Passenger Screening and Medical Equipment

Security body scanners are now common in UK airports, reflecting the Government’s current assessment of the risk to aviation in the UK.   All customers and staff at Glasgow Prestwick Airport will pass through a security scanner.

Health

Security body scanners at UK airports use millimetre wave technology and are therefore safe for all of our customers, including children, babies and pregnant woman.

The MHRA advises that: “If you have an implanted pacemaker, ICD or neurostimulator you are safe to use airport security body scanners. For further information relating to your own specific implanted device please contact your local cardiac centre, doctor or the manufacturer of your device”.

Privacy

Scanners at UK airports use Automatic Threat Recognition software (ATR). This ensures that customers’ privacy is respected. No image of the customer’s body is created or stored. All processing is done electronically, with no intervention by a human screener. It is not possible to save, copy, or transfer data.

Alternative Screening Method

An alternative screening method is available should the customer opt out of being screened by the scanner. This will involve at least a private search. The ‘private search’ is a more extensive hand-search than the ‘pat-down’ search, and is conducted in a private room in the presence of two Security Officers; it may involve the loosening and/or removal of clothing.

Find out more:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/information-on-the-implementation-of-security-scanners

If you want to find out more about our security screening, please get in touch.

Essential Medical Equipment

You can carry medical equipment needed during the trip through the passenger security screening point. Where possible, it should be contained within one item of hand luggage, and should be accompanied by supporting documentation from the relevant qualified medical professional.

Our security staff are required under government legislation to carry out a hand-search whenever a passenger activates the archway metal detector alarm or scanner. If you are a wheelchair user, that’s likely to be the case so you may wish to elect for a Private search, this can be carried out away from the main search area, so please don’t hesitate to request this. Private search areas are located within the Central Search Area. If you have any questions or queries throughout the Security process, please do not hesitate to ask for one of our Security Supervisors.  The same process can apply to persons with reduced mobility, hidden and non-hidden disabilities

Training

All our security staff at Glasgow Prestwick Airport have completed training in the following areas;

  • Disability Awareness
  • Stomawise training
  • Dementia friendly training