Airport Security

[DesertHound]

Just thought I'd bring this to the top again and add some up to date info. Travelled through Gatwick with my TINGS purchases in hand luggage (16 locos - ok ok, not all from TINGS!) a few weeks ago. Stock was not in original boxes but 2 plastic stock boxes bought at TINGS - I cannot remember the name of the boxes, they are blue plastic and were being sold at TINGS, 3 for twenty quid.

Anyway, I took the two boxes containing the locos out of my hand luggage and placed them in a separate tray from my bag in order for them to proceed through the x-ray machine. I didn't have a chance to notify the security personnel first. As expected, the items were taken to one side and I was asked to open up the boxes.

Security were fine with the items and there were no issues taking them on board as hand luggage. All they wished to do was swab a loco or two and run it though their detection machine to check there were no traces of explosives etc. (Must admist, I thought the oil or some other substance could trigger their machines, but all was well).

Just thought I'd share the latest.

Cheers

Dan

[silly moo]

I'm back in Africa after flying out through Heathrow. I put all the Bachmann controllers into the big suitcase which went into the plane's hold. Luckily the suitcase was not tampered with by our baggage handlers.

My more valuable model railway purchases including a new loco went into my hand luggage in a small suitcase which went through without a hitch and did not require inspection. The loco was put into the tray with my iPad and phone.

I got pulled aside when my back pack went through the scanner. I was a bit confused by this as there were no liquids inside the backpack. Everything was taken out and thoroughly swab tested for explosives by a very pleasant security officer who thought that my lipstick and lip balm which although not liquid may have set of the alarm.

Heathrow seem to have very sensitive scanning systems and thorough security searches which is just the way it should be.

It is a good idea to allow even more time to get through airport security.

[Malc]

I don't think the swabs are just for explosives, they are looking for drugs as well. My nephew is a chemical engineer and when his laptop got swabbed, the machine lit up like a Christmas tree. He had to explain that he was working for Roche at the time.

[DesertHound]

I don't think the swabs are just for explosives, they are looking for drugs as well. My nephew is a chemical engineer and when his laptop got swabbed, the machine lit up like a Christmas tree. He had to explain that he was working for Roche at the time.

Yes Malcolm, I think you are right. I knew there was something missing in my point about the swabs - that's it!

Yes, I always wonder what I'd say if the machine went bonkers, but I don't have a good excuse like your nephew 

[railsquid]

And a report from me: I've just completed a series of four flights with a growing collection of locomotives and miscellaneous stock in my on-board luggage with no major issues.

For the record, the flights were with EasyJet, Air Berlin and British Airways.

The only minor incident was in Berlin, where one of the security staff (who evidently hadn't been too long on the job) officiously asked me to open my case, and by the time I started it had evidently dawned on her what the mysterious items were and at the same time colleague called over to tell her; from the interaction I get the impression model trains are one of the things they're supposed to be able to recognise. Anyway the colleague asked me if they were HO and they were suddenly all smiles and wished me "viel Spass".

Lots of signs at Heathrow (T5) warning about electronic devices needing to be able to be turned on, which had me slightly worried about the locomotives, but everything went through without incident. (Someone does need to go through T5 with a cluestick and improve the signposting, but that's another topic...)

[Bealman]

Back on my "Bealman's adventure" in June,  I put all my purchases into me check in bag and they are with me now in Australia, no worries. 

[David Asquith]

My mate who brings out my railway stuff I have sent to his house joked with the security staff at Manchester airport that he just had a bit of grass in his case!  Then complained to me that he had got searched and swabbed because of my flocking grass.  Serves him right I say but keep trying to think of something else I can order to get him into trouble or more correctly get himself into trouble.

Dave

[Bealman]