Shoes Off

[jdean]

Flew out of Thailand to get a Tourist visa in Phnom Penh (successfully). I had read and found out that it is true you now have to take your shoes off, belt. everything in your pockets, and I still beeped. I got wanded and all clear. But then you have to put yourself back together again. Now some of us are not as agile as we used to be and need to sit down to put our shoes on. Not a chair in sight!

[dumball]

Why don't you buy yourself one of those long handled shoe horns , just need to lean against a wall then .

[holidaybob]

Why don't you buy yourself one of those long handled shoe horns , just need to lean against a wall then .

dumball suits you

[john b good]

Flew out of Thailand to get a Tourist visa in Phnom Penh (successfully). I had read and found out that it is true you now have to take your shoes off, belt. everything in your pockets, and I still beeped. I got wanded and all clear. But then you have to put yourself back together again. Now some of us are not as agile as we used to be and need to sit down to put our shoes on. Not a chair in sight!

Your post does not indicate where the "shoes off / belt off" took place. Was it when leaving Thailand or was it when leaving Cambodia

Shoes off at airports around the world is not uncommon.

Edited October 9, 2009 by john b good

[tartempion]

Flew out of Thailand to get a Tourist visa in Phnom Penh and I still beeped.

Your post does not indicate where the "shoes off / belt off" took place. Was it when leaving Thailand or was it when leaving Cambodia

Shoes off at airports around the world is not uncommon.

Seems to me you can't read

I left last week and experienced the "remove belt" (not shoes), somewhat embarrassing when my pants felt off, the ladies simulated looking the other way

Edited October 9, 2009 by tartempion

[budmak]

Rubbish 3 Mtrs past scanners is seats were you can sit if front of hand scanner area

[dalmatian]

Sorry is this about the need to sit down or an annoyance with taking your belt off. Sounds like the latter.

Total waste of space on this board for this drivel. It's called security and happens everywhere.

I would suggest you leave your belt at home next time and buy a decent sized pair of trousers that fit. Must have been a bloody laugh for everybody seeing you with your trousers round your ankles, the only chair I would have needed was to sit on just to calm down from the fits of laughter.

[dumball]

Why don't you buy yourself one of those long handled shoe horns , just need to lean against a wall then .

dumball suits you

Your remark was rather antagonistic which happens to be against TV rules , I purchased one when I had an injury to a knee and found it realy helpfull , just thought I would pass on the tip to a person whom it would be of assistance to , if you cannot be nice please be noticeable by your absence

[GungaDin]

Sorry is this about the need to sit down or an annoyance with taking your belt off. Sounds like the latter.

Total waste of space on this board for this drivel. It's called security and happens everywhere.

I would suggest you leave your belt at home next time and buy a decent sized pair of trousers that fit. Must have been a bloody laugh for everybody seeing you with your trousers round your ankles, the only chair I would have needed was to sit on just to calm down from the fits of laughter.

Instead of lambasting the OP, why don't you just shut up & ignore the posts you don't like!

---------

Dumball is correct.

[Old Croc]

I've had a couple of hip replacements and the implants always trigger the metal detectors.

At some airports security then decide that the old bugger with metal hips is the passenger most likely to be carrying explosives in his shoes and (I presume) throwing knives in his belt. They then insist I remove said dangerous articles of clothing before again doing a cursory wave of the scanner around my hip region which continues to show a reading.

No one has ever examined said belt nor shoes after removal.

I'm then told to put them on again. There is rarely a place provided to sit for this task, and because of my arthritis, I need this, plus a long handled shoe horn.

For the poster who suggested that a wall to lean against used in conjuntion with such a shoe horn is all that's required, I hope for your sake you never become disabled to any extent. I'm also unsure where to carry such an impliment while travelling. Perhaps in a scabbard on my back? (That's not a shoe horn, this is a shoehorn!)

The last time I was asked to remove these items, going through Perth airport, the security people doing the asking (ordering) were young, new Australians (refugees?) of north-east African appearance who would of looked more at home in a small, fast boat in the Gulf of Aden with an AK47 on their back and a dagger clutched in their teeth. Perhaps picking on the old disabled bugger was their form of revenge for the way they had been profiled in the past?

It's one of the main reasons I find travel such a pain these days, and in future, I will probably fit some other type of profile by wearing shorts and flip flops on planes.

[willyumcr]

Why don't you buy yourself one of those long handled shoe horns , just need to lean against a wall then .

dumball suits you

I agree!! suits you.

[david96]

I've had a couple of hip replacements and the implants always trigger the metal detectors.

At some airports security then decide that the old bugger with metal hips is the passenger most likely to be carrying explosives in his shoes and (I presume) throwing knives in his belt. They then insist I remove said dangerous articles of clothing before again doing a cursory wave of the scanner around my hip region which continues to show a reading.

No one has ever examined said belt nor shoes after removal.

I'm then told to put them on again. There is rarely a place provided to sit for this task, and because of my arthritis, I need this, plus a long handled shoe horn.

For the poster who suggested that a wall to lean against used in conjuntion with such a shoe horn is all that's required, I hope for your sake you never become disabled to any extent. I'm also unsure where to carry such an impliment while travelling. Perhaps in a scabbard on my back? (That's not a shoe horn, this is a shoehorn!)

The last time I was asked to remove these items, going through Perth airport, the security people doing the asking (ordering) were young, new Australians (refugees?) of north-east African appearance who would of looked more at home in a small, fast boat in the Gulf of Aden with an AK47 on their back and a dagger clutched in their teeth. Perhaps picking on the old disabled bugger was their form of revenge for the way they had been profiled in the past?

It's one of the main reasons I find travel such a pain these days, and in future, I will probably fit some other type of profile by wearing shorts and flip flops on planes.

I was asked to remove my belt when departing Cairns International Airport because it had a metal buckle and was spotted by a Philipino female working for a private security contractor. If I had been wearing a suit she would not have seen it. Still went though the wand scan and I have got a steel plate in my leg, did not show up.

On a second trip again leaving about 2 years ago they ran an explosive trace detector over the shoes while wearing them, these two manning the equipment were White Australians, they agreed with me that it was a waste of time but as they said " the American and UK passengers like it"

A couple of years ago an Australian Politician was asked to remove his Akubra hat, he was quoted in the local newspaper that it was quite uncalled for.

Edited October 13, 2009 by david96

[chang35baht]

I've had a couple of hip replacements and the implants always trigger the metal detectors.

At some airports security then decide that the old bugger with metal hips is the passenger most likely to be carrying explosives in his shoes and (I presume) throwing knives in his belt. They then insist I remove said dangerous articles of clothing before again doing a cursory wave of the scanner around my hip region which continues to show a reading.

No one has ever examined said belt nor shoes after removal.

I'm then told to put them on again. There is rarely a place provided to sit for this task, and because of my arthritis, I need this, plus a long handled shoe horn.

For the poster who suggested that a wall to lean against used in conjuntion with such a shoe horn is all that's required, I hope for your sake you never become disabled to any extent. I'm also unsure where to carry such an impliment while travelling. Perhaps in a scabbard on my back? (That's not a shoe horn, this is a shoehorn!)

The last time I was asked to remove these items, going through Perth airport, the security people doing the asking (ordering) were young, new Australians (refugees?) of north-east African appearance who would of looked more at home in a small, fast boat in the Gulf of Aden with an AK47 on their back and a dagger clutched in their teeth. Perhaps picking on the old disabled bugger was their form of revenge for the way they had been profiled in the past?

It's one of the main reasons I find travel such a pain these days, and in future, I will probably fit some other type of profile by wearing shorts and flip flops on planes.

And the way you just profiled THEM! Racist.

[GungaDin]

I've had a couple of hip replacements and the implants always trigger the metal detectors.

At some airports security then decide that the old bugger with metal hips is the passenger most likely to be carrying explosives in his shoes and (I presume) throwing knives in his belt. They then insist I remove said dangerous articles of clothing before again doing a cursory wave of the scanner around my hip region which continues to show a reading.

No one has ever examined said belt nor shoes after removal.

I'm then told to put them on again. There is rarely a place provided to sit for this task, and because of my arthritis, I need this, plus a long handled shoe horn.

For the poster who suggested that a wall to lean against used in conjuntion with such a shoe horn is all that's required, I hope for your sake you never become disabled to any extent. I'm also unsure where to carry such an impliment while travelling. Perhaps in a scabbard on my back? (That's not a shoe horn, this is a shoehorn!)

The last time I was asked to remove these items, going through Perth airport, the security people doing the asking (ordering) were young, new Australians (refugees?) of north-east African appearance who would of looked more at home in a small, fast boat in the Gulf of Aden with an AK47 on their back and a dagger clutched in their teeth. Perhaps picking on the old disabled bugger was their form of revenge for the way they had been profiled in the past?

It's one of the main reasons I find travel such a pain these days, and in future, I will probably fit some other type of profile by wearing shorts and flip flops on planes.

And the way you just profiled THEM! Racist.

Grow up, little boy!

[Old Croc]

And the way you just profiled THEM! Racist.

Another biased and haughty judgement from Thai Visa's version of the Oozalum bird.

Keep it for your students, they're forced to listen.

[chang35baht]

I`m not a teacher. You just profiled me wrong also. And where is the bias in my post.

[chang35baht]

I've had a couple of hip replacements and the implants always trigger the metal detectors.

At some airports security then decide that the old bugger with metal hips is the passenger most likely to be carrying explosives in his shoes and (I presume) throwing knives in his belt. They then insist I remove said dangerous articles of clothing before again doing a cursory wave of the scanner around my hip region which continues to show a reading.

No one has ever examined said belt nor shoes after removal.

I'm then told to put them on again. There is rarely a place provided to sit for this task, and because of my arthritis, I need this, plus a long handled shoe horn.

For the poster who suggested that a wall to lean against used in conjuntion with such a shoe horn is all that's required, I hope for your sake you never become disabled to any extent. I'm also unsure where to carry such an impliment while travelling. Perhaps in a scabbard on my back? (That's not a shoe horn, this is a shoehorn!)

The last time I was asked to remove these items, going through Perth airport, the security people doing the asking (ordering) were young, new Australians (refugees?) of north-east African appearance who would of looked more at home in a small, fast boat in the Gulf of Aden with an AK47 on their back and a dagger clutched in their teeth. Perhaps picking on the old disabled bugger was their form of revenge for the way they had been profiled in the past?

It's one of the main reasons I find travel such a pain these days, and in future, I will probably fit some other type of profile by wearing shorts and flip flops on planes.

And the way you just profiled THEM! Racist.

Grow up, little boy!

C`mon Gunga, his comments were not even relavent to the topic.

[jasreeve17]

What a great thread already...

OP, yes it is a security requirement which is fair enough, and yes chairs should be provided to help the less flexible folk. A couple of chairs a few feet past the scanners would be perfect; let's hope they appear for your next visit.

[sbk]

Wow, lets drop the flaming now, shall we? I think we've all had our little moan, our little flame and enough is enough, thanks.

[Boon Mee]

Heh...what a bunch of moaners here! Any yáll been through airports in the good 'ol USA since 9/11? It's belt, shoes. the works and you better be polite to those Homeland Security Nazis or it's Watch List time...

[Rinrada]

no need to drop your trousers.....coming soon...

Manchester airport trials naked-image security scans

Passengers can refuse to undergo virtual strip by full-body x-ray scanner that leaves little to the imagination of security staff

Originally, passengers had to remove their jackets when passing through airport security. Then it was belts, and soon shoes had to come off too.

But those who feared that losing one's trousers was the next logical step will find scant comfort in the news that an x-ray machine that produces "naked" images of passengers will be introduced at a British international airport today.

As well as enabling staff to instantly spot any hidden weapons or explosives, the full-body scanner being trialled at Manchester airport will leave little to the imagination of airport security staff. It will reveal a clear outline of passengers genitalia, as well as any false limbs, breast enlargements or body piercings.

Travellers can refuse to undergo the virtual strip at Terminal 2 and choose a traditional "pat down" search instead, according to the airport, which admits that some travellers may feel uncomfortable about using the new technology.

The scan's black and white image will be seen by one officer in a remote location before it is deleted, said Sarah Barrett, head of customer experience at the airport.

"Most of our customers do not like the traditional 'pat down' search, they find it too intrusive, but they still want to be kept safe. This scanner completely takes away the hassle of needing to undress. The images are not erotic or pornographic and they cannot be stored or captured in any way," she said.

As passengers will not have to remove their coats, shoes or belts, the scanner will – in theory – speed up the check-in process. Frequent flyers will not be at risk from the low-level radiation, which is 20,000 times less powerful than a dental x-ray, Barrett said.

"Passengers can go through this machine 5,000 times a year each without worrying, it is super safe and the amount of radiation transmitted is tiny," she said.

The scanners, made by the firm RapiScan Systems at a cost of £80,000 each, were trialled at Heathrow airport in 2004.

The Department for Transport will decide whether to install them permanently at the end of the trial, which is expected to last for a year.

Electromagnetic waves are beamed on to passengers while they stand in a booth, and a virtual three-dimensional "naked" image is created from the reflected energy.

Security officials in the US have pioneered the use of the scanners at New York and Los Angeles airports and they are gradually being introduced at other airports in the country

[MJo]

Looks like the beers are kicking in...

There is couple of seats at the side where you "exit" the screening area. If you look you see them right after you have put your shoes back on and start walking towards gate. They even have some printed A4 sign advising people to sort them out at the provided seating to avoid blocking the screening area.

Crock why not get them to push you with wheelchair from check-in to airside. No need to wait in line at immigration and other perks. Just enjoy the ride and no hassle from security. After passing them just ditch the chair and off you go

[soihok]

MJo has a point here, I know that we all like to be independant but if the travel causes you grief due to your situation, the airline will gladly help you out,,unless its something like Areoflot, etc.

[soihok]

Keeping with the topic.

The only time I have had my shoes off was flying out of Amsterdam to Lima, Peru in 1994.

I had really crap shoes and was going to buy some in Lima, so I had to keep the newspaper and cardboard moving around that I had put in them because it was uncomfortable if I did,nt, so I did it in the toilets.

Next thing I was pulled into a room where this bloke went through the sweaty newspaper and cardboard in my shoes,exclaimed that I was scum and let me go.

No wonder he was p*ssed off, plus he did,nt find anything in the classifieds.

I guess thats off topic also.

In response to Croc,s post., He has hit the nail on the head.........."you dont know how lucky you are to have your health until its taken away".

Edited October 17, 2009 by soihok

[bangon04]

no need to drop your trousers.....coming soon...

Manchester airport trials naked-image security scans

Passengers can refuse to undergo virtual strip by full-body x-ray scanner that leaves little to the imagination of security staff

Originally, passengers had to remove their jackets when passing through airport security. Then it was belts, and soon shoes had to come off too.

But those who feared that losing one's trousers was the next logical step will find scant comfort in the news that an x-ray machine that produces "naked" images of passengers will be introduced at a British international airport today.

Frequent flyers will not be at risk from the low-level radiation, which is 20,000 times less powerful than a dental x-ray, Barrett said

"Passengers can go through this machine 5,000 times a year each without worrying, it is super safe and the amount of radiation transmitted is tiny," she said.

Electromagnetic waves are beamed on to passengers while they stand in a booth, and a virtual three-dimensional "naked" image is created from the reflected energy.

So either our Dentists are using huge unsafe amounts of X-rays for no good reason, or Ms Barrett is not telling us frequent travellers the whole truth........I wonder which .....

Since we already believe that taking off our belts at some airports and taking off our shoes at other airports makes a serious contribution to the anti-terrorist effort worldwide, then of course we should believe everything she says. Maybe all government offices should buy an X-ray machine for their lobbies too...

[Zpete]

I've had a couple of hip replacements and the implants always trigger the metal detectors.

At some airports security then decide that the old bugger with metal hips is the passenger most likely to be carrying explosives in his shoes and (I presume) throwing knives in his belt. They then insist I remove said dangerous articles of clothing before again doing a cursory wave of the scanner around my hip region which continues to show a reading.

No one has ever examined said belt nor shoes after removal.

I'm then told to put them on again. There is rarely a place provided to sit for this task, and because of my arthritis, I need this, plus a long handled shoe horn.

For the poster who suggested that a wall to lean against used in conjuntion with such a shoe horn is all that's required, I hope for your sake you never become disabled to any extent. I'm also unsure where to carry such an impliment while travelling. Perhaps in a scabbard on my back? (That's not a shoe horn, this is a shoehorn!)

The last time I was asked to remove these items, going through Perth airport, the security people doing the asking (ordering) were young, new Australians (refugees?) of north-east African appearance who would of looked more at home in a small, fast boat in the Gulf of Aden with an AK47 on their back and a dagger clutched in their teeth. Perhaps picking on the old disabled bugger was their form of revenge for the way they had been profiled in the past?

It's one of the main reasons I find travel such a pain these days, and in future, I will probably fit some other type of profile by wearing shorts and flip flops on planes.

Yeah, OC.

Shorts and jandals, flip flops, to non kiwis

Reckon it is the way to fly now-a-days.

BTW, hope the hips are OK, matey.

[tartempion]

I've had a couple of hip replacements and the implants always trigger the metal detectors.

At some airports security then decide that the old bugger with metal hips is the passenger most likely to be carrying explosives in his shoes and (I presume) throwing knives in his belt. They then insist I remove said dangerous articles of clothing before again doing a cursory wave of the scanner around my hip region which continues to show a reading.

No one has ever examined said belt nor shoes after removal.

I'm then told to put them on again. There is rarely a place provided to sit for this task, and because of my arthritis, I need this, plus a long handled shoe horn.

For the poster who suggested that a wall to lean against used in conjuntion with such a shoe horn is all that's required, I hope for your sake you never become disabled to any extent. I'm also unsure where to carry such an impliment while travelling. Perhaps in a scabbard on my back? (That's not a shoe horn, this is a shoehorn!)

The last time I was asked to remove these items, going through Perth airport, the security people doing the asking (ordering) were young, new Australians (refugees?) of north-east African appearance who would of looked more at home in a small, fast boat in the Gulf of Aden with an AK47 on their back and a dagger clutched in their teeth. Perhaps picking on the old disabled bugger was their form of revenge for the way they had been profiled in the past?

It's one of the main reasons I find travel such a pain these days, and in future, I will probably fit some other type of profile by wearing shorts and flip flops on planes.

And the way you just profiled THEM! Racist.

That's why Old Croc profiled them, ***flame remoeved**

[Cuban]

The removal and scanning of shoes 'should' just apply to those shoes that have heels - spaces into which things can be hidden - however many security screening points either don't care about the management of queue sizes or are too stupid to know the difference.

Although no one in their right mind would encourage or support acts of terrorism, the sooner an aircraft is taken down using a shoulder launched device from outside the runway the sooner the security will be placed where it causes less distress to the travelling public.

The enforcement of many excessive security measures has done little good.

[Crossy]

The requirements certainly seem to vary, when I flew out last week, I got to keep my shoes (sandals) on, but had to remove my belt and (for the first time I can remember) my watch.

I wonder why, with all its latest technology, that at Swampy I have to remove my laptop(s) from my backpack, but at Bangalore and Mumbai they are happy for them to remain inside.

[neverdie]

I have a friend who is a bit of a joker, he lost his leg in a motor vehicle accident many years back. He too was travelling o/s and when departing from Australia was asked to remove his shoes.....at the time he was wearing trousers, which is what he does when hes trying to be fancy.

Anyway, he indicated to them that he would need to sit as he has a 'crook leg' and as they had seen him approach the scanner with a bit of a limp they grabbed a chair for him and he set about taking his shoes off. He gets the shoe off his good leg but then bungs it on for the second leg, telling the men guarding the scanner that he can't do it and needed help.......reluctantly one of the men on the scanner grabs the side of his shoe and gives it a yank at which time of course his prosthesis detaches from his stump and the guard comes away with the shoe and the prosthesis leg attached to it and absolutely shits himself as this happens.

Of course half the people nearby made a 'oooohhhhh' sound and others started pissing themselves laughing, including a couple of the customs blokes @ which time the poor sucker just trying to do his job realised he had just been had. Anyway, there was laughs all around as my mates leg went thru the scanner, shoe and all.

Im surprised they didnt bash him over the head with it.