Hi! My Name is Edward Richardson » airport http://edward-richardson.com/blog Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:05:06 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 Bueller…? Bueller…? Bueller…? http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/08/bueller-bueller-bueller/ http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/08/bueller-bueller-bueller/#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2009 23:59:03 +0000 Edward http://edward-richardson.com/blog/?p=322 I met Ben Stein at work today.

Ben Stein

]]> http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/08/bueller-bueller-bueller/feed/ 0 The Hottest Day of the Summer http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/08/the-hottest-day-of-the-summer/ http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/08/the-hottest-day-of-the-summer/#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:08:55 +0000 Edward http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/08/the-hottest-day-of-the-summer/ Today, I was hard at work at the airport. I had just removed a large bottle of honey from a gentleman’s bag after strong protest from him. As he collected the items I allowed him to keep, the whole place went black. My first thought was, “secure the area!” he might try to steal his honey back. Luckily, that wasnt the case. However, this was the start of hours of working without power. Within a minute, the backup generaters powered on and we had to figure out what to do with the passengers currently being processed. This is because the x ray machines and metal detectors didnt work! It didnt take long to discover that one machine was functional in the carry on section, and none in the checked bag section. This meant that EVERY checked bag had to be hand searched! Clearly it was going to be a long day. Added problems were: the water in bathrooms didnt work, the stores couldnt make food and lighting was limited.
The biggest problem however, was the lack of air conditioning. We worked for hours in a poorly ventilated room dealing with irate passengers. Due to the humidity in the air, the ground quickly went wet, then dirty, then slippery! People were sliding everywhere. In the carry on section where people have to take off thier shoes for security, many were reluctant because thier bare feet were forced to walk on the wet dirty ground.
I was sweating bullets having to work twice as hard to keep things moving in so much heat, my shirt was soaked. When I got home, I realised my underwear was too. This definately was the hottest day of the year for me!

Here is the newspaper report on it: click here
(why did they only mention the customs people, and not how it was airport security that saved the airport from delays?)

]]> http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/08/the-hottest-day-of-the-summer/feed/ 0 The Good Luck Roach http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/07/the-good-luck-roach/ http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/07/the-good-luck-roach/#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:55:32 +0000 Edward http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/07/the-good-luck-roach/ So this morning a roach decided to make a trampoline out of my face. At about 6:45am I was leaving the bathroom, tired as ever with a freshly washed face. Only to feel a stupid roach land on it!

This is the same day of my final test for this security course. I didn’t study the night before… I didn’t feel I needed to. I pretty much proved it with my 95% score! I’m sure it was the highest in the class. As Mr. Smith said, “Impressive!”. From the moment my pen hit the paper I answered each question without hesitation, finishing my 75 minute test in 20 minutes.
Easy.

]]> http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/07/the-good-luck-roach/feed/ 0 I’m pretty smart after all. http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/07/im-pretty-smart-after-all/ http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/07/im-pretty-smart-after-all/#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 02:24:42 +0000 Edward http://edward-richardson.com/blog/?p=186 We had another test today. Lets just say I got the highest in the class!

We covered technology in airport security.  So we talked about AMD and HHMD (metal detectors for u regular people).  We also practiced doing pat downs and bag searches.  I found it sort of intimidating, trying to do the right thing. But I had it down.

Tomorrow is a half day for us. We could have been taking the final exam but Karen and Santil-lah decided they were not ready, so out of the kindness of our hearts we voted to have the test on Friday.

That now means that I have to go all the way to the airport for an hour and fifteen minute test. Oh well

Diet still going great

]]> http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/07/im-pretty-smart-after-all/feed/ 0 If I Tell You, I’ll Have To Kill You http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/07/if-i-tell-you-i-have-to-kill-you/ http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/07/if-i-tell-you-i-have-to-kill-you/#comments Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:03:24 +0000 Edward http://edward-richardson.com/blog/2009/07/if-i-tell-you-i-have-to-kill-you/ Finally, I can say that and somewhat mean it. Today at training we learned all about firearms, explosives and banned items. It was pretty cool being able to see what goes into searching luggage, planes and people. I’m pretty excited to get going with it. One of the best parts was when we learned the regular items that can be used to make a bomb. Mr. Smith made us swear not to share this information.

Just for the record, I now have the names of everyone.
The french born dude is Daniel, the older lady is Karen (she has a 19 and a 21 year old and she is 47), and the crazy guy beside me is Curtis (he also has a 19 and 21 year old AND he’s a grandfather as of December last year.. not expected at all).

This morning’s test went well. I was the only one that didn’t have to go to the book for answers. Yes, I am proud.

Tomorrow is another test, I merely glanced at the notes. We are also doing a practice bag search too, so that should be interesting.

Diet still going good. :)

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