Airport Security
Tuesday, October 14th, 2008I was going through security at Montreal Dorval Airport this weekend and found the security to be very strict, especially regarding the liquids restriction. I thought about it for a minute and realized I find the airport security far stricter in most other countries than in the U.S., especially regarding the liquids that have to be less than four ounces and in a plastic bag. Technically, the liquids have to be removed from your bag and in a bin. I always have my liquids/toiletries in that separate Ziploc, but I never remove the bags when going through security at the NY airports. I rarely get stopped. Yet in Montreal this weekend, or any European country I have visited recently, I have been made to remove the bags. Furthermore, if the Ziploc was the wrong size, security agents have made me change the bag to the regulation size. And if I missed an item, like my mascara, they search my whole carry-on.
Now, I’m all for strict security, and I find attention to the tiniest details impressive in all of these countries. Except, of course, for the country that initiated the restrictions to begin with — the U.S. I would like to see the security more consistent in the U.S., but I also wonder if the scrutiny to my mascara elsewhere is leaving a void in the attention of security to what may be bigger problems.
I asked the security agent in Montreal about the differences in strictness and he said it could depend on the risk of the port you depart. Montreal happens to be a high-risk zone. This is just some food for thought the next time you are going through security. Even though we leave security in the hands of paid professionals at the airport, it is always a good idea to be aware yourself. As they say on the NY subways, if you see something suspicious, say something! We all need to take responsibility to help keep the air safe.
-Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher
