Airport security and anti-crime measures are tighter than ever these days with passenger screening, prohibited items and access control – or so you’d think.
A pilot, however, has revealed the one aspect of air travel that continues to baffle him – a concern he believes could easily be resolved. James Rodgers, who regularly shares aviation insight on social media, turned his focus towards the baggage reclaim area as he pointed out a significant flaw.
“Surely this isn’t very secure? Am I missing something here about airports?” he pondered in a caption alongside a video on TikTok. James’ clip began inside Belfast Airport where he noted: “There are so many security checks at airports until you get here – the baggage reclaim area where it’s basically like, ‘Take any bag you want’.”
James also explained that it’s easy for bags to be innocently taken by others, believing they belong to them. “What’s stopping you accidentally taking someone else’s bag?” he asked.
The pilot pointed out that in Belfast, you can access the baggage areas without actually flying. However, more reassuringly at other major airports including London Heathrow and London Gatwick, after you’ve collected your bags from the carousel you still have to pass through a controlled security exit.
James summarised: “Any member of the public shouldn’t be able to reach your bags? I’m guessing no one does that anyway I hope as there is CCTV everywhere!”
Many of his TikTok followers were equally as concerned, meanwhile, including one person who responded: “Years ago they put a glass wall by the baggage belts and you could only exit from it to the arrivals area where the shop etc is. They removed it for some reason.”
Another recalled their own bad experience: “They lost our bags at Heathrow a few years ago. Hundreds of bags just lying around you could have walked out with anyone of them.”
Others, meanwhile, highlighted Belfast as a particular problem, just as James had. “Belfast is the worst arrivals and baggage claim I’ve gone too,” one traveller claimed. “Setup hasn’t changed in years, the toilets are stinking (100% of the time). Not a nice arrival to Belfast at all.”
A second agreed, slamming: “It’s been like that for the last 25 years, I remember it well when my brother came over to me at the carousel. It’s NUTS. Couldn’t believe he got that far.”
Defending the site Northern Irish capital somewhat, however, James noted: “Always been strange! Most airports aren’t like this but there are a few. I’ll admit it’s not perfect but trust me there’s a lot worse (and I travel a lot!).”
Belfast International Airport has been approached for comment.
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
