[AGDee]

Originally Posted by charlie2010

Metal detector, yes, (hand) luggage screening, yes (both x-ray and manual), taking shoes, belts etc of yes, being 'searched' in person: yes.

Have seen the air blower in a few European airports, though can't say for sure I have seen it in Amsterdam. Have had the pleasure of being x-rayed there, although, as per last week, that wasn't standard procedure yet. They say it will be now...

All in all, most times it is pretty similar to American airports (although they clearly messed up somehow last week....) but it still could, and should, be tighter. Then again, once a friend of mine flew out of DC, a few months after 9/11, carrying a pocket knife... so mishaps happen anywhere. It's not for lack of money, or even lack of expertise. I guess a lot of people here still believe that 'stuff like that only happens in America', or maybe in England. Well.... dream on!

See, now in my experience, I've only had to do all that at the first airport, not at every connecting airport. I've never ever had to go through security screening a second time, in the US when I was connecting flights. As long as I stayed in the "secured area" near the gates, it was all good.