Strict searches, long delays in beefed up security

A visitor to the Cook Islands, Ben Brundle who is from Belfast, Northern Ireland, re-countered to the Times on Friday morning his experiences with the various security measures at the airports he came through on his trip to Rarotonga.
.Brundle flew from Dublin, Ireland to Heathrow, UK to Los Angeles, USA to Rarotonga.
Dublin
At Dublin airport, Brundle said he had to remove his belt, jacket and shoes before going through a scanner. There was no body search. Security checks were strict on gel and liquids and how they were contained and the size of the containers. He noted with some surprise that the scanner did not pick up that another passenger had soft cheeses and tubs of humus in a carry on bag. These items were the consistency of gel. There was an hour and half delay but it was not due to security but the cold weather. The plane had a lot of snow on its wings and this had to be removed by a fire tender.
Heathrow
At Heathrow airport, passengers were advised there would be a three hours wait before departure. Brundle said he had to remove his belt, shoes and jacket. He had to separate the liquids in his bag and take out electronic gear. He had to empty pockets. Two hours before the flight they were called to the departure gate and there were long queues. Passengers were advised of the increased security to all US destinations and go to bathroom if they needed to. There were three areas, the queue area, security area and holding area. Passengers were brought in 20 at a time to a smaller queue. Then brought in two at a time (2 men, 2 women) and matched with two security officers of same sex. All had to remove bulky clothes, jacket, shoes and belt. Security examined their shoes, belt and jacket. Pockets were emptied and each item closely examined. Electronic items were turned on to see if there were in working order. Carry on bags were opened and searched. Security staff smelt any gels/liquids. They also checked any items bought at airport shops. Presents were unwrapped and checked. Passengers were body frisked. He had to go behind a partition and remove his bulky jeans and tee shirt. Then passengers were placed in a holding area. They were given a free bottle of water. The holding area was a room with no facilities and all passengers were placed in the room. Passengers then boarded the plane. There was an hour and a half wait before take off as further security checks were done. Brundle said these measures may be changed shortly as Heathrow is awaiting delivery of more full body scanners. There will then be no need to remove clothes.
Brundle said airlines made up for the delays by flying faster. This meant using extra fuel.
Los Angeles
At LA Brundle went through immigration. He said it appeared some persons were asked more questions but he put this down to them being visitors to USA. The US authorities wanted proof of him being in transit. His baggage was scanned. Brundle had to physically leave airport and re-enter to board the flight to Rarotonga. He went through the US security checks which were similar to Heathrow. He said passengers were only removed their shoes if wearing bulky boots or steel capped shoes. There was no need to remove liquids from bags or remove his coat. He then went through a body detector. Brundle said it seemed to be less strict at LA but he thinks it was because he arrived on a Sunday and LA airport was not going to implement their new security measures until the Monday.
General view
Brundle said his general view of the security measures was that every one was frustrated. He said no-one believed the checks would prevent attacks. Be cause of the security and delays, people did not have time to look around, buy gifts or get some food. It was hard on families with young children as there was no entertainment. People waited in queues for hour and a half to two hours.

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