
The events of the past few weeks will have many people looking over their shoulders when they use airports. Security, a vital part of the travel process has become so intense that it would almost make you reconsider your journey. Getting people airside as quick as possible should be the aim of every airport. Bombings rarely happen there.
Bring back the days when we strolled into airports, cigarettes in mouths, bags full of booze, newspaper under arm and not a worry in our heads. Now we have to consider stripping down to our bare essentials, measuring 100ml containers and worrying about losing belongings at security.
The whole security process has become very stressful for many people and is not helped by the fact that we bring far too much stuff with us to avoid luggage fees from airlines. Airlines should consider bringing back free check-in luggage for passengers.
We are all used to packing better these days and would be happy to have a 15kg or maybe 20 kg allowance for the convenience of not having to haul the bag through Security. It would also assist the process of X-raying bags for dangerous items.
Airports in Ireland entice travellers airside with the vast array of shops and well-priced goods. They could also consider bringing back smoking areas. There is a nice smoking garden in Terminal 1 at Dublin and a smoking area airside in Shannon. Some European airports have smoking rooms. That would reduce the number of people outside smoking their last fags before flying.
Reducing Security queues should be the aim of all airports. If that means bringing in body scanners that can check pockets and handbags without unloading everything into trays, bring them on. Technology has improved to the stage that you can be scanned without being seen in the nip.