Many airports have been affected by the 100ml liquid limitation being reimposed for some 3D X-ray screening equipment, requiring passengers to remove any liquid, gel or aerosol above 100ml from their bags and have it screened separately. Airport security personnel play a crucial role in safeguarding passengers and preventing potential terrorist threats, and given that the world is entering peak summer travel season, with ever increasing threats from around the world, it is more crucial now than ever that security staff receive appropriately detailed and measurable X-ray screener training to be able to use equipment to its designed capabilities in order to detect prohibited items in densely packed passenger bags.
With the continued and growing high travel demand airports are experiencing, equipping staff with the tools to confidently and effectively navigate the changes in screening technology and techniques is a way to ensure that security runs safely, smoothly, and efficiently with high degrees of confidence that prohibited items are readily detected.
It’s expected, according to ACI Europe*, that European airport traffic will surpass pre-pandemic levels this year by 3.2%. In May 2024 alone, London Heathrow had over 7 million passengers pass through the airport. With greater passenger numbers anticipated during the busiest summer months, security checkpoints will need to be at maximum capacity and running at optimum efficiency to ensure passenger safety and avoid long queues. This requires all security personnel working within airport screening to have the skills and knowledge to carry out their roles with confidence and efficiency.
Redline Assured Security, one of the leading providers of aviation security training and consulting, is fully equipped to provide airport security staff with training, mentoring, and hands-on service to build confidence in using both 2D and 3D X-ray equipment.
The move from 2D X-ray to 3D Computed Tomography (CT) X-ray screening technology provides X-ray screeners with more detailed images of bags content that can be easily manipulated, rotated, sliced, diced and interrogated at a substance level. When screeners have received thorough training in using this new technology, they are able to examine contents of luggage more effectively on screen, reducing the need for physical bag searches and resulting in highly effective prohibited item detection with a byproduct of vastly reduced security check point queue times. This has been the experience of airports who were early installers and operators of 3D X-ray machines.
A practical-based X-ray training course ensures that participants can operate an X-ray scanner effectively to detect prohibited items. Further enhancing this training, Redline can offer participants access to a both 2D and 3D X-ray machines at the National Safety and Security Academy (NSSA) in Doncaster City, England. By simulating real-world experience, allowing participants to engage in the live screening of real images allowing for them to be trained in a controlled environment, after completing the course X-ray screeners are equipped to work in a live environment with a high degree of confidence in their screening abilities to operate the machine to its fullest potential in order to detect threats.
Taking this training further to continually develop X-ray screeners knowledge and prohibited item detection skills, Redline deploy to clients a state of the art, fully functional Threat Image Recognition Training (TIRT) which is deployed via a cloud server to screeners personal devices offer the highest quality, real time training, anywhere it is required 24/7. Redline’s EU and UK aviation regulatory-compliant 2D and 3D X-ray TIRT system is both technically sophisticated and intuitive. It also provides trainee interaction and feedback with a performance review mode for managers, supervisors, and screeners, allowing airports to feel confident in their staff’s growth and achievements.
Through these training programs, qualified managers and instructors provide staff with Mentoring and On-the-Job Training (OJT) to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to efficiently undertake their job responsibilities.
In today’s ever-evolving world, it is key that airports and their teams rise to the occasion to meet new needs and challenges, and Redline is a valuable resource that can make it possible to do just that.
* https://www.aci-europe.org/44-industry-data/40-airport-traffic.html