When we think about airport security, we imagine chaos: you walk through the machine and — BEEP — you forgot some keys in your pocket. You walk again — BEEP — maybe it’s your hair tie!? BEEP — some stranger is patting you down.
It’s stressful, you’re sweating, and a lovely long queue of people is forming behind you.
However, if there’s one thing Schiphol Airport doesn’t like, it’s queues. Especially given all the drama over the past few years.
With the May holidays quickly approaching, the airport is bracing itself for a wave of up to 80,000 travellers per day, according to Nu.nl.
While it does warn of longer waiting times at check-in desks and security, it doesn’t expect the same scenes as in previous years.
This is thanks to new equipment at security which should make the process of passing through much simpler.
Simpler? But how?
According to AD, Schiphol has brand new scanners at all of its security gates — 53 in total.
With these scanners, you no longer have to adopt an awkward stance like you’re imitating one of your Sims characters in order for the machine to scan you.
READ MORE | How to get to and from Amsterdam’s airport: the easy guide
Instead, all you do is, well, stand there.
“You can just keep your hands and arms next to your body. That’s a lot easier,” airport operations director Patricia Vitalis tells AD.
According to Vitalis, the new scanners can scan a person’s body for dangerous items within three seconds and are less prone to errors.
What this means for you as a traveller is this:
Fewer people will have to be stopped and checked, fewer people will have to carry out a Vogue photo shoot while trying to pass through the machines, and ultimately, queues will be less long.
But does it actually work?
You may be thinking, hmmm, but is this perhaps too simple? Will the machines actually pick up on danger?
Schiphol already had this thought themselves, so they sent in two men to try pass through the machines with dangerous items.
READ MORE | Travelling by plane this summer? Here are 7 extra costs to watch out for
Schiphol’s coordinator at the Royal Military Police, Colonel Jeffrey van Horn, attempted to pass through the machine with a knife in his sock, while his colleague wore a fake explosive.
Both men were immediately picked up by the machines, and the unknowing staff did everything by the books.
Through with queues
Great, so the machines work — but do they actually help with the queues?
According to Vitalis, yes! “We are already seeing that passengers are going through security significantly faster,” she tells AD.
Say no more, if it means we get to our holiday destination faster and safer, we’re happy. 🏝️
Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮
Maybe the Dutch are trying to streamline security, but doing a better job should not include abusing customers. I think airport security is important and I understand it. I’ve been traveling back and forth from the US to the EU since 2018.
Prior to retirement, I traveled all over the world on business and NEVER had an experience like I had at Schiphol on May 29. I have a knee replacement and always let the agents know prior to going thru the scanner. I triggered a search, which I often do, and of course, had to have a ‘pat down’. A pat down should not include reaching under my bra, between and under my breasts, or grabbing, yes actually grabbing, my breasts in her hands. I said something about that but declined to speak to the team lead, which I now realize I should have done. She then reached down inside my pants, both front and back. I was so shocked I didn’t know what to say.
I’m a 75 year old woman….I sure hope she feels good about what she did…..if it happens like this again, I will ask if she enjoyed herself. This search was totally overboard and out of line.
I had a wonderful time in Amsterdam and am checking out retirement in the EU….this offensive attitude and behavior won’t deter me from the Netherlands, but it sure was not a good experience.