Tourists travelling through Gatwick this summer are being asked an unlikely question when their hand luggage is flagged as a potential security risk by the airport’s new scanners: ‘Have you got an apple in your bag?’
The CT scanners – short for Computed Tomography – were introduced at the major UK hub in March across all of its security lanes, meaning passengers no longer need to put liquids in plastic bags or remove electrical items.
However, while the technology is state-of-the-art – and designed to finally ease the congestion that’s been present since 2006, when the rules on liquids over 100ml were first introduced – it seems it can’t identify that an apple isn’t likely to pose a major security risk.
Tourists jetting away on summer holidays in recent weeks have faced lengthy waits at security – with the humble granny smith and other varieties often found to be the culprit for the additional checks, including swabbing hand luggage.
A Daily Mail reporter travelling through the North Terminal on July 26 revealed that a long line of frustrated flyers looked bemused when security staff asked those waiting for their cabin bags if they were carrying fruit.
They said: ‘It was the last thing I expected to hear but I was asked “do you have an apple in there?” by the security staff member charged with going through my rucksack.’
The reporter added: ‘I didn’t realise I had an apple in there but sure enough he fished one out, offering little explanation except saying “The scanner doesn’t like apples.”‘
Tourists travelling through Gatwick Airport this summer have found themselves subjected to additional security checks if they’re carrying an apple, with one staff member at the North Terminal telling a Daily Mail reporter ‘The machine doesn’t like apples!’
Long queues have been building at the UK airport because the over-zealous CT scanners, installed across Gatwick in March, have been red flagging the innocuous fruit as a security risk
It isn’t just fruit that sparks over-zealous responses; another Daily Mail journalist reported a similar experience – this time with a book-style daily diary.
The journal has, they said, triggered the CT scanners on multiple occasions at different airports – with security staff telling the frequent flyer it’s because ‘it’s dense’.
A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport declined to comment.
The CT screening uses 3D technology to identify potentially harmful materials and was described as ‘cutting edge’ by the airport when they were launched in March as part of a multi-million-pound project to cut security times – and bolster efforts to avert potential terrorist attacks.
It’s been almost a quarter of a century since a foiled terrorist attack prompted airports around the world to introduce a ban on liquids over 100ml.
On August 10, 2006, more than 20 people were arrested after a suspected plot to blow up several planes leaving the UK – potentially using liquid explosives carried on-board in hand-luggage – were uncovered by police.
In the immediate aftermath, hand luggage was banned completely overnight.
No liquids could be carried into the cabin and laptop computers and other electronic gadgets had to be packed in suitcases in the hold.
The state-of-the-art CT scanners mean travellers can now leave liquids and items such as laptops in their hand luggage while going through security – but might face longer waits if they’re carrying some other items, such as fruit or ‘dense’ books
Taking a healthy snack on board a plane could spark a lengthier wait at security
By November 2006, many of the rules were relaxed but the 100ml liquid ban remained until this year, when the new technology was rolled out across airports in the UK, with Gatwick, Heathrow, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford, Luton, Newcastle, Southend and Teesside now all using CT scanners.
While liquids still have to be under 100ml in size, they no longer have to be separated out from other luggage in transparent plastic bags.
At the time the CT scanners were introduced at Gatwick, Cyrus Dana, head of security, said: ‘More than 95 per cent of passengers already pass through security at London Gatwick in under five minutes.
‘This is a positive change, with the scanners allowing our passengers to travel through the airport with more ease.
‘As we continue to grow, our top priority is the safety of our passengers and the security of the airport.
‘This cutting-edge technology ensures a safe and robust experience for our passengers.’
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