Checkpoint Roles
Roles and duties (rotating) at each security checkpoint utilising an X-ray Machine and Archway Metal Detector include the following:
Loader
- Carries out risk assessments of passengers and selects those requiring enhanced security screening. The loader is in a key position to observe any suspicious behaviour (such as furtiveness, uncooperative attitude or hesitancy) as passengers approach the x-ray machine.
- Ensures baggage is placed properly on the feed belt for the X-ray equipment to ensure effective image production.
- Prevents unsuitable items from being placed on the conveyor belt.
- Instructs passengers to take out any electronic and electrical equipment such as PC laptops and mobile/cellular phones from their baggage and place them in the trays provided, in order that they pass through the X-ray equipment isolated.
- Stops machine if any item is being jammed or trapped.
- Requests that baby strollers, child seats, etc should be collapsed to pass through the X-ray.
- Reassures passengers who may be nervous about their possessions going thorough the X-ray machine. (Many people wrongly believe airport x-ray machines make items radioactive, or will damage items)
Screener
- Performs correct start-up test procedures for the X-ray equipment at screening point start-up times.
- Maintains standards of screening.
- Observes task times, time on screen and decision times.
- Interprets the X-ray images produced by the X-ray equipment.
- Uses all main image evaluation functions of the X-ray equipment, including brightness & contrast, inverse image displays, organic stripping, inorganic stripping and zoom functions, etc. (These image manipulations can be useful for identifying subtle differences in density or composition to detect threats embedded within visually cluttered images)
- Visually scans for objects as efficiently as possible to keep the flow of passengers at an acceptable level and makes a decision about each bag, in a demanding and high workload environment.
- Selects bags that might contain a prohibited article (or any item that cannot be positively identified) for further processing by hand search and application of trace technology.
- Pinpoints the shape, size, and location of potential concealed threats. Shows the searcher the suspicious item on the X-ray monitor to help him/her in the search of the baggage.
Searcher
- Manually inspects items requiring additional processing after selection by the X-ray screener.
- Observes whether passengers whose bags are selected for search appear nervous which can indicate they know the bag contains something prohibited.
- Performs correct search techniques when conducting searches of carry-on baggage; and responds appropriately when prohibited articles are discovered.
- Uses explosive trace detection equipment (if available).
- Informs the screener of what the object was that caused the suspicion, once a search is completed.
- There is sometimes a legal requirement that a percentage of bags should be randomly selected and searched by hand. This acts as a visual deterrent to acts of unlawful interference
Archway Metal Detector (AMD) Operator
- Performs correct testing procedures for the AMD at screening point start-up times
- Controls the flow of passengers through the AMD
- Monitors any alarms that are generated by the equipment and directs passengers for secondary checks using either hand-held metal detectors or physical search
Passenger searchers (Both male and female required)
- Responsible for additional processing of passengers after passing through walk-through metal detectors, searching passengers manually or with the aid of a hand-held metal detector, or by a combination of the two
- Searches for both metallic and non-metallic threat objects hidden on passengers, including weapons (such as handguns and knives), as well as explosives, narcotics, and other contraband
Supervisor
- Responsible for overall standards and efficiency of the passenger
- screening point (PSP).
- May fill in for screeners and other staff when they must leave their posts. The Supervisor should not generally be involved in operating the equipment, but should assist with passenger risk assessments and the guidance of staff on contentious security issues.
- Responsible for management/police liaison.
- Helps to ensure members of the public follow safety instructions, and don’t spend time around the x-ray inspection system longer than is warranted.
(Where 2 x-ray units and 2 AMDs are utilised at a single centralised screening point, a single Supervisor may oversee both operations. Additional combinations of x-ray and AMD should have additional Supervisors deployed).
