TSA dictates Australian airport security

[Sapphocrat]

Well, foreigncorrrespondent and I have always agreed: It's not Puerto Rico, but Australia that's the 51st state.

Tight security effort jells as US calls shots

<snip>

QF93 pushes back from gate nine of Melbourne's international terminal every day of the week at 10.25, come rain, hail or heightened perception of global terror. It is the last element of those three that for the past week has added a minute or two to boarding queues, increased the complexity of purchasing the apparently mandatory litres of duty-free liquor and ensured disappointment for anyone who finds it difficult to fly trans-Pacific without hand cream.

<snip>

(The Australian threat level) is fixed at medium on a four-stage hierarchy established in 1978 that runs from low through medium, to high and extreme. It has been medium in Australian airports since September 11, 2001. But it is the US Transport Security Administration that determines the security protocols that apply to aircraft seeking to enter US air space. So sorry, no liquids, no hair gel and no moisturiser on QF93. One stray bottle of Oil of Olay and an entire jumbo could be quarantined on the LA tarmac and then sent packing.

<snip>

The purchase of duty-frees has been complicated for QF93 passengers by the demands of the TSA, and while there is no restriction on purchases, all bottles will be held at the shop, bagged, named then delivered by suitably cleared personnel to the final departure gate.

This is a morning for quick shopping. By 9.15, a queue is building on the portion of the circular concourse that fronts the upper entrance to gate nine. It is no impediment to passing pedestrian traffic, a situation monitored by a handful of the terminal's 120 surveillance cameras. A dozen private security staff in bright-white, latex gloves are intently searching every piece of hand luggage, according to TSA requirements. They test every compartment, prizing open envelopes and wallets, seizing any or the proscribed liquids, gels, creams and pastes. Once through this check, each passenger will be "patted down" in a semi-screened area, a thorough frisking that won't stint at the momentary discomfort of a brushed inside leg, but will be the last check before boarding.

<snip>

The search upstairs revealed a snowdome of the New York skyline. Security staff had faced a dilemma: seize the snowdome and its potentially explosive liquid filling or let the little trinket pass?

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Much more:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/tight-security-effort-jells-as-us-calls-shots/2006/08/18/1155408020883.html

Pat-downs are one thing, but I'll damn well swim back from Oz before I'll let anyone paw through my wallet!