Security Clearances for all things airside

[Scott L.]

Apologies if this has been raised before, I could not locate a find on the search.

Wife has a question (she has many mind you...) regarding all things airside (employees, catering, merchandise, duty free, etc.) and whether or not they are subject to security clearances such as x-ray scans, searches, etc like Joe Blow public. No suggestions of impropriety against airside employees is intended here, just wondering if the same standards apply airside.

Cheers
Scott.

[Nigel C]

Simple answer is yes.

[Robert Zweck]

Air cargo security went up another notch earlier this year

[Marty H]

We dont get screened before we go airside, but there is now a security officer placed on the door we go through checking ASIC's.

Im surprised we arent screened though.

[Hugh Jarse]

If you are a pilot or cabin crew - yes. If you are a baggage handler/porter - no.

What a joke! The screening rules should be the same for all airside access!

[Kelvin R]

There was an interesting article on this in the AFR about the security (or lack there of) in the US for air travel. The reason given is that airside staff generally do not work unattended and therefore someone would notice unusual activity. It was also claimed that it doesn't make sense to screen someone who drives a refuelling truck (as an example).

The article was saying the two biggest and therefore most significant changes to security were re-inforced cockpit doors and a change in sentiment from PAX and operating crew from following instructions to fight back.

I am sure there are more productive measures such as seperation of duties, mandatory 2 weeks of vacation and the use of security cameras which would be more effective than screening. Screening is of course only going to catch dumb terrorists. One would hope that more productive measures are in place and that screening is just there for appearance so we all feel safer.