on-board medical equipment is another item that needs to be checked. In some cases there's a life raft which can take a bit of work to check.
It's easy to replenish an aircraft at an airline's home base. Downline at a remote station is another story. What happens if certain branded equipment or food may not be available?
First flight of the day US safety checks have their own challenges. Vinod had to once complete an entire 737 by himself.
What if a crew times out, or hands over? Has the plane been left unattended? What happens with inoperable seats? What's happening in the flight deck for checks? How are the catering and service levels? How is the lavatory? And if a plane is turning back the same day from a remote station, is there enough food for the return? Vinod shares an experience with checks in Cuba.
It's not just the plane being checked - it's also staff. Is everyone in good flying condition and in proper uniform? Does everyone have their appropriate manuals with them?
Vinod reviews what arm doors and cross check means and shares a story of a flight from Sydney to Los Angeles.
News Items:
- ch-aviation.com article "Croatia's ETF Airways on war path with Bremen Airport."
- simpleflying.com article "Auckland Airport Baggage Handlers Arrested In A Major Drug Bust."
- simpleflying.com article "Why easyJet Does Not Operate Flights Where Trains Are 3 Hours Or Less."
- simpleflying.com article "Football Fans Stop LATAM Plane Departing After Flight Cancelation."
If you have a story about inflight checks, or other experiences that you would like to share, please email us at stories(at)seat1a.org or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you wish to support the show financially, we are on Patreon. Show notes are available online at http://podcast.seat1a.org/
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