I often travel for work, taking flights and going through security checks. In the past, I thought that if I passed through the security scanner without triggering an alarm, I could proceed directly without needing a manual inspection. However, most of the time the scanner would beep, usually due to my belt, and the security personnel would then conduct a manual check.
Occasionally, I pass through the security screening equipment without triggering an alarm, yet still receive a manual inspection. But such cases are extremely rare, both domestically and abroad.
On August 26, I departed from an airport in a city in East China, which ranks second in the province in terms of GDP, with over 500 billion yuan last year.
I was wearing a T-shirt and beltless sweatpants, and sneakers, the security scanner didn't go off, but the security inspector still asked me to come over for a particularly thorough check.
He asked: Is an inspection still necessary if no police report is filed?
She replied: 100% must be inspected.
After the inspection, I casually asked Qianwen, "When going through security checks at the airport, if the metal detector doesn't beep at all, is a pat-down still necessary?"
Qinwen response: Normally, if the security scanner does not sound an alarm when you pass through, security personnel do not need to conduct a manual body search on you.
According to the Civil Aviation Security Inspection Rules and relevant security check operation specifications, the specific procedure for personal security checks is as follows:
Routine security checks: Passengers go through security scanners (such as metal detectors or millimeter wave scanners) in sequence. If the device does not sound an alarm, passengers are usually allowed to pass through directly.
Random checks: Even if the equipment does not sound an alarm, security inspection agencies still have the right to conduct random checks on passengers who do not trigger an alarm, a mechanism established to guard against unknown risks and not targeted at individuals.
Mandatory pat-downs are only conducted when alarms are triggered by security screening equipment, at which point security personnel use handheld metal detectors for further inspection or manual checks to rule out potential threats before allowing passage.
I read a few sentences to the inspector, stating that according to the Civil Aviation Administration's security check rules, if the security equipment does not sound an alarm, passengers can usually pass through.
She insisted that everything here must be inspected 100%.
I spoke up, saying that your regulations are different from those of the Civil Aviation Administration, which is a problem.
She said you can ask our leaders.
Her leader was nearby and walked over. As soon as I opened my mouth, he said, "I know the rules you're talking about, but our requirement here is that everyone must be inspected."
I helplessly walked towards the gate, still with some time before boarding, and felt I had to get to the bottom of this matter.
According to the Civil Aviation Security Inspection Rules, which belong to the Ministry of Transport's regulations, Article 32 states: Passengers should pass through security checkpoints in an orderly manner to undergo personal security checks. For passengers who trigger alarms when passing through security checkpoints, civil aviation security inspectors should use methods such as re-passing through security checkpoints or manual personal checks for re-examination, and can only allow them to pass after ruling out any doubts. For passengers who do not trigger alarms when passing through security checkpoints, random checks can be conducted. Before undergoing personal checks, passengers should remove any items they are carrying that may affect the inspection results, including metal objects, electronic devices, and outerwear.
For passengers who pass through security checks without triggering an alarm, random checks can be conducted, which definitely does not mean 100% must be checked. However, Qianwen's statement that "if the device check does not sound an alarm, passengers can usually be cleared directly" is also not written in the rules.
According to the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Civil Aviation Security, which is a State Council decree, Article 27 states: Security inspection personnel shall inspect passengers' tickets, identification documents, and boarding passes, and use instruments or manual methods to conduct security checks on passengers and their luggage. If necessary, they can conduct strict checks. Passengers who have completed security checks shall wait to board in the isolation area.
It still can't resolve my doubts.
For a higher-level reference, the Civil Aviation Law of the People's Republic of China—a statute—provides in Article 165: Passengers, baggage, and cargo shall be subject to security screening, except where exempted as prescribed by the State Council. ... The procedures and standards for civil aviation security screening shall be formulated by the competent civil aviation authority under the State Council.
This again falls under the jurisdiction of the civil aviation authority, namely the Civil Aviation Bureau and the Ministry of Transport, which still follows the "Civil Aviation Safety Inspection Rules".
I went back to the security checkpoint and communicated again with the person in charge of security, telling them what I had found, saying that 100% manual re-checking of people is definitely a problem, and if everyone's body needs to be 100% manually re-checked, then what's the point of using equipment?
He said that is our rule.
Hey, can you show me the regulations?
He pulled out a document and showed me a page with "Post Operation Standards and Requirements", which included a clause stating: 100% personal checks should be conducted on individuals passing through the security gate. When using a handheld metal detector in conjunction with manual checks, attention should be paid to the effective coordination between the hand and the handheld metal detector. Wherever the handheld metal detector is used, the security checker should use their other hand to perform touching, pressing, and squeezing actions, ensuring that no suspicious points are overlooked. If any suspicious points cannot be eliminated, they should be reported to the team leader for handling.
I said, in that case, the regulations should be posted clearly for passengers to see.
He explained that from the provincial airport management group (group level) to the airport (company level) and down to the grassroots level responsible for security checks, there is an internal regulation requiring 100% compliance, which is not publicly disclosed.
I consulted a veteran journalist who has been covering the civil aviation industry for over 20 years, asking if this practice is reasonable. The response I received was that "security checks are being enforced at a higher level in some places," similar to the measures taken in certain areas during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In recent years, there have been numerous debates surrounding the increased frequency and complexity of security checks at certain airports and subway stations, such as the requirement for security checks before entering terminal buildings and the use of handheld devices to scan each subway passenger. Although security equipment and smart security technologies are constantly being updated, with airports frequently updating their equipment, the security check process has not become simpler or more convenient.
I'm concerned that the arrangements are still not thorough enough, so I asked Dou Bao: What are the systems of the Civil Aviation Administration of China regarding aviation safety inspections?
This discovery also included a "Civil Aviation Security Inspection Manual", which is an operational guide for the "Civil Aviation Security Inspection Rules" and an internal management document for airport security inspection agencies nationwide. Each airport security inspection agency must compile its own operational management documents based on this, which serve as a direct reference for on-site operations.
This manual is not publicly available across the internet, but portions can be found via online document repositories. Under the "Personal Security Inspection" section, it stipulates: passengers who trigger an alarm when passing through the security gate must undergo a repeat gate screening, or be re-checked using a handheld metal detector or manual physical search. They may only be cleared after all suspicious points have been ruled out.
After doing so much sorting out, I feel a sense of fatigue. Often, it's not about solving the problem, but rather just understanding the problem itself, which can be very difficult.
But I've made peace with it. "Nothing can be accomplished without norms and standards" emphasizes that citizens and enterprises must act in accordance with laws and regulations. "Everything not prohibited by law is permitted" emphasizes the freedom and protections that citizens and enterprises are entitled to. The reality, however, is that rules exist on many levels, from top to bottom—some public, some not. The freedom you think you have often gets discounted by various inspectors, and they too are acting within the bounds of the rules.
Regarding my concern, "If the security equipment does not sound an alarm, do passengers still need to undergo manual checks?"
There is still no complete answer.
Note: On the afternoon of September 1, departing from Pudong T2, the security equipment did not sound an alarm and allowed direct passage. The security inspector was also asked to confirm, and it was verified that no manual inspection was required.