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The first UK airport with 100% ‘don’t unpack’ security scanners is …. Teesside

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Despite London City Airport publicising its move to an entire suite of ‘next generation’ security scanners by April 2023, it has been pipped for first place.

Teesside International Airport has become the first in the UK to be fully ready for the upcoming changes to security rules.

The Government has set a June 2024 deadline for airports to install ‘next generation’ security scanners.

Teesside International AIrport new security scanners

These produce 3D images of your belongings and allow you to leave liquids and large electrical items in your cabin baggage. Amsterdam Schiphol has been using these scanners for some time and trial machines have been in place at other UK airports – London City currently has one, I think, alongside an old-style machine.

The 100ml limit on liquids will remain for now, albeit that liquids no longer need to be placed in a clear plastic bag.

The limit will be raised to 2 litres at some point in the future but, of course, this won’t help you if you are returning from an airport which doesn’t have the new style scanners. You shouldn’t throw away those clear plastic bags just yet …..

Phil Forster, Teesside Airport Managing Director, said:

“It’s a source of great pride and satisfaction that our international airport is the first in the UK to be fully prepared for the rule changes. Our facilities have come on leaps and bounds in the past three years – and I can’t wait for what 2023 has in store.”

You can read more on the Teesside International website here.

Comments (80)

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  • TeesTraveller says:

    Teesside have had these scanners for a while now and I have used them about 10 times. The process is very efficient and the scanning itself seems to take the same time as a “normal” scanner. Clearly the time saving is in unpacking/repacking bags although belts, phones, keys still have to be put in the tray.

    They are a big improvement although as we are talking Teesside, I have not seen them in an environment of 1,000 stressed holidaymakers in a queue, worried that they are going to miss their flight.

    • yorkieflyer says:

      Yes I’ve used this too at Teeside earlier this year, everyone told to put stuff back in bag before scanner, me included, causing delay before scanner. Then after scanner asked to look in bag at some metal window stays, which I knew would be items of interest!
      It wasn’t busy fortunately and until the general public get used to it not sure !

  • Dirtyneedlebluesky says:

    I flew through Dallas in December. They had the new scanners. My experience it was brilliant.

    I was concerned at first as there was a huge line stretching into the main concourse but i was told this would quickly reduce and it did indeed.

    One of the strangest parts of the experience was having to walk 2 by 2 between two points, while in in the queue, while dogs & custom (?) officers observed you. I think this was the main reason for the queue length as the scanner experience was such a great and speedy experience. If that’s replicated here then I’m all for it.

    • JPa says:

      I have had the dog sniffing across a section of queue at JFK also. I think that one 3 at a time.

    • dddocuments says:

      Anyone know the reason behind the 2×2 walking observation in USA airports procedure? Very curious search/scan security protocol

      • Robm says:

        I would guess the 2s and 3s is in relation to dog testing. It is a small enough group where if the dog reacts they can then quickly re-run the group as individuals, to find out which passenger the dog reacted to. But faster than doing everyone in 1s.

    • dougzz99 says:

      If you’re arriving the dog sniffing is typically for food. Many US states concerned with various blights arriving on products. Once while driving into California from Nevada I was stopped at a temporary check point to ask if I had any fruit with me.

  • Tristan says:

    We have had these awesome scanners at Shannon Airport since lockdown ended, over a year now. No restriction on size of liquids in hand luggage either. Security takes about 30 seconds, with no queues. Couple that to US pre-clearance and it means you can save several hours of frustration against flying from any UK based airport! #FlyShannon

    • John says:

      Would gladly consider it for transatlantic but please could you improve connectivity to London, and lay on more frequent public transport options for Limerick? Why not run a bendy bus shuttle every 60 minutes?

  • Nick says:

    MME is a lovely little airport, they’ve done a great job with the improvement works and the little ‘museum’ in the check in area is a nice touch. Reminds me of some of the small regional US airports, they’re rarely just functional sheds but a source of local pride that they’re on the route map.

  • Mark says:

    I hate to the be bearer of bad news but these new super scanners have been in place in Guernsey airport now for some time. Now with these scanners in place instead of every 4/5 bags getting randomly pulled it now appears to be 50/50. So yes dumping your stuff in the tray at one end is easy but on the other end it doesn’t speed things up as much as you think.

  • Novice says:

    Manchester is desperate for these because the security personnel there are definitely the worst I have ever encountered anywhere. At least these scanners will mean getting through there faster and without much interaction with the miserable security staff.

    • NFH says:

      Security staff at all UK airports have an attitude problem compared to other countries. Their objective seems to be to annoy passengers as much as possible. The worst are those who stand behind the conveyor belt loading area. After this point, they improve, particularly those who search baggage that is sent for secondary screening.

      • Derek Scott says:

        Disagree wholeheartedly with the “all uk airports” part… EDI consistently gets great positive feedback. Even demanding, impatient US passengers were always praising EDI staff for their friendly and helpful support and conduct

  • Doommonger says:

    Teedside , try getting there on public transport, one train a week ( on a Sunday!)to the railway station nearly a mile away. Patchy bus service.

    Doomster

  • Stu287 says:

    When is the uk going to introduce a trusted traveller program like tsa pre in the US? A couple of years back my job required alot of internal flights over there, using these schemes made flying so much better…. not only would it improve things for frequent travellers it would sifnificantly reduce burden on normal security…

    • BA Flyer IHG Stayer says:

      But you need to designate a separate scanner line etc just for those people so whilst those pre cleared would get a faster service it does not follow that those without would get a better service either.

      And I’ve been in pre check lines where some people still can’t follow the simple requirements of that either!

    • lumma says:

      The whole concept of a trusted traveller programme is ludicrous and actually proves how most of this is just theatre rather than about safety. Surely it won’t be hard for a terrorist group to have some members who wouldn’t show up on any check and get them to apply for it.

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