Try being a foot passenger on the Stena HSS at Stranraer - , unsmiling staff and (this is the best part) two televisions blaring two different stations while you wait. Then a long clamber through the car deck and up metal stairs to board

Travel between NI and the mainland is third world - and its not just airports who lack 'customer care'!

Posted by Jeni | 11.06.09, 12:49 GMT

Go to Dublin? Y wud u drive all the way to Dublin bcos the security guard didnt smile at u?!
At the end of the day its not like these security measures where just made up a few days ago.
Everyone should know the procedures by now & turn up at the airport prepared.
I can see why security staff get frustrated - I get frustrated when Im stuck behind some fool who is hoking through their bag pulling out all their cosmetics/liquids etc etc and moaning about it!

Posted by PB | 10.06.09, 20:25 GMT

I have to disagree with all of these comments. I have travelled to and from Belfast over the last 3yrs and have found the staff to be kind and professional.
I'm always greeted with a smile upon arrival in the security check area and have been fairly treated by the staff.
If I have to be searched, then so be it. If I have a bottle of water thats not allowed, well thats my fault not theirs.

I think everyone should remember why we have airport security these days - for our safety.

Posted by Alan Upton | 10.06.09, 15:00 GMT

I had my travel size toiletries in a clear plastic bag however that was deemed unacceptable. Was told I had to buy a new plastic bag from a machine at a cost of one pound. I did not have a pound nor did any of my friends. Finally after a few minutes hold-up a total stranger gave me a pound and I purchased the new plastic bag. The only difference? It had a zip lock. What that had to do with security is beyond me.

Now the security people followed the letter of the law however the only thing achieved was to not only inconvenience me but the long line of people behind me.

Surely a little intelligence and common sense would have gone a long way.

Posted by Fred | 10.06.09, 00:13 GMT

Just go do Dublin, and avoid the third world conditions at Belfast International. Everyone has choices, and anyone who chooses this place when they don't have to deserves all they get.

Vote with your feet. Once you experience the fantastic facilities and friendly efficient staff at Dublin, you won't use Belfast again. Let it whither and die on the vine.

Posted by man dingo | 09.06.09, 18:25 GMT

Has anyone experienced the city airport security problem? Not so much the staff but the queue to reach the screening area. On my previous couple of visits I’ve seen a queue that stretches around every inch of floor space before leading to the security area. Four flights were on final call with the majority of the passengers still in the queue. That’s before I was one of 3 rushed through to catch my flight. This is becoming an increasingly frustrating part of the journey, for me plus the staff and other travellers. Is this due to a recent serge in departures? If so they need to address the capabilities of the security area, for the sake of everyone involved

Posted by Andy | 09.06.09, 13:31 GMT

I have found them to be ignorant, arrogant and generally unhelpful.

They took bag out of the scanner and threw it in a heap without even asking me if it was my bag. I took a further ten minutes for some one to pick it off the heap and bring it over to the table to have a look through it. Same person was about as professional and as suited to the job a cosmestics sales person going on a covert mission in Afghanistan.

I was not happy about it the service at all.

Posted by Joe | 09.06.09, 12:50 GMT

I totally agree Robbo, although going through security checks is not a pleasant experience, these people are just doing their job. I have always found them firm but fair, it is our safety they are doing this for. I saw one woman give a security man terrible abuse because she had not put her toiletries into a clear bag, it was awful to see. I can imagine they run into many people like this and it is bound to run you down. Unless it is a genuine complaint, leave these workers alone. Nice going BT

Posted by Thomas | 09.06.09, 10:54 GMT

I've never had any reason, like so many others, to make a complaint about the security staff.

Posted by robbo | 08.06.09, 19:16 GMT