Tightened security leaving Fuerte

Gone Fishing · September 28, 2015, 17:51:52 PM

Noticed a significant increase in the numbers of security staff wearing military-style uniforms on the departures X-ray and scanning equipment last week.

Also - all cameras, electrical items (ipods, mobile phones and headphones) had to be removed from hand luggage and placed in a tray to be scanned separately.

I was even swabbed for drugs - hands, shoes and carry-on bag - which is a first for me anywhere in the World.

Thankfully the results were negative but it does make the old sphincter a bit twitchy while the analyser makes up its mind if your clean or not.

Deso · September 28, 2015, 18:07:48 PM

We noticed that the other week, they took my Zippo light off me and my brother in law had the swab treatment when they went back a few days earlier.

Must be for all the drug pushers in Caleta.

Elite of the forum · September 28, 2015, 19:55:21 PM

Must be you dodgy looking lot

the guy on the scanner did ask what my GPS in my bag was that i used for walking i told him shrugged his shoulders Ok and off i went never even took it out of the bag to look at it

dee-dee · September 28, 2015, 20:41:42 PM

My daughter got swabbed for drugs two weeks ago ...apart from that everything was as usual with the electronic devices

Elite of the forum · September 29, 2015, 17:37:23 PM

Surprised they didnt ask why you had 10 bottles of tia marie in your bag Dee

Gone Fishing · September 29, 2015, 17:46:39 PM

Just had an email from Fuerte airport security

Apparently my swab was positive - I'm eight weeks pregnant

JJB · September 29, 2015, 19:03:34 PM

Oh Goody. Lots of little fishies for me to catch when I come over

falkirkdan · September 30, 2015, 01:26:40 AM

I fell victim to the random explosive swap test in Glasgow on the way over. Both hands and feet. The security guy was lucky i had washed my feet.

dee-dee · September 30, 2015, 07:22:56 AM

Quote from: Red Russki of the Rovers on September 29, 2015, 17:37:23 PM
Surprised they didnt ask why you had 10 bottles of tia marie in your bag Dee

Sshhh

Mr Boo Boo · September 30, 2015, 09:06:51 AM

We have always had to take out our electrical equipment when leaving Fuerto...
When we last over in July I forget to take out my I Pad from my hand luggage at Manchester airport, of course this caused mayhem to the customs people, had to have a full search and swab tested... LESSON LEARNT

Brightspark · September 30, 2015, 09:35:05 AM

Quote from: Chester Man on September 30, 2015, 09:06:51 AM
LESSON LEARNT

Yeah, NEVER buy Apple

Mr Boo Boo · September 30, 2015, 10:02:54 AM

Apples are meant to be good for the old memory, not in my case as I forgot to take the thing out

woe10 · September 30, 2015, 16:16:56 PM

My Co-Codemol failed the drugs test, as it contains Codeine whis is an Opium Based drug. I had to show my prescription before they let me have them back.

TamaraEnLaPlaya · October 02, 2015, 01:10:41 AM

Thanks for the warning Woe - I wouldn't normally carry my prescription with me in my hand baggage.

Can the Man · October 02, 2015, 14:01:15 PM

Quote from: woe10 on September 30, 2015, 16:16:56 PM
My Co-Codemol failed the drugs test, as it contains Codeine whis is an Opium Based drug. I had to show my prescription before they let me have them back.

Thanks Woe, that's very useful to Know Woe, as I normally don't carry my prescription for my diabetic drugs, just a letter from my endocrinologist.

erik_tonny · October 02, 2015, 17:13:33 PM

So now my oxazepam is flying in my hold-luggage.
But when security start rubbing me the wrong way, I'll be needing my oxazepam...
Catch 22

woe10 · October 02, 2015, 18:49:17 PM

Quote from: Can the Man on October 02, 2015, 14:01:15 PM
Quote from: woe10 on September 30, 2015, 16:16:56 PM
My Co-Codemol failed the drugs test, as it contains Codeine whis is an Opium Based drug. I had to show my prescription before they let me have them back.

Thanks Woe, that's very useful to Know Woe, as I normally don't carry my prescription for my diabetic drugs, just a letter from my endocrinologist.

My Co-Codemol was in my suitcase, in a plastic bag.
The dog picked it out as it was going around the carousel, unbelievable, such a small amout of the drug.

erik_tonny · October 03, 2015, 09:27:58 AM

H0, Stop, Wait.
What are we talking about? Incoming or outgoing ?

Incoming:
All bagage including holdbagage) can be checked for contraband by customs.
They don't care if you have a pocketknife or a litre of water but will become unfriendly if they find 10 fake RayBans.
When they swab you they are checking for drugs

Outgoing:
Everything that will enter the plane can be checked for safety reasons by security.
They won't even see a bag of cocaine but will almost panic when they find a knitting needle
When they swab you they are checking for explosives.

cockney · October 03, 2015, 19:44:39 PM

Came home on Wednesday and didn't notice any difference. Took my laptop out of the bag but left a pad and kindle, no problem. My wife carries enough drugs to supply a hospital, including Codeine, and carries them all in a separate bag. She has never been stopped anywhere in the world including Dubai where we are told you can be imprisoned for taking Codeine in.
Perhaps we look like angels.:-)

falkirkdan · October 05, 2015, 11:21:51 AM

We were on a late flight on Sat night. Our friends offered we could shower etc at their place before heading for the airport, an offer we accepted.
My friend had the usual shampoo etc in her hand luggage for showering and changing. When we were all spruced up we set off for the airport.
The security seemed to take an age, bear that in mind if you are running late.
When we got home and unpacked well guess what? In her hand baggage was large shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste. So much for the heighten security.

woe10 · October 06, 2015, 12:13:38 PM

All this depends on which side of the bed they got out of that morning.

The same goes for Police at roundabouts, some days Red Cars, other days Blue Cars etc ...

falkirkdan · October 06, 2015, 13:08:53 PM

Thank goodness mine was dusty grey.

MinRich · October 12, 2015, 16:56:24 PM

Quote from: Gone Fishing on September 28, 2015, 17:51:52 PM
Noticed a significant increase in the numbers of security staff wearing military-style uniforms on the departures X-ray and scanning equipment last week.

Also - all cameras, electrical items (ipods, mobile phones and headphones) had to be removed from hand luggage and placed in a tray to be scanned separately.

I was even swabbed for drugs - hands, shoes and carry-on bag - which is a first for me anywhere in the World.

Thankfully the results were negative but it does make the old sphincter a bit twitchy while the analyser makes up its mind if your clean or not.

Same for me ! We must look dodgy

Can the Man · October 14, 2015, 14:06:36 PM

I found the security scan and clearance yesterday afternoon the best and fastest ever. Must have been all the efficient Germans ahead of me in the queue. All departure flights at that time were all German dstinations

jaynek65 · October 14, 2015, 21:15:33 PM

My poor hubby got pulled out of the queue on the way home this afternoon and had his bag, hands and legs swabbed ! At nearly 60yrs old he obviously looks like a drug mule !

Must admit it made my day, seeing his poor confused face, it was all I could do not to laugh, He on the other hand was horrified. I thank god that he didn't have my cocktails of drugs (prescripton) on him, that might have taken some explaining especailly as some where codine !

But pleased to see they are taking security so seriously, it actually made us feel safer knowing how good they are being.

suendrob · October 16, 2015, 20:05:47 PM

Quote from: MinRich on October 12, 2015, 16:56:24 PM
Quote from: Gone Fishing on September 28, 2015, 17:51:52 PM
Noticed a significant increase in the numbers of security staff wearing military-style uniforms on the departures X-ray and scanning equipment last week.

Also - all cameras, electrical items (ipods, mobile phones and headphones) had to be removed from hand luggage and placed in a tray to be scanned separately.

I was even swabbed for drugs - hands, shoes and carry-on bag - which is a first for me anywhere in the World.

Thankfully the results were negative but it does make the old sphincter a bit twitchy while the analyser makes up its mind if your clean or not.

Same for me ! We must look dodgy

We got through ok. Sue set off the metal detector with her silver bracelets, after they told her to leave them on They just sent her back through, holding her hand high!

When I got there, they all seemed to be looking the other way, fortunately. No problem at all.

falkirkdan · October 17, 2015, 18:46:49 PM

Can't believe you do not set off the metal detector Rob.
Hope you enjoyed your week at Infinity and your money did not run out, like the Bombay Sapphire will have

duncolm · October 18, 2015, 08:50:33 AM

My partner's son had one of those 35 cent bags of sea salt from the museum taken away and examined by security last night...

suendrob · October 18, 2015, 10:30:05 AM

Quote from: falkirkdan on October 17, 2015, 18:46:49 PM
Can't believe you do not set off the metal detector Rob.
Hope you enjoyed your week at Infinity and your money did not run out, like the Bombay Sapphire will have

I think there must be an 'ignore' button on the machine. They just don't want to deal with me

Infiniti was excellent at usual. Why else would we be there?

One week El Caleton, one week Infiniti. Suits us perfectly. Good company at both places, too.

TamaraEnLaPlaya · October 19, 2015, 22:50:36 PM

I went through around 6pm on 14th of this month with no problem except the length of the queue and therefore the time it took - over half an hour of slowly shuffling along. When I checked in I saw the security queue and went for a coffee expecting it to have cleared a bit when I returned 30 mins later but the queue was even longer and I then had no choice but to get in line or I risked missing my flight. I'm all for thorough security checks but they need to eliminate the bottlenecks in the process.
Ahead of me someone had a new bottle of Jack Daniels confiscated - the security guy had a big grin on his face as he removed it from a rucksack!