Only 100-milliliter bags of liquid or unlimited water bottles? Take off your shoes and belt during security checks or keep everything on? There are now many different rules for security checks at airports – which one applies where, what is behind it, and why could this soon change again?
What applies where to liquids?
Since 2006, the EUthat only liquids up to one liter per person may be carried in hand luggage. And: The individual cans or bottles may not hold more than 100 milliliters each, and all of them must be stored in a resealable plastic bag.
However, there are now some airports in Europe – and also in Germany – where computer tomography scanners are used. They provide a clear picture of the contents of the baggage and ensure that strict regulations on liquids at some airports are eliminated or relaxed.
These include the airports of Rome Fuimicino, Amsterdam Schiphol, Berlin-Brandenburg and London City Airport. Cologne-Bonn, Munich, Stuttgart and Düsseldorf have also already used the new devices at some of the control counters. Information about whether and how much liquid can be taken with you is only available shortly before the control.
And: As of September 1, there will be a new EU directive that will repeal the regulations for the new scanners as well.
What applies to laptops etc.?
Laptops and other technical devices are checked at most Airports are also scanned separately. The reason for this is that, especially with older scanning systems, the X-rays cannot penetrate the battery and other mechanical parts of the device sufficiently.
This rule is currently no longer applicable at some airports with modern scanners, but information about whether the laptop can remain in the bag is only available directly at the security checkpoint.
Where do you even have to take off your shoes – and why?
In some cases, you will be asked to remove your shoes, belt and jewelry at the security checkpoint. The reason: metallic objects could trigger the body scanners – and weapons or drugs could be hidden in the shoes. Nevertheless, different rules apply everywhere.
The Airport BER Berlin-Brandenburg, for example, points out that you only have to take off your shoes if the staff ask you to; it is not part of the standard checks. This is the case at most German airports. You have to take off boots earlier than sandals or slippers.
The Federal Police ask that you do not remove your belt. And they point out that the security scanner check is voluntary. Anyone who does not want to go through the scanner or cannot be scanned because of pregnancy or a pacemaker can also be checked manually.