Are airports in other countries as paranoid about terrorism as they are in the U.S.?

Question

Everyone probably knows the deal with the U.S. and airline/airplane/airport security, but are other countries as strict about air transportation security as the U.S.? Are there any other more strict countries? Do the countries that have the added problem of drug trafficking have super strict air transportation policies? If so, list a few.

I don't understand what you mean Johne=mc2. I know about 9/11 and it was not small as you mentioned. I guess you misinterpreted my question. I am asking whether or not because of events like this are there any airports that are more or less strict than the U.S. regarding airline transportation. Thank you for your judgemental input though.

Answer 1

you must have missed a small thing called 9/11!!!

Answer 2

Well, I travel relatively frequently. There are many countries that are very strict in their searches, and many that are not! The question is this....Is all this excessive searches used as propaganda to get a larger operational budgets, or is it something bigger? Many individuals view searching little old ladies as rather lacking in common sense...However, I do agree in racial profiling on this issue.....face it, unfortunately USA got hit hard in 9/11/01...but this can be easily abused, and that is the problem! But the other problem is fanatics can be any nationality! So, where do we draw the line? I really don't think that a terrorist would hijack a plane with a small nailcutter, which was on the bann list.....My Montbanc pen would be a better weapon, but that wasn't banned? So, is the individuals making policy know something we don't or are they just individuals who lack operational experience/common sense? If we are really concerned about terrorism, there are many countries that terrorist can use that have laxed searches. When I was in the Philippines, for example, I set off several metal detectors, but they were mainly concerned about bird flu than weapons. However, when I was in Amsterdam, they conducted a second search while I was waiting to board the plane! Just because the 9/11 terrorists used domestic bound planes as their weapons, it doesn't mean that they can't use International bound planes as their weapons also! But I must admit, I do believe that there are many, MANY, government agencies using terrorism as a selling point to get a larger budget rather than truely being a terrorist target! I've seen Fire Department Battalion Chiefs using "a terrorist environment" on a small dance!!! But then again, I'd be more impressed if the TSA screeners look like Secret Service Agents rather than people that bearly passed high school!

Answer 3

I've traveled to several international countries and have found that Israel has stricter security coming into and leaving than we do. Most countries inspect your luggage as you enter their countries as well as coming back into the US from another country. I do not agree with some of the search methods. I was at a very small US airport and they did a pat down search on a very elderly lady that could have been my grandmother. It embarrassed me because they did it in front of everyone waiting for their planes with no privacy. They also made me unwrap my donut and run it through the scan when I came back into the terminal. Sometimes I think they carry this security power a little too far. I have also had some very expensive jewelry taken when they took my purse and carry-on out of eye sight but didn't know about it until I arrived home.

Answer 4

Yes, I can only speak for my regional one in Australia though.
I had occasion to visit it recently, I had a nail file confiscated from my handbag - and I wasn't even travelling!
Unfortunately, the Travelex booth (my destination) was inside the departure lounge.

My nephew works for a security company who has the Virgin airline contract.
They confiscate thousands of items daily.
Deodorants (spray cans) nail scissors, knives, razors etc
Even the workmen (it is under extension to take international flights) are searched daily before accessing the tarmac.

Our major terminals, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne etc. have sniffer dogs routinely scrabbling over luggage, guards and security cameras constantly monitoring crowds, metal detectors, wand searches, hand searches (for people of suspicion). Those are just the visible ones I can see.
Paranoia, possibly.
Annoying, absolutely
Necessary, sadly.

Answer 5

I think it depends a lot on where you are. Countries like the US and the UK have very tight secuirity. When I flew out of Korea the security was much more lax as far as scanning carry-on luggage, etc. (They do have miitary police looking guys who walk around with machine guns, however). When I left Thailand, on the other hand, they scanned all your bags when you entered the airport (you had to stand in line outside) and then again before you got on the plane. They also used a mirror to look for bombs under any cars that entered the grounds of our hotel before they could enter.

Answer 6

Well not quite so severe here in Australia.Although you now have to book in 30mins before departure.Plus go through the Metal Detector.Crazy.I often wonder how the drug runners overcome this hurdle
Regardless to the security situation.Here no one is permitted to carry military type weapons for airport security inside the terminal.

Answer 7

In Australia there are many security concerns and the regulations are now just as strict as the US and the UK. As pilots we have to have thorough background checks before you can gain a student pilot licence and for those of us that were licenced, every 2 years if we are operating out of RPT aerodromes. You can get a huge fine or imprisonment if you are airside and dont display your security card. We also have to have a "throttle lock" on our aircraft so Osama and his scaley mates dont try to load out light aircraft up with C4 and fly into our buildings. I hope that answeres your questin from an Australian point of view.

Answer 8

Most other countries had more strict rules than us before 9/11. The US was extremely lax.

If you want really strict rules, fly on El Al Israel Airlines. They really don't play around.
.

Answer 9

drug trafficing isn't why the states are so strict on the flights. It's having 4 planes hijacked in 1 day, planning attacks on the country. It won't happen again. At least not from the air.

Answer 10

More and more! I know some little international airports in the pacific getting stricter (no liquids etc). A little 95 year old lady nearly got stripped bare in one of them when she was going to another insignificant pacific island. It's happening more and more...Sometimes it's ridicilously just to have more control.