Should they stop checking bags at parks?

[cardaway]

Just got back form a recent trip and from reading a thread on the tips board. The thread backed up the feelings I had after seeing the recent state of bag checks.

IMO it's basically pointless these days for the following reasons.

1) They don't check the contents within the bag for contents. This was backed p by comments in the other thread about them not opening clear backpacks. Most small weapons and explosives could fit in a small rolled up coat or poncho folks.

2) Too much variation on the amount of security. It was pretty clear that there were some people checking everything and others basically doing a quick glance. There were commtets about folks looking to see who was checking the best and avoiding them. Guess what the bad guys do.

3) They don't check the bodies of the guests at all. You can bascially get almost anything in as long as you don't put it in your bag.

If they are not going to improve things, they IMO should just stop.

 

[caitycaity]

i pretty much agree with you. it's just for show. i often have a camera bag within a backpack and only abut 50% of the time does someone make me open up the camera bag.

 

[CheshireVal]

I do think it's mostly for show. Most of the time they make me open my bag but they don't ever bother to look down inside it, or in any of the zippered compartments.

There was one exception, though: last year a lady security officer made me pull out my clear make-up bag so that she could see what was in it: tampons. And since it was a transparent bag, everyone else saw it too.

 

[DawnCt1]

I agree. They use metal detectors at Six Flags. That might be an improvement.

 

[JetMom]

I also agree that the bag check is mostly for show. When we were at WDW in October 2001 we walked past empty security tables with a duffle bag holding clothes and towels for the whole family at 1:00 p.m. at Typhoon Lagoon.

It seems that security is more of a concern at 9:00 a.m. than at 1:0o p.m.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

How come they always make me open my backpack than the camera bag the front of the backpack. I have to go thru the whole thing.

 

[BillSears]

Most of the "security" done now adays is just for show. I'd love to see them get rid of the bag searches.

 

[cardaway]

Originally posted by DawnCt1
I agree. They use metal detectors at Six Flags. That might be an improvement.

In finding metal items maybe, but what about the rest and at what cost.

I would imagine Six Flags has more of an issue with guns and knives. At Disney it would become a nightmare due to the larger crowds and the number of legit metal items.

Still not worth it IMO.

 

[Beauty]

They have always looked through every pocket of mine with a small flashlight as well.

I definatly think an expert could get something in if they wanted but it doesn't bother me. Call me easygoing, but if one thing gets caught then its worth it to me.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

It would be worth it to continue if they actually searched the bags, but they don't. Or at least they didn't search our bags when we went. I used a clear backpack for Holly's gear, but Remy had a fanny pack, which they never checked. They never even wanted me to open my backpack for them to search (I asked) and you couldn't see everything in there due to our ponchos and extra clothes for the girls (besides the fact that stuff could have been hidden in her formula can). I think it is a waste of time if they aren't going to actually check anything.

 

[BillSears]

Originally posted by Beauty
I definatly think an expert could get something in if they wanted but it doesn't bother me. Call me easygoing, but if one thing gets caught then its worth it to me.

I don't mean to attack you on this one, this is just an observation. But what can you put in a bag that you can't just carry on in your pocket? I mean really knives, guns, explosives, poison just about anything can be taken into the parks by placing them in your pocket. It doesn't take an expert to sneak something in.

 

[cardaway]

Has anybody else ever had their pockets checked of something they are wearing?

I never have, nobody in my party has, and I've never seen anybody else having their pockets checked.

 

[Antonia]

Maybe they are really not so much interested in the bag as they are the person carrying it. By slowing people down for the bag search, it does give security more of a chance to notice suspicious people.

 

[mrsltg]

By slowing people down for the bag search, it does give security more of a chance to notice suspicious people.

This would be true if they actually had real security. The people checking the bags are a joke. If Disney wanted real security they'd hire Wells or some such company to take care of it. This is no good.

Erin

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by Antonia
Maybe they are really not so much interested in the bag as they are the person carrying it. By slowing people down for the bag search, it does give security more of a chance to notice suspicious people.

I am almost positive this is what happens. They are looking for specific behavior, and slowing down the line helps with this.

This would be true if they actually had real security. The people checking the bags are a joke. If Disney wanted real security they'd hire Wells or some such company to take care of it. This is no good.

Just curious, how many of the WDW security folks do you know personally? You must know at least one since you are so familiar with what they have gone through for training, etc. to say that they are "all a joke" and that Disney should hire "real" security.

 

[robinb]

I visited WDW in November, 2001. I thought bag checks were silly then and I think they are silly now. The are only designed to make the guests feel all warm, fuzzy and "secure".

 

[LtG]

The bag check is a waste of time. As was said anything that could be in a bag could be on your person.

Metal detectors with unarmed security guards are pointless. If my Uzi sets off the metal detector what are they going to do about it?

No matter how much training the security guards have received they are all a little bit old.

Does it make everyone feel better? I doubt it, I know it doesn't make me feel better.

On the other hand maybe the security guards are just there to sacrifice themselves to slow down any bad guys long enough for the Disney SWAT team to charge out from behind the stroller rental.

G

 

[vernon]

This would be true if they actually had real security. The people checking the bags are a joke. If Disney wanted real security they'd hire Wells or some such company to take care of it. This is no good.

I don't think the "security" you see is the only security they have. WDW has a lot of very high tech equipment and operatives to "drive" them (many recruited from the US military. Just because you don't see them, doesn't mean they are not there. I tend to agree the visible aspect of the bag searches is mostly a combination of 1) for show and 2) to slow down people and enable any screening to be done.

While I agree that the front line could/should be stepped up to provide some sort of genuine deterant, I don't think it is a good time ( with the election coming, Thanksgiving and Xmas holidays) nor is it a good idea to do away with them altogether. WDW is a prime target for terrorists and as such there should be an obvious and effective deterent in place for many years to come, JMHO. The time they will hit, is the time when we relax.

 

[Serena]

I have to agree, they probably look to the person with the bag than the bad itself.

If you don't want it searched, then they have a problem.

I agree though, that they probably need to do a better job. Or just make it a random check.

 

[Pin Wizard]

We were just at Busch Gardens yesterday. I just took my camera bag with me. He checked two sections, missed the third. Anyone know what's with them scanning your pass and then you put your hand on some sort of sensor...it looks like.