Tell me what to expect at airport security (Frankfurt)

When I left Munich last October, the airport had security before we went out to the concourse. It was much like ours, maybe a little less stringent (I don't remember taking off my shoes). When we got to the gate, TSA was there, I they did the usual US security thing.

Just expect to be inconvenienced twice.

Well, the last time I flew to the states was 4 years ago, but it just seemed all more efficient, more humane, and quicker than in the States. As a hotel manager, many of my guests came back and forth between here and the States on a regular basis and they all pretty much said the same thing. Frankfurt has had many more years of strict security practice than the airports in the US, so they seem to be more professional. When I used to fly home, I was always shocked at the total lack of security in our airports compared to here in Europe. I still find them to be less than ideal. Some security practices take place after you check your bags, they use a lot of dogs back in the luggage area. They also use dogs out in the rest of the airport too, but you would never know as they are just regular looking poodles, labs, etc. and with regular looking people walking them around. Things should go fine with your check-in.

Frankfurt Terminal 1 has the strictest security screening of any airport I have ever experienced ( and I’ve experienced more than my fair share ).

You will go through one set of security screening before you hit passport control. This will require any belts and shoes to be removed. All metal objects ( including watches and loose change but not rings ) must be removed and go through the scanner. Even if you go through the metal detector without setting off the alarm, you will still be subjected to search by wand.

You then pass through passport control and if you’re unlucky, do the exact same thing again prior to entering the boarding gate.

Cate, you have a personal message.

As Al says, security at Frankfurt is overkill. This is how it went down the last time I passed through on my way back to Newark: There was a general security check right after passport control, x-ray machines, and metal detectors. There was a second checkpoint just before you enter the portion of the terminal that handles transatlantic flights; this time it was x-ray machines, and a full body pat down-very thorough. Finally at the the gate there was a third check, where you were asked a bunch of questions about your luggage, and then everyone was searched again with one of those wand type devices. Not even the airport in Tel-Aviv has this much security!

We flew home from Prague with a connection in Frankfurt. We were screened in prague, but when we deplaned in Frankfurt we were immediately put into another security line which was NOT moving for a long time. Finally got through it only to have to go through ANOTHER one before we got on our connection to the USA. Franfurt's security is painful.

A few years ago before I retired, I was working in PA on an audit and had to pack up and leave unexpected. I got a flight out of Dulles (very expensive for the next day to the west coast. Now picture this..6 large pieces of luggage...I was in my early 60's...5'1-1/2". They searched each piece of luggage....took at least 1 hour. Then they looked under my blouse.

Every since then including the time I flew with my 85 year old Father...I've always been searched the max.

Frankfurt was the most extensive so far when changing planes from Tel Aviv to SFO. There I had a body search...although not invasive.

So I must be on watch list.

I have no record, nor have I ever created a scene either on phone, airplane or airports.

Strange.

JB....here are your red flags:

--last minute booking

--six pieces of luggage for one person

--Flying out of Dulles across the country on a jumbo jet (this in itself is not a red flag but flying with six pieces of luggage and a last minute booking just adds fuel to the fire.)

--was it a one-way ticket?

The next time you fly, look at your boarding pass. If you see SSSS you are going to secondary screening which by now you're used to. Supposedly, it's done randomly, but if you were suspicious once, it could be on your record. TSA does not discriminate in any way regarding, race, creed, color, religion, sex or age.

Yes. One-way. I had been in PA for a month. Then the firm I was auditing refused me access to anymore records and kicked me out. I was not due to leave for another week or two.

I will remember the sss.

Thanks.

Just a note we experienced that you might want to prepare for. Our security went fairly easily but just a few minutes before boarding they VERY abruptly pulled everyone out of the gate, made all line up along the main hallway, performed a passport check and immediately boarded us. This was my only time going through Frankfurt so perhaps this is a frequent occurrence. However, the demeanor of the gate agents was such that even my husband and I who are fairly frequent and easy-going travelers were a little shaken. I'm sure it would have been nothing if I had known it was going to happen (but I guess that is the point!)

Overall though, I agree with the other posters that security in Europe seems friendlier and well-managed. Details certainly very though! On our first time flying out of Gatwick, my husband proceeded to kick off his shoes and unfasten his belt in the security line. The agent ran over to him and said "hey mate (yes, mate!) what are you doing undressing? You don't have to do that here. Put your clothes back on!" We all chuckled a little and the other four Americans removing their belts and shoes quickly put them back on before they got called out too.

If you folks can remember that airplane that blew up over Lockerbie, Scotland, than you have an idea why security over here in Europe and specifically Frankfurt is intense. They did not want this to happen again. What sometimes amazes me are the people in line who seem to not have a clue what is going to happen. They are not prepared in any way and this is what holds the rest of us up. I wonder if they never read a newspaper and just do not know that their big bottle of water is not going with them, along with their scissors, swiss knife, zippo lighter, and that sort of thing. Or the ones that think it is a joke to say things about bombs, etc. Yes, that WILL get the attention of somebody. It will also hold things up. Last but not least, I am happy that I have never had any difficulties of any kind going through security. So, I keep my fingers crossed on this one.

Thanks, everyone! This helps.

Jo, I remember going through Frankfurt in the 90's the security was so much better than in the US. (The Lockerbie bomb went through Frankfurt.) Even in the 80's, they had guards with guns at the airport.

A lot of Americans were insulated from terrorism until 9/11. I remember worrying about it as an American living in Germany as a child. It was standard operation procedure to check under your car everytime you left in case there was a bomb underneath.

I am so thankful the airports are doing these secutity checks. I feel more comfortable on the planes.

I went through Frankfurt twice last year and don't recall any problems with security. I didn't have to remove my shoes and everything went smoothly. I have more problems coming into the US and Customs . . . It is like I'm targeted. Thanks for reminder about the SSS stamp on boarding pass.

I agree with Jo about how many people are so totally clueless when they travel. It is like they have been living in a cave with no newspapers, tv, radio, magazines, and Internet. It seems to be getting better but there are always a couple of people who just seem so overwhelmed and unprepared.

Hope I'm not too late...
When I was returning from Italy through Frankfurt 2 yrs ago it was a little unnerving when the rather surly security guard TOOK my passport...made several of us go into a room where she (security guard) asked me to lift up my skirt. She ran a wand over me, said it was a random search and finally gave me back my passport.
I was on a round-trip travel agents free ticket on United.
Just don't be surprised or scared...forewarned is forearmed, as they say.
Mary

I'll be going there tomorrow morning, so I will get back with you all in a day or so (after I get over my first jet lagged day)and let you know. Hopefully, it will go as smooth as every other time I have flown back to the States.

Well, it all went as smooth as silk. Got to Terminal 1 with the train, rode the monorail to Terminal 2 in about 5 minutes. Waited in line to check-in which took about 10 min. Had a bite to eat, walked down to Pass control which took about 5 min. then to security and waited in line about 7 min. Did not even have to take off our shoes. No problem at all. Went to Delta and waited to board. Cinci also went fine, except our suitcases did not make it to Col. til later that night, but going thru immigration was also easy. No problems anywhere at all. Yahoo!!!