Screening

Screening Equipment

Not all screening equipment is the same. Screening equipment in Australia is tested on a daily basis to meet the minimum Australian Government regulations. When passing through different airports and even when passing through Brisbane Airport screening points at different times you may notice what you perceive to be inconsistent responses from equipment.

Even though systems are tested with the same parameters equipment is affected by different climatic and environmental conditions, types of clothing, density of material and different shapes and sizes of passengers. Such variances cannot be controlled hence why sometimes you will find different responses when passing through screening points.

SmartGate

Some Australian and New Zealand ePassport holders now have the option to self-process through passport control using SmartGate.

SmartGate is a simple, two-step process which performs the customs and immigration checks usually conducted by a Customs and Border Protection Officer. It offers travellers flying into Brisbane another safe, efficient way to clear through passport control.

To use SmartGate, travellers must also be aged 18 years or over and have completed their Incoming Passenger Card.

For more information visit SmartGate.

All Passengers

All embarking passengers must go through a security screening point at the Domestic and International Terminals before boarding a flight. Australian Government regulations do not discriminate and as such this requirement includes all people whether elderly, infirm, children, disabled, air crew or airport workers. As such we ask for your patience and understanding for the difficult job being performed by our security staff.

All passengers are reminded that when going through screening points they are responsible for keeping track of their own possessions. We suggest that you place your valuables such as wallet, passport, jewellery and camera in your bag prior to arriving at the screening point.

At times you will be asked to remove your shoes, as the majority of shoes have a metal brace through the instep and this can alarm the walk-through detector.

At times passengers will alarm screening equipment and further screening will be required before they can be cleared for travel. In some cases, areas of the body covered by outer garments (including headwear) may continue to alarm. If that happens, passengers may be asked to undergo a physical search, or to remove items of outer clothing (such as a jacket or headwear) before they can be cleared through the screening point. BAC recognises that for religious or other personal reasons, passengers may not wish to do so in public, therefore at any time during the screening process a passenger can request that this further screening take place in a private room.

Explosive Trace Detection machines and dogs are in use at Brisbane Airport. Passengers and baggage may be tested at check-ins or screening points at any time.

Passengers with special needs

Passengers with special needs pass through the airport daily and are faced with a range of challenges due to the security process. Prior preparation by passengers is essential. Some examples of passengers with special needs are listed and preparation before screening is advised. It should be noted that in these instances passengers may request private screening; this however will take considerably longer than public screening.

• Medical Implants. Passengers are to advise the screening officer of their condition and request separate screening to avoid passing through any machines that may affect them e.g. pacemakers, cochlear implants.

• Artificial Limbs/Prosthesis. Passengers are to advise the screening officer of their condition and request separate screening to avoid passing through a metal detector.

• Walking aids. Walking aids must be screened and as such may require X-Ray or Explosive Trace Detection. Screening points have chairs and walking aids available for you during this process.

• Wheel Chairs. Airline staff are very familiar with the movement of passengers requiring wheel chairs and will facilitate passengers directly to the screening point where they will be required to undergo screening by way of a pat down search by a security officer of the same sex.

The screening points are equipped with seats and walking aids which will be provided by our screening staff on request. Our screening officers make every effort to treat you with dignity during these processes.

Brisbane Airport is very proud of its customer service record given that the screening process is geared to process you in the quickest and most efficient time and that the number of passengers screened is over nine million per year and 6,000 per day and increasing

Baggage / Hand Luggage

In regard to baggage and hand luggage, passengers are advised of the following:

• all checked-in baggage is security screened at Brisbane Airport.

• contact should be made with the airline you are flying with to discuss the carriage of Dangerous Goods.

• all laptop computers will need to be removed from hand luggage, placed in a tray and X-rayed separately. Please do this at the preparation tables before approaching the X-ray machine.

• x-ray machines will not damage ordinary photographic film, cameras or electronic items. Some high speed (over 1000 ASA), ultra violet and X-ray film can be affected. Ask the screening officer if you are unsure.

LAGs

Passengers on international flights from Brisbane Airport are advised that the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS) have implemented new security measures affecting Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs).

Further information can be found at New Security Measures for LAGs and www.infrastructure.gov.au provides additional details in respect of medical needs and infant requirements. Brisbane Airport employs customer service and security staff on level 4 of the International Terminal to provide advice and plastic bags to assist with the preparation of LAGs for screening.

Prohibited Items

Implements such as knives (including Swiss Army knives and multi-tools), pointed metal scissors, razor blades (excluding disposable razors and multi razor blades), tools and many other items are prohibited in carry on luggage. If in doubt, please ask your airline or pack the items in your checked in baggage for travel. For more information visit www.infrastructure.gov.au

Due to the large quantities of prohibited items detected during the screening process, most airlines will not forward any item detected and surrendered at the screening points. If items are not surrendered at the screening points the passenger is in breach of Australian Government regulations, the airline will not allow the passenger to travel and passengers will be refused entry to the Departures hall.

Dangerous Goods

A wide range of articles and substances such as pesticides, petrol, acids, aerosols and bleaches, etc are considered dangerous goods. These items are not allowed on aircraft as they are capable of posing significant risk to health and safety when transported by air. Further information on dangerous goods can be found at www.casa.gov.au

Cultural and Religious Requirements

Some passengers wear items to satisfy their cultural and religious beliefs. This requirement is acknowledged by Brisbane Airport. Some items do however interfere with the operation of security equipment or are prohibited through normal security screening procedures.

Weapons and knives which form part of a passengers cultural or religious beliefs are not exempt from screening under Australian Government Aviation Security regulations. These items should be packed in checked baggage or separate arrangements made with the airline.

Some items of clothing cannot be screened by the machinery and will require hand search. Passengers with these needs are to advise the screening officer.

Health/Medical

Passengers with a bona fide medical condition may carry a medical kit containing appropriate medical equipment. These passengers should carry evidence such as a doctor's certificate to substantiate their condition and also obtain airline approval prior to travel.