strange questions to ask but here goes, i work at a local regional airport, now there is a “20 minute rule” that applies to all staff working in the search area, this rule dictates that no member of staff can work more than 20 minutes on one station e.g. checking boarding cards, X-Ray screen etc, this rule reduces the risk of staff getting tired doing one job and losing concentration which is vital in a security point of view!!, now i am a seasonal employee in another department partialy trained in certain area’s within the search area.
The problem is we seem to be exempt from this 20 minute rule, for example today i spent 2 hours and 20 minutes loading bags onto the X-Ray screening belt, what i need to know before i speak to a manager tommorow is, is the 20 minute rule a DFT regulation or a company regulation?
i know it exists as we were told about it in our training?
this problem has been brought up time and time again with higher management and they say yes we will sort that out but im sure you can image what realy happens?
i don’t know if this subject area is allowed or not if its not allowed publicly maybe someone who knows the answer can PM or e-mail me about it.
By: andrewm - 13th November 2007 at 20:30
I am aware of a 20 minute rotation recomendation for all positions to prevent a terrorist being able to let a fellow terrorist through withour proper checks. The theory is that if they change every 20 minutes it is unlikely a terrorist would be in the correct position (e.g. body search) to enable a terrorist with “equipment” to get past search.
By: symon - 13th November 2007 at 19:18
I just checked my training notes and couldn’t see any DfT rule saying that they had to do a 20 minutes rotation, though that’s not to say it’s not true. It may be a 20min recomendation time.
What areas are you trained in? If it is only loading and boarding cards I imagine as harsh as it seems they may not have too much of an issue leaving you there as it isn’t demanding. Where I worked there were people who loaded for whole 8 hour shifts, because it was there job.
I think the 20min rule is only really for the x-ray due to the concentration and so because of that there is generally supposed to be a 20 minute rotation. I have even seen people searching for up to an hour at a time.
If I was you I would wait to see what the next shift is like. The management will probably remind all staff people should swap around so you will probably have more luck asking the people you’re working with at the time for a swap.
By: Homer09001 - 13th November 2007 at 18:30
where there for their every blessed beck and call, its a joke, overworked & underpaid!!
By: lukeylad - 13th November 2007 at 18:23
I cant belive you guys have to come up and do that though you guys just handled the coaches wheelchairs and bag jams.
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November 13, 2007 at 6:00 pm