5 days ago
Airport security staff explains why they always stare at passengers' crotches
When going through airport security, passengers have to ensure they aren't carrying any prohibited items and are sticking to the liquid allowances.
But there are certain things the security workers are looking out for, and it may mean they have to glance at the area between travellers' legs, too.
A staff member from Sydney Airport, who is responsible for screening carry-on baggage, has revealed exactly what is being checked out.
Someone asked the worker on Reddit: 'Why do you look at our crotch when walking through the scanner?'
The security employee explained they are ensuring there's nothing in the pockets of passengers that could cause issues.
'Usually because we are trying to discern if you have anything in your pockets which will set off the body scanners, or check if you're wearing a belt and what kind of belt you're wearing,' they said.
If items are prohibited or breach the liquid allowance, they are often confiscated by airport staff.
The security worker revealed exactly what happens to belongings when they are taken from passengers.
Someone asked: 'What happens to all the confiscated items such as skin creams, candies that couldn't go through, or anything more than 1000ml?
'Do you guys get to later pick out your favourite stuff and take it home?'
They explained that staff members are not allowed to take anything for themselves, no matter how small the item is.
'We don't take anything, there's cameras all around us and taking anything home as small as some toothpaste would get us in serious trouble,' the worker shared.
'Most things just go in the rubbish.'
As for any problematic items that passengers often try to carry on board without realising they aren't allowed, the worker revealed what regularly crops up.
They explained: 'Any LAGs ( Liquids Aresols or gels) over 100ml cannot go on an international flight, passengers often do not know beforehand that certain foods or skin creams etc fall under this category.
'This type of item is what usually accounts for 80 per cent of pulled bags and screening traffic.'
As for any problematic items that passengers often try to carry on board without realising they aren't allowed, the worker revealed what regularly crops up
Aside from liquid and food, other items like scissors have caused the worker issues in the past.
They recalled an incident with one traveller who wasn't aware nail scissors weren't allowed through the gates.
'Also forms of small scissors, I've had a passenger go ballistic on me because I had to take away his nail scissors telling me they are small and harmless, although he is mostly right it is the rules,' they said.
It comes after it's been predicted this weekend will be 'one of the busiest of the year' for travel.
